What a season it has been already. A Top 20 ranking, a long winning streak, the Razorbacks enter the SEC Tournament as the No. 4 seed despite Saturday’s weird road loss to Tennessee.

I guess we should have seen the potential when the Razorbacks bolted from the starting gate with 11 straight victories. But doubt began to creep in when they lost 5 of the next 6 games, including the first 3 games of conference play.

But the Hogs got back to their winning ways and with a bye into the SECT quarterfinals, should be in good shape for a run in Tampa. Here are 5 things Arkansas has to do to advance and potentially win the conference tournament.

1. Stay focused

I know that sounds like a no-brainer, but is it possible that Arkansas peaked too early? The Razorbacks had won 5 straight — including a 10-point home in against Tennessee — before laying an egg in the opening half Saturday in Knoxville. The Hogs gave up 50 points in the first 20 minutes — exceeding the Vols’ output in Arkansas’ 58-48 win on Feb. 19. Overconfidence? Lack of focus? Au’Diese Toney’s injury? Who knows. They rebounded in the second half, using a 24-7 run to pull within 2 points twice in the final minute before ultimately falling 78-74. Those 2nd-half Hogs can win the SEC Tournament. Staying at that level mentally for that length of time is no easy task, and continuing at a critical time in the season is the key.

2. Continue to find a way

During this 2-month stretch, the Razorbacks have been as good as any team in the country. They’ve won games in a number of different ways.

Whether it’s winning the close shootouts, as in their 75-73 victory over No. 6 Kentucky, or the 77-76 squeaker over LSU, or even the 82-74 triumph at Florida, or the clamping down of the opposition as in the earlier 58-48 win over No. 13 Tennessee, coach Eric Musselman has maneuvered the Hogs to find ways to come out on top.

Whether it’s a big 3-pointer from Stan Umude, key free throws from JD Notae, another double-double from Jaylin Williams, or great defensive effort from Au’Diese Toney, Arkansas finds ways to win with different standouts every night. That’s what it’s going to take to stay alive in the SEC Tournament.

3. Au’Diese Toney’s health

The Hogs have found a rhythm with the usual starting 5 of Notae, Umuke, Williams, Toney and Trey Wade.

Toney missed the Tennessee game after injuring his ankle against LSU. His status complicates the issue. Musselman said after Saturday’s loss that he isn’t sure whether or how much Toney will be able to play moving in Tampa. If he can go, he’ll start. That’s critical because that starting group has continued to mesh as a unit since mid-January and work in harmony on both ends of the court. Keeping them together both in health and out of foul trouble will be a big key in the tournament.

4. The little things on defense

The Razorbacks have played outstanding defense during this stretch run. Holding 11 opponents in 15 games under 40% shooting, and 13 of 15 foes below 31% from 3-point range.

Part of that is doing the little things, like Williams’ astute ability to draw a charge. He drew 48 charges for the season entering the finale against Tennessee, and in 15 games drew multiple charges with as many as 4 in a game on 3 separate occasions. That’s the kind of commitment it has taken to get to this point and will take to advance in the tournament. In close games, and Arkansas has played in its share of them, it could be the difference between moving on and sitting out. The Hogs have already played in 8 games that were decided by 5 points or fewer.

5. Get Umude more looks

The kid can fill it up. He leads the team with a 36% shooting average from 3-point range and is 2nd on the team behind Notae with 42 made 3s.

In the tournament, teams are going to focus on defending Notae and that means someone else is going to have to step up. That someone could and should be Umude. Musselman noted after the LSU game that he would put together some packages that feature Umude to get him better looks when defenses try to smother Notae.