FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas Razorbacks practiced twice Wednesday after getting a three-day Christmas break.
"They were OK," University of Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said. "They got through it."
The Razorbacks play Austin Peay tonight, but they practiced twice again Thursday, though their morning workout was focused on shooting.
"We'll get back at it," Anderson said. "It takes a day a two to get those days off out of you. The first thing that goes is your wind."
Freshman guard Isaiah Joe said Anderson made sure to get the Christmas dinner out of the players.
"We got after each other making sure we were getting ourselves prepared for the game," Joe said. "He did what he had to do to get us ready."
Junior forward Adrio Bailey said Thursday's second practice was better after the players knocked off some rust.
"When you're tired you've got to push each other," Bailey said. "We were just pushing each other the whole practice. Once we got over that hump and get our second wind, it was a whole lot better."
Humble feeling
Between practices on Thursday the Razorbacks provided new shoes and socks to children during a community service event at the Yvonne Richardson Center as part of the Samaritan's Feet project. The players washed the children's feet before putting on their socks and shoes.
"I think it's a humbling experience," Coach Mike Anderson said. "You can serve others and put smiles on kids' faces, the parents' faces."
Freshman guard Isaiah Joe said it was a great experience.
"Some kids may not be as fortunate as others, so giving them that gift and seeing the smiles on their faces put a smile on our faces and made us feel like we were really doing something," Joe said. "Having them walk out with a new pair of shoes on their feet, smiling with their families is just a great feeling."
Junior forward Adrio Bailey said some of the children were getting new shoes for the first time since last year's event with the Razorbacks.
"I feel like that is a life-changing experience for some of those kids," Bailey said. "It's a life-changing experience for me because I used to be one of those kids who didn't have shoes and stuff like that."
Slow starts
In the previous three games Arkansas has fallen behind Texas-San Antonio 13-8, behind Georgia Tech 13-2 and behind Texas State 19-6. The Razorbacks rallied to beat UTSA and Texas State, but lost to Georgia Tech.
"Come out with greater energy," Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said of what the Razorbacks need to do to start better. "Come out with much better focus. Come out with a great sense of urgency.
"That's the thing we talked about. We've got to be more consistent in how we play."
Returning to form?
Adrio Bailey is 1 of 16 from the field over the last 4 games and was replaced in the starting lineup by freshman Reggie Chaney against Texas State.
"I've just got to build that confidence back up," said Bailey, who shot 65.9 percent (25 of 44) and averaged 10.9 points in the first seven games. "My teammates trust me. I just haven't been shooting it.
"I don't look at it like a slump. I think it's growth. I depend too much on my jump shot when I'm actually athletic enough to get to the rim."
Bailey is the Razorbacks' only scholarship player who isn't a freshman or sophomore.
"A guy like Adrio has got to show his experience of being here," Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said. "So those guys can kind of lean on his shoulders a little bit."
Sports on 12/28/2018