Mike Anderson Prepares For Return to Missouri; Razorbacks Face Must-Win Situation

Kim Klement-USA Today Sports

Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson spent five seasons as the head man at Missouri before making the switch to the SEC prior to the 2011-12 season.

Well, it didn’t take long for the Tigers to follow suit, as their switch to the same conference went into effect prior to this year. Back on Feb. 16, Anderson got the best of his former team with a 73-71 victory over the Tigers. Now however, things are switching gears in terms of location and it comes at a do-or-die time for the Razorbacks.

Related: Florida Can Clinch Outright SEC Regular Season Title With Win Over Vanderbilt on Wednesday

So, as Anderson prepares to make his return trip to Mizzou, Arkansas is looking at the final week of the regular season as a must-win stretch. The two should go hand-in-hand, but can the Razorbacks make a statement prior to the start of the conference tournament?

Sure, Arkansas knows that they can beat Missouri considering they already have, but it’s never easier to win on the road, especially in an environment that will be welcoming back a former head coach who left them. Not too mention, Missouri is looking to avenge the loss themselves, most likely preparing for Tuesday night with a chip on their shoulder.

After an 18-14 season a year ago with no postseason finish, Anderson brought back a solid group of guys who were expected to compete within the upper half of the SEC. At 18-11 overall and 9-7 within the league, the Razorbacks have found themselves in that range, but there is still work to do as the month of March gets ready to kick into high gear.

Will Missouri exact revenge on their home coach and a team that has already beat them this season? Or, will Anderson and Arkansas go into Columbia and make a statement?

 

Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS

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