DETROIT — College athletes can be extensions of their coaches, not only on the floor but in speaking with the media in news conference settings. It’s not a slight by any means. Usable soundbites just come few and far between.
Arkansas, though, prefers to entertain, and Daryl Macon, Jaylen Barford and even freshman Daniel Gafford lead the charge in making the best out of their media obligations. More often than not, they are selected to speak after big performances and they’re sure to bring their personalities with them.
The Razorbacks have been that kind of group all season long. After blowing out Connecticut at the Phil Knight Invitational in Portland in November, Barford paused prior to leaving the Moda Center media room and asked for a shoutout from Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard.
Lillard later obliged.
At the SEC Tournament in St. Louis, Macon and Barford were again in high spirits and loose in front of the media. Macon, as he’s done for a majority of the season, playfully joked with longtime Arkansas Democrat-Gazette beat writer Bob Holt.
Macon recorded a short video of Holt as he left the dais following the Razorbacks’ 69-64 win over South Carolina that snapped a streak of seven consecutive losses in the SEC Tournament when entering as a five seed or higher.
“He’s Snapchatting you, Bob, I hope you know that,” Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said.
Earlier, Macon was asked about Barford’s deep 3 late in the game to beat the shot clock that all but sent the Razorbacks to the tournament quarterfinals against Florida. He gave a response we’ve come to expect, given his openness throughout the season.
“I want to say clutch, but I got to truly say I taught him that,” Macon said. “I usually make those shots, and I think he looked at me, and he said, ‘I can make this same shot.’ So I actually think he got that shot from me, to be honest. There it is.”
Barford, following the shot, picked off a South Carolina pass and scored on the other end to extend Arkansas’ lead. After Barford described the sequence, Macon interjected.
“Want to tell him about the shot?”
“He seen it,” Barford responded. “It was wet. He seen the shot.”
Gafford, who recorded his third career double-double in the 80-72 win over Florida with 16 points on 8 of 11 shooting and 12 rebounds, and Barford knew they would have to bounce back quickly to prepare for Tennessee in the tournament semifinals. Questioned what the turnaround would consist of, the freshman prodded Barford.
“Just stay off our legs and eat and go to sleep. That’s about it,” the senior said.
“You notice he said eat first,” Gafford said with a grin.
“I’m hungry. In the last three minutes, I was starving, actually.”
Anderson, who wore a proud smile after the wins listening to the back-and-forths between his players, provided some insight into the benefits of staying loose and having his club’s personality shine through.
“I let those guys go on (my radio show), and people get a chance to witness their personalities,” he said. “So now, some of you guys get a chance. They’re a good group. You can see they’re very thoughtful kids.
“As a coach, you’ve got to have that. I’m on them enough myself in practice, but the game’s got to be fun, and they’re having fun.”
This afternoon, Arkansas' senior guards, who identified themselves before the media as Earth, Wind and Fire on Thursday, will look to keep their Razorbacks careers alive against Kelan Martin and 10-seed Butler.
This story originally appeared in the April edition of Hawgs Illustrated