UA has options this year

Arkansas coach Jimmy Dykes speaks during a press conference Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, at the Razorbacks' basketball practice facility in Fayetteville.
Arkansas coach Jimmy Dykes speaks during a press conference Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, at the Razorbacks' basketball practice facility in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Jimmy Dykes signed nearly as many players for his second season as Arkansas women's basketball coach as the team had on its roster a year ago.

The Razorbacks have added eight newcomers after getting by nine players last season, when they still made the NCAA Tournament and went 1-1 with a victory over Northwestern before losing to Baylor.

Arkansas opens this season with 12 players, including four returnees with senior forward Melissa Wolff, junior forwards Jessica Jackson and Khadijah West and junior guard Kelsey Brooks.

Jackson, Brooks and Wolff started for last season's 18-14 team.

"It's nice to be able to play five-on-five and scrimmage and have subs," Wolff said Wednesday during Arkansas' media day. "I think it really allows us to go our hardest because we don't have to go for two hours straight. We can go and then have a sub. We can really push each other."

Dykes said Arkansas practiced hard last season but rarely went longer than two hours. The team has been practicing for about two-and-half hours and sometimes longer.

"There is much more accountability now in our program," Dykes said. "No longer do I have to play anyone because I have to play them.

"I had to do that last year some. It's not what I wanted to do, but it was the best way for us to win. We don't have to do that now."

Dykes said there is competition at every position.

"If you don't come every day and earn where you're supposed to be, they know someone's right behind them to take their spot," Dykes said. "I like that. That's a healthy step of growth in our program right now."

Arkansas' key losses from last season were point guard Calli Berna and forward Jhasmin Bowen, seniors and three-year starters.

"We lost some great players, but I think we brought in even better ones," Brooks said. "I think they're all going to step up in their own way and play a good role for us."

The newcomers include freshmen Jordan Danberry from Conway and Malica Monk from North Little Rock. Both are expected to contribute immediately at point guard.

"They've got a different gear," Dykes said. "The challenge for those kids right now is understanding when to use that gear and when not to."

Other newcomers include freshman guards Briunna Freeman, Keiryn Swenson and Bailey Zimmerman and junior college transfer forwards Alecia Cooley and Tatiyana Smith and junior college transfer guard Devin Cosper.

"I think learning how to play with each other has been our biggest focus," Wolff said. "We've really tried to get to know each other on and off the court, which has helped. We know what makes each other tick, what each other's strengths are.

"As we grow closer as a team, I think that'll eventually help us play for each other when we get to the games."

Dykes said having eight newcomers means there is a lot of teaching in practice. He said plenty of mistakes need to be corrected, but lack of effort hasn't been an issue.

"I haven't left the practice floor yet thinking that we didn't fight our guts out," Dykes said. "That's so important. We'll miss shots and we can still go long stretches without scoring, but we haven't had a practice yet where they haven't fought each other.

"I love how competitive they are."

Sports on 10/15/2015

Upcoming Events