Texas Christian @ Arkansas preview

Arkansas hopes a step outside the SEC will help it snap a two-game losing streak when it hosts TCU in the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday. The Razorbacks fell to Mississippi State on Wednesday, while TCU earned a win in its last outing against visiting Texas Tech on Tuesday.

The Horned Frogs are led by one of the top scorers in the Big 12, senior guard Desmond Bane, who averages 17.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Sophomore center Kevin Samuel is the only non-guard in the Horned Frogs' starting lineup, but he's a force in the paint, averaging 10.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. Arkansas has a similar starting five, led by four guards, including three that are averaging at least 15.1 points. Mason Jones paces the Razorbacks with team-high averages of 18.3 points and 6.2 rebounds while Isaiah Joe and Jimmy Whitt Jr. add 16.8 and 15.1 points, respectively.

TIME: 4 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN2

ABOUT TCU (13-5): There is a little more optimism around the TCU program after the victory over Texas Tech since that broke a two-game losing streak in which the Horned Frogs were outscored by a combined 52 points. The team's overall record looks good currently, but that can go away quickly in Big 12 play, so if the Horned Frogs were going to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive, they would need some big wins. Knocking off the 18th-ranked Red Raiders, last season's national runner-up, was certainly a good start, and coach Jamie Dixon's squad is feeling more hopeful heading into Saturday's game.

ABOUT ARKANSAS (14-4): Arkansas coach Eric Musselman is hoping he'll see more aggressiveness from his team against the Horned Frogs, as in going to the hoop stronger. The Razorbacks managed just 11 free-throw attempts in the loss to Mississippi State, compared to the Bulldogs' 31 tries (15 by forward Reggie Perry alone). With no strong drives to the hoop, and 4-of-20 shooting from 3-point range, Arkansas was unable to keep up with Mississippi State, and Musselman is hoping that changes against the smaller Horned Frogs defense.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. TCU leads the Big 12 in 3-pointers per game (9.4) and ranks second in 3-point percentage (35.5).

2. Arkansas leads the SEC and ranks ninth in the nation with a plus-5.2 turnover margin entering Friday.

3. Razorbacks F Reggie Chaney is shooting 79.4 percent from the field, though his 34 field-goal attempts aren't enough to qualify among NCAA leaders.

PREDICTION: Arkansas 75, TCU 71