Hogs’ bench played major part in win

FAYETTEVILLE — Not often have three produced so much off the bench.

In a combined 67 minutes, Razorbacks reserves Daryl Macon of Little Rock Parkview, Anton Beard of North Little Rock High and Trey Thompson of Forrest City High combined 49 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, five steals and three blocked shots propelling Arkansas’ 98-80 SEC victory over Ole Miss Saturday at Walton Arena.

Throw in the two off the bench points from freshman forward Adrio Bailey, who also grabbed a rebound and absorbed an Ole Miss charging foul, the Arkansas bench outscored the Ole Miss bench, 51-12.

“Some outstanding performances by our bench,” Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said. “That’s the beauty of it. They’re starting to figure out their roles. Our guys are starting to trust each other. We’re starting to see it…20 assists on 31 field goals, that’s trusting one another.”

Arkansas first-year junior college transfer junior guards Macon, a career high 30 points against Ole Miss, and Jaylen Barford, 15 points as a starter, exemplified their growing trust in the Razorbacks and the Razorbacks’ growing trust in them.

“He and Barford are finding their stride” Anderson said. “As they find their stride, this team continues to find its stride as well. I thought today was big for Daryl.”

While it’s not always fun to adjust, basketball is still a game, and games should be fun, Anderson asserts.

“I had to sit Daryl down and say, ‘Go have some fun with it’,” Anderson said. “Get out of your way. Some guys put so much pressure on themselves to do this and do that. Have some fun with it.”

Macon had a ball, including some back and forth with senior teammate Manny Watkins before the three marking Macon’s career high 30.

“Actually before I shot that last three-pointer, Manny told me I had 27,” Macon said. “He was like, ‘I bet you won’t get 30.’ I was like, ‘OK, bet.’ That’s when I shot the last three. … I have to give a big shout-out to my teammates for getting me the ball and helping me make this happen because I didn’t do it on my own.”

Macon produced so much in 24 minutes, yet did so within Anderson’s system.

“I thought he let the game come to him.” Anderson said. “When you try to go get it, you don’t look very good. When you let it come to you and play the defense that’s required to play on this team, it makes a big difference.”

Both spelling and playing in tandem with 6-10 senior center Moses Kingsley, 14 points, 13 rebounds, three blocked shots and three assists against Ole Miss, 6-9 junior center/power forward Thompson continues to blossom.

In his 23 minutes, including nine with Kingsley, Thompson tallied eight points, eight rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots against Ole Miss.

Anderson had hoped with Thompson’s help that Kingsley would neutralize Ole Miss star 6-9 center/power forward Sebastian Saiz, who entered the game averaging a 15.2 scoring/11.2 rebounding double-double.

They doubly exceeded Saiz, given Saiz needed 11 shots, he just made two against Kingsley, Thompson or both, scoring eight points, blocked no shots and, with five rebounds, was outrebounded by both King-