Jonathon Modica remembers the confused looks on his teammates’ faces at Arkansas ’ first official practice Oct. 16. "It was kind of chaotic," Modica recalled. "People didn’t really know what to do."

Three weeks later, a lot has changed for the Razorbacks who have five new names on their roster this season. They are setting screens, creating shots for each other and are even working the fast break with precision. Arkansas, which defeated Texas A&MCommerce, 72-47, in its exhibition opener Saturday night, is beginning the process of developing chemistry.

In a game that saw the Razorbacks build a healthy lead early with methodical inside-outside play, the Hogs ’ best run came at the beginning when they built a 9-0 lead. While Arkansas struggled with its spacing, the Razorbacks were consistently able to find each other for open baskets. "Everything starts in practice," junior guard Eric Ferguson said. "Since day one, everyone’s been working hard and trying to get used to each other. In the first couple of weeks, when everybody got here, nobody was used to each other. But we’ve been going hard every day."

With the additions of freshman Darian Townes, Steven Hill and Charles Thomas in the front court coupled with the arrival of junior college point guard Dontell Jefferson, the Razorbacks have more options at each position. In fact, Arkansas coach Stan Heath believes that the players in the post have already developed a rapport with the backcourt that is better than the relationship that existed between the guards and forwards last year. "They’re looking for each other," Heath said. "They support each other. There is better interaction between the inside and outside."

Certainly, that was evident in transition. In what was perhaps the most exciting sequence in an otherwise lackluster game, Hill blocked a shot by Jermart Miller that ignited a fast break in the first half. On the other end, sophomore guard Ronnie Brewer lofted an alley-oop pass to Olu Famutimi who caught it and dunked it. While there were few exciting plays for the 6,423 spectators to savor, Modica believes the possibilities that exist now with a more balanced roster will translate into better fortunes for the Razorbacks, who were 12-16 last season and have not qualified for any postseason tournament since 2001. "It feels good," Modica said. "Guys are really setting each other up. As guards, we’re trying to push the ball. And if the guards struggle, we’re going to dump it off to the big guys and let them throw it down on somebody."

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One of those big guys is Townes, who played 23 minutes and scored 4 points on two of the nine shots he attempted. The 6-10 center, who played at Hargrave Military Academy last season, was unable to finish near the basket Saturday night, as the Lions succeeded in altering his shots. "A couple of the new players were nervous," Ferguson said. "It was new to them and they burnt a lot of energy in the beginning. It was their first time."

Yet, Townes said he is confident he will adjust to his new role. "We’re going to fit in just perfectly," he said. "Right now, it’s our first game. We’re still learning. We’re getting better."

Olu Famutimi, who had a game-high 17 points, said that has a lot to do with the fact that the personalities on the team mesh well. "We’re a lot alike," Famutimi said. "We just really like each other. That’s what helps us chemistry-wise."

Stan Heath said that the willingness of the upperclassmen to accept the younger players and guide them has laid the groundwork for a better future. "I think they see the value of playing four or five minutes and somebody fresh can come in and keep the intensity level up," he said. "The oldest one or two guys logging a lot of minutes and being worn down at the end of the game doesn’t really have to happen with this team. The team has very good chemistry."

And Modica believes it’s only going to get better. "We have another week of practice before our next game," the junior guard said. "We’re going to be OK. We’re going to continue making steps in the right direction."