FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - One of BJ Young's reasons for returning to Arkansas for his sophomore year was to improve as a playmaker.

The Razorbacks' guard has done just that, nearly doubling his assists total while facing defenses that are geared to stop the talented scorer.

Heading into Wednesday night's game against Mississippi State (7-9, 2-2 Southeastern Conference), Young is fourth in the SEC in assists at 4.2 per game. That's up from the 2.3 assists he averaged last season, when he led Arkansas (11-6, 2-2) in scoring at 15.3 points per game.

The 6-foot-3 Young once again leads the team in scoring at 17.2 points per game, third-best in the SEC. It's his role, however, as an offensive facilitator - including a season-high nine assists earlier this season against Alabama A&M - that coach Mike Anderson has stressed and noticed.