Muss Buss enters huge stretch

Following an eight game win streak, Arkansas enters one of the toughest eight game stretches of any team in the country.

Here’s the last eight games of the hogs’ SEC slate:

1.Auburn (2/8)
In what seems like it should be a prime time ESPN game, the hogs play host to Auburn on Tuesday night on ESPN2. Auburn is a team that uses their front court, led by Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith, to fuel their team to wins. Projected Score: Auburn 85, Arkansas 81

at.Alabama (2/12)
No matter the record, Alabama is one of if not the most talented team in the SEC. The trip to Tuscaloosa for the hogs could be its toughest in the second half of the schedule. Projected Score: Alabama 77, Arkansas 73

at.Missouri (2/15)
Arkansas demolished Missouri 87-43, which began their eight game winning streak. The hogs should expect a much bigger challenge when it heads to Columbia, playing a team led by talented forward Kobe Brown. Projected Score: Arkansas 75, Missouri 64

22.Tennessee (2/19)
In the first of two match-ups between the Vols and Hogs, it seems like a must win for Arkansas’ NCAA Tournament resume. Arkansas will have to contain guards Kennedy Chandler and Santiago Vescovi to get the win. Projected Score: Arkansas 72, Tennessee 68

at.Florida (2/22)
Arkansas has not beat Florida in Gainesville since 1995 and will look to change that against Jacksonville (AR) High School graduate Tyree Appleby. With the much improved play of Arkansas big man Jaylin Williams, he should be up to the task of defending talented Florida big Colin Castleton. Projected Score: Arkansas 73, Florida 72

5.Kentucky (2/26)
Kentucky, led by likely national player of the year Oscar Tsheibwe and talented guards Sahvir Wheeler and Tyty Washington could very well run the hogs out of the building. But, something tells me playing in Bud Walton will challenge a Kentucky team that hasn’t seen many teams like Arkansas’ big starting lineup. Projected Score: Kentucky 83, Arkansas 70

25.LSU (3/2)
Less than a month ago, LSU was ranked in the top fifteen in the country and were up by as many as twelve points on the Razorbacks in the two teams’ first meeting. Then, a late Arkansas run gave them a loss, of course, and jump started a run where the tigers have lost five of their last six games. LSU has been without point guard Xavier Pinson but with him back, Arkansas is going to have to be ready to handle a much better basketball team. Projected Score: Arkansas 83, LSU 81

at.22.Tennessee (3/5)
Arkansas finishes the regular season in Knoxville to face Tennessee for the second time in three weeks. Playing in Knoxville is always difficult, so many could see the hogs losing this one. Projected Score: Tennessee 78, Arkansas 70

Projected Final Record: 23-8 (11-7)