Now, the Razorbacks get to prove how they can handle success. Fresh off its upset of No. 4 Oklahoma, Arkansas makes its yearly trek to North Little Rock today hoping to not suffer a letdown against North Texas. The Hogs have dropped their last two games in Alltel Arena — to Texas Tech (2006) and Appalachian State (2007). So they certainly have ample motivation to knock off the Mean Green.

North Texas (8-5) vs. Arkansas (10-1)
When: 2:05 p.m.
Where: Alltel Arena, North Little Rock
TV: KFTA — Cox Ch. 8 in NW Arkansas
Radio: 107.9-FM, 92.1-FM, 105.3-FM, 1290-AM for those in our readership area

About North Texas

As of two weeks ago, the Mean Green seemed far more menacing. North Texas was 8-2 heading into a trip to New Orleans. But eighth-year coach Johnny Jones’ team lost that game, as well as the next two contests. Riding a three-game losing streak, the Mean Green (from Denton, Texas) looks to get back on track today. But UNT must do so without one of its top players. Senior guard Collin Dennis didn’t practice with the Mean Green on Thursday and didn’t make the trip to North Little Rock. Jones said Dennis had some kind of an incident on New Year’s Eve. Dennis’ absence will hurt UNT, but enough threats still exist to give Arkansas coach John Pelphrey concerns. North Texas shoots 38.7 percent from 3-point range, led by 6-foot-5 sophomore guard Tristan Thompson (12.8 ppg) and 5-10 junior guard Dominique Johnson (10.6).

Players To Watch

Arkansas
Michael Washington, 6-9, 239-pound junior forward
Seriously, what can’t Washington do? The McGehee native has shown immense versatility in his game this season in racking up six double-doubles. One more of those, and Washington will have the most for a Razorback since 1999. North Texas will throw a lot of bodies at Washington today, hoping to force the ball out of his hands. But Washington, who averages a team-high 15.9 points and 10.4 rebounds, has proven lately that he can get his numbers despite all the attention.
North Texas
Collin Mangrum, 6-5, 195-pound sophomore guard
Without Dennis out, the Mean Green must find an ample replacement for the preseason second-team all-Sun Belt pick. Mangrum could be that player, and his increased productivity lately is a testament to his toughness. Mangrum has undergone five surgeries in the past 20 months. In fact, he only played three games this season. Mangrum referred to his career-high 19-point effort in an overtime loss to Middle Tennessee State on Wednesday night as “bittersweet.”

Keys For An Arkansas Victory

1. No Pressure
The Razorbacks talked the past few days about the passion of the fans in central Arkansas and mentioned how badly they wanted to win for them. The Hogs can’t get caught up too much in that storyline.
2. Pound The Ball
Inside, that is. Washington should present matchup problems for anyone who tries to guard him. Expect freshmen Michael Sanchez, Brandon Moore and Andre Clark, as well as senior Marcus Monk to dominate the glass. Oh, and don’t forget about freshman point guard Courtney Fortson on the boards.
3. Clarke Shooting
This was a key for Tuesday night’s game against Oklahoma, and freshman Rotnei Clarke’s continued improvement of late will only open more things up for Fortson and Co. Clarke was 4 of 17 from the field for the two games leading into the OU game, but he connected on 3 of his 4 shots from 3-point range against the Sooners.
4. Create Pace
Fortson has no problem with this. It’s pedal-to-the-metal all the time with him, and his teammates certainly love that mentality.
5. Guard The 3
North Texas has one chance at beating Arkansas: get hot from beyond the arc. The Razorbacks must make every effort to limit open looks for guard-oriented UNT.

Gameday Links
• Here’s my feature on Fortson that ran in today’s Morning News.
• Brett Vito of the Denton Record-Chronicle looks into Dennis’ suspension and previews the Mean Green’s trek to North Little Rock.
• Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com gets him some Monk.
• ESPN.com has moved Arkansas up to No. 28 in its most recent “Power Rankings”