Macon leads wave of new Razorbacks

Daryl Macon of the White team shoots on Sunday Oct. 23, 2016 during the Red-White game at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteiville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas' seven newcomers are going to provide a lot of offense this season based on Sunday's Red-White intrasquad game at Walton Arena.

The newcomers combined for 131 points in the Red team's 118-113 victory in overtime.

"It's a Red-White game, but I think that shows you there's some potential there," Razorbacks Coach Mike Anderson said. "Those guys we've got coming in, hopefully they can impact in a positive way.

"But that was against each other. Let's not get carried away. Let's see what we do against someone other than ourselves."

Daryl Macon, a junior guard from Little Rock Parkview who transferred in from Holmes (Miss.) Community College, scored 28 points for the White team to lead all scorers.

"It was a great experience," Macon said of his first time playing in Walton Arena before the fans. "As everyone knows, I've always wanted to play here.

"I had butterflies in my stomach, but as a I started scoring and getting into the game, I just started having fun out there."

Macon was just one of several newcomers to make an impact:

• Junior guard Jaylen Barford (23 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists);

• Junior forward Dustin Thomas (21 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists);

• Freshman guard C.J. Jones (20 points);

• Freshman forward Brachen Hazen (17 points, 8 rebounds);

• Junior forward Arlando Cook (13 points, 13 rebounds);

• Freshman forward Adrio Bailey (9 points);

"These guys are all really good basketball players," senior guard Manny Watkins said. "They all bring a unique thing to the table. They're just huge gets for our team.

"I love every one of them. I'm so glad we got them and they're going to take us to the Promised Land this year. Just watch out."

Macon hit 9 of 19 shots -- including 4 of 8 three-pointers -- and 6 of 6 free throws.

"I mean, it wasn't my goal to do that," Macon said of being the leading scorer. "But I'm gifted to score the ball, so I try to use my gift to the best of my ability that I can."

Arkansas' returnees showed plenty, too, with senior center Moses Kingsley, the preseason SEC player of the year, leading the way with 27 points and 12 rebounds.

Jones hit a three-point basket to give the White team a 106-104 lead with five seconds left in regulation. Watkins sent the game to a three-minute overtime with a layup for the Red at the buzzer.

Barford hit 6 of 6 free throws in overtime and Trey Thompson hit 2 of 2 to clinch the victory for the Red team.

Junior guard Anton Beard, playing for the White team, missed a three-point attempt with 11 seconds left in overtime and the Red team winning 116-113.

"Anytime we play each other -- if you would see practice every day -- it's always competitive," Watkins said. "Everybody wants to win."

The Red team led 58-43 at halftime, but Macon helped rally the White team in the second half.

Anderson said it was good for the Razorbacks, especially the newcomers, to play in a game setting with fans and officials.

"I thought it was entertaining," Anderson said. "And how about the finish? It shows me we've got some guys that are competing for playing time."

Anderson said defense will be more of a focus Friday night when the Razorbacks play their exhibition opener against Central Missouri.

"To me, it's going to be a process with this team in terms of making sure they understand it's really going to be about our defense," Anderson said. "I believe we'll be able to score, but our defense is something I'm really looking forward to getting better and better and better."

Sports on 10/24/2016