Postgame thoughts: Arkansas 95, Tennessee 93

Arkansas forward Daniel Gafford (10) and Arlando Cook (5) celebrate with fans after defeating Tennessee 95-93 after an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

— Some postgame thoughts following Arkansas' 11th win of the season:

Macon, Barford shine

Daryl Macon and Jaylen Barford let everyone know they’re one of, if not the best backcourt duo in the Southeastern Conference on Saturday.

Those two were just so impressive, especially in the second half and overtime period. Macon scored a career-high 33 points, and Barford finished with 28 points, also a career-best.

Truthfully, Macon had a consistent, strong game. With Barford on the bench with two fouls midway through the first half, the bulk of the offensive load fell on Macon, and he delivered. He hit a couple of really deep 3s to keep Arkansas within striking distance early on.

He did his damage from deep in overtime, but he also showed off his ability to shake defenders and get to the rim on two occasions. Macon had the crowd in his hands a lot in the second half. He plays the crowd so well.

This week, Mike Anderson said he thinks Macon has a chance to be one of the elite guards in the league. I think he's there. He knows how and when to strike for the dagger, and he did it in overtime. Average guards don't do that.

Barford scored 21 of his 28 in the second half and overtime. While his offense is going to get a lot of well-deserved attention, I thought his defense on Tennessee inbound plays was crucial.

Barford knocked an inbounds pass off a Tennessee player, giving Arkansas possession again following a score. And in one sequence, Barford assists on a Macon 3, steals the inbounds pass and misses a layup. Daniel Gafford rebounded the miss and scored, and got Arkansas to within 70-67 with 3:07 left in regulation.

Macon and Barford took 36 of Arkansas' 61 shots Saturday, but I don't think Anderson would have wanted anything different in this type of game.

While they took a lot of shots, they were efficient, making 10 each. They were also the go-to guys at the line, connecting on 15-of-16.

According to HogStats.com, this is the first time at least two Arkansas players have scored 28 or more points in the same SEC game.

The last time two Arkansas players scored 28 or more in the same conference game was Feb. 8, 1989, when Keith Wilson scored 31 and Mario Credit scored 30 in a 105-82 win over Texas at Barnhill Arena, according to HogStats.

Cook plays big minutes

Mike Anderson said Arlando Cook's play has dictated he needs more run, and he provided some really valuable minutes Saturday in a big moment.

You look at the box score, though, and you wouldn't miss him. He finished with one point and two rebounds in 13 minutes.

But one of Cook's best traits is that he does things that don't show up in the box score, like contesting shots, competing for rebounds and tapping misses to teammates when he can't go up and grab it himself.

Anderson spoke to Cook's edge after the game, and it's a good thing he brought it. Trey Thompson had a rough game and was -8 in the win. Adrio Bailey was almost nonexistent, too, recording a block in just five minutes.

Good on Cook for being ready and stepping up when called upon.

C.J. Jones struggles continue

This is puzzling to me, honestly. Jones, who was one of five Arkansas players averaging in double figures entering the game, finished with two points on 1-of-6 from the floor (0-of-3 from 3).

The funk goes back to the CSU Bakersfield game, too, where he was just 1-of-5. Jones is now 2 for his last 11 since the Christmas break, and it's a bit of a shock considering how fluid and effortless his shot looked in the nonconference season.

Sure, he was having issues with his jumper, but you thought when he went to the line Saturday he'd see the ball go in and that would be that. Nope. He missed both at the line as well. He was a -19 in the win.

Gafford's turnaround

Early on it looked like Daniel Gafford might struggle in his first SEC game. He had his shot pinned to the glass a couple of times, and he had the ball stripped from him another.

In an environment like Saturday's, it would have been easy for the freshman to press or get rattled. Instead, he turned in a strong game – minus his 3-of-9 day at the line.

The Razorbacks are a completely different team with him on the floor, and it was evident today. Gafford was a team-best +20 when on the floor, scoring 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting to go with eight rebounds. Oh, and he also had five blocks, including a couple that brought the crowd to its feet.

My favorite block of his came in the second half when he baited a Vols guard into thinking he had an easy bucket. Being so long, Gafford laid back, then attacked the ball when it was let go, kicking off a fast break opportunity for Arkansas.

Fouling jumpshooters

It turned out not to be a big deal, but Arkansas fouled Tennessee jumpshooters way too often.

Twice, Arkansas' guards fouled Tennessee players shooting 3s. That's a big no-no. In at least one other instance, an Arkansas player fouled on a jumper inside the arc. It's not smart basketball.

I think part of it was feeling the need to just make something happen to energize the team and the crowd. I can't remember Arkansas having this issue in the past.