Arkansas men’s capsules

JAYLEN BARFORD

CLASS Senior

HEIGHT 6-3

WEIGHT 202

POSITION Guard HOMETOWN Jackson, Tenn. HIGH SCHOOL/JUCO Southside High School/Motlow State (Tenn.) Community College LAST SEASON Averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

THE SKINNY Barford may go to the basket harder than any other guard in college basketball and he’s a good free-throw shooter (75.2 percent last season) and defender. The keys for him to taking his game to a higher level is to improve his 3-point shooting (26.6 percent on 29 of 109) and cut down on his turnovers (71).

ANTON BEARD

CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-0 WEIGHT 185 POSITION Guard HOMETOWN North Little Rock HIGH SCHOOL North Little

Rock

LAST SEASON Averaged 7.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists.

THE SKINNY Has played in 94 games for the Razorbacks, including 28 starts, and averaged 7.2 points. Good penetrator who can get to the basket and find open teammates. Shot career-best 34.6 percent (32 of 90) on 3-pointers last season.

ARLANDO COOK

CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-8 WEIGHT 215

POSITION Forward HOMETOWN St. Louis HIGH SCHOOL/JUCO Madison Prep/Connors (Okla.) State

LAST SEASON Averaged 2.8 points and 2.3 rebounds.

THE SKINNY Can help off the bench, but first has to be cleared to play by coach Mike Anderson. Cook was suspended by Anderson for six weeks after being arrested and charged with misdemeanor first-degree assault, disorderly conduct and public intoxication in the offseason.

DARYL MACON

CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-3 WEIGHT 185 POSITION Guard HOMETOWN Little Rock HIGH SCHOOL/JUCO

Parkview/Holmes (Miss.) Community College LAST SEASON Averaged 13.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

THE SKINNY Razorbacks leading returning scorer. Shot 38.7 percent on 3-pointers (65 of 168) and 86.6 percent at the free-throw line (136 of 157). Has added 10 pounds since last season so he can play more physical going to the basket.

DUSTIN THOMAS

CLASS Senior

HEIGHT 6-8

WEIGHT 225

POSITION Forward HOMETOWN Texarkana, Texas HIGH SCHOOL Pleasant Grove

LAST SEASON Averaged 5.3 points and 3.8 rebounds after transferring from Colorado.

THE SKINNY Started 27 of 36 games last season. Shot 48.6 percent from the field (72 of 148), but didn’t show the all-around game expected. Could become more consistent as a fifthyear senior. Was big in an NCAA Tournament victory over Seton Hall with 13 points and 5 rebounds.

TREY THOMPSON

CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-9 WEIGHT 265 POSITION Forward HOMETOWN Madison HIGH SCHOOL Forrest City LAST SEASON Averaged 2.4 points and 3.3 rebounds.

THE SKINNY Stats may not be impressive, but Thompson is a key player because of his passing ability and unselfish play. He needs to be more aggressive on offense considering he shot 6.18 percent (34 of 55) from the field last season. Had 54 assists compared to 22 turnovers.

ADRIO BAILEY

CLASS Sophomore HEIGHT 6-6 WEIGHT 204 POSITION Forward HOMETOWN Campti, La. HIGH SCHOOL Lakeview LAST SEASON Averaged 1.9 points and 1.3 rebounds. THE SKINNY Tremendous athlete who is ready to play a bigger role this season. Against North Carolina had 4 points and 3 steals in 19 minutes off the bench. Coach Mike Anderson has compared Bailey to former Razorback AllSEC guard Michael Qualls, another high-flier from Louisiana.

C.J. JONES

CLASS Freshman HEIGHT 6-5 WEIGHT 175 POSITION Guard HOMETOWN Birmingham, Ala. HIGH SCHOOL Central Park

Christian

LAST SEASON Averaged 2.4 points and 0.6 rebounds.

THE SKINNY Good perimeter shooter (12 of 24 on 3-pointers last season) who should help fill void left by Dusty Hannahs’ departure. Aggressive offensive player who needs to show he’s committed to playing the defense Mike Anderson demands.

JALEN HARRIS

CLASS Sophomore

HEIGHT 6-2

WEIGHT 164

POSITION Guard HOMETOWN Raleigh, N.C. HIGH SCHOOL Word of God Christian Academy LAST SEASON Averaged 4.5 points. 2.3 assist and 1.8 rebounds at New Mexico. THE SKINNY Redshirting after transferring from New Mexico. Should help in practice, get stronger, learn the Razorbacks’ system and be ready to play next season after the team loses three senior guards. Played in 31 games for

the Lobos, including 18 starts, and averaged 20.6 minutes. CLASS Sophomore HEIGHT 5-10 WEIGHT 190 POSITION Guard HOMETOWN Columbia, Ill. HIGH SCHOOL Columbia LAST SEASON Averaged 0.3 points. 0.2 rebounds in six games. THE SKINNY Walk-on who adds depth for

practice. CLASS Freshman HEIGHT 6-11 WEIGHT 234

POSITION Center HOMETOWN El Dorado HIGH SCHOOL El Dorado LAST SEASON Averaged 17.4 points, 16.0 rebounds, 7.7 blocked shots and 2.2 steals.

THE SKINNY Athletic big man who protects the rim and rebounds above it. Runs the court like a guard. Mike Anderson has cautioned that Gafford isn’t the program’s savior — he said the same thing when Bobby Portis was a freshman — but he should be an impact player. CLASS HEIGHT WEIGHT POSITION HOMETOWN HIGH SCHOOL

Freshman

6-5

198 Guard Little Rock Parkview

LAST SEASON Averaged 12.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

THE SKINNY Had been expected to add backcourt depth, but may not be able to play. Hasn’t been cleared to go full speed in practice because of an ongoing medical condition, coach Mike Anderson said. Anderson has been specific about the medical issue because of privacy laws. CLASS Freshman

HEIGHT 6-6

WEIGHT 201 POSITION Forward HOMETOWN Little Rock HIGH SCHOOL Mills LAST SEASON Averaged 14.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals.

THE SKINNY Athletic wing player who can score, but this season should contribute primarily on the defensive end because of his length. Should help the Razorbacks play more of the pressure defense coach Mike Anderson prefers.

CLASS Freshman

HEIGHT 6-8

WEIGHT 219 POSITION Forward HOMETOWN Toronto HIGH SCHOOL Southwest Christian Academy LAST SEASON Averaged 11.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

THE SKINNY Late signee in the summer after Brachen Hazen transferred to Ball State. Athletic big man who could help off the bench, but likely needs a season to adjust to playing in the SEC. Size will give him a chance to help on defense.