The Arkansas Razorbacks' 96-88 upset victory over No. 4 Oklahoma last Tuesday garnered a bit of national attention despite coming in the middle of bowl week.

ESPN analyst and former Razorbacks player Jimmy Dykes referenced the Razorbacks following the victory last Thursday during ESPN's afternoon College Basketball program.

Dykes commended the young Razorbacks for their hard work and team play in the victory, but he also issued a bit of a challenge to the Hogs.

Dykes said the Razorbacks need to make sure that the late-December victory over the Sooners does not become the highlight of their season.

That's great advice because as hard as the Hogs have worked to build their nine-game winning streak, it guarantees nothing for the future.

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The Razorbacks are talented - possibly more talented than anyone suspected at the beginning of the year - but the Hogs didn't trump OU on talent alone.

The key to the victory was how hard they played and how well they played together that night. Without a doubt it was the Hogs' finest performance of the season and it was one that they will be hard pressed to duplicate on a regular basis.

Some nights, particularly on that cold SEC road, shots just don't fall and other times a team can get out of sync.

But the Hogs' performance against OU did set a standard for this team and showed everyone just how good the Razorbacks could become.

Don't believe for a moment that Rick Barnes and his No. 7 Longhorns didn't take notice. Whether OU underestimated the Hogs or not, the Longhorns certainly won't in their ESPN2-televised clash at 8:05 p.m.

Unfortunately, Texas does have enough talent to beat many opponents by just showing up.

The Longhorns aren't North Carolina, but they rest securely with but a few other teams on that next rung.

The Hogs have won their last six home games against Top 25 opponents, but that record speaks more of the accomplishments of past teams and to Walton Arena's atmosphere than to this squad.

Based on talent and experience, the Longhorns should win tonight, and Razorbacks fans and the Hogs themselves shouldn't be too down if Texas does.

The Longhorns are currently an elite program. They are where the Hogs were once and where they are fighting to get to now.

As long as the Razorbacks play with the pride and passion they have shown of late with everyone filling their roles and not forcing their game, the Hogs can absorb a loss to the likes of the Longhorns and it not be considered a setback.

Terry J. Wood is the sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.