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Arkansas Basketball Preview: Mike Anderson Media Day Recap

The Razorbacks held a media day on Thursday to prep for Sunday's Red-White game, which this year is being called "Hog Wild Hoops"

By Doc Harper

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Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/MikeAndersonUA">@MikeAndersonUA</a> opens his filled-up media day presser off the cuff: &quot;This is how I&#39;d like to see Bud Walton this year -- packed.&quot;</p>&mdash; Thomas Murphy (@TomMurphyADG) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomMurphyADG/statuses/393463963314184192">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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It appears Mike Anderson basically went through his roster and provided a brief update and preview of the players. Brief enough to fit in a tweet (or two or three)!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Anderson: With a guy like Bobby (Portis), obviously we know his potential, but I&#39;ve never seen someone develop like him over time.</p>&mdash; Logan Wilson (@NWALogan) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWALogan/statuses/393465527697276928">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Coach Anderson: I have gym rats now. Bobby Portis is the first one here and the last one to leave.</p>&mdash; Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/statuses/393468863251099648">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Anderson on freshman Bobby Portis: &quot;He wants to be one of the best in the country.&quot;</p>&mdash; Robbie Neiswanger (@NWARobbie) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWARobbie/statuses/393468426867331072">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Anderson said Alandise Harris will &quot;bring a level of toughness we haven&#39;t had.&quot; Added Harris &quot;loves contact&quot; and described him as a &quot;man.&quot;</p>&mdash; Robbie Neiswanger (@NWARobbie) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWARobbie/statuses/393468479791050752">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Coach Anderson: Fred Gulley is much improved; Wade can do more things this season and can be one of SEC&#39;s best defenders</p>&mdash; Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/statuses/393467253141684225">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Coach Anderson: Ky Madden is more focused, more mature, is one of our better finishers, is like quarterback on floor.</p>&mdash; Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/statuses/393466949008519168">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>MA on Madden: He wants to showcase he was one of the [best] players in his class. This is year 3 for him. It&#39;s time for him to step it up.</p>&mdash; Thomas Murphy (@TomMurphyADG) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomMurphyADG/statuses/393467453671362560">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Anderson: &quot;We got some guys in place that can knock shots down.&quot; Mentions Anthlon Bell (obviously), Mardracus Wade, Coty Clarke and Kikko.</p>&mdash; Logan Wilson (@NWALogan) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWALogan/statuses/393465687177297920">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Coach Anderson: Really excited about JaCorey Williams. Strength of our team is going to be our skilled forwards.</p>&mdash; Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/statuses/393466279232667648">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Coach Anderson: We are ready to put a product out there that our fans can be proud of.</p>&mdash; Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/statuses/393469034819108865">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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So are we, Coach. We're very anxious.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Coach Anderson: In scrimmage last Sunday, one team was 34-of-38 from FT line and the other one made 28 FTs</p>&mdash; Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/statuses/393467834086342656">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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That seems like an awful lot of free throws for a scrimmage. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the Hogs made them, but let's avoid sending other teams to the free throw line 38 times in a game.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Coach Anderson: You will see a much better passing team this season and Portis and Kingsley give the Razorbacks guys who can set up shooters</p>&mdash; Hawgs Illustrated (@HImagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/HImagazine/statuses/393465876671778816">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Anderson on PGs: &quot;If you look at my teams over the years, you had point guards by committee. By committee, those guys distribute the ball.&quot;</p>&mdash; Logan Wilson (@NWALogan) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWALogan/statuses/393464711036932097">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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That's fine, as long as the guys on the committee can play point guard.

Also part of the discussion, the NCAA's new rules emphasizing calling fouls on hand-checking. It's likely to be a bigger issue for teams that use an aggressive, attacking, full-court defense, you know, like Arkansas'. And it should benefit teams with more athletic scorers because defense's won't be allowed to be as physical as we're used to.

Here's a rundown from USA Today.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Anderson said new hand check rules are a &quot;major concern,&quot; but &quot;we&#39;ve got to be able to make the adjustments.&quot; Had SEC refs in the other day.</p>&mdash; Robbie Neiswanger (@NWARobbie) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWARobbie/statuses/393468922495643648">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Mike Anderson said new hand checking emphasis won&#39;t change how his team plays, but said he thinks more teams will run zones defensively.</p>&mdash; Matt Jones (@NWAMatt) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWAMatt/statuses/393468020443475969">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>G Kikko Haydar said Arkansas will have to adjust to hand check rules. But sees &quot;no reason why we can’t play the same brand of basketball.&quot;</p>&mdash; Robbie Neiswanger (@NWARobbie) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWARobbie/statuses/393472057641414656">October 24, 2013</a></blockquote>

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