Let's talk about Next Year

[Dominicanhog]

Excited about Hawgball and feel like we're a legit tourney team going forward..  we should be as good or better next year...if our guards return and we finish with Smith we'll be better in the back court...  if Bailey could emerge at that position... Sophomores like Jones and Hazen often step up and provide quality minutes...   still see the 4 as a potential weakness..   big Mo going into 2018     :razorback:

[Pistol Pig Maravich]

Ah yes.....the Arkansas motto!!

[Hogs958]

Ah yes.....the Arkansas motto!!

lighten up Francis

[The_Iceman]

I'm excited about this next year....

Barford / Beard / Glasper
Macon / Garland
Jones / Hall
Bailey / Thomas / Cook / Hazen
Gafford / Thompson

That is how the roster stands now. There may still be a few additions and subtractions to that group, but as it stands now, it should be another tournament team.

[hview]

Mike will increase the talent on his team,   but we have of knowing how that correlates to wins.  i wish we sign a really good point guard or inside player.

[Youngsta71701]

Arkansas basketball is much better than most thought. Myself included. I knew we were pretty good but what we showed today we are even better. If we can take care of the games we're supposed to win next year and win a few we shouldn't we should have a higher seed and avoid the top seeds in round two of the tournament. I see big things coming next year. WooPig!! :razorback:

[Youngsta71701]

Ah yes.....the Arkansas motto!!

That's every teams motto except the team that wins the national championship is it not?

[Potosihog]

I really hope Macon and Barford stick around.

The "what could have been" if this team would have gelled sooner or if Moses plays all year like he did the last two games......

We could be back to the point of worrying about seeding rather than if we are in or not on an annual basis.

[The_Bionic_Pig]

2018 is actually our best shot with Gafford joined by probable McDonald's AA Perry in the interior.

If the one & done rule is changed by then we could have that combination for 2yrs.

[Dominicanhog]

2018 is actually our best shot with Gafford joined by probable McDonald's AA Perry in the interior.

If the one & done rule is changed by then we could have that combination for 2yrs.

For inside, I agree, but our sr. guards should be ready next year and if we add Smith, to Garland, Hall and improvement from Jones... our back 3 spots could be really good .....

[Breems]

We should be pretty good again next year.

Total guess here, but we'll make the tournament again, win our first round game, then have a 2nd-round matchup against North Carolina.

[Atlhogfan1]

As transient as college basketball is will need to wait a few weeks to get an idea of what the roster will be.

[Ironhawg]

As transient as college basketball is will need to wait a few weeks to get an idea of what the roster will be.

I hate to say it, but this is what I fear.  If we lose Macon and Barford, next year will be a huge struggle.  If we lose one or the other it will hurt, but we could muddle through.

[ErieHog]

Better late, but rougher early.

[The_Iceman]

2018 is actually our best shot with Gafford joined by probable McDonald's AA Perry in the interior.

If the one & done rule is changed by then we could have that combination for 2yrs.

I'm not counting out next year. Seeing what Bailey can do at PF today gave me hope for that position next year. I also think CJ Jones at 6'5" will contribute next year next to Bailey and Macon as a shooter that can get his shot off over just about anyone. I think he will take a huge step forward next year.

Get the right matchup in the NCAA Tournament, and we could see a Sweet 16 run. Replacing the 6'3" Hannahs and Watkins with 6'5" Garland and 6'6" Hall makes us longer and more athletic overall.

[WorfHog]

I hate to say it, but this is what I fear.  If we lose Macon and Barford, next year will be a huge struggle.  If we lose one or the other it will hurt, but we could muddle through.

JUCO'S DON'T LEAVE EARLY IT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN.

[Youngsta71701]

We should be pretty good again next year.

Total guess here, but we'll make the tournament again, win our first round game, then have a 2nd-round matchup against North Carolina.

Ha Ha Ha, wouldn't surprise me at all with recent history in mind.

