No spring scramble for Hogs. 2018 class locked and loaded.

[FineAsSwine]

Mike Anderson and the crew can take some  well deserved time to kick their feet up and enjoy the holidays and a few extra helpings of turkey and dressing after early conclusion to the 2018 recruiting class.

It's really Nice for the coaches do not have to be in scramble mode trying to fill a couple of spots after the season ends. They got their main targets for the most part except for the  money games they got played by the shoe companies that ended up costing us one guy.

We still may end up needing another guy or two after the season if Garland  doesn't get cleared or if someone transfers out at the end of the season. But I feel like we are in great shape and ahead of the game in recruiting right now.

In recruiting coach Anderson has this program trending in the right direction.

[Kevin]

very nice haul.  huge upgrade in recruiting

[The_Iceman]

It is a good class to build for the future, for sure. However, I'm concerned it will not be enough to get us to the NCAA Tournament next year, especially if Garland isn't available. It may take a year to rebuild and we will be back in the 2020 tournament.

[Big Nasty 34]

It is a good class to build for the future, for sure. However, I'm concerned it will not be enough to get us to the NCAA Tournament next year, especially if Garland isn't available. It may take a year to rebuild and we will be back in the 2020 tournament.

We will be very inexperienced that's for sure. It will be fun watching everyone develop, however!

[Kevin]

I would rather be inexperienced and talented.
than
experienced with less talent

[navyhog24]

I could see a transfer at the end of this season and them still trying to grab a grad transfer big to back up Gafford for the 18-19season. That way they could still offer a '19 kid, even when it looks we'll probably  actually add 2-3 kids for the '19 class.

[FineAsSwine]

I could see a transfer at the end of this season and them still trying to grab a grad transfer big to back up Gafford for the 18-19season. That way they could still offer a '19 kid, even when it looks we'll probably  actually add 2-3 kids for the '19 class.

If Gabe ends up transferring, I would like to see us get a grad transfer as well and then have a scholly for 2019. If no good news on Garland, we may have two openings this spring. But with all of the talent looming in the next 2 classes that we are in on, I could see adding a grad transfer and a juco in the spring if there were two openings.

At least by getting all of their current slots filled, the staff can game plan for these possibilities now.

[Birminghog]

It is a good class to build for the future, for sure. However, I'm concerned it will not be enough to get us to the NCAA Tournament next year, especially if Garland isn't available. It may take a year to rebuild and we will be back in the 2020 tournament.

Interesting. Please elaborate, Ice. I'll hang up & listen. Thanks.

[lynbug]

How many years has it been since we've been in this great recruiting situation.....where we can sit back and enjoy this basketball season without worrying about what happens at the end of it.  For the first time in a long time we can actually enjoy this year and look forward to the next at the same time.

[The_Iceman]

Interesting. Please elaborate, Ice. I'll hang up & listen. Thanks.

You will see the team this year have to make major adjustments after the loss of experienced scorers like Dusty and Moses, but thankfully we have Barford and Macon.

Next year, we will not have experienced returning scoring like Barford and Macon. It will be a year of growth and development, but likely not a NCAA Tournament.

There will be talent and we will see flashes, but it will result in struggling to close out wins, especially if Garland doesn't play this year or next.

[BannerMountainMan]

You will see the team this year have to make major adjustments after the loss of experienced scorers like Dusty and Moses, but thankfully we have Barford and Macon.

Next year, we will not have experienced returning scoring like Barford and Macon. It will be a year of growth and development, but likely not a NCAA Tournament.

There will be talent and we will see flashes, but it will result in struggling to close out wins, especially if Garland doesn't play this year or next.

Harris, Jones, Hall, Bailey, and Gafford lineup looks pretty scary if you ask me

[cjack]

Loving the direction of Razorback basketball

[The_Iceman]

Harris, Jones, Hall, Bailey, and Gafford lineup looks pretty scary if you ask me

Yeah, that is scary if you are hoping for another NCAA Tournament. We will have talent, but I just don't see NCAA Tournament lock. 2020, if Gafford stays, is the year we could see a Sweet 16 run or further.

