Anderson seeks complete game from young Hogs

FAYETTEVILLE — Playing two strong halves instead of one becomes a prime objective for coach Mike Anderson’s Razorbacks in their second and final exhibition basketball game against a small college opponent tonight.

Arkansas hosts the Division II Southwest Baptist Bearcats of Bolivar, Mo., tipping off at 7 p.m. at Bud Walton Arena.

Last Friday night against Division II Tusculum, Anderson’s young Razorbacks played an abysmal first half, committing 13 turnovers and hitting just 10 of 28 shots from the field and a “horrendous” 8 of 20 free throws, Anderson said. They led, 30-24, at intermission only because Tusculum turned it over 19 times.

Arkansas cleaned up its ballhandling and shooting in its 66-23 second half, completing a 96-47 rout.

“Can we put two halves together?” Anderson asked during his Thursday press conference. “The other night, I thought against Tusculum, we didn’t take care of the basketball, so we’ve got to clean that up. Then of course ,at the free throw line, we were horrendous.

“The second half, I thought we settled down and played like we have been practicing for the most part. I want to see a continuation of that second half instead of the first half. Again, see if our guys can come out defensively, rebound and be a little more physical around the basket. Scoring and get into our defense. Again, this is the last exhibition game, and then it’s for real after that.”

Anderson said the Hogs came out jittery and did not match Tusculum’s initial intensity until asserting themselves in the second half.

Freshman guard and Fort Smith Northside alum Isaiah Joe, hitting 5 of 8 outside the arc, led Arkansas against Tusculum with 18 points.

Sophomore 6-11 Preseason All-Southeastern Conference center Daniel Gafford, of El Dorado, got into foul trouble in the first half, putting up two points and one rebound in his eight-minute half. He responded with 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots in the second half.

“His fouls, I thought they were kind of lazy fouls, really,” Anderson said, “I think some of them were jumping sideways when a guy comes in there. Obviously now, if you’re in that lane, you can jump straight up. With his length at 6-11 jumping straight up, especially within that arc, that plays into his advantage. … I think he probably got one with his hands pushing behind there. It’s important that he understands that.

“We had the head of officials Mark Whitehead came in and talked to our guys for about 15 minutes about the dos and don’ts of what they’re going to be emphasizing this year. I thought that was beneficial to our guys. He’s in a different position now, and obviously he’s got to understand the value that he has to our basketball team and just play smarter. I think that’s the biggest key, play smarter. There’s a thin line to play hard and smart, and he’s got to do both.”

Freshman forward Reggie Chaney had a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

“I thought he came in and was one of those guys playing above the rim, getting offensive rebounds,” Anderson said Thursday. “Got to get better at the free throw line (3 of 7 vs. Tusculum).”

Razorbacks sophomore point guard Jalen Harris, who had seven assists, and freshman guard Keyshawn Embery-Simpson scored 13 each against Tusculum.

Southwest Baptist finished the 2017-18 season with a record of 12-17. The Bearcats lost, 85-78, in an exhibition game at Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, Mo., on Saturday.