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Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:02 am
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:02 am
In case anyone hasn't seen this video or wasn't able to watch the game, here are the highlights from the Fresno State game.
LINK
I wanted to share my observations here because it seems we have some fans with some roundball savvy here. Maybe I'm overly excited and some folks can talk some sense into me, but I think this team has the potential to be one of the very best to ever come through this program.
1. Anton Beard has stepped his game up significantly since last year. He is a solid point guard at this point in his career and we should be thankful that he is still with the team. He had a very good game against Fresno.
2. There will never be a time when Macon and Barford aren't either the two best guards on the court, or at least trade punches with the two best guards on the court. Both of these guys are NBA talents.
3. CJ Jones is a bad arse. As he grows more accustomed to contributing on the court I think he has the potential to be our best scorer. His overall offensive game is strong. Reminds me of Todd Day. Just puts the ball in the bucket.
4. Daniel Gafford may be the most dynamic big man in the country already as a freshman. What he did in this last game was nothing short of incredible. He has moves inside the post that remind me of Hakeem Olajuwon, but he finishes his plays with dunks. It's incredible. He may be the best big man to come through the SEC since Shaquille O'Neal.
5. The overall feel of this team is very similar to the old teams that ruled college basketball at Arkansas. Fresno State is a good team, but the Hogs made them look sloppy at times. As the team gains more experience with one another look for a lot more of the showtime type plays created off of careless turnovers by the other team. Even the good teams.
Very excite for the team this year. Best looking team I've seen here since we won a title
LINK
I wanted to share my observations here because it seems we have some fans with some roundball savvy here. Maybe I'm overly excited and some folks can talk some sense into me, but I think this team has the potential to be one of the very best to ever come through this program.
1. Anton Beard has stepped his game up significantly since last year. He is a solid point guard at this point in his career and we should be thankful that he is still with the team. He had a very good game against Fresno.
2. There will never be a time when Macon and Barford aren't either the two best guards on the court, or at least trade punches with the two best guards on the court. Both of these guys are NBA talents.
3. CJ Jones is a bad arse. As he grows more accustomed to contributing on the court I think he has the potential to be our best scorer. His overall offensive game is strong. Reminds me of Todd Day. Just puts the ball in the bucket.
4. Daniel Gafford may be the most dynamic big man in the country already as a freshman. What he did in this last game was nothing short of incredible. He has moves inside the post that remind me of Hakeem Olajuwon, but he finishes his plays with dunks. It's incredible. He may be the best big man to come through the SEC since Shaquille O'Neal.
5. The overall feel of this team is very similar to the old teams that ruled college basketball at Arkansas. Fresno State is a good team, but the Hogs made them look sloppy at times. As the team gains more experience with one another look for a lot more of the showtime type plays created off of careless turnovers by the other team. Even the good teams.
Very excite for the team this year. Best looking team I've seen here since we won a title
5
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:39 am to BoarEd
Gafford looks like he's going to be everything we could have hoped for. At this point, I'm completely comfortable saying he's an improvement over Kingsley. He looks like he could be better than Portis.
That is huge for us to have with Macon and Barford. If we are facing a defense with any weakness, we should be able to attack it. I like that we have some lineup versatility and can go big or small without a drop off in talent.
Now for what worries me. While Thompson isn't going to be pushed around down low, he doesn't have the quickest feet in the world, to put it mildly. I'm worried about his ability to guard a big with good footwork, and with Gafford's propensity to commit fouls, we are going to need Thompson to step up defensively often. Gafford's number of fouls is going to probably go down, but we will still need Thompson to provide reliable minutes and keep Gafford fresh. That's the biggest thing I'm watching for right now.
That is huge for us to have with Macon and Barford. If we are facing a defense with any weakness, we should be able to attack it. I like that we have some lineup versatility and can go big or small without a drop off in talent.
Now for what worries me. While Thompson isn't going to be pushed around down low, he doesn't have the quickest feet in the world, to put it mildly. I'm worried about his ability to guard a big with good footwork, and with Gafford's propensity to commit fouls, we are going to need Thompson to step up defensively often. Gafford's number of fouls is going to probably go down, but we will still need Thompson to provide reliable minutes and keep Gafford fresh. That's the biggest thing I'm watching for right now.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:48 am to The Sultan of Swine
quote:
I'm completely comfortable saying he's an improvement over Kingsley. He looks like he could be better than Portis.
