Coach Mike Neighbors and the Arkansas women set to host UCA today.
FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas women’s basketball Coach Mike Neighbors said growing up in Arkansas, he always wondered why the Razorbacks never played other in-state schools.
He didn’t know about the longstanding policy Arkansas had against doing so at the time, but the Greenwood native is pleased it has been rescinded.
“When the board and Hunter [Yurachek] allowed us to do it, it was a no-brainer for me,” Neighbors said. “I’ve got a Frank Broyles autographed helmet, autographed book, autographed picture. I’m a Broyles guy, but I never understood why that was that big of a deal.”
The No. 13 Razorbacks (6-1) are set for a three-game stretch — all against in-state opponents — beginning against the University of Central Arkansas (1-3) this afternoon in Walton Arena. Tipoff time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Arkansas then will travel to Little Rock to play the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Saturday before finishing nonconference play by hosting the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Dec. 21.
Neighbors said contracts already were set to begin play against all four Division I instate schools next season. That time line was moved up a year with the pandemic causing scheduling issues for many, Neighbors said. He also tried to schedule Arkansas State University for this season, but was unable to work out a date.
“We didn’t intentionally do the back-to-back-to-back, but it kinda feels like a state championship now,” Neighbors said.
Arkansas is playing UALR in Little Rock this season, and the Razorbacks also will play the other three schools on the road in the future, Neighbors said.
He dispelled some of the reasons that have been given for not playing in-state opponents in the past.
“When it came out, I publicly said and I’ll say it again, ‘We’re gonna lose one of these games at some point and time.’ I’m OK with that. Just because we’re in the biggest conference or we have the most profile, maybe that’s not even true some places. I think we owe it to our high school coaches and our grass-roots coaches and our fans to play the game.
“But we’re gonna lose, and that’s OK. And we’re all gonna end up with the recruits that we should get if we do our jobs. And the better we all are, it just raises the level and the profile of our state. You dream of the day when we’re all five in the NCAA Tournament.”
UCA Coach Sandra Rushing acknowledged her team has a significant challenge ahead of them.
“They are a Final Four team, with no question,” Rushing said. “He’s got’em rolling. He’s got all the tools. I’m not sure we can keep up with them. But I want my team to go in and compete.
“I’m just being honest here, they’re fun to watch. But I gotta tell you something, I can’t say I’m gonna have very much fun probably watching them [today].”
Arkansas won’t be UCA’s first opponent from a Power 5 conference this season. Defending national champion Baylor is the one common opponent for both Arkansas and UCA.
The Razorbacks knocked off the Bears 83-78 a week ago in Walton Arena. Baylor rolled over UCA 82-37 in Waco, Texas, on Nov. 25. UCA also has played TCU and Kansas State.
Rushing is impressed with Arkansas’ fast-paced offense, which is averaging more than 91 points per game.
The Razorbacks put up points from the three-point line in a 79-47 win over SMU on Wednesday after not finding much success from that range against Baylor.
Arkansas made 16 three-pointers in Dallas, but just five against the Bears. The Razorbacks got to the rim against Baylor and also scored from the free-throw line. They made 30 of 39 free throws, including 14 of 18 in the fourth quarter alone. Baylor made just 12 of 18 free throws for the game.
“I don’t care what kind of defense you play, they’re gonna find a way to get those points,” Rushing said.