[Ironhawg]

JUCO'S DON'T LEAVE EARLY IT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN.

From your mouth to Macon's and Barford's ears!!!

[Big Nasty 34]

Better late, but rougher early.

I disagree on the rougher earlier. This year we had 2 major contributors, Barford and Macon trying to get acclimated to D1 ball and develop chemistry. Next year, assuming they return, we will have 2 bonafide scorers who know the system and how to play. The freshman won't be counted on to contribute much offensively, so they can be brought on slowly. And, IMO the offense can be more efficient with more PT for Trey, who is an outstanding passer.

Just my thoughts.

[Sho Nuff]

Is there really a concern that Barford or Macon will leave?  They're not NBA ready in my opinion.  Another year would really help them both.

[Big Nasty 34]

Is there really a concern that Barford or Macon will leave?  They're not NBA ready in my opinion.  Another year would really help them both.

It's Arkansas, we can't stand basketball prosperity lol.
They were documented in the preseason to wanting to be one and done.

[hulk hog]

The problem we will have next year is very similar to this year...it will be in the post.   When Moses showed up we were a different team offensively.  Gafford is athletic but raw offensively. We really need Trey to emerge as someone who can give us some offense inside....and we need some consistency at the 4.

For us to take the next level we have to be able to either create more turnovers or learn how to rebound. The SEC is getting better so I am glad to see our recruiting is picking up.

[RaisinHog]

It's Arkansas, we can't stand basketball prosperity lol.
They were documented in the preseason to wanting to be one and done.

I'm sure most players want to be one and done lol .. I just don't see them leaving .. if they do I wish them well but I wouldn't worry too much about it .. like I have said before I think the evaluation process with the NBA will be beneficial too us and others on players like this that we have sometimes lost on ill advice

[Big Nasty 34]

I'm excited about this next year....

Barford / Beard / Glasper
Macon / Garland
Jones / Hall
Bailey / Thomas / Cook / Hazen
Gafford / Thompson

That is how the roster stands now. There may still be a few additions and subtractions to that group, but as it stands now, it should be another tournament team.

My way too early rotation prediction is:

Barford
Macon
Hall
Cook
Thompson

With
Beard
Jones
Garland
Thomas/Bailey( 4 spot is interchangeable)
Gafford

I feel like Hall may have enough of the intangibles to start at the 3 allowing Jones to be the scoring with the second unit. I bet either cook and or Bailey pass Thomas at the 4.

[hawgdavis]

If we hadn't dropped those games mid season, you know the ones, we would have had a better seed and probably still been in the tournament but it could also be said that was the turning point that got us to today. Who knows, should still be there anyway but it wasn't allowed by the refs.

What we really need are a couple of big bodied bigs and I mean big bigs that can bang and grab rebounds to compliment our athletic front court then we can truly go deep in the tourney consistently.

I do believe we will be as good or better next year and I'm looking forward to it.

[hawgdavis]

I also think Thomas benifittted from the tournament experience and will play much better next year, I have seen a few flashes of what he can be and hope he realizes it as well.

[HossHog]

I'm excited about this next year....

Barford / Beard / Glasper
Macon / Garland
Jones / Hall
Bailey / Thomas / Cook / Hazen
Gafford / Thompson

That is how the roster stands now. There may still be a few additions and subtractions to that group, but as it stands now, it should be another tournament team.

If we go back to the pressing every time down the court that we saw a couple of years ago, Barford/Macon, Jones, Hall, Adrio and Gafford would be something to look at. Very long and athletic lineup

[Rawker]

I also think Thomas benifittted from the tournament experience and will play much better next year, I have seen a few flashes of what he can be and hope he realizes it as well.

