“We’re treating it like it’s just another game,” said head women’s basketball coach Destinee Rogers when asked if the Red Wolves’ in-state opponent for Friday evening held special significance. This is, of course, a first-semester lesson in Coach Speak 101. Arkansas will always be an “opponent of interest” for Arkansas State, and the Hogs will enter F’N Bank Arena tonight scrutinized by a fan base expecting a victory – as we do every game.

“I appreciate (Arkansas head coach) Mike Neighbors agreeing to this game,” said Coach Rogers, recognizing that simply getting to this point was akin to moving Everest. However, the unique quality of this meeting has faded, leaving only a desire to win. Tonight will be the third consecutive season of a Red Wolves vs Hogs women’s basketball matchup – and the second in Jonesboro. The first meeting resulted in a 94-71 defeat. After about five minutes of competitiveness, the Red Wolves simply could not keep pace with the Razorbacks’ SEC speed, size and depth.

The next year, Arkansas State darkened the doors of Bud Walton Arena, and offered the Hogs a tougher challenge, battling harder than the final score of 77-63. Izzy Higginbottom, the legendary Batesville Baller and recent transfer from Missouri, was a big difference maker, drilling 19 points. However, Arkansas dominated beneath the rim.

During the off season, Rogers added some size in Kendra Gillispie, a 6’1 transfer from Baylor, and Cheyenne Forney, a 6’3″ transfer from Denver. She brought in Wynter Rogers from West Virginia to provide another scoring option to Higginbottom and Lauryn Pendleton. While the additions changed the team’s physical make-up, it’s the mental approach that Coach Rogers likes most, pointing to the adversity the team faced in their most recent game, a hard fought win over NIU.

“Before, we might have given up when we go down,” said Coach Rogers. “But we kept playing.”

To defeat Arkansas, the Red Wolves will need to keep playing. This will be Arkansas’ first road test after hosting three games in friendly confines. Though 3-0, the Razorbacks had close calls with both ULM and Murray State before destroying UA Little Rock 77-36. Arkansas isn’t the Top 20 team the Red Wolves have faced previously, but they are still dangerous, led by sophomore 6’2″ guard Saylor Poffenbarger’s 13 points per game.

Higginbottom versus Poffenbarger should be fun. Victory would be more fun, and a zesty crowd would certainly help. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Photo by Carla Wehmeyer – Arkansas State