Like It Is

Anderson up to task of making up for losses

Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson directs players during practice for an NCAA college basketball second round game, Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla. Arkansas plays Wofford on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson directs players during practice for an NCAA college basketball second round game, Wednesday, March 18, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla. Arkansas plays Wofford on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Mike Anderson seems unflappable about 90 percent of the time.

Oh, he has his moments with officials, but who doesn't in the SEC?

As a player and now the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, when it's game time, Anderson's teeth are locked for battle but that rarely shows. He's always focused.

Last week when his top two scorers, sophomore Bobby Portis (17.5 points per game) and junior Michael Qualls (15.9), announced they were leaving early to play professionally, Anderson embraced them both and told them they would forever be part of the Razorbacks family.

Combine those two with seniors Ky Madden and Alandise Harris, and the Hogs program has taken a huge hit, one that probably won't be overcome in one year.

Consider these losses from last season:

• A total of 26 feet, 4 inches of height.

• 3,838 minutes played.

• 65 percent of the scoring.

• 59 percent of rebounding.

• 46 percent of steals.

• 55 percent of assists.

• 52 percent of three-pointers.

That is a gaping hole for a team that went 27-9 this past season, including 1-1 in the NCAA Tournament as the Razorbacks earned their first March Madness victory since 2008.

Everything seemed to be on course and on target for Anderson and the Razorbacks but even in Jacksonville, Fla., surrounded by the Big Dance and all the excitement that goes with it, there was the undercurrent of Portis leaving early.

Probably 90 percent of the time when an underclassman is projected for the first round of the NBA, which is guaranteed money for three years, that player is gone like yesterday's sunrise.

Portis took his time, waited for the team banquet to be held, and then announced his decision.

Qualls seems a long-shot for the NBA this year unless he gets in the perfect system, one that needs a cat-quick, high-rising player who is improving almost daily.

Qualls may end up making some serious money overseas, but as he said he has a son -- Michael Qualls Jr. -- to support and he needs to put food on the table.

That is a noble reason to put your education on the back burner for a while. Chances are he'll get his degree someday, and so will Portis.

The other losses, the seniors, will have a shot at making some money.

Madden will have an opportunity to go overseas, but Harris is taking a different route. Tomorrow he will work out for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens as a tight end.

Can you say Antonio Gates? Gates, the All-Pro tight end for the San Diego Chargers, played college basketball at Kent State for one year under Stan Heath.

Faced with this challenge, Anderson has smiled, rolled up his sleeves and gone back to work.

It isn't as if the Hogs are void of talent. Moses Kingsley, 6-10, has a lot of upside, 6-8 Jacorey Williams is tough around the basket, Anthlon Bell is a pure shooter when he's on, and Anton Beard, the only returning starter who was a true freshman this past season, is a pure, hard-nosed point guard out of the Corey Beck mold.

Dusty Hannahs sat out last season after transferring from Texas Tech, and he's a pure shooter, a bomber with the calibrated eyeballs.

The recruiting class of Jimmy Whitt, a four-star point guard, and 6-8 power forward Ted Kapita, also a four-star prospect, could provide some immediate help if they learn the defense quickly enough.

Still, Anderson faces a challenge. It's not as big as the one he faced when he arrived at Arkansas, but he was prepared for the loss of four starters.

That's the way he was as a point guard and is now as a head coach. No chore is too big or too small to get his undivided attention.

Sports on 04/19/2015

Upcoming Events