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.”

Beard update

Senior guard Anton Beard was clearly in pain and grimacing at various points of Tuesday’s victory due to the sprained ankle he suffered during a Jan. 17 loss at Florida.

“I’m sure he’s probably sore at times,” Mike Anderson said. “He’s getting treatment while he has time off. Can you play with pain? That’s the biggest question mark.”

Beard’s teammates Jaylen Barford and Trey Thompson said Beard’s grittiness has been impressive.

“He does what he does night in and night out,” Barford said.

“I’m not worried about Anton,” Thompson said. “His injury is not that bad. … He’ll play. He’ll be ready to go on Saturday.”

Anderson pointed out Beard taking a charge and hitting a key jump shot to put the Razorbacks ahead 63-61 with 28 seconds left in regulation at Georgia.

“He’s playing with his heart,” Anderson said.

No frustration

Guard Daryl Macon is still adjusting to his role as a reserve, but the results have been solid. The senior guard is averaging 22.5 points in the last two games while coming off the bench, including 25 on Tuesday at Georgia, all in the second half and the overtime periods.

He scored 8 points in a 65-63 victory over Missouri in his first game out of the starting lineup. The Razorbacks are 3-0 in games Macon has come off the bench.

“I tell you what, it’s given us some balance, I think, more than anything else,” Mike Anderson said. “I think it’s given Daryl an opportunity to come out and just play basketball.

“He turned a switch on in the second half and our guys did a good job of screening for him and he was moving without the basketball. I thought he didn’t play frustrated. There have been times we’ve seen him where he played frustrated.”

Guard Jaylen Barford, who scored 24 points, most of them before Macon’s scoring outburst, said he enjoyed watching Macon take over in overtime.

“I think it was impressive because he was scoreless in the first half,” Barford said. “He just woke up and snapped. He got hot.”

Gafford