Joe named SEC Player of the Week
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas guard Isaiah Joe was not just named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week after scoring a career-high 34 points on Saturday during a 121-89 victory over Florida International at Bud Walton Arena.
The SEC office in Birmingham, Ala., announced the young Fort Smith Northside alum was named the SEC Player of the Week for his performance.
Joe hit 10 of 13 3-point attempts and hit his only two-point try. He finished 11 of 14 from the field and 2-for-2 on free throws.
“Of course, you draw raves because of your scoring,” said Arkansas head men’s basketball coach Mike Anderson at a press conference on Monday. “He made 10 threes and it’s been awhile since anybody did that. He got it going in that zone.
“And when you get in that zone playing against FIU where you are getting up and down that floor, you are going to get lost on that floor. But our guys did a good job of finding him and he did a great job of knocking shots down. Kudos to him. That’s what happens when you win. The individual awards come in.”
The 6-5 freshman also dished three assists, grabbed two rebounds and made three steals.
“He played well,” Anderson said. “He played an all-round game.”
Joe joined Courtney Fortson as the only Razorback freshmen to be named SEC Player of the Week. Fortson received the honor in December 2009.
Anderson has lauded Joe and sophomore reserve forward Gabe Osabuohien for sacrificing themselves to take charges on defense. Joe has also drawn praise from his coach for his defense, passing and attitude.
“He’s ‘Every Day Joe.’” Anderson said. “He just does what he’s supposed to do each and every day — come out and work hard. He’s grounded.
“And I go back to his upbringing, and even as he’s gotten here. He just comes in with his lunch pail every day ready to come to work.”
Anderson said the attitude enables Joe to fit whatever role is required whether setting up Preseason All-SEC sophomore center Daniel Gafford, hitting the open three as defenses collapse on Gafford or ease over for point guard Jalen Harris to run the offense when he needs a break.
“When you talk about the allaround game, I think fundamentally he’s sound,” Anderson said. “He can handle the basketball. He can play the point position. I’m comfortable with him bringing the ball up the floor.
“Obviously, he knows how to use screens and how to come off screens. Now, he’s learning how to get down the floor and get lost in transition because people are paying a lot of attention to Daniel. And he can put it on the floor, as well, and he’s a willing passer. He gives it up, makes nice passes.”
Anderson said Joe does more than look for a shot. The coach said his freshman looks for holes in the defense to shoot through.
“He doesn’t have to try to go get the game,” Anderson said. “That’s the beauty of it. Even when you watched him the other night, he did not have to go get it.
“It just came to him and he took the good shots and he was making them. If you’re not making them, then you do other things and that’s a mark of a good player. I’m just glad he’s playing for us.”
Joe and the Razorbacks will be on the CBS Sports Network (Resort Channel 32) for tonight’s 8 p.m. game against Colorado State (4-4) at Moby Arena in Fort Collins, Colo. Arkansas routed the Rams, 9266, last season at Bud Walton, but Anderson said the team is much improved under new head coach Niko Medved.