ARKANSAS

The Razorbacks (8-9, 1-1) have a difficult week ahead, playing Florida and No. 1 Kentucky within a 48-hour period.

Coach John Pelphrey said the logistics will be hard, but the quality of competition will be even more difficult.

“The short turnaround is a byproduct of our conference having the best television package in the country,” Pelphrey said.

Up next: vs. Florida, Thursday, 9 p.m.
Previous game: Defeated Alabama 71-59

ALABAMA

Crimson Tide coach Anthony Grant is impressed with the way upcoming opponent Tennessee has responded to adversity in recent weeks in regards to the dismissal of standout Tyler Smith.

Vols senior Wayne Chism, who scored a season-high 26 points in Tennessee’s win over Ole Miss on Saturday, has stepped up his play in the wake of the arrests of his teammates.

Grant praised Chism as “one of the better frontcourt players in the league” and said he plays with a lot energy and effort.

After playing Tennessee, Alabama (11-6, 1-2) will face a Mississippi State team that is undefeated in SEC play.

Up next: vs. Tennessee, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Previous game: Lost to Arkansas 71-59

AUBURN

The Tigers (9-9, 0-3) are coming off three straight losses, but the last one might actually have a positive effect on their season.

Coach Jeff Lebo was proud of the way his team played during the second half, outscoring No. 1 Kentucky 41-33 over the last 20 minutes of the game.

Lebo’s squad battled back from a 13-point halftime deficit with some solid offense and made things difficult for a very talented Wildcats team.

The Auburn coach was impressed with Kentucky’s talented freshman backcourt of John Wall and Eric Bledsoe, comparing their talent and composure to the level of senior players.

Up next: at LSU, Wednesday, 8 p.m.
Previous game: Lost to Kentucky 72-67

LSU

The struggling Tigers could really use a win.

LSU (9-8, 0-3) has lost six of its past seven games with its only win during that stretch coming against McNeese State.

Tigers coach Trent Johnson was impressed by Florida newcomers Kenny Boynton and Vernon Macklin during LSU’s 72-58 setback on Saturday.
Johnson said Boynton, a prolific scorer in high school, is “pretty complete right now” in terms of defensive effort.

Florida’s backcourt of Boynton and Erving Walker combined for 32 points in the win over the Tigers.

“Obviously Boynton and Walker were as good as advertised,” Johnson said.

Up next: vs. Auburn, Wednesday, 8 p.m.
Previous game: Lost to Florida 72-58

MISSISSIPPI STATE

Bulldogs senior center Jarvis Varnado’s strong play has been a key part of the team’s three-game winning streak.

Varnado recorded his second career triple-double against Arkansas last week with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks. He followed that performance with 14 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks vs. Georgia.

The senior leads the SEC in two major categories with an astounding 7.33 blocks and 12.7 rebounds per game.

Up next: At Alabama, Saturday, noon
Previous game: Defeated Georgia 72-69.

OLE MISS

Wednesday’s game between Ole Miss and South Carolina will reunite Rebels coach Andy Kennedy with one of his former players.

Gamecocks standout Devan Downey played under Kennedy at Cincinnati during the 2005-06 season before transferring to South Carolina.

Kennedy said Downey has been one of the most dominant players in college basketball over the past month and that it’s “never a fun challenge trying to slow him down.”The Rebels (13-4, 1-2) lost a tough game at Tennessee on Saturday in which Vols star Wayne Chism hit six straight free throws in overtime to seal it.

Up next: vs. South Carolina, Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Previous game: Lost to Tennessee 71-69, OT.