Junior college shooting guard Daryl Macon, who signed with Arkansas during the early signing period in November, was a marked man going into this season after being a first-team junior college All-American as a freshman.
Macon, 6-4, 185 pounds, of Holmes Community College in Mississippi, averaged 23 points per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 36.9 percent on three-pointers as a freshman.
Despite the extra attention, he's averaging 22.9 points per game this season while shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from beyond the three-point line.
"I knew it was a going to be a lot harder," Macon said. "I knew a lot of teams would try and play me different and try to send double teams and box-and-ones."
As a senior at Little Rock Parkview, Macon averaged 21.2 points and was named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All Arkansas Preps team. He said he was motivated to prove last year was no flunk.
"I just feel like I have something to prove," said Macon, who's shooting 82.5 percent from the free throw line this year. "I know a lot of people probably thought my first year was lucky. I just want to show I could do it back-to-back."
Macon chose the Hogs over scholarship offers from Louisville, Alabama, Ole Miss, Kansas State and Memphis. This season, he's being more aggressive in getting to the basket, which helps his outside game.
"I didn't drive as much last year, but I'm driving a lot harder this year," Macon said.
He's not the only former Parkview player at Holmes. Coach Jason Flanigan, whose father Al Flanigan is the coach at Parkview, played for the Patriots and later at Ole Miss. Holmes assistant Jason Harrison is also a former Patriot and Rebel.
Macon said he is looking to use his offensive talents to help the Razorbacks return to their glory days.
"I really want to bring that firepower they need to get over that hump," Macon said. "I don't want to be that person that was an All-American juco and then come to the SEC and don't do anything. I want to be that person that helps turn the program around."
Like most prolific scorers, Macon said enjoys games when he's in the zone.
"I feel like I can't be stopped," Macon said. "Nobody can stop me keep me from scoring."
Ready to help
Arkansas forward signee Arlando Cook made his way back to Fayetteville to take in the Hogs' 84-72 victory over Missouri on Saturday.
"I just love being around the family atmosphere," Cook said. "There's a lot of good people there, and I just love being around in the town and being around the people."
Cook, 6-8, 205, of Connors State College in Warner, Okla., made his official visit to Arkansas on Dec. 11-13. He said pictures himself on the floor when the Razorbacks are playing.
"I always envision myself being out there," he said.
Cook, who picked the Hogs over scholarship offers from Missouri, LSU, Iowa State, Arizona State, Kansas State and others, is averaging 15.2 points, 10 rebounds and 1.3 block shots per game this season.
He said he'll bring more of a defensive presence to the Hogs and Coach Mike Anderson next season.
"Like I told Coach, they already have the scorers," said Cook, who's shooting 50.7 percent from the field. "I'm not looking to come in and be an offensive machine. They don't have a guy that's going to get on the floor, a guy that's going to rebound, a guy that's going to stop guys."
Cook averaged 11.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game and shot 57.2 precent from the field as a freshman at Connors State. He said he has worked on his ball handling and believes he can help in scoring.
"I can score, but with me being able to get to the basket more consistently, the way they [Arkansas] spread the floor at that four man spot, you have to know how to attack," Cook said.
Player of the Year
Arkansas' third junior college signee, point guard Jaylen Barford, was named the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association Player of the Year on Monday.
Barford, 6-4, 205, of Motlow Community College in McMinnville, Tenn., ranks third nationally among junior colleges in scoring with 25.6 points per game.
He's shooting 60.2 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from beyond the three-point line, and is averaging 7.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.8 steals per game.
E-mail Richard Davenport at
rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 02/23/2016