razorbacks

By Nate Allen

FAYETTEVILLE - Between a new/old warmup revived from the 1960s to a complete team for the first time, Eric Musselman promises a new look to his Arkansas Razorbacks for their official men’s basketball season opener tonight off their recent two exhibition games.

At 7 tonight at Walton Arena on the Razorbacks Radio Network and Internet video available on SEC Network Plus, Arkansas opens its campaign against the 1-0 Macon, Ga. based Mercer University Bears of the Southern Conference.

Kamani Johnson, the  transfer power forward via the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, missed both exhibition victories over East Central (Okla.) University and the University of  North Texas  because of an injured wrist.

Starting sophomore letterman center Jaylin Williams missed the  Oct. 30 UNT game with back spasms but has practiced daily since the Razorbacks resumed drill Monday after taking Sunday off.

Trey Wade, the graduate transfer power forward via Wichita State, missed nearly all of preseason including the exhibition against ECU with a knee injury  but did log 16:46 vs. UNT without ill effects.  All three should be available tonight, Musselman said.

“We’re healthier than we’ve been say in the last two months,” Musselman said.  “So that’s a positive that we do have the injured guys back in the fold.”

Johnson, practicing with the Hogs since last Dec. 19 signing as a redshirting transfer, is especially ready to play a Razorbacks game.

“I’ve been sitting for probably around a year or so,”Johnson said to media last Friday. “So I couldn’t even put it into words how excited I am to step on the court and finally be a part of what it is to be an Arkansas Razorback.  I’m super excited about it.”

Musselman  said against UNT he had figured on a 5-minutes stint each half at most for Wade.  He said he was surprised not by just how long Wade played but how effectively. The Hogs played plus 15 for Wade’s minutes though Musselman said Wade really doesn’t know his new team’s plays since he had been unable to practice them.

“Maybe that surprised me a little,” Wade said of the knee holding up for a nearly 17-minutes debut. 'I already knew once he put me on the floor it was going to be hard to take me out. I know how to get in the game and be productive regardless of if I really know the plays or not. It's just about being a basketball player.”

In tonight’s pregame, Razorbacks fans  will see if their players new and returning can drill like Harlem Globetrotters.

Musselman said he’s reviving the  Globetrotters like  pregame warmup that his father, the late Bill Musselman, first invoked coaching Ashland College in the 1960s and brought to the University of Minnesota.  Eric  also  used it  for awhile coaching the University of Nevada.

Musselman said his father planned it to entertain the fans but certainly to  benefit the players.

“He wanted his players to have great fundamentals handling the basketball,” Musselman said.  “He wanted his team to be locked in and the warmup and helped with skills, as well.   Nine of our players have learned to juggle three basketballs. Most of our team can all spin the ball on their finger. A lot of two-ball dribbling. Just a lot of skill stuff that we’ve worked on.”

Power forwards Wade and Johnson don’t seem the 3-balls in the air type but said  they will surprise.

“You’ve got to get to the seats early and then you can find out what all I can do and what all the team can do,” Johnson said.

In the meantime, focus hasn’t been lost on Mercer returning three key starters from last season’s 18-11 Bulldogs and adding graