By Nate Allen
Special to the News-Times
FAYETTEVILLE - Although last season’s 16-16 Arkansas Razorbacks didn’t play up to the defense that coach Mike Anderson coaches and his mentor, Nolan Richardson, coached, offensively their three guards complemented each other beautifully.
Shooting guard Dusty Hannahs, now a senior and the lone starting guard returnee with point guard Jabril Durham and shooting guard Anthlon Bell both graduated, averaged 16.5 points last season. Hannahs did so while fellow outside shooting marksman Bell averaged 15.7 with Durham often setting them up among his 204 assists.
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 the second of 10 on campus practices the Razorbacks are permitted before they head for Spain.
“They’ve been doing great,” Hannahs 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, who attended Little Rock Parkview High before spending 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 specialties. But they’re both still polished all around players. It’s really been impressive to watch them.”
As for Hannahs, 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 five to seven 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, Arkansas’ best returning defensive guard and one of three seniors with Hannahs and starting center Moses Kingsley, lauded Barford and Macon for fitting 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 SEC 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 sitting out last season as a transfer from the University of Colorado, and eventually dismissed from the team forward Jacorey Williams (now at Middle Tennessee) under disciplinary suspension.
Beard’s suspension wasn’t lifted until he missed all the of the first-semester game.
“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, also media available Tuesday, 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.”