Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Anderson to Hogs: Just finish
FAYETTEVILLE — Mike Anderson has returned stability to the Arkansas Razorbacks’ men’s basketball program going into his seventh season as head coach.
The Razorbacks haven’t yet gone to a Final Four under Anderson — as they did under Eddie Sutton and Nolan Richardson — but Anderson has led them to NCAA Tournament appearances in two of the last three seasons with records of 27-9 in 2014-15 and 26-10 in 2016-17.
Those are the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville’s two-highest victory totals since going 31-3 to win the 1994 national championship and 32-7 the next season when the Razorbacks lost the title game to UCLA.
Arkansas won first-round NCAA Tournament games in 2015 over Wofford and in 2017 over Seton Hall, but in both seasons couldn’t get by North Carolina in the second round.
The Tar Heels beat the Razorbacks 87-78 in 2015 and 72-65 last season, when North Carolina overcame a 65-60 deficit in the final three minutes and went on to win the national championship.
“It was a lesson learned — finish,” Anderson said. “We’ve got a lot of those guys back.”
The Razorbacks return six seniors from last season’s team, have some sophomores who look like they’re ready to contribute on a more consistent basis and a highly touted freshman class.
Arkansas’ top returning scorers are 6-foot-3 senior guards Daryl Macon (13.4 points per game) and Jaylen Barford (12.8).
Macon and Barford both entered their names into the NBA Draft but didn’t sign with an agent and made the decision to return to Arkansas.
“I thought the process worked for them,” Anderson said. “We got the information to them and they made the right decision, I think, to come back and get better.
“The kind of year they had, to me it’s one of those deals where you put yourself on the list. Now they’ve got a chance to go up on the list.”
As junior college transfers last season, Anderson said Macon and Barford did a good job of quickly transitioning their games to the SEC.
But Anderson said they can play better. A lot better.
“They’re a lot more comfortable going into their second season with us,” Anderson said. “They feel good about themselves. I think they’re very confident in what they do.
“I think they’re light years of where they were last year in terms of understanding what it takes to be a tremendous player at this level and they’ve put the time in during the offseason to improve.”
Other seniors include 6-0 guard Anton Beard (7.2 points per game), 6-8 forward Dustin Thomas (5.3 points, 3.8 rebounds), 6-9 forward Trey Thompson (2.4 points, 3.3 rebounds) and 6-8 forward Arlando Cook (2.8 points, 2.3 rebounds).
“Having so many seniors I think is going to be good for the team as far as leadership,” said Thompson, arguably the Razorbacks’ best passer. “You have guys who have been through the wars and won games in the NCAA Tournament and the SEC Tournament.
“We were right there last year against North Carolina. I feel like that’s going to help us down the stretch this season when we need to pull out close games or take that level of intensity up a few more notches.”
Thompson shot 61.8 percent from the field last season, but hit just 34 of 55 shots.
“I think Trey’s got to become more of a scoring threat,” Anderson said. “He’s got a nice touch for a big guy. He’s got to be able to finish around the basket and continue to make free throws, but also be more assertive offensively.”
Thompson is 0 of 1 on three-pointers in his career — he took a shot beyond the arc last season — but Anderson said
he’s good from the perimeter in practice.
“Truth be told, if I put guys in a drill and we just shoot three-point shots, one of our better three-point shooters is Trey,” Anderson said. “You wouldn’t believe that, but Trey is. But Trey, don’t get carried away, OK?”
Anderson said Beard — who as a sophomore missed 10 games for disciplinary reasons after an arrest on forgery charges — is ready for a big senior season.
“Anton’s had some adversity,” Anderson said. “I think he’s going to be a great story when he finishes, I really, really believe.
“When he looks back on his life, there’s going to be some pivotal moments that took place in his life — I’ve got to become a man. I’ve got to step up and take ownership.”
Beard has lost about 20 pounds and is down to 185.
“He looks like he’s a little quicker,” Anderson said. “When he was a stocky little dude, I was quicker than him.
“But now he’s shedded some weight, he’s playing at a pretty high level.”
Thomas is in his third season in the Arkansas program after transferring from Colorado and redshirting.
“Dustin gets a chance to hopefully really impact this basketball team,” Anderson said. “That’s going to be important.”
Cook was suspended by Anderson for six weeks after being arrested and charged with misdemeanor first-degree assault, disorderly conduct and public intoxication, but has returned to practice. Anderson is awaiting a legal resolution to Cook’s case before clearing him to play in games. For now having five seniors available to play, Barford said, is a major plus. “I think we’ve got the upper hand on any team we play this season because
we’ve got so many seniors,” Barford said. “We know what it takes to win in the SEC.”
The Razorbacks don’t have any juniors on their roster, but sophomores Adrio Bailey and C.J. Jones look ready to contribute.
Bailey, a 6-8 forward, played a season-high 19 minutes off the bench against North Carolina and had 4 points and 3 steals.
“Adrio was really effective against North Carolina,” Anderson said. “He had his imprint on that game.
“He’s an athletic forward out there on the floor that embraces what I’m about. He brings toughness to the table.”
Jones, a 6-5 guard, hit 12 of 24 three-pointers last season and figures to help fill the void lost by Dusty Hannahs, who as a senior hit 74 of 191 attempts from three-point range.
Anderson said Jones wasn’t ready to play a significant role last season, but now should be a key backcourt piece.
“Maturity has trickled in for C.J.,” Anderson said. “The game has kind of slowed down for him.
“I think he has the mindset of, ‘I know I belong out on that floor.’ “
The Razorbacks have an All-Arkansas freshman class of 6-11 Daniel Gafford, 6-6 Darious Hall, 6-8 Gabe Osabuohien and 6-5 Khalil Garland.
Gafford is expected to help replace 6-10 Moses Kingsley, a two-time All-SEC player as a junior and senior, but Anderson is trying to tone down the high
expectations.
“Daniel is not the savior of our basketball program,” Anderson said. “Daniel will come in and go at his own pace. That’s going to be the big key.
“Trust me, if it’s any indication what’s taken place throughout the summer, and what’s taking place in practice right now, he will impact our team. He’s got size, athletic ability.
“Just trying to get better. Get better at protecting the rim, running the floor like a guard. Athletic. I mean it’s amazing for a guy to be that size, 6-11 and just jump out the gym.”
Anderson said Hall can “be a glue guy” for the Razorbacks, a term he previously used for Manny Watkins, a senior guard last season who was a defensive stopper.
Osabuohien figures to help off the
bench, especially on defense with his length.
Garland has been limited to drills in practice so far because of what Anderson has said is an ongoing medical condition.
Anderson said he can’t be specific about Garland’s condition for privacy reasons.
Sophomore guard Jalen Harris, a transfer from New Mexico, will help in practice this season, but he can’t play because of NCAA mandatory redshirt rules.
“I like this team,” Anderson said. “I may not be saying that in a couple of months, but I like them right now.
“They’re working extremely hard. The veteran guys from last year, they’re dialed in. We talk about being dialed in and taking it to the next level.”