Tiger guard: UA arena toughest SEC venue

MOUNTAIN BROOK, Ala. — LSU senior guard Skylar Mays didn’t hesitate when asked what’s the toughest SEC venue he’s played in as a visitor.

“Arkansas,” Mays said Wednesday at SEC media days. “Arkansas is so loud, man.”

Mays was reminded that he’s played in Kentucky’s Rupp Arena and asked if the University of Arkansas’ Walton Arena was tougher on a visitor than the Wildcats’ home?

“I don’t even think it’s a debate, honestly,” Mays said. “Around the SEC, all the fans are into it. But it’s just louder at Arkansas.

“It’s the one gym where I actually get out of myself and go, ‘It’s so loud in here.’”

Out of yourself? “For me personally, I’m locked in for the most part in a game,” Mays said. “But Arkansas is one place where I get out of myself. I don’t want to say I get rattled, but it’s real loud in there.”

Calipari’s respect

Kentucky Coach John Calipari attended the Wildcats’ football game against Arkansas on Saturday night and visited Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his son, Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones, in their box at Kroger Field.

“I said to Jerry Jones and his son, ‘You guys got a hell of a basketball coach,’” Calipari said.

Eric Musselman is in his first season as Arkansas’ coach.

Calipari recalled being in Philadelphia several years ago and watching Musselman coach the Golden State Warriors. Musselman was the Warriors’ coach during the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons.

“After the game, I walked in [the Golden State locker room] and I told Eric, ‘You just coached an unbelievable game,’” Calipari said. “I watched the game, and I said, ‘This guy is unbelievable.’”

Calipari and Musselman became better acquainted a few years later when both were coaching international teams — Calipari for the Dominican Republic and Musselman for Venezuela — during a FIBA tournament.

“We worked out every day and I got to know him,” Calipari said. “I’m just telling you, the guy is as sharp as they come. He’s a terrific basketball coach. He’s wired, he’s driven. He’s really good.”

Nice visit

Florida 6-7 senior Kerry Blackshear, a senior graduate transfer who was voted the SEC preseason player of the year in a media poll, considered Arkansas before choosing the Gators.

Blackshear, who averaged 14.9 points and 14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds at Virginia Tech last season, took recruiting visits to Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

“Arkansas showed an extreme interest in me, and I had an interest in them,” Blackshear said. “They returned some good talent and brought in some good pieces. Great coaching staff.”

Blackshear, who is from Orlando, Fla., said he enjoyed visiting with Razorbacks Coach Eric Musselman.

“He’s a cool dude and high energy,” Blackshear said. “I liked being around him in the short time I got a chance to get to know him.”

Adding Blackshear would have been huge for Arkansas, which is lacking in height.

“Kerry’s an incredible talent. Great family,” Musselman said. “He’s in a great situation with [Florida] Coach [Mike] White and playing with a lot of really talented teammates. His parents can drive up and watch him play. He’s a hell of a talent.”

Waiting on waiver

Coach Eric Musselman said Arkansas still hasn’t heard anything from the NCAA regarding a waiver request that 7-3 sophomore transfer Connor Vanover be granted immediate eligibility.

Musselman said the waiting hasn’t become frustrating — yet.

“I think if it’s two hours before the Rice game, that’ll be frustrating.” Musselman said on if the NCAA hasn’t reached a decision by the time of their season opener on Nov. 5. “But until then, we’re going to practice and Connor’s going to be doing player development stuff whether he’s active for this year or whether he’s going to sit out.”

Musselman said Vanover, who is from Little Rock and transferred to Arkansas from California, hasn’t been stressing about waiting on the waiver decision.

“He’s had a great attitude,” Musselman said. “Connor has been working hard every day. He doesn’t ask [about the waiver]. I don’t talk to him about it. I probably talk to his dad about it more than I talk to Connor about it.

“He’s just trying to get better in the weight room and continue to improve on the floor as well.”

The UA is requesting a waiver on Vanover’s behalf because his grandmother who lives in Arkansas is ill. Another mitigating circumstance cited by the UA is that Wyking Jones was fired as California’s coach after last season.

Bailey’s back hurting

Eric Musselman said senior forward Adrio Bailey has been suffering from back spasms and it’s questionable whether he’ll play in the Razorbacks’ exhibition game against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Sunday in Walton Arena.

“For me personally, I’m locked in for the most part in a game. But Arkansas is one place where I get out of myself. I don’t want to say I get rattled, but it’s real loud in there.”

— LSU senior guard Skylar Mays