Freshman Hall making strides for Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Razorbacks forward Darious Hall had a rough introduction to SEC play.

The 6-6 freshman forward from Little Rock had three turnovers in three minutes in the first half of the conference opener against Tennessee on Dec. 30 and didn't play again in the Razorbacks' 95-93 overtime victory over the Vols in Walton Arena.

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Coach Mike Anderson said a few days after the game that Hall made the mistake of trying to force things offensively.

"Let the game come to you," Anderson said of what he told Hall. "Don't try to go get it, especially offensively. Right now, you're not just an offensive guy. You get your minutes from a defensive standpoint, being a glue guy.

"If you look at his mistakes, they were ball mistakes. Very uncharacteristic. But I understand the nerves going, so he'll learn from it."

The Mills graduate listened to Anderson and has learned.

In Texas A&M's 80-66 victory over Arkansas on Tuesday night in Reed Arena, Hall provided some positive vibes in a tough game for the Razorbacks.

"He played like a warrior," Anderson said.

Hall had 13 points and season-highs of 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 35 minutes while shooting 6 of 6 from the field.

"Darious played big," Arkansas senior guard Daryl Macon said. "He didn't play like a freshman, didn't play scared.

"He was aggressive on both ends. He was everywhere out there. He played an awesome game."

Against the Aggies, Hall had four turnovers -- the combined total of his previous five games. While he was in the game, the Razorbacks played the Aggies to a 60-60 tie.

"I want to be a plus for the team -- no negatives," Hall said. "I did play good, but I can play better."

Hall is averaging 5.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 14.1 minutes in the Razorbacks' 22 games, but he's been better in SEC play.

In nine conference games Hall is averaging 6.6 points, 3.8 abounds and 17.9 minutes. He's shooting 60 percent (21 of 35) from the field, including 3 of 7 on three-pointers, and has hit 14 of 22 free throws against SEC teams.

"He does a lot of different things for us," Razorbacks senior guard Jaylen Barford said. "He's great for our team."

Hall has started four of the last five games with Macon coming off the bench.

"We're not surprised at what he can do," Arkansas senior forward Trey Thompson said. "It's just about him getting better each and every game.

"I think inserting him in that starting lineup just gives us that balance that we have with that starting five and then with the second unit coming on."

Hall made his first start against Missouri on Jan. 13 and had 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals while shooting 4 of 4 from the field to help the Razorbacks win 65-63.

"He did a good job," Missouri Coach Cuonzo Martin said. "Good athlete, good frame on him. He slashed to the basket, got layups and we didn't do a very good job on him, really."

Anderson wore a microphone for the ESPN2 telecast of the Arkansas-Missouri game and one sound bite featured him asking Hall about where was his heart?

Anderson said he was trying to calm down Hall, who responded by scoring eight consecutive points.

"He looked at me like, 'Coach, are you tripping? Are you crazy?' " Anderson said. "It was just one of those moments.

"I think it speaks volumes about him because he took it the right way."

Hall had 11 points and 3 rebounds in 13 minutes the Razorbacks' 97-93 victory over Ole Miss and 7 points and 3 rebounds in 23 minutes in their 80-77 overtime victory at Georgia.

When Arkansas beat Oklahoma State 66-65, Hall scored just two points, but his basket came when he stole the ball and hit a layup to give the Razorbacks a 52-51 lead with 9:27 left.

"I think he's progressed pretty nicely," Anderson said. "One thing about freshmen, you let them go at their own pace. I think we saw him take a couple steps forward, then take a couple steps backward.

"But his confidence is really, really high right now. He's learning how to go out and leave it on the floor, and I think that's a big plus us.

"He continues to get better, and that's what we expect. Our kids develop."

Anderson said Hall has done a good job of continuing to earn playing time.

"When you have that opportunity to go out and play, you perform," Anderson said. "He's doing it."

After Hall had four fouls against both Florida and Ole Miss, he's limited his fouls to three combined in the previous three games.

"I think he's now learning how to use his feet as opposed to his hands," Anderson said. 'Early on he was using his hands, and he had a lot of foul problems.

"But now he's reading and deflecting a lot of passes. Touching balls and coming up with them."

Hall said he appreciates the chance to start.

"I've gotten used to the speed of the game and all that, so I'm very comfortable," he said. "It feels normal now.

"I've had some good games, and I've had some bad games. But overall it's going well."

A lot better since Hall's game against Tennessee.

"He just had to slow down," Macon said. "Translate his game from high school to college."

Sports on 02/02/2018