Clarke's Lucky 13...I Was There.

Arkansas sophomore Rotnei Clarke put his mark on Arkansas and SEC basketball history on Friday the 13th by sinking 13 of 17 from three-point range against Alcorn State in the Razorbacks' 130-68 season-opening win. Clarke's 51 points in the game also set a new school scoring record.

Personally I am proud to say I was there and able to record Clarke's historic night.


Clarke was dubbed "the best shooter in college baskeball" in a preseason article by Fox Sports’ Jeff Goodman.


Clarke had hit 275-of-300 and 281-of-300 shots while practicing his three-point stroke the previous two nights leading up to the game.




What made this game even more special was there were only 7,713 fans in attendance at the 19,200 capacity Bud Walton Arena due to lack of interest in the game. Five players, including star point guard Courtney Fortson and freshman big man Glen Bryant, were suspended for the start of the season for off season violations. Many fans simply didn't come because they didn't care to watch a thinned-out team struggle against a lesser opponent. Boy were they sorry the next day.


Clarke even had coach John Pelphrey cracking smiles during the game (an equally incredible feat). Once the team is back to its full compliment of players it will be very interesting to see how the season goes. Clarke is such a threat when he's on his game, it will create scoring opportunities for four other players whenever he's on the court. The Hogs were picked as a bottom tier SEC West team in the preseason. The jury is certainly out on that verdict.