I wouldn't be comfortable saying that yet but I do think he is the better fit and has a higher potential in this system. Just needs to be smarter with his fouls which I think he will learn as the season progresses.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:50 am to The Sultan of Swine
I have similar thoughts, but I was super impressed with Gafford only committing 3 fouls the other day in a game that saw 60 free throws attempted. I think as the game slows down for Gafford he will get his fouls under control. That's my hope anyways.
But yeah, we will still need a solid backup to Gafford this season. I like Tre's ability to run the offense through the post with his ability to distribute the ball.
But yeah, we will still need a solid backup to Gafford this season. I like Tre's ability to run the offense through the post with his ability to distribute the ball.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 9:08 am to BoarEd
I dont think we'll know a whole lot until oklahoma. Weve done well against the scrappy midmajors, our length and hustle has improved our def and rebounding, and we have a pretty balanced team on offense that isnt gonna be totally reliant on one player.
All that said we dont know how this team will handle an opponent who has comparable athletes.
Its a good team that will make the tourney, improve a ton by mid conference play, and have the ability to win some games in march. But pump the brakes until oklahoma, a loss there, even a bad one, doesnt mean this team is shite or is in shambles.
All that said we dont know how this team will handle an opponent who has comparable athletes.
Its a good team that will make the tourney, improve a ton by mid conference play, and have the ability to win some games in march. But pump the brakes until oklahoma, a loss there, even a bad one, doesnt mean this team is shite or is in shambles.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 9:17 am to cigsmcgee
You're right to say that Oklahoma will be a tougher test. We will know a little more after that game. However, I would be very surprised if Oklahoma were able to beat this team.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 9:26 am to cigsmcgee
I said in another thread, We are a top 10 team right now and no one has a clue. I think that may also be a little cautious. We may be top 5.
No, I am not basing that on who we beat and by how much. I am basing that off our guard play combined with what we've seen from the inside guys. Having great guards in college is like having the best Qb in football. All we need is for our big men not too suck, which it's starting to look like will also be a major strength.
If we stay healthy only the very elite teams will have any chance to match up with us. We also shoot free throws well. Most teams have weaknesses you can exploit and beat with less talented teams. This team doesn't have that. You will simply have to match their talent.
No, I am not basing that on who we beat and by how much. I am basing that off our guard play combined with what we've seen from the inside guys. Having great guards in college is like having the best Qb in football. All we need is for our big men not too suck, which it's starting to look like will also be a major strength.
If we stay healthy only the very elite teams will have any chance to match up with us. We also shoot free throws well. Most teams have weaknesses you can exploit and beat with less talented teams. This team doesn't have that. You will simply have to match their talent.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 10:00 am to cigsmcgee
quote:
I dont think we'll know a whole lot until oklahoma.
I shall be cautious until we've matched up with a few big boys. We will know a lot more about the team in a few days, until then I'm optimistic but not proclaiming us national champs.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 10:33 am to Ham Solo
quote:
I said in another thread, We are a top 10 team right now and no one has a clue. I think that may also be a little cautious. We may be top 5.
I agree with this. The only team I've seen so far that seems to compare with the Hogs is Vilanova.
That doesn't mean the Hogs are going to win every game on the schedule, but they will win most of them.
Two teams are in for a rude awakening this year. North Carolina and Kentucky.
I also understand a lot of people are still in wait and see mode, but there are very few teams with as much talent as the Hogs.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 10:38 am to BoarEd
quote:
I agree with this. The only team I've seen so far that seems to compare with the Hogs is Vilanova.
That doesn't mean the Hogs are going to win every game on the schedule, but they will win most of them.
Two teams are in for a rude awakening this year. North Carolina and Kentucky.
I also understand a lot of people are still in wait and see mode, but there are very few teams with as much talent as the Hogs.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 11:11 am to BoarEd
Too early to judge their consistency. Have looked pretty good so far though.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 12:58 pm to BoarEd
Lon krueger is one of the best X and O Coaches I've ever been around. He is an amazing coach and person. 
Posted on 11/20/17 at 1:02 pm to pioneerbasketball
Oh- I thought this game was 4 on Friday and I have to be at a bday gig at 6. But it's actually Thursday which means I can watch in full and not have to wait.
This and Barford not being an idiot- WHAT A DAY!!!!!!
