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Hogs break century mark in win over Bucknell
Arkansas used its largest offensive output in two years to defeat Bucknell on Sunday night 101-73 to improve to 2-0 this season.
After Bucknell opened the game with a three-pointer, the Bison and Razorbacks would trade a few early baskets, before Arkansas settled in and gained control of the tempo and ultimately, the game.
Senior guard Jaylen Barford sparked Arkansas early, sinking his signature fade-away to give the Hogs the lead at 9-8. The Razorbacks would go on an 8-0 run, using their defense to create offense. Barford finished the first half with 21 points, giving him his sixth 20-point effort of his career, first inside Bud Walton Arena.
It did not take long for freshman forward Daniel Gafford to put his length and versatility on display.
The 6-11 big man was able to drive to the rim and snag his own miss for an easy lay-up. On the other end of the floor, he was part of a trap under the basket that forced a turnover. He proceeded to run the floor and clean up boards with a put-back slam, putting the Hogs up double-digits for the first time in the game.
In the season opener, Arkansas tallied 12 dunks, thanks in large part to their passing. Sunday, the trend continued, as Barford drove to the basket and left it for sophomore forward Adrio Bailey to slam it home for his fourth of the season.
One of sophomore guard C.J. Jones’ points of emphasis this season is to expand his game on the defensive side of the court. Jones got his hand in the passing lane late in the first half, forcing his second career steal, leading to a lay-up by freshman guard Darious Hall.
Senior guard Daryl Macon drilled a three as time expired in the first half, to cap a 22-8 Arkansas run to end the period. Macon finished the first half with 12 points and two assists.
Arkansas shot 55.6 percent from the field in the first half, including ending the half, making 18 of its final 23 shots.
Bucknell opened the second half, sinking three straight three-point attempts after missing its first, to bring the game within 18. That is as close as the Bison would get, as the Razorbacks used nice passing that led to easy buckets.
Macon showcased his passing ability, leading to an easy touch shot by Gafford. Gafford’s first six points of the second half came on easy touch lay-ups.
Bucknell shot well from the field in the second half, but struggled slowing down the Razorbacks.
Macon finished the game with 21 points, after sinking this three. It is Macon’s fourth 20-point performance of his career.
The highlight of the game goes to Hall. The eighth and final dunk of the contest was a jaw-dropper.
Game Notes
• Mike Anderson has started 2-0 for the 15th time in 16 years as a head coach.
• With Arkansas’ 22-point lead at halftime, the Razorbacks have lead each of their opponents by more than 20 points at the break. It is the first time since 1993-94 that Arkansas has lead each of its first two opponents of the season by 20 or more points at halftime.
• Barford and Macon tallied 20-plus points, becoming the first Razorback duo to record 20 or more points in the same game since Moses Kingsley (23) and Barford (20) against Seton Hall in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
• Arkansas’ 101-point scoring performance is the most 137th century effort in Arkansas history and the first since posting 117 against Northwestern State on Dec. 1, 2015.
• The Razorbacks have scored 95 points or more in their first two games of the season for the first time since 1997-98.
Bucknell coach after Razorbacks’ romp to big win
Samford coach Nathan Davis met with the media after the Hogs had a 101-73 win with a big night by Jaylen Barford.
Things I think I know: Week 11
I have run out of ways to describe Razorback football in 2017.
Like A.C. Slater when he tried to do sports on KTTY radio in that famous episode of “Saved by the Bell,” someone should wave a skunk in front of them.
That all being said, I am trying something new this week. I am going to homer up and write about what went RIGHT in the Hog loss to LSU on Saturday.
What I liked about the loss.
- Arkansas protected the quarterback! Only one sack recorded by the LSU defense on Saturday.
- Arkansas won the coveted time of possession battle.
- Hog running back David Williams lost zero yards in the game running the football. He gained and netted 81 yards on the ground.
- Connor Limpert is better then whatever that disaster LSU had going on in the place kicking department.
- Will Gragg showed up. Three catches for 47 yards including a 33 yarder in the game.
- Arkansas held Derrius Guice to less than 200 yards rushing Saturday. A big improvement over the 252 he got a year ago.
- Robb Smith is a good defensive coach and was a total scapegoat last year. He got a raw deal here and nobody talks about it.
OK that’s about it for me you got anything?
On to the rest of the college football landscape.
- I was wrong about Miami, although having tons of success based on creating turnovers is a lot like being hot at the craps table. Eventually, someone rolls a seven and you are busted out.
- To quote Tim Kurkjian, “Dan, Oklahoma is really good.”
- Tennessee fired Butch Jones after his team gave up 50 to Missouri. Arkansas will fire Bret Bielema after it gives up 50 points … to Missouri.
- Kerryon Johnson of Auburn should be in the Heisman discussion after his 167 yard performance against Georgia. Johnson now has 1,035 rushing yards on the season.
- Why can’t Wisconsin be in the playoff?
- Alabama is really feeling the injury bug right now but I think they will be able to win out and make the college football playoff again.
- Would a two loss, SEC Champion Auburn miss the playoff? It’s a possibility.
- Kansas is the worst power five football program in America. The Jayhawks have lost 45 straight road games, which is the most in the history of time and space in college football.
- Arkansas fans should never ask the question “Who are we gonna get?” Kansas football fans, (both of them) should.
Neighbors picks up career win No. 100 over Samford
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas had five players in double figures leading to the Razorbacks’ second win of the season and the 100th career win for coach Mike Neighbors.
Junior Malica Monk had a career day with 21 points and nine rebounds. The North Little Rock, Arkansas, guard added six assists and had just one turnover in 37 minutes of play. She was joined by graduate student Devin Cosper who had 18 points.
Freshman Taylah Thomas had a career-best 13 points and nine rebounds, sophomore Jailyn Mason had 12 points and sophomore Kiara Williams had a career-high 10 points in the balanced Razorback effort.
Arkansas (2-0) got out to a quick start running away with an 84-63 win over Samford (0-2) in Bud Walton Arena on Sunday.
Arkansas dominated the first and fourth quarters outscoring Samford 27-18 and 26-17, respectively. The Razorbacks put together a 9-0 run in the first frame and never trailed in the game. Arkansas hit 10 3-pointers and 16 free throws behind a 7-for-7 performance from Monk and a 5-for-5 effort from Cosper at the line.
• Arkansas went on a 9-0 run to start the game.
• Malica Monk had 12 points and Jailyn Mason had 10 points in the first half.
• It is Malica Monk’s second consecutive game in double figures (18 vs. Sam Houston State).
• Malica Monk’s 21 points and nine rebounds are career bests.
• Kiara Williams (10) and Taylah Thomas (13) had a career-bests for points.
• Devin Cosper also scored in double figures for the second consecutive game.
UP NEXT
The Razorbacks open a four-game road swing with three away games and one neutral site contest. Arkansas first travels to Nebraska on Thursday, Nov. 16 followed by a road trip to Oral Roberts on Monday, Nov. 20.
The Razorbacks take on UTEP on their home court and New Mexico State in El Paso, Texas, as part of a Thanksgiving tournament on Nov. 24-25.
