Put your summer hoop buzz right here

[Biggus Piggus]

Everyone I know who has seen practices says that the starting lineup + core unit for the Razorbacks will include

PG Jaylen Barford
SG Dusty Hannahs
SG Daryl Macon
C/F Moses Kingsley

The undetermined = whether Kingsley will be the primary low post, or the main power forward.

If the fifth starter is Trey Thompson, Kingsley will be the basket-facing forward. If the fifth starter is Dustin Thomas, Kingsley will be the low post.

Arlando Cook is good enough as a low post player to allow Kingsley to play the four on offense. He'd be the five on defense.

The main question is which lineup is best on the defensive end. My thought is that the Hogs really can't afford to play Thompson and Hannahs at the same time, unless Thompson really ups his defensive game.

That might leave Kingsley and Thompson splitting time at the five.

Nobody I know has a great handle on Thomas's game. He is versatile, don't know what his predominant talent is. Maybe some other observer can help me out there.

As for other newcomers:

F Adrio Bailey seems like a version of Qualls who really likes to play inside. More of a rebounder, shotblocker, stickback guy than Qualls was.

G R.J. Glasper, the walk-on from Forrest City, is 5-10 but also viewed as a steal, a legit talent. Quick with all-around skills. Will seriously push Anton Beard. Some already assume Glasper will play this season.

That is a nice surprise for me, to get a guard who can match up against the quick point guards Arkansas will face. Beard was supposed to do that, but his game didn't develop last season amid all his problems. Maybe the real Beard will rise up this season. Then - having two quick guards on the bench, ++.

F Brachen Hazen - MA doesn't have a history of playing freshmen for many minutes. At some point, Hazen will be useful as a combo forward who can shoot. Arkansas needs to have a number of outside shooting threats.

G C.J. Jones - He was listed at 6-5, 166 on the roster. If he's 166 pounds, he has zero body fat. I saw this kid play in Chattanooga at a tournament. He looked strong, agile defender, some outside shooting with the ability to go to the hoop or pull up and pop. Jones's wingspan and defensive mentality might open the door for him to play soon.

This roster seems to have a much higher likelihood of fitting MA's style than any of the others he put together after returning to Fayetteville.

MA adheres to the Nolan system of building a three-man core and rotating around them with "fixers" to disrupt the matchups that opponents are trying to create. A lot more five-man combos should work on this team.

Most of the time in previous seasons, MA's attempts to rotate players were frustrated by the roster's lack of flexibility. Sometimes the shortage of bodies was a problem too, like last season.

This could be a real MA basketball team, and that has filled me with hope.

[wavybone]

May be asking for too much here but based off what you've heard, what do you think this team's floor/ceiling is?

[Biggus Piggus]

May be asking for too much here but based off what you've seen, what do you think this team's floor/ceiling is?

I have not seen anything. I know several people who have seen the team work out, people who have had good takes in the past. The players actually get practice time with coaches in the summer now. Not just pickup games.

Reading pickup games can be useful, too. I'd love to hear from someone who has seen pickup games.

[wavybone]

I have not seen anything. I know several people who have seen the team work out, people who have had good takes in the past. The players actually get practice time with coaches in the summer now. Not just pickup games.

Reading pickup games can be useful, too. I'd love to hear from someone who has seen pickup games.

Sorry I didn't phrase that question the right way. Do you have an idea of what those people believe the team's floor/ceiling is? Just really excited for this season and it's always cool to hear from people who've watched the team play.

[Biggus Piggus]

Sorry I didn't phrase that question the right way. Do you have an idea of what those people believe the team's floor/ceiling is? Just really excited for this season and it's always cool to hear from people who've watched the team play.

It seems clear that this team is much better than the previous one. Nobody really knows how good a defensive team it will be yet. That will determine a lot.

How many elite scorers are on this team? Seems like a lot of good ones, with Hannahs being the one outstanding shooter. An Arkansas team with multiple threats is much tougher than one with a couple of obvious scorers.

Everybody is convinced that this will be an unusually good rebounding team for MA. I'm hoping to see Thompson get some time with some of the speed guys. He throws a mean outlet pass.

This season feels different, really different, in that I would not be afraid of how the Hogs match up against anybody. That is assuming that everybody develops on schedule, nobody gets hurt, and the team comes together without chemistry problems.

There's a lurking worry about something going wrong. But this team deserves a full house from the first game on. Should be loads of fun.

[The_Iceman]

It seems clear that this team is much better than the previous one. Nobody really knows how good a defensive team it will be yet. That will determine a lot.

How many elite scorers are on this team? Seems like a lot of good ones, with Hannahs being the one outstanding shooter. An Arkansas team with multiple threats is much tougher than one with a couple of obvious scorers.

