Here’s Archie, one cool ’Cat

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas fans finally will get to see Archie Goodwin play in Walton Arena today.

Goodwin, a 6-5 freshman guard from Little Rock who starred at Sylvan Hills High School, will lead Kentucky (20-8, 11-4 SEC) against the Razorbacks (17-11, 8-7).

Goodwin will have a cheering section of family members and friends, but he’ll likely hear boos from fans because he chose to sign with Kentucky rather than stay home and play for Arkansas. He also had Kansas, Connecticut and Memphis among his final choices.

“Oh, it’ll be tough,” Kentucky Coach John Calipari said of the emotions Goodwin will be dealing with today. “We talked a little bit about it.

It’s going to be a hard game for him, but I think he’ll be fine.

“He may have a couple moments - but he’s had them without going home - where he does some things, ‘Oh my gosh, what did you just do?’ ... I just told him, ‘You’ll have to keep your head focused on the team.’ ”

Goodwin, who is averaging a team-high 13.8 points along with 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists, declined an interview request from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He also didn’t talk to Kentucky media Friday before the team left for Fayetteville.

A Kentucky spokesman said Goodwin, the Democrat-Gazette’s two-time Mr. Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American, wants to wait and talk about his homecoming after today’s game.

Sylvan Hills Coach Kevin Davis, who said he stays in contact with Goodwin through text messages during the week, is a lifelong Razorbacks fan and will attend today’s game.

Who will he be rooting for? Arkansas or Kentucky?

“I’ll be rooting for Archie,” Davis said. “As his coach, you just find yourself honing in on him, wanting to see him do so well. This is one of those times I get to just be a fan and sit back and watch, and I don’t have to choose sides.”

Davis said he hopes fans understand Goodwin made a choice for his future in signing with Kentucky, that it wasn’t a rejection of the Razorbacks.Kentucky has produced 10 first-round NBA Draft picks the previous three seasons under Calipari, including eight who were freshmen.

“Archie’s family means so much to him, and Arkansas does, too,” Davis said. “That kid loves his state, but he was trying to pursue a dream.

“How can you fault a kid for pursuing his dream? Archie did his research, and he feels like this is the best path for him.”

Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson praised Goodwin as “a good kid” through the recruiting process.

“He seemed like a kid who has his head on right in terms of what he wants to attain, as a basketball player, a good student,” Anderson said.

Goodwin has scored 10 or more points in 19 games this season. His had 24 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the Wildcats’ 87-74 victory at Ole Miss on Jan. 29.

“When I think of Archie Goodwin, I don’t think of one particular area, I think of the total package,” Ole Miss Coach Andy Kennedy said. “His versatility is his calling card. I think he’s gotten to be a good defender, most especially on the ball with his length. He’s always been a great finisher. He’s a timely shooter who can knock down shots.

“I think Cal’s trusting him more and more to make decisions with the ball. He’s always been very athletic, but I think he’s done a good job of settling into the timing of college basketball.”

Calipari said Goodwin has played well overall.

“He’s learning his way,” Calipari said. “We’re trying to figure him out and he’s trying to figure himself out.”

Calipari said Goodwin is “too hard on himself a la Derrick Rose,” the Chicago Bulls point guard and 2011 NBA MVP who played for Calipari at Memphis.

“If he misses one shot, it leads to three more misses,” Calipari said of Goodwin. “If he turns it over, he can’t defend on the other end. He hasn’t put the emphasis on rebounding yet.

“But he’s a freshman and he’s doing well. He has gotten better as the year has gone on. But he needs to be opening up his mind and playing through mistakes, turnovers, being in better balance and control, slowing down your mind - it takes years to learn that.”

Calipari said Goodwin is an unbelievable worker.

“He’s in the gym just about every night,” Calipari said. “He’s the first one to practice and the last one to leave. He’s got the work habits and the drive he needs to be successful. Now the totality of playing, the feel of the game, that takes maturity and time. It’s a lot of trial and error. Right now, there’s a little bit of trial and there’s a lot of error. That’s part of being a freshman.”

Goodwin is shooting 42.9 percent from the field, but 26.9 percent (14 of 52) on three-pointers. He was 1 of 23 on three-pointers during a 14-game stretch - including going 0 of 1 nine times - before hitting 2 of 3 in Kentucky’s 90-83 overtime victory against Missouri a week ago. Goodwin scored all 18 of his points after halftime.

“It’s pretty hard to beat the second half I played,” Goodwin told reporters after the game. “I don’t even like speaking high on myself, so that just lets you know how I played.”

ESPN NBA Draft analyst Chad Ford has Goodwin listed as a first-round pick in 2013 at No. 19 overall.

Davis said he hasn’t talked with Goodwin about whether he plans to enter the NBA Draft or return to Kentucky for his sophomore season, when Calipari will be adding a recruiting class that includes four McDonald’s All-Americans.

“I’d just be speculating,” Davis said. “I know how driven Archie is to achieve at the highest level, but he’s taking it one day at a time.”

At a glance, Archie Goodwin

SCHOOL: Kentucky

POSITION: Guard

CLASS: Freshman

HEIGHT: 6-5

WEIGHT: 198 pounds

HOMETOWN: Little Rock

HIGH SCHOOL: Sylvan Hills

NOTEWORTHY: Has started all 28 games for Kentucky and is averaging 13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 31.6 minutes. ... Has scored 10 or more points in 19 games. ... Scored season-high 28 points against Morehead State, 24 against Ole Miss, 22 against Louisville, 18 against Missouri, 16 against Duke and Maryland. ... Was the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s two-time Mr. Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American. ... Led Sylvan Hills to the Class 5A state championship last year.