Anderson: Freshman is learning
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas Razorbacks’ forward Daniel Gafford, matched up against veterans Yante Maten and Derek Ogbeide, suffered his first shutout in Tuesday’s 80-77 double-overtime victory at Georgia
The 6-11 freshman from El Dorado, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Week, missed all three of his shots and had three rebounds, a steal an assist in his 27 minutes.
“I think Daniel continues to learn lessons,” said University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Coach Mike Anderson. “He went against a very veteran, crafty player. The big kid, Ogbeide, was pushing him around, and then … when Maten got him, they pushed him away from the basket.
“I thought they did a good job of really just making him a little smaller. He didn’t play as long as he’s been playing early on. … They got real physical in pushing him off the spot.”
Gafford averaged 14.6 points in his last three games and had scored in double figures in five of his first seven SEC games. Gafford, who was averaging two blocked shots per game, also went without a block for the first time since a loss at Houston on Dec. 2.
“He’s young, but he understands what comes with the game,” said senior guard Jaylen Barford, Gafford’s roommate. “He’s just got to keep his mindset. … I think he’s all right.”
Senior forward Trey Thompson said Gafford, who is projected as a potential first-round NBA Draft pick by some analysts, is typically hard on himself.
“He’ll bounce back,” Thompson said.
“We’ve got to continue to do a better job of getting him in position where he can score and utilize what God’s gifted him with,” Anderson said. “He’s a guy that can really rebound and be on the other end of the floor before anybody gets down there.”