Board work

The Razorbacks outrebounded Texas A&M 47-42 in the conference opener after Mike Anderson spent much of the team’s practice time after the Christmas break harping on its importance.

Arkansas had been outrebounded in eight of its first 12 games and had the biggest rebound margin deficit in the SEC at minus-1.5 per game entering conference play.

“Coach has been telling us that all year, and we have to take it upon ourselves to go out and go get the boards,” forward Adrio Bailey said. “It takes all five guys, or four with one back. It takes everybody to crash the glass and get those boards.”

In addition to Daniel Gafford’s team-high 11 rebounds, Gabe Osabuohien added 7, while Bailey had 5, guard Mason Jones added 5, and point guard Jalen Harris had 3 along with forward Reggie Chaney.

“The only way you’re going to get a chance to get rebounds is you’ve got to put yourself in position,” Anderson said. “So I’m looking at guys like Adrio getting his body in there. Gabe had some nice stick-backs where he tipped it in, and got a big rebound going down the stretch.

“A good rebounder thinks all shots are misses.”

Anderson said the coaching staff has stressed rebounding all season.

“Trust me, we do emphasize it, OK?” Anderson said. “It ain’t like we just did it last week.

“But I think it’s something that was really made clear to our guys and they understood that there is a sense of urgency when you get to conference play.”

Anderson