NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson believes Razorback fans have very good memories. It was one of his top speaking points during his address of the Little Rock Tip-Off Club on Thursday at the Wyndham Hotel.
"One thing about Razorback fans, they don't forget," Anderson said. "Now, our chore is to create some more memories for them."
That's why Anderson, who spent 17 years as an assistant under former coach Nolan Richardson, had a few goals ready to log into their memories during his 20-minute speech. Mainly saying that one of his top goals is to win a national championship during his time in Fayetteville.
The Razorbacks are in town to play Houston at 7 p.m. on Friday night at Verizon Arena.
It's Anderson's first address of the club since he spoke to them as the head coach at Missouri two years ago.
This time around, the reception was much warmer, with Anderson and the crowd mixing in their favorite stories from the glory days of the Razorbacks in the prime of Richardson's career, and with thoughts towards the future.
After his address, Anderson spoke with the media about the current state of his team, including their 91-68 home victory over Oakland (Mich.) on Thursday night.
With just 10 scholarship players, the Hogs line-up is already stretched thin, which means that all able, available bodies will be used, according to Anderson.
"I just think all guys are going to have to play for the most part," Anderson said. "We've got 10, 11 guys, so for the most part, the young guys especially, they're going to be thrown into the fire in terms of getting that college experience. And getting it in non-conference play. Because during the course of a season, a lot of things take place. So you never know when you're going to need to call on thoser guys."
For now, Anderson will take his short coaching stint for what it is, a 2-0 start that all fans are hoping turns in positive results toward the coming years. Because, after all, the fan base will remember.
Read more about this story in tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.