Everybody is convinced that this will be an unusually good rebounding team for MA. I'm hoping to see Thompson get some time with some of the speed guys. He throws a mean outlet pass.

This season feels different, really different, in that I would not be afraid of how the Hogs match up against anybody. That is assuming that everybody develops on schedule, nobody gets hurt, and the team comes together without chemistry problems.

There's a lurking worry about something going wrong. But this team deserves a full house from the first game on. Should be loads of fun.

I'm looking forward to the red-white scrimmage. I may even try to make a practice before a home football game.

[PonderinHog]

Like the mechanic said, "The suspension is killing me!"

[The_Iceman]

What is so different about this year from last year is the excitement and anticipation I have to watch this team. There are so many players I am looking forward to seeing. The depth and talent that is on the roster is the most well-rounded in a long time. If they can come together and play as a team, we could see great things from them. Add a 2017 recruiting class that will likely be Top 25, Mike is starting to put together a solid roster.

[mhuff]

Everyone I know who has seen practices says that the starting lineup + core unit for the Razorbacks will include

PG Jaylen Barfordy
SG Dusty Hannahs
SG Daryl Macon
C/F Moses Kingsley

The undetermined = whether Kingsley will be the primary low post, or the main power forward.

If the fifth starter is Trey Thompson, Kingsley will be the basket-facing forward. If the fifth starter is Dustin Thomas, Kingsley will be the low post.

Arlando Cook is good enough as a low post player to allow Kingsley to play the four on offense. He'd be the five on defense.

The main question is which lineup is best on the defensive end. My thought is that the Hogs really can't afford to play Thompson and Hannahs at the same time, unless Thompson really ups his defensive game.

That might leave Kingsley and Thompson splitting time at the five.

Nobody I know has a great handle on Thomas's game. He is versatile, don't know what his predominant talent is. Maybe some other observer can help me out there.

As for other newcomers:

F Adrio Bailey seems like a version of Qualls who really likes to play inside. More of a rebounder, shotblocker, stickback guy than Qualls was.

G R.J. Glasper, the walk-on from Forrest City, is 5-10 but also viewed as a steal, a legit talent. Quick with all-around skills. Will seriously push Anton Beard. Some already assume Glasper will play this season.

That is a nice surprise for me, to get a guard who can match up against the quick point guards Arkansas will face. Beard was supposed to do that, but his game didn't develop last season amid all his problems. Maybe the real Beard will rise up this season. Then - having two quick guards on the bench, ++.

F Brachen Hazen - MA doesn't have a history of playing freshmen for many minutes. At some point, Hazen will be useful as a combo forward who can shoot. Arkansas needs to have a number of outside shooting threats.

G C.J. Jones - He was listed at 6-5, 166 on the roster. If he's 166 pounds, he has zero body fat. I saw this kid play in Chattanooga at a tournament. He looked strong, agile defender, some outside shooting with the ability to go to the hoop or pull up and pop. Jones's wingspan and defensive mentality might open the door for him to play soon.

This roster seems to have a much higher likelihood of fitting MA's style than any of the others he put together after returning to Fayetteville.

MA adheres to the Nolan system of building a three-man core and rotating around them with "fixers" to disrupt the matchups that opponents are trying to create. A lot more five-man combos should work on this team.

Most of the time in previous seasons, MA's attempts to rotate players were frustrated by the roster's lack of flexibility. Sometimes the shortage of bodies was a problem too, like last season.

This could be a real MA basketball team, and that has filled me with hope.

BP, I have a lot more faith in Thompson's defense than Hannah's. Hannah was left in the dust too often. We have better defensive players this year . IMHO , it is the defense that will determine the success of the year. A dedicated defense that rattles the opponent into TO's that result in points is sorely needed.   Consistentcy

[Cinco de Hogo]

I think your too harsh on Hannah's defense.  He's a fighter who doesn't relax on defense.  He's certainly not a defensive specialist but he's also not one of the past white "shooters" we have had.  I could see him continue to develop his all around game if he wants a NBA shot.  Guy's like him, you have to have a Steve Kerr mentality to make it.  Tough!

Again, I'm really waiting to see what TT does, haven't heard a think about his offseason and that's disappointing.  He needs to develop a solid game for us to have s great year.  Without that happening I'll just go ahead and say it.  Same ole same ole, good but not good enough.

[Biggus Piggus]

I think your too harsh on Hannah's defense.  He's a fighter who doesn't relax on defense.  He's certainly not a defensive specialist but he's also not one of the past white "shooters" we have had.  I could see him continue to develop his all around game if he wants a NBA shot.  Guy's like him, you have to have a Steve Kerr mentality to make it.  Tough!

