Richardson preps team for conference opener Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ As Arkansas went 9-3 in games leading up to Saturday's Southeastern Conference opener against Mississippi State, coach Nolan Richardson said his consistent focus was getting

Friday, January 5th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) _ As Arkansas went 9-3 in games leading up to Saturday's Southeastern Conference opener against Mississippi State, coach Nolan Richardson said his consistent focus was getting the Razorbacks ready for league play.

Now, Richardson is keeping one eye on the NCAA Tournament.

``There are no cupcakes in the SEC. Every game is huge from here on out,'' Richardson said Thursday.

``We play a schedule tough enough in conference to get us ready for tournament time. I want to win both a national championship and a league championship, and our league schedule prepares us for the national tournament,'' Richardson said.

But Richardson said the Razorbacks will be in for a fight Saturday against a Bulldog team that has won its last 10 SEC openers.

``This is a very aggressive defensive team, and those are the kinds of teams that bother us. We have to be able to run and stay away from contact,'' Richardson said.

Arkansas will have to defend outside shooter Antonio Jackson, who averages 12.9 points per game. On the inside, the Bulldogs (8-2) have Robert Jackson, who averages 12.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Richardson said the Bulldogs look stronger than usual this year.

``They are running like I've never seen them run before, and look at how successful they are. The good teams just don't play the way they used to play. Very few teams walk the ball down the floor, set it up and run an offense,'' he said.

``They may be the best rebounding team in our league and we may be the best in the league at taking the ball away from people. If we can do what we do well, our chances of winning will be better.''

At Fayetteville, the Razorbacks forced 40 turnovers, including 24 steals, in their final tuneup Tuesday against Maryland-Eastern Shore. But the Razorbacks will be in a different atmosphere at Starkville.

``It's difficult to win on the road. At Oklahoma and Oklahoma State (UA's only road games), our guys know they gave those games away. That's a big difference. They don't feel like we lost,'' Richardson said. ``Hopefully, on Saturday we'll take care of the ball better and do a better job managing the clock.''

The Bulldogs beat No. 16 Arizona last weekend.

``At Arizona, Antonio Jackson looked all-world. They have great guard play and they a great big guy (Robert Jackson). This is a quality squad. Arizona got a lot of breaks in that game and Mississippi State still beat them,'' Richardson said.

The coach said the Razorbacks will have to keep the ball moving on Saturday.

``You put a lot more pressure on the defense when you pass. A defense can cover the dribbler easier than it can cover passes. If we pass the ball around, we will get easier shots. That will be our offense. The better passing team you have, the better team you have. My better teams have always been good passing teams,'' Richardson said.