No polls, no sweat for Hogs

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks remain outside The Associated Press and USA Today coaches’ top 25 polls released this week.

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (92) is the first team in the “others receiving votes” category in the AP poll, meaning the Razorbacks technically are No. 26. The Razorbacks are fourth among teams receiving votes in the coaches’ poll.

Arkansas handed No. 12 Oklahoma its only loss, 92-83 at the Phil Knight Invitational in Portland, Ore., on Nov. 23 — before the Sooners were ranked — and beat Minnesota 95-79 at home on Dec. 9 when the Golden Gophers were ranked No. 14.

The Razorbacks’ losses are to No. 13 North Carolina in Portland on Nov. 24 — when the Tar Heels were ranked No. 9 — and 91-65 at Houston.

When Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson met with the media Tuesday, he was asked whether the Razorbacks feel disrespected because they’re not ranked.

“You guys keep up with the rankings and all that,” Anderson said. “You know what? I know we’ve got a really good basketball team. I know we’ve got a team that’s getting better, and I want to be in the rankings when it’s all said and done.

“This is when you want to concentrate on how your team’s playing. And when I look at how we’re playing, I get excited about this basketball team because I know there’s potential for them getting even better.”

Arkansas plays six seniors among its 10-man rotation, but freshman forward Daniel Gafford is starting and sophomore guard

C.J. Jones and sophomore forward Adrio Bailey are contributing off the bench along with freshman guard Darious Hall.

Senior forwards Dustin Thomas and Arlando Cook are playing after being suspended earlier in the season.

“In terms of the rankings, that’s what everybody looks at, and it’s great for recruiting and things of that nature,” Anderson said. “But at the end of the day we just want to continue to get better.

“That’s our goal, to get better every day. We can’t worry about [the rankings]. That’s just somebody’s opinion.”