Pregame
Arkansas’ starting lineup: Anthony Black, Nick Smith, Ricky Council, Jordan Walsh and Makhi Mitchell
The Razorbacks enter their first Saturday home game of the season with a 6-1 record. They are coming off a 74-61 win over Troy on Monday in which Council scored 27 points, including 19 in the second half.
Council is averaging a team-high 20.1 points per game, and Black is second at 14.1 per game. The freshman leads the team in assists (24) and steals (16), and is third with 8 threes made.
Junior guard Davonte Davis is back with the team after a one-game personal absence. Smith is in the starting lineup for the first time as a Razorback after making his debut against Troy.
Arkansas is No. 6 in the country in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom data, allowing 87.6 points per 100 possessions. It is also No. 12 in defensive turnover rate and 16th in steal percentage.
The Razorbacks have given up an average of 55.8 points in their four games in Bud Walton Arena this season.
San Jose State’s starters: Omari Moore, Sage Tolbert, Alvaro Cardenas, Trey Anderson and Ibrahima Diallo
The Spartans are 6-2 overall after a 2-1 run at the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship last week. They lost to North Texas then closed the event with wins over Oakland and Ball State.
Moore is the player to watch for San Jose State. He entered his name in the NBA Draft after last season before withdrawing in June.
Moore is averaging a team-high 13.4 points per game on 42.2% shooting, 6.1 rebounds and leads the Spartans with 35 assists. He scored 15 points in San Jose State’s win over Ball State to cap play last week.
Tolbert is second in scoring at 10.3 points, and is the only other Spartans player scoring in double figures. A 6-8 senior, he leads the team in rebounding at 8.0 per outing.
San Jose State is shooting 35.6% from three-point range this season, and it is allowing opponents to hit 35.5% of their long-range tries. The Spartans have three players who have knocked down at least 13 triples.
