Hog Calls

Coach: Gafford must do better under pressure

Arkansas forward Daniel Gafford backs to the basket during a game against UC Davis on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Most every coach hyperbolizes emphasizing a point.

And my did Mike Anderson hyperbolize after his Arkansas Razorbacks' 81-58 victory over the University of California-Davis Aggies on Monday night at Walton Arena.

For the 1-1 Razorbacks, 6-11 star sophomore Preseason All-SEC center Daniel Gafford of El Dorado averages 6.0 turnovers.

"That's six in this game and six in the first game," Anderson said referencing last Friday's 73-71 overtime loss to Texas. "So people are going to keep coming at him. If he's going to turn it over like that, then he'll be sitting over with me."

Of course, we know during games Gafford sits only if needing a breather, foul troubled or injured.

But Anderson's point is well taken. With Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon, last year's high-scoring senior guards graduated, Gafford becomes the by far most recognized Razorback. So defenses swarm him like bees to a hive. They bang him around knowing he must be careful about banging back lest foul trouble loom. And they gamble on harassing him into bad passes as he looks for the unguarded Razorback vacated by defenders glued to him.

"Daniel's just got to be better with the double teams," Anderson said. "I think they're coming at him and he's trying to split them. They banged him around pretty good tonight, but he's going to get that all year long. So he might as well get used to it."

And get used to picking his spots when to bang back.

"He's got to determine how they're calling the game," Anderson said. "He's got to be strong with the ball. You've got to man up. That's going to be my message to him. You've got the attention. You wanted it, you got it. So now you've got to be able to handle it."

All that and of course free throws -- Gafford is 10 for 18 thus far but did improve to 6 of 9 after his 4 of 9 opener -- are on Anderson's Gafford to do list.

That said, there isn't a collegian in the country for whom Anderson would swap Daniel Gafford. Gafford's Arkansas bred desire to be a Razorback, turning down the one-and-done opportunity to come out in last June's NBA draft, already makes him an Arkansas treasure enhanced by talent, hard work and his all-about-the-team personality.

He can take over a game like his 20 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots against Texas.

Or he can subtly support like the 12 points, four rebounds and two assists vs. UC-Davis. Gafford was instrumental Monday, Anderson said, in Razorbacks Mason Jones, Adrio Bailey and Isaiah Joe scoring 21, 20 and 14 points.

"They packed three guys around him," Anderson said. "So somebody is going to be the recipient. I think that's why you see Mason having some wide open shots, and Isaiah, because there's so much attention being paid to Daniel Gafford. So what he's doing is working. He's just got to better with the double teams."

Sports on 11/14/2018