New Starting Five Leads to 9th SEC Home Win
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Updated: March 10, 2013
Mike Anderson unveiled a never before seen starting five against the Aggies, fueling a balanced Razorback attack that finished with five players scoring in double figures.
"We brought some guys off the bench that normally start," coach Anderson said. "Marshawn and BJ (not starting) that was a coach's decision that is all that was, and the guys that came in and really gave us some great energy starting off the game they set the tone," Anderson added. "You can put me with all guards out there, you can put all bigs out there I have confidence that whoever is out there with me can get it done," junior Mardracus Wade said of the new look lineup.
No matter the combination or the opponent Arkansas managed to get it done all year long inside Bud Walton Arena, finishing with a perfect mark in league home games for the first time since 1998.
"It's a step in the right direction, we talk about 'how do you compete for championshis?' and you got to take care of games at home," Anderson said.
"Being a freshman and being a part of that it feels great and it just shows signs of what it can be," freshman Michael Qualls added.
The signs point to a bright future for a team with no seniors, the potential of everyone returning next season could signal the launch of the Anderson era at Arkansas, that is if everyone on the team chooses to return, namely junior Marshawn Powell and sophomore BJ Young.
"I didn't even hear it... I didn't even hear the chants and obviously we got a lot of basketball left this season," Anderson said of the student section's "one more year" chant. "Hopefully those guys can come back and help this team out but if not I wish them the best of luck I know those guys have a dream and hopefully they can accomplish it, so I'm proud of those guys," Wade added.
Arkansas next faces Vanderbilt Thursday in round one of the SEC tournament.
"We brought some guys off the bench that normally start," coach Anderson said. "Marshawn and BJ (not starting) that was a coach's decision that is all that was, and the guys that came in and really gave us some great energy starting off the game they set the tone," Anderson added. "You can put me with all guards out there, you can put all bigs out there I have confidence that whoever is out there with me can get it done," junior Mardracus Wade said of the new look lineup.
No matter the combination or the opponent Arkansas managed to get it done all year long inside Bud Walton Arena, finishing with a perfect mark in league home games for the first time since 1998.
"It's a step in the right direction, we talk about 'how do you compete for championshis?' and you got to take care of games at home," Anderson said.
"Being a freshman and being a part of that it feels great and it just shows signs of what it can be," freshman Michael Qualls added.
The signs point to a bright future for a team with no seniors, the potential of everyone returning next season could signal the launch of the Anderson era at Arkansas, that is if everyone on the team chooses to return, namely junior Marshawn Powell and sophomore BJ Young.
"I didn't even hear it... I didn't even hear the chants and obviously we got a lot of basketball left this season," Anderson said of the student section's "one more year" chant. "Hopefully those guys can come back and help this team out but if not I wish them the best of luck I know those guys have a dream and hopefully they can accomplish it, so I'm proud of those guys," Wade added.
Arkansas next faces Vanderbilt Thursday in round one of the SEC tournament.
