FAYETTEVILLE -- Although not play the defense last season that coach Mike Anderson stresses and which he learned under Nolan Richardson, their three guards complemented each other beautifully on offense.
Shooting guard Dusty Hannahs, now a senior and the lone starting guard returnee (point guard Jabril Durham and shooting guard Anthlon Bell both graduating), averaged 16.5 points last season. Hannahs did so while Bell, a fellow outside shooting marksman, averaged 15.7 points with Durham (204 assists) often setting them up.
Now, with the Razorbacks practicing in Fayetteville for their upcoming four-game exhibition tour of Spain, Hannahs embarks on a head start meshing with new heralded junior-college transfer guards Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon.
How is it going, Hannahs was asked after Tuesday's second of 10 on-campus practices the Razorbacks are permitted before they head for Spain.
"They've been doing great," Hannahs, the fifth-year senior out of Little Rock and Pulaski Academy who played two years at Texas Tech, said. "They're different players, but both of them are just loaded with talent. We've been trying to help them get acclimated as quickly as possible and they have been. These 10 practices are going to help speed up the process even more.'
How do Barford, a Jackson, Tenn. native and graduate of Motlow (Tenn.) Community College and Macon, Little Rock Parkview High before two years at Holmes (Miss.) Community College, differ?
"Jaylen's more of a slasher and Daryl's a better shooter," Hannahs said. "But that's not saying Jaylen can't shoot or Daryl can't slash. I would just say that's each of their specialities. But they're both still polished all-around players. It's really been impressive to watch them."
As for Hannahs, 6-3, he says this summer there is less of him to see, which should help everyone see better defense from him than was seen last season.
"I've lost some weight," Hannahs said. "I feel like I've gotten faster and stronger. Hopefully make more of an impact on that end. That's what I'm really focused on. I feel quicker already. I've still got maybe six more pounds or five more pounds to get where my optimal weight will be."
What would be that optimal weight?
"My goal is to get to 195," Hannahs said. "Me and the trainer think my optimal weight could be at 197, 198, I don't know. ... I've still got about 5 to 7 more pounds to lose. I want to be a guy that can play a lot of minutes and be able to work hard on both ends."
Manny Watkins, the Fayetteville High grad, son of assistant coach Melvin Watkins and Arkansas' best returning defensive guard and one of three seniors with Hannahs and starting center Moses Kingsley, lauded that Barford and Macon fit in on the court an off.
"Jaylen and Daryl haven't been Razorbacks but a couple of months and they're already leaders," Watkins said. "Just like we've got a bunch of leaders. The thing with this team is we all listen to each other."
Watkins said his summer has mirrored or even exceeded the summer optimism two seasons ago when the Razorbacks led by Southeastern Conference Player of the Year Bobby Portis and high-flying Michael Qualls went 27-9 and two rounds into the NCAA tournament.
He didn't have to say that optimism didn't exude this time last year with Portis and Qualls turned pro, heralded signee forward Ted Kapita not qualifying academically and 2014-2015 starting point guard Anton Beard, back this season as a junior; Dustin Thomas, now eligible after redshirting last season as a transfer from the University of Colorado, and forward Jacorey Williams (eventually dismissed from the team, now at Middle Tennessee) under disciplinary suspension.
Beard's suspension wasn't lifted until he missed all of the first-semester games.
"Maybe my sophomore year I knew we were going to be pretty good, with Bobby and Mike and those guys and a bunch of seniors (2014-2015 starters Ky Madden and Alandise Harris)," Watkins said. "This year, this is the most excited I've been in college. I'm ready to work."
Macon was asked about fitting in.
"I feel like I'm fitting in just fine," Macon said. "I try not to do too much as far as on the court or off the court. I try to make everybody happy on the court and give it my all. If I'm not giving it my all, then I'm cheating myself and cheating my teammates."
Sports on 07/28/2016