This and Barford not being an idiot- WHAT A DAY!!!!!!
Posted on 11/20/17 at 1:53 pm to piggilicious
and i'll do the gamethread. 
Posted on 11/20/17 at 2:28 pm to pioneerbasketball
Interested to see what lineup we use against Oklahoma. With Thomas being a senior, Mike may start him over Bailey but I like Bailey's athleticism. Also Gafford has to start eventually.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 2:29 pm to gohogs141
thomas will play?
Posted on 11/20/17 at 2:38 pm to pioneerbasketball
Think so
Posted on 11/20/17 at 2:44 pm to BoarEd
Hopefully, it will keep gafford out of foul trouble.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 2:48 pm to BoarEd
I'll admit I'm still too reserved to go as far as saying top 10-5. I do agree on most of what has been said, though. Our guard play is good enough to be elite, and our front court could blossom into something dominant. There's no ceiling for this team if it all comes together. If we go to the PK80 and embarrass people, consider me all aboard the 'We goin to da ship' train.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 2:49 pm to BoarEd
Senior guard Anton Beard and freshman guard Khalil Garland will join Mike Anderson on the third Mike’d Up of the season at the new Sassy’s BBQ and Grille on Monday at 7 p.m.
Mike’d Up enters its sixth season at Sassy’s and the first year at the new location off Wedington Drive. The first six shows of the year will be held at the new Sassy’s BBQ and Grille, followed by the final six shows at Sassy’s Red House on North College Avenue.
The one-hour program gives fans an opportunity to interact with Razorback coaches and players, while also getting an opportunity to learn more about the personalities they witness on the court. Hosted by the voice of the Razorbacks, Chuck Barrett, the program features interviews with Coach Anderson, Arkansas student-athletes, coaches and staff members. Fans in attendance will also have an opportunity to ask the head Razorback their own questions.
Arkansas is off to a 3-0 start for the fifth time in the last six years after knocking off three quality mid-major opponents in the first two weekends of the season. Beard is one of four Razorbacks averaging double figures at 13.3 points per game and he leads the team with four steals.
Mike’d Up can be heard across the Razorback Sports Network from IMG College with all 12 shows held on Monday nights throughout the season starting at 7 p.m.
To reserve your table for the show, call Sassy’s BBQ and Grille at 479-435-6996 and tell them you want to get Mike’d Up with Mike Anderson on Monday night.
Remaining Shows Sassy’s BBQ and Grille
Monday, Nov. 20
Monday, Nov. 27
Monday, Dec. 4
Monday, Dec. 11
Shows at Sassy’s Red House
Monday, Dec. 18
Monday, Jan. 8
Monday, Jan. 15
Monday, Feb. 5
Monday, Feb. 19
Monday, Feb. 26
Mike’d Up enters its sixth season at Sassy’s and the first year at the new location off Wedington Drive. The first six shows of the year will be held at the new Sassy’s BBQ and Grille, followed by the final six shows at Sassy’s Red House on North College Avenue.
The one-hour program gives fans an opportunity to interact with Razorback coaches and players, while also getting an opportunity to learn more about the personalities they witness on the court. Hosted by the voice of the Razorbacks, Chuck Barrett, the program features interviews with Coach Anderson, Arkansas student-athletes, coaches and staff members. Fans in attendance will also have an opportunity to ask the head Razorback their own questions.
Arkansas is off to a 3-0 start for the fifth time in the last six years after knocking off three quality mid-major opponents in the first two weekends of the season. Beard is one of four Razorbacks averaging double figures at 13.3 points per game and he leads the team with four steals.
Mike’d Up can be heard across the Razorback Sports Network from IMG College with all 12 shows held on Monday nights throughout the season starting at 7 p.m.
To reserve your table for the show, call Sassy’s BBQ and Grille at 479-435-6996 and tell them you want to get Mike’d Up with Mike Anderson on Monday night.
Remaining Shows Sassy’s BBQ and Grille
Monday, Nov. 20
Monday, Nov. 27
Monday, Dec. 4
Monday, Dec. 11
Shows at Sassy’s Red House
Monday, Dec. 18
Monday, Jan. 8
Monday, Jan. 15
Monday, Feb. 5
Monday, Feb. 19
Monday, Feb. 26
This post was edited on 11/20/17 at 2:51 pm
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