We don't need him to be a star, but he has shown flashes, and honestly, until the end of this season where Moses finally started doing it, Thomas was actually the only one to use the almost-never-failing double-step or "Dominique" move to the basket.  It's absolutely fundamental, yet hardly anyone uses it, and it works almost every time, even in the pros.  Thomas is the one player on the team to do it across the whole season, so I know he has the intelligence to contribute.  Just need 6-10 points and 5-7 RBs out of him, and he'll help us out.  If Thomas doesn't play like he did against Seton Hall, we might not have gotten the chance to get totally screwed against NC.  I've hammered on him like everyone else, but I'm going to root for him to be what he was against Seton Hall, and I'm going to believe he will deliver. 

[Rawker]

It's Arkansas, we can't stand basketball prosperity lol.
They were documented in the preseason to wanting to be one and done.

I'm not sure Macon was documented as saying this, although Barford was.  Macon has always wanted to be a Hog, and I can almost guarantee you he's not going out like he did, cramping up and missing CRUCIAL CRUCIAL minutes of the biggest Hog game in exactly 2 years.  Barford?  I'm worried....he would not be NEAR the first to ill-advisedly leave early and screw up the potential bridges that have been built towards the next season.

[dsgreen]

Ah yes.....the Arkansas motto!!

Did you expect to win the national title this year?  They had a great season; 26 wins, an appearance in the SEC Championship game, NCAA Tourney win and if not for some bad officiating, nearly took out #1 seed UNC 3 hours from their campus.  They have top recruiting classes coming in for the next 2 years.  The hate on this forum is absolutely ridiculous.

[Rawker]

Did you expect to win the national title this year?  They had a great season; 26 wins, an appearance in the SEC Championship game, NCAA Tourney win and if not for some bad officiating, nearly took out #1 seed UNC 3 hours from their campus.  They have top recruiting classes coming in for the next 2 years.  The hate on this forum is absolutely ridiculous.

Dude....and everyone else....let's put a pause on even retorting to what has always been implied by knee-jerk negativity, at least until the argument has a leg to stand on again.  Right now, the argument has NO capital.  Like you say, 26 wins and a royal screwing out of the Sweet16 against a potential national champion was a fantastic year, so there's no use in arguing this point for a while, at least until the Hogs go on a 5-loss streak where they look to be completely lost, or they're not getting the recruits.  None of those things is happening right now.  They did have a key 3-game swoon this year, but it turns out that it was simply a broken rutter that the players and coaches gathered together and got fixed.  It might have been crucial to the late-season surge - and they ended up going further than most of those they took a hit from earlier in the season (MINN, OKST, VANDY, etc).  So please....don't even respond to these implications.  The Hogs are in a good place and are a couple shots away from an unbelievably awesome place, so any knuckle-draggers have NO leg to stand on right now.  They're lost.  There is no use in responding until a bed spell forces the optimists to remind the pessimists that all is not lost.

[Pork Twain]

I hope MA builds on this and continues to prove us doubters wrong.  Losing DH and MK are going to leave some pretty big holes though.

[Medic821]

Go play in traffic

[3kgthog]

Somewhat off topic, but now that there's finally momentum and a more united fanbase, Midnight Madness must make a triumphant return for the 2017-18 season. We've got to act like a big boy again and that's what the big boys do.

Home football vs Auburn + midnight madness is a win-win. Bring in a team of former Hogs to play against the current guys and you've got a delicious Hog pie ready for consumption.

[HF#1]

I'm jumping on the hype machine for next season. The table is going to be set if everyone returns. It will be a matter of how far we want to take it.

[RaisinHog]

I second bringing midnight madness back

[JayBell]

It's all about defense.  If Arkansas gets back to playing defense all the time like they did to close the season, they will be back where we all want them to be.  They are going to be longer and more athletic next season and more capable of pulling it off.

That's why I'm going to hold out hope Bailey gets to run some at SF.  Cook is more of a true power forward and they're going to be very deep at post next season.  Running Hall and Bailey at SF can ramp up the pressure on defense.  With the quality and experience of the guards coming back next year, you only need two of them out there to take care of the ball.

[HotlantaHog]

We should be pretty good again next year.

Total guess here, but we'll make the tournament again, win our first round game, then have a 2nd-round matchup against North Carolina.

