By Nate Allen
Special to the News-Times
FAYETTEVILLE - It’s not just the fans that can’t tell the players without a program tonight for the Arkansas Razorbacks’ first of two consecutive Friday exhibition games at Walton Arena.
Coach Mike Anderson said he and his assistants may need a names and numbers sheet, too.
His Razorbacks, tipping off at 7 p.m. tonight against Tusculum University of Greeneville, Tenn., return only star sophomore preseason All-SEC center Daniel Gafford of El Dorado, junior forward Adrio Bailey, a starter most of last season, reserve sophomore forward Gabe Osabuohien and junior walk-on guard Jonathan Holmes from last season’s 23-12 team. Other than sophomore point guard Jalen Harris, now activated after practicing with the Razorbacks as a redshirting transfer from the University of New Mexico, it’s an entirely new cast of scholarship newcomers.
So when asked how the practices have gone since last Friday night’s Red-White game, Anderson smiled and said, “Fine other than learning the names.”
“I get Ethan (Henderson) and Ibby (Ali) mixed up … Isaiah sometimes,” Anderson said at his Thursday press conference. “Can you imagine all of these new names? I just asked Mike (Cawood, the basketball sports information director) for a roster when I come up here so I know all of the guys I got on the team. Keyshawn (Embery-Simpson), Reggie (Chaney)… just think about all of the new names that you have to learn, too.”
At least he’ll have just five to sort at a time tonight instead of 10 like in last Friday’s Red-White intrasquad game.
The two exhibition games against the smaller schools lower division (Division II) provide not only under the lights game experiences, but the chance for his Razorbacks to work against somebody besides themselves before their Nov. 9 season opener against the Texas Longhorns at the Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso, Texas.
Tusculum only won six games while losing 21 last season.
As you would expect, the Pioneers hired a new coach, J.T. Burton.
The Pioneers likely won’t provide a major test tonight, but Anderson plans tests of his own evaluating how the Razorbacks fare individually and more importantly blending together as a team.
“I always talk about us doing the things that we do rather than opposed to what other teams do,” Anderson said. “If we are doing the things we want to do offensively and defensively, then hopefully that tends to go in our favor. So it’s an opportunity for me to evaluate and see guys in a game setting. I want to see where we are. I want to see intensity. That’s what I really want to see defensively.”
Defense is always Anderson’s emphasis, particularly off the Red-White game that generally allows an offensive showcase with just the split squad among other things impeding the defensive intensity.
“I’m a defensive-minded guy,” Anderson said. “So if you want to impress me, impress me with your defense. That’s how you earn your minutes. I’ve seen the offense. It can come and go. A guy may have 30 points one night and may have two the next night. But what do you do in between? What are the things that you do to help our basketball team have an opportunity to win? Defense is the constant. It’s got to be there night in and night out.”
Anderson said he will use and evaluate the whole available roster tonight.
Jordan Phillips and redshirt freshman guard Khalil Garland, still not cleared from the medical issue sidelining all last season, are the only scholarship players not suited out.
Anderson didn’t rule out 5-for-5 wholesale subbing, but said for the most part he’ll sub in combinations to see how the newcomers blend with Gafford, Bailey, Osabuohien and Harris.
Based on seniority and the Red-White game, those four and Joe, 31 points, including 9-of-14 treys for the 105-82 victorious Red, seem likely starters tonight, though Anderson did not announce a starting five.
“One group might start the first half and another group start the second half,” Anderson said.