Macon named SEC player of the week after 'efficient' performance

Arkansas guard Daryl Macon dribbles during a game against Ole Miss on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Fayetteville.

— Arkansas junior guard Daryl Macon had a career game last Saturday and was rewarded Monday by being named the SEC Player of the Week.

Macon had 30 points in the Razorbacks’ 98-80 rout of Ole Miss, and scored 15 in a big road win at South Carolina last Wednesday.

Macon, now averaging 13.7 points per game, made 10 of 13 field goal attempts, 6 of 8 3-point attempts and 4 of 5 free throws in the win over the Rebels.

“It’s good to see Daryl play with a lot of confidence,” Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said Monday “He’s not lacking confidence but it’s good to see him putting together some games.  But it goes hand in hand with winning. Our team is playing well and he’s playing better and he’s a big part of it. 

“It’s not necessarily just his scoring. We know he’s capable of scoring. Our team is playing very unselfish now. We had 20 assists in the game against Ole Miss.  He had some tremendous nifty passes where guys are passing up good shots for great shots.

“And when they see he’s got it going on, our guys are doing a good job of screening for him and he’s cutting for the ball and giving up the ball.”

Macon is shooting 44.8 percent overall, including 39 percent (53 of 106) from 3-point range and 87.9 percent (102 of 116) from the free throw line.

He is 16 of 34 from 3-point range in the last six games.

Macon’s defense is something that Anderson noted has improved of late.

“It’s good to see him do some things on defense,” Anderson said. “Not necessarily just offense but defense. He’s doing well.

“I think he played 24 minutes in that game and with 30 points, that’s playing efficient basketball. So I would say he is playing with a lot more confidence, a lot more comfortable with what we are doing.”