Mike Anderson press conference notes

Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson watches the action in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Phil Knight Invitational tournament in Portland, Ore., Friday, Nov. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Timothy J. Gonzalez)

— Follow along as Mike Anderson and selected players review the Phil Knight Invitational and preview the Houston game.

Mike Anderson

— Houston's a former Southwest Conference foe. Kelvin Sampson's teams are known for their defensive tenaciousness and rebounding. Defense has to travel for Arkansas. Rob Gray is an outstanding player. Robinson hurt them last year. Van Beck is their second-leading scorer. They do it with defense. Hogs have to score but they have to play defense.

— Arkansas has some of the greatest fans. "Our fans have been thirsty for some great things to take place" in their respective sports. He likes to win and win the right way. Excited about this team. It's been a process. You want to build something sustainable and he thinks that's what they've done. Hopefully they can continue to go the right direction.

— The caliber of schedule and teams they're playing excites people. It excites players.

— Aside from going 3-0, the trip went about as good as it could of.

— Love the possession game. Wants guys to get shots up, wants three possessions to one for the other team. Wants to play fast.

— Adrio Bailey is getting more comfortable in his role. He's embracing his junkyard role. He's got a great nose for the basketball. Has been good defensively and good at finishing around the basket. Has to keep improving free throws.

— Derrick Gragg was here during the time he was here. Good guy. He's the AD at his alma mater.

— Houston has some good scorers.

— Jaylen Barford's progression is just maturity and being comfortable. He knows what his role is. There were times last year he thought he was still playing at Motlaw.

— Dustin Thomas started off shaky with the first half of the OU game but was better in the second. Working to get comfortable. They need his outside shooting because teams are clogging the paint. Need spacing.

— Doesn't go into games with the mindset of groupings he will or won't play. If there's an opportunity for there to be a size advantage, Trey Thompson and Daniel Gafford can be on the floor together. Has options, which makes a big difference. That last 10 minutes, depth is very important. Whoever has the hot hand at that time will be out there.

— It's a long season and there are things they really need to get better at. Have to transfer practice into games.

— "I turned it down like everybody else, I put Zimmerman and Chuck on. ... No, I did not do that.Zimmerman's back there, that's why I said that." Did turn it down. Didn't want to hear about the Columbia River. For him to do a game of Arkansas', it's a disservice to the kids. They play an exciting brand of basketball. And there's talk about non-basketball stuff. That's the world we live in.

Jaylen Barford and Trey Thompson

— TT: The athletic department is going through a tough time, but the basketball team is trying to be a positive.

— JB: They're cool with the women's team and try to support them when they can.

— TT: Likes being on the road. It helps set up for the NCAA Tournament.

— JB: Being on the road this much early is good prep.

— JB: Houston has some good players, played them last year.

— TT: In a good place right now. Still have a lot of work to do. It's early in the season. The UNC game went bad and they're not where they want to be, but they'll keep working.

— JB: If they keep working, it'll be a good season.

— TT: Was tiring to play so many games early.

— JB: Pace is about exerting themselves.

— TT: Jaylen and Daryl are older and know how to play faster more.

— JB: Sometimes I just go off instincts. Teammates get him open. He and Trey play horse a lot and he'll take some horse to the games.

— JB: Adrio is versatile. Not surprised by how well he's playing.

— TT: He's not surprised by how well he's playing.

— JB: Doesn't think JT Plummer knows he's a player now. He'll try to rebound for them. They rebound the ball.

— TT: He knows the defense and the plays.

— TT: Introduced himself to Bill Walton when they first got to Portland. Likes him.

— JB: Hopes they keep him on ESPN. Ratings are going up.