Arkansas prepares for Tennessee

Coach Pelphrey, no doubt, maintains a pessimistic outlook after wins. Like most coaches, he’s bothered by imperfection. No matter what happens.

The win against Ole Miss was nice. But Pelphrey’s right to place a heaping helping of importance on righting any wrongs because of the challenges — and opportunities — that lie ahead for his team on the road.

Fact No. 1: At 6-2, the Razorbacks emerged from the first half of SEC play in position to win their first division championship 1994-95 and compete for their first overall league title since 1993-94.

Fact No. 2: They’ll go head-to-head against the biggest obstacles in the way of those goals this week. They play SEC-leading Tennessee on Wednesday and SEC West front-runner Mississippi State on Saturday.

Fact No. 3: This group hasn’t proven it can win big games on the road.

That’s why Arkansas, as Pelphrey said, has to perform much, much better.

Leaving a hot-shooting opponent open on the road can’t happen. The offensive shot selection must improve because sluggish stretches will prove costly. Missed free throws? Those are simply unacceptable.

Players acknowledged as much after the Ole Miss win. Guard Patrick Beverley said the Razorbacks must learn from their mistakes, buckle down on defense and make sure they’re doing all the little things on the road if they have any hope of staying in contention for the SEC championship.

Tennessee and Mississippi State will be difficult enough. The problem is, that’s not it. After a home game against LSU, the Razorbacks face back-to-back road tests again against Kentucky and Alabama.

Add it up. Four road trips in the next five games.

“This is going to be a big challenge for us,” center Darian Townes said.

Whether the Razorbacks are able to do more than enough to survive the stretch and win games will say a lot.

They’ll be a legitimate SEC title contender. Or they’ll be an afterthought sitting squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble.

Arkansas takes on Tennessee, Wednesday, February 13th, on Raycom Sports, 8 ET