After three weeks of practice, Mike Anderson’s influence as the Razorbacks’ new head basketball coach was already evident on a team composed mostly of freshmen, little-used role players and two starters left over from the John Pelphrey era.
There was hustle, tempo and purpose on the hardwood that made itself evident in the Hogs’ 97-80 victory. Like Arkansas fans witnessed so many times during the Nolan Richardson era, the cumulative effect of Arkansas’ pressure defense and offensive tempo left the Lions weary down the stretch as Arkansas stretched the margin of victory to a comfortable 17 points.
“I liked the way we finished up,” said Anderson, who assisted Richardson for 17 seasons at Arkansas before establishing winning programs at Alabama-Birmingham and Missouri. “I thought we had a lot of energy at the end of the game, a lot more than Texas A&M-Commerce. That’s why we have to develop that depth. If you notice, at the end, it wasn’t the guys that started out on the floor. I think the strongest component of this team is going to be depth. The bench gives us effort and energy.”
Returning starting forward Marshawn Powell struggled with fouls and played only 13 minutes, scoring 7 points and getting just two rebounds. However, point guard Julysses Nobles, the other returning starter, had a strong effort with 9 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
“It was one of those nights for Marshawn,” Anderson said. “He was trying not to foul and sometimes when your trying too hard not to do something, you do it. He’s going to be fine. He’s been doing a very good job in practice.”
Sophomore guard Mardracus Wade led the Hogs with 20 points, going 6-of-6 from the floor. Freshman guard Rashad “Ky” Madden played a fine game, with 18 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Sophomore guard Rickey Scott scored 13 points and 6-10 freshman forward Hunter Mickelson scored 13 points.
Arkansas shot 52. 5 percent from the field, while the Lions shot 43.1 percent.
“We executed down the stretch and played some good defense,” Anderson said. “We did a good job of only giving them one shot down the stretch.”
The area that Anderson was displeased with was the Hogs’ rebounding effort. Texas A&M-Commerce outrebounded Arkansas 50-31.
“Texas A&M-Commerce was more physical than us,” Anderson said. “They pounded us on the boards. That’s something that shouldn’t happen. It’s something we are going address and address quickly. To give up 21 offensive rebounds is not good. There’s a reason we try to get people to take quick shots.”
While the Hogs gained possessions by forcing the Lions into 25 turnovers and having just 13 themselves, Anderson wants much more effort on the glass.
“We’re going to be a team that bangs,” Anderson said. “We are going to get some boards. We’ve got to carve out some space inside and not just use their athletic ability to get rebounds. That’s where Marshawn can help. He can be a double-digit rebounder. We need that.”
Anderson liked aspects of the Hogs’ defense, but said 80 points is too many for them to give up. He added that the players have to continue to play smart when they press and understand the defense isn’t all about making steals.
“Young guys when they make one or two steals, they are going to try to go for three and four and before you know it, they are out of position and are giving up easy baskets,” Anderson said. “We’re going to correct that.”
Anderson is using the exhibition games to mix and match combinations as the team develops its identity. He liked how the Hogs shared the basketball for 22 assists and said that or better should be the norm.
The foul trouble of Powell and cramps suffered by Nobles forced freshmen to play key roles down the stretch.
“It was good to see us in some situations and see how we respond,” Anderson said. “Ju [Julysses Nobles] goes out of the game and we have our freshmen out there with Mardracus Wade. We got to see how they would respond under the gun.”
The Razorbacks play host Christian Brothers at 7 p.m. Tuesday in another exhibition before opening the season Nov. 11 against South Carolina Upstate at 7 p.m. in Walton Arena.
