FAYETTEVILLE — Mike Anderson finally ended Arkansas' NCAA Tournament drought this season in his fourth year as coach.
And there's no way Nolan Richardson's protégé is ready to see that momentum come to an end, even following the early departures of leading scorers Bobby Portis and Michael Qualls.
Portis and Qualls each declared for the NBA draft last week after combining to average 33.4 points per game for the Razorbacks (27-9), who ended a six-year tournament absence and finished second in the Southeastern Conference.
Their losses, while not completely a surprise, have left many wondering how Anderson will keep improving a program coming off its most wins in a season in 20 years. Or, will the Razorbacks return to the national spotlight prove to be only a one-year show?
Anderson, a regular in the tournament at both Alabama-Birmingham and Missouri before returning to Arkansas, left little doubt about his thoughts on the subject following Qualls' announcement.
"This is a program, not a one-year, two-year wonder," Anderson said. "This is a program that is going to be relevant, not only in the SEC, but I think in NCAA basketball as well."
Anderson was hired away from Missouri four years ago with the expectation of returning the Razorbacks to the elite level the school experienced for almost two decades under Eddie Sutton and Richardson. It was under Richardson that Arkansas won its only national championship in 1994, a title that came in the middle of three Final Four appearances in six seasons.
However, following Richardson's firing in 2002, the Razorbacks were largely reduced to an SEC afterthought — reaching the tournament only three times in 12 seasons before this year.
Behind Portis and Qualls, Arkansas emerged from its postseason funk last season. They beat Kentucky twice and reached the NIT. That momentum carried over to this season, with Arkansas remaining ranked for much of the season and Portis being named SEC Player of the Year.
Now, following the departures of Portis and Qualls, the Razorbacks will enter next season without four of their top five scorers from this season. In addition to the departures of Portis and Qualls, Arkansas graduates seniors Ky Madden and Alandise Harris — who combined to average 17.2 points per game.
Anderson has increased Arkansas' win total in each of his first four seasons, from 18 his first year to 27 this season.
Next season could prove his most difficult challenge yet with the Razorbacks, especially now that Arkansas fans have experienced a much-awaited taste of national success.
"When someone, whether they get hurt or someone leaves, it gives another opportunity," Anderson said. "You're going to look at this team next year and say, 'Man, I didn't know this guy could do that.' As a coach, that's what you look forward to. You look forward to the challenges of getting your team to compete at the highest level."
Arkansas does return All-SEC freshman performer Anton Beard next season, along with experienced players such as Anthlon Bell, Jacorey Williams, Moses Kingsley and Manuale Watkins.
Many, however, expect highly recruited signee Jimmy Whitt to take on a leading role as a freshman.
Whether anyone can replace the consistency and energy of Portis and Qualls is up for debate.
What Qualls doesn't doubt is Anderson's ability to keep Arkansas winning.
"Arkansas is still going to be Arkansas," Qualls said. "Arkansas is still going to be 40 minutes of Hell, pressing, getting after you. The only thing that's changing is the players, not the way that they're going to play."