Anderson likes what he's seeing

Summertime Hogs following blueprint

Mike Anderson during men's basketball practice inside Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville on Monday, July 30, 2012.
Mike Anderson during men's basketball practice inside Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville on Monday, July 30, 2012.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson liked his basketball team going into the summer.

"I like them even more after this summer," Anderson said Monday. "They've done all the things that I've asked of them.

"I even challenged them for the last five weeks to make 500 shots a day."

That's based on five workouts per week.

"I've got guys making 3,000 shots a week," Anderson said. "Hopefully, there'll be some carryover once we get to the season.

"We've got some gym rats. There are days when the court is covered up and they're chasing the coaches down -- 'Hey, we need to get in the gym.' For a coach, that's music to your ears."

Anderson said it wasn't just a few players who wanted to get extra time in the gym this summer, but the whole roster.

"That's something that hasn't happened around here in a while," he said.

Among the returnees from last season's 22-11 team are sophomore forward Bobby Portis (12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds per game with 54 blocked shots); senior guard Ky Madden (12.7 points, 2.7 assists); junior guards Michael Qualls (11.6 points) and Anthon Bell (9.0 points); senior forward Alandise Harris (9.4 points); and sophomore center Moses Kingsley (4.0 points, 49 blocked shots).

"We've got some experienced guys now that have been in the wars of the SEC and know what it takes," Anderson said. "So we'll have to lean on those guys' experiences to help these [new] guys get caught up to speed on what's going to take place."

Anderson said he likes what he's seen this summer from 6-1 point guards Jabril Durham and Anton Beard.

Durham, a junior, averaged 21.2 points and 6.7 assists for Seminole (Okla.) State College last season. Beard, rated as the nation's No. 19 point guard and No. 92 overall prospect by ESPN, averaged 19.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 2.2 assists last season for North Little Rock's Class 7A state championship team.

"I think they fit what we're doing," Anderson said. "I think it's easy to put them out there to get a feel for what's taking place."

Anderson said Portis and Kingsley, especially, will like playing with the new point guards.

"We've got guards now that can create and put those guys in position where they can finish off plays," Anderson said. "Big guys love playing with players like that."

The addition of Durham and Beard will allow Madden, who played point guard much of last season, to get more minutes as his natural shooting guard spot.

"I've had a chance to watch a lot of the tape from this past year, and Ky did a lot of things for us," Anderson said. "He had to do a lot of things for us, and sometimes things didn't work out because he had to do too much.

"I think the beauty of it is, now he doesn't have to try and create for others as well as himself."

Anderson said he's impressed by Durham's maturity.

"I think he's one of those guys that commands leadership," Anderson said. "He won't back down from anybody."

Durham can be effective driving and penetrating, Anderson said, or pulling up to shoot.

"He's just a complete guard, does a little bit of everything," Anderson said. " He's got a little bit of toughness about him.

"I think his experience is going to be big for this basketball team."

Arkansas' front court will be boosted with the addition of 6-9 freshman Trey Thompson, who averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists while leading Forrest City to the Class 5A state title. He was rated the nation's No. 31 power forward by ESPN.

"Coming out of high school, he's playing with guys that he probably blocked their shots with his arm pits," Anderson said. "So now he's going against some bigger bodies and a lot faster, quicker.

"There are some days where he struggles with that, and there are some days when he picks his moment where he's kind of stepping up.

"He has a great pair of hands, soft hands, good footwork. He's got a motor. He wants to be a good player and can really rebound the basketball, and he's a tremendous, tremendous passer. He's just going to get better."

All of the Razorbacks' 14 players were on campus for the second summer session that started in July. Freshman guard Nick Babb was the last player to arrive in Fayetteville after graduating from Arlington (Texas) Martin High School.

"They're pushing each other," Anderson said. "I like the competition."

The Razorbacks are going into their fourth season under Anderson looking to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008.

"It's a big year," Anderson said. "I say that every year, but even more so because familiarity I think is so important.

"We've got more guys now that are coming back that are very familiar with what we're going to be about. What our brand is in terms of how we do things culturally, on the floor, off the floor. Being really involved in our community.

"But at the same time, playing at the highest level."

The Razorbacks put together a seven-game SEC winning streak last season to put themselves in contention for an NCAA Tournament bid, then lost their regular-season finale at Alabama and lost to South Carolina in the SEC Tournament opener, forcing them to settle for the NIT.

"When I look back over this past year, I just look at the almosts," Anderson said. "We were so close.

"We were just plays away from having a really, really special year. So we take that experience, and this year will be a special year."

Sports on 07/29/2014

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