Exhibition Preview: Anderson to mix, match as Hogs look to mesh

Arkansas coach Mike Anderson looks toward his bench during the Red-White game on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Mike Anderson usually sets his alarm clock for 6:45 a.m., but this time of year the Arkansas Razorbacks' basketball coach often wakes up long before the buzzer goes off.

Anderson said it's not usual for him to be awake before 5 a.m.

Arkansas men’s basketball exhibition game vs Central Oklahoma

WHEN 7 tonight

WHERE Walton Arena, Fayetteville

TICKETS $25 lower level, $15 upper level

RADIO/TV None

COACHES Arkansas: Mike Anderson (128-74 going into seventh season at Arkansas, 328-172 overall going into 16th season). Central Oklahoma: Tom Hankins (33-26 going into third season at Central Oklahoma).

ARKANSAS PLAYERS AVAILABLE TONIGHT G Daryl Macon, G Jaylen Barford, G Anton Beard, F Trey Thompson, F Dustin Thomas, F Adrio Bailey, G C.J. Jones, C Daniel Gafford, F Darious Hall, F Gabe Osabuohien, G Jonathan Holmes.

NOTEWORTHY Arkansas freshman guard Khalil Garland is still not medically cleared to play … Senior forward Arlando Cook has returned to practice from a disciplinary suspension, but hasn’t been cleared by Anderson to play in regular-season games and won’t play tonight as he continues to work on his conditioning … Sophomore guard Jalen Harris is redshirting after transferring from New Mexico … Central Central Oklahoma freshman guard Jason Hemphill played at Bentonville High School … The Razorbacks’ second exhibition game will be against Missouri Western at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 in Walton Arena.

"Then I can't go back to sleep," he said. " My mind's racing about things we have to get done and what I want to work on with these guys."

Anderson is going into his 16th season as a head coach.

"When you've been doing it for so long, your body just tells you," he said. "The leaves are changing, it's getting cooler outside. So that means basketball season is right here."

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville doesn't open the regular season for two more weeks when it plays Samford on Nov. 10, but the exhibition portion of the Razorbacks' schedule starts at 7 tonight when they play Central Oklahoma at Walton Arena.

It will be the first time the Razorbacks have gone against another team since the players began going through workouts in June.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing these guys going up against someone other than themselves," Anderson said. "They're chomping at the bit.

"They're really, really anxious to go and play and showcase the things that they've worked on."

Anderson said he's excited to see how the Razorbacks take what they've been doing in practice to a game.

"You want to see, 'OK, we've been working on some things as team, can we go out and impose our will on someone else?' " Anderson said. "To me, that's the great thing about getting to the exhibition games. They get a point where sometimes they get stale.

"The monotony of going against each other for five months. 'How many combinations can coach create?' It builds to this point and once the season gets started, it's game after game after game."

Anderson wasn't ready to announce a starting lineup when he met with the media Wednesday, but said he likely will start senior guards Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon and possibly senior forward Trey Thompson and senior guard Anton Beard.

Add forward Dustin Thomas and Anderson could go with an all-senior starting five.

Seeing how the seniors and sophomores Adrio Bailey and C.J. Jones mesh with freshmen Daniel Gafford, Darious Hall and Gabe Osabuohien, Anderson said, is a big part of the exhibition games.

"We certainly have a lot of experience coming back," he said. "Then you've also got some new parts to it as well.

"The sooner we get those guys with the older guys, then I think we've got a chance to have a real special team. I really believe that. But the process is ongoing."

Senior forward Arlando Cook rejoined the team last Thursday to practice after being suspended by Anderson for six weeks following his arrest on charges of misdemeanor first-degree assault, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.

Anderson said Cook won't play tonight as he continues to work on his conditioning.

Cook is scheduled to appear in Fayetteville District Court on Jan. 3, according to the city prosecutor's office, and Anderson has said he won't play until having his legal issues resolved.

Freshman guard Khalil Garland still has not been medically cleared to play.

"No update right now," Anderson said. "Hopefully, his medical situation will clear up."

For now, the Razorbacks have 10 eligible scholarship players available for games with sophomore guard Jalen Harris redshirting after transferring from New Mexico.

"I wouldn't be afraid of any of these guys going out there," Anderson said. "With some guys that are out right now, it provides these other guys opportunities to really have a chance to play.

"We'll jump right into that schedule real quick, so it'll be some valuable playing time for them."

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Sports on 10/27/2017