Again, I'm really waiting to see what TT does, haven't heard a think about his offseason and that's disappointing.  He needs to develop a solid game for us to have s great year.  Without that happening I'll just go ahead and say it.  Same ole same ole, good but not good enough.

That's nonsense. Thompson is likely to be the backup center. That is all he needs to do for this team to be very good. You seem to think the Razorbacks need more up front than Villanova did last season. They were pretty good. Good enough.

[East TN HAWG]

A couple of posts mention chemistry.  Is there a guy on this team that can fill the point guard slot?  If you have a guy, that can place the ball where it needs to be and on-time, then you have team chemistry.  The point guard is the most critical position to for team chemistry.

Do we have anyone that can fit this role? 

[The_Iceman]

A couple of posts mention chemistry.  Is there a guy on this team that can fill the point guard slot?  If you have a guy, that can place the ball where it needs to be and on-time, then you have team chemistry.  The point guard is the most critical position to for team chemistry.

Do we have anyone that can fit this role? 

I don't think we have a true point guard on this team. I think Beard could really be that bulldog tough PG we need if he could focus on distributing the ball. With the talent we are going to have on the wing next year, hopefully he embraces that role. Heck, Glasper may end up being that guy.

I don't know if a true PG is absolutely necessary in this system. Sure, it is great to have. But with the motion and movement we have on offense where guy interchange at will, if we have a good set of combo guards that can penetrate and distribute if needed, we will be fine.

[Biggus Piggus]

A couple of posts mention chemistry.  Is there a guy on this team that can fill the point guard slot?  If you have a guy, that can place the ball where it needs to be and on-time, then you have team chemistry.  The point guard is the most critical position to for team chemistry.

Do we have anyone that can fit this role? 

Well, they have three point guards. Barford will start. The backups will be Beard and Glasper.

Barford is kind of a Corey Beck type guard with more offensive skills and a better physique.

As Arkansas runs a motion offense, the point guard is necessary to establish order when a possession needs a restart, and to match up with the opposing point guard on defense.

[Cinco de Hogo]

That's nonsense. Thompson is likely to be the backup center. That is all he needs to do for this team to be very good. You seem to think the Razorbacks need more up front than Villanova did last season. They were pretty good. Good enough.

We will see, and I'm fine if he is the backup center as long as he is really good at it.  Any drop-off from Kingsley certainly won't help things a whole lot.  Remember, Portis/Kingsley only got us to one win in the tourney.  I guess that's nonsense too?  We did win 27 games.  A lot of our 1's, 2's, and 3's are new and have to learn to play together.  TT and MK should have a routine by now, don't you think?

[TheRazorback500]

So, BP, your opinion is that Thomas would be better at the high post position than Thompson? I would think Trey's passing ability would make him ideal for that role. I haven't seen Thomas play, however, so I have no idea of his skillset, passing or otherwise.

[The_Bionic_Pig]

From the reports I've read Cook is most likely the 2nd best interior scorer even with Trey being mentioned as the most improved player overall.

[trashcan maN]

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=jalen+barford+motlow+state+highlights&&view=detail&mid=5B9A7445B4284A33AFF95B9A7445B4284A33AFF9&rvsmid=8AB411EF58F998D865F18AB411EF58F998D865F1&fsscr=0&FORM=VDQVAP

Short clip I found of Barford at Motlow State.

[FineAsSwine]

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=jalen+barford+motlow+state+highlights&&view=detail&mid=5B9A7445B4284A33AFF95B9A7445B4284A33AFF9&rvsmid=8AB411EF58F998D865F18AB411EF58F998D865F1&fsscr=0&FORM=VDQVAP

Short clip I found of Barford at Motlow State.

Thanks. Barford looking like he could give us a dimension we haven't had in terms of his size and strength at the point. Should help with finishing at the rim. Something our guards have not been very proficient at the past few seasons.

[HawgnCorona]

Like the mechanic said, "The suspension is killing me!"

Ponderin you are fo'ever on your game...

+2 oldtimer. Lol!

[Biggus Piggus]

We will see, and I'm fine if he is the backup center as long as he is really good at it.  Any drop-off from Kingsley certainly won't help things a whole lot.  Remember, Portis/Kingsley only got us to one win in the tourney.  I guess that's nonsense too?  We did win 27 games.  A lot of our 1's, 2's, and 3's are new and have to learn to play together.  TT and MK should have a routine by now, don't you think?

The Portis-Qualls teams did not have enough talent/skills at guard or power forward/center. Not really worth rehashing.