I'm not bashing Mike or anything, I'm just being realistic. If Garland can't ever return, it will hurt next year's team way worse than this years. The experience he would have got this season would set him up for a huge year next year. I'm not sure fans understand right now how good Garland was and what he could have been. Let's hope he makes it back.

[FineAsSwine]

If Garland can't ever return, it will hurt next year's team way worse than this years. The experience he would have got this season would set him up for a huge year next year. I'm not sure fans understand right now how good Garland was and what he could have been. Let's hope he makes it back.

Somber assessment but factual.

[The_Iceman]

Somber assessment but factual.

The scary thing about Garland is not only is he an Elite full court and half court finisher at the rim...

https://youtu.be/im10cYoyk8A

https://youtu.be/DWy6sRc2_ZI

...but he worked his tail off and became a very good 3 point shooter.

https://youtu.be/5k2yOuQvJRs

[Pinto]

It is a good class to build for the future, for sure. However, I'm concerned it will not be enough to get us to the NCAA Tournament next year, especially if Garland isn't available. It may take a year to rebuild and we will be back in the 2020 tournament.

I agree. On paper,  i don't think we would make tournament next year. However, the team will be very exciting and you never know how good those freshmen can be and how much the returning players could improve

[FineAsSwine]

I agree. On paper,  i don't think we would make tournament next year. However, the team will be very exciting and you never know how good those freshmen can be and how much the returning players could improve

How well Jones, Bailey, Gafford and Hall play this year will factor a lot into the expectations for next year. I am pretty sure Gafford and Hall are going to have a lot of buzz going into their sophomore seasons. But, will Jones and Bailey live up to their perceived potential this year and show that they will be solid as juniors?

[Pinto]

How well Jones, Bailey, Gafford and Hall play this year will factor a lot into the expectations for next year. I am pretty sure Gafford and Hall are going to have a lot of buzz going into their sophomore seasons. But, will Jones and Bailey live up to their perceived potential this year and show that they will be solid as juniors?

Yeah but at least we will have some exciting players on the bench if those guys don't improve. Chaney may come in ready to make an impact immediately like Dayday has shown. I think Isaiah Joe and Keyshawn will come in ready to get some nice minutes as well. Ethan has elite athleticism, if our staff can tap into his potential early then it would be hard to keep him off the court as well. We will have options

[blu]

This is the most excited I've been about Hog BB since Nolan's days. Hopefully, we'll finish strong this year and have some returning players that have really shown up.

[PonderinHog]

If a dog is gonna bite you, he's gonna bite you when he's a pup...

[HoopS]

If a dog is gonna bite you, he's gonna bite you when he's a pup...

sure. He will bite a lot harder as a full grown dog too.

[MakingPlays]

Yeah, that is scary if you are hoping for another NCAA Tournament. We will have talent, but I just don't see NCAA Tournament lock. 2020, if Gafford stays, is the year we could see a Sweet 16 run or further.

I'm not bashing Mike or anything, I'm just being realistic. If Garland can't ever return, it will hurt next year's team way worse than this years. The experience he would have got this season would set him up for a huge year next year. I'm not sure fans understand right now how good Garland was and what he could have been. Let's hope he makes it back.

I share your concerns about us making the tournament next year.  We're going to have to have a lot of things go right for things to work out next year.  We're losing at least 6 guys from this roster, including potentially 4-5 starters, next year's team will be the youngest team Coach Anderson has had (at least at Arkansas). 

For us to make the tournament I think we need these things to happen.

1.  Gafford to stay and have a First Team All-SEC performance his sophomore year.  And I think he will be here at least 2 years, it's rare for a guy to go from not being on any draft radar to being a one and done.

2.  Garland gets cleared -  Even if he misses this whole season, him being available next year will be huge.  As you were saying he's amazing at finishing around the rim and if he's fully healthy next year it will be big for us.  He's either a starter or the 6th man next year.

3. CJ Jones to have a Dusty Hannahs type of jump in his game.  Meaning he goes from being more than a 3 point specialist and expand his game to do a little bit of everything and can give us 15+ PPG.

4. We have at least 2 of our newcomers have All SEC Freshman type of years.  We'll be depending on significant contributions from at least 4 out of our 6 freshmen, we need 2 of them to be really good.  I think Embery, Joe, and Chaney all have that potential to be instant impact guys.