FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas looks to play much better defense and shoot free throws with much better accuracy lest they suffer a similar fate today against Ole Miss as they did Wednesday night on the road at Florida.
Fortunately, Arkansas (12-6, 2-4) is able to return home to Bud Walton Arena today to face Ole Miss (10-8, 3-3). The game will be shown on the SEC Network (Resort Channel 79) at 2:30 p.m.
The Razorbacks moved to 0-3 on the road in the Southeastern Conference Wednesday as coach mike Anderson's team was strafed by 13 of 25 on 3-pointers by the Gators (13-5, 5-1). Florida junior KeVaughn Allen, a graduate of North Little Rock High School, made 6 of 7 3-point attempts on the way to a season-high 28 points against the Hogs.
"First and foremost, defensively, we did not get it done," Anderson said. "It was not good defense."
Anderson sang the same tune Friday at his press conference at Bud Walton and bemoaned the defensive performances through much of the SEC season, other than Arkansas' stifling of Missouri (13-5, 3-2) at the finish of last Saturday's 65-63 success at home.
"Since we've hit conference play one thing I have not been happy with is our defense," Anderson said. "I think we've been trying to outscore people and I think we saw that in effect the other night against Florida."
Like his mentor, former Arkansas national championship coach Nolan Richardson whom Anderson assisted for 17 years, Anderson relies on depth to keep his pressure defense fresh. That depth, not so deep anyway in SEC play thus far, could be two seniors shallower today.
Senior starting guard and North Little Rock grad Anton Beard (ankle) exited during the first half against Florida and did not return, as did senior top alternating big man and Forrest City High School grad Trey Thompson (hamstring). Anderson termed them "questionable" for today's game.
Freshman Darious Hall, of Little Rock Mills, scored 10 points in the first half for his debut start against Missouri, will likely replace Beard in the starting lineup to complement second-year junior college transfer senior stars Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon. Alternating forwards Darius Thomas and Arlando Cook, both 6-8 seniors, and 6-7 sophomore Adrio Bailey would alternate spelling 6-11 freshman Daniel Gafford inside if Thompson is unavailable.
Anderson said Gabe Osabuohien, the 6-8 freshman, will take a turn too. Osabuohien has not yet been used in SEC games, but flashing blue-collar promise taking charges during three early non-conference games while Thomas and Cook sat out disciplinary suspensions.
"Gabe goes out and does some of that dirty work that you want," Anderson said. "He's a blue-collar player and he play with a little edge. I think like that. He's a good passer, too. He'll play, without a doubt."
Still, with Arkansas' numbers down and its pressure so far not great even at full strength, Anderson said he will mix defenses and personnel to try to find the best fit against an Ole Miss instead of only relying on a couple of scorers. Anderson said Arkansas has a tendency to do so as Barford and Macon average 18.9 and 15.6 points, respectively. Gafford can score big too, foul trouble permitting.
"I look at this Ole Miss team and they are a team with more balance," Anderson said. "They've got five guys in double figures and they are playing pretty good basketball. Physical, attacking basketball."
Rebels DeAndre Burnett, Terrence Davis, Bruce Stevens, Markel Crawford and Breein Tyree average 14.3, 13.1, 10.3, 10.3 and 10.1 points, respectively..
Arkansas outlasted Ole Miss 98-80 at Bud Walton last year and edged the Rebels 73-72 in the SEC Tournament opener in Nashville, Tenn. Davis scored 24 in Fayetteville and 26 in Nashville, respectively, while Burnett scored 27 and 16. Tyree tallied 13 in Nashville.
Junior college transfer Stevens led the Rebels with 22 and 20 points their last two games, which included a 78-72 SEC success over Florida in Oxford, Miss., and last Tuesday's 71-69 SEC loss at Texas A&M. Tyree's try for a trey rimmed in and out at the buzzer.
Macon scored 57 points for Arkansas' first two SEC games this season, but has just 40 encompassing his last four. He scored 30 on the Rebels at Bud Walton and tallied 15 at Nashville, while Barford scored 18.
Arkansas Pts Rebs
F-Dustin Thomas 6-8 senior 4.5 4.1
F-Daniel Gafford 6-11 freshman 12.1 6.3
G-Daryl Macon 6-3 senior 15.6 2.9
G-Jaylen Barford 6-3 senior 18.9 4.2
G-Darious Hall 6-6 freshman 4.8 2.9
Ole Miss
F-Bruce Stevens 6-8 junior 10.1 4.9
C-Dominik Olejniczak 7-0sophomore 3.9 2.7
G-Breein Tyree 6-2 sophomore 10.1 2.4
G-DeAndre Burnett 6-2 senior 14.3 2.1
G-Markel Crawford 6-5 junior 10.3 3.7
Sports on 01/20/2018