I'm looking forward to the Arkansas-UNC matchup that happens where all the UNC homers are thinking, oh no Arkansas ... as opposed to the reverse.

But maybe that is next year.

[Youngsta71701]

It's all about defense.  If Arkansas gets back to playing defense all the time like they did to close the season, they will be back where we all want them to be.  They are going to be longer and more athletic next season and more capable of pulling it off.

That's why I'm going to hold out hope Bailey gets to run some at SF.  Cook is more of a true power forward and they're going to be very deep at post next season.  Running Hall and Bailey at SF can ramp up the pressure on defense.  With the quality and experience of the guards coming back next year, you only need two of them out there to take care of the ball.

One thing to add on to this. Thomas, Bailey, and Cook can all handle the ball pretty good. On a team with a more traditional system those 3 would probably be playing the 3 instead of the 4. If nothing else Bailey should get some run at the 3 next year. We could use more size on the wings.

[TebowHater]

One thing to add on to this. Thomas, Bailey, and Cook can all handle the ball pretty good. On a team with a more traditional system those 3 would probably be playing the 3 instead of the 4. If nothing else Bailey should get some run at the 3 next year. We could use more size on the wings.

CJ Jones could also help give us some size out there.

[Hollywood870]

40 Minutes of Hell almost won the game for us yesterday with Bailey as the defensive nightmare all over the court. I say we bring that back. While mixing in some of our half court zone sets of course. If Bailey wouldn't have been whistled on that steal with us up five.....

[Hollywood870]

It's all about defense.  If Arkansas gets back to playing defense all the time like they did to close the season, they will be back where we all want them to be.  They are going to be longer and more athletic next season and more capable of pulling it off.

That's why I'm going to hold out hope Bailey gets to run some at SF.  Cook is more of a true power forward and they're going to be very deep at post next season.  Running Hall and Bailey at SF can ramp up the pressure on defense.  With the quality and experience of the guards coming back next year, you only need two of them out there to take care of the ball.

I agree with Bailey at small forward. If we get Zhaire Smith with Hall, why not run 2 guards, 2 SF, and a center?

[Hog in Iowa]

If D. Thomas and A. Cook would work on their 12-14 ft jumpers in the off season and become proficient, they could both probably get 8-10 pts a game.  This year I cringed every time they took a shot unless it was a lay-in.  T. Thompson needs to work on his mid-range jumper also.  I don't see him being the inside scorer Moses was at times.

[HF#1]

We will be longer and faster defensively next season.

[Hollywood870]

Gafford will have to play early and often so he is ready by Feb. No reason not to play Bailey more this season. We were saying it all year. A head scratcher.

[HF#1]

Gafford will have to play early and often so he is ready by Feb. No reason not to play Bailey more this season. We were saying it all year. A head scratcher.

I think Baily's minutes were hurt due to the emergence of Cook. Cook played really well down the stretch of the season.

[Hollywood870]

I think Baily's minutes were hurt due to the emergence of Cook. Cook played really well down the stretch of the season.

I must have missed Cook's emergence.

[ShadowHawg]

Gafford will have to play early and often so he is ready by Feb. No reason not to play Bailey more this season. We were saying it all year. A head scratcher.

It took him a while to get right defensively. He did good when he got an opportunity but then Thomas would come on and even Cook played good at times down the stretch.

I think Bailey will be solid in the rotation from the start of next season.

[cityhog]

Is there really a concern that Barford or Macon will leave?  They're not NBA ready in my opinion.  Another year would really help them both.

Macon stated before he came to AR that he was looking to be a 'one and done'.

[The_Iceman]

I must have missed Cook's emergence.

In February and March, Cook averaged 1.8 pts and 2.0 rebounds per game.

I can see Thomas getting minutes next year. He has some skill and can produce. I just don't see Cook being anything better than what we saw this year. Not explosive, not particularly good defensively, and doesn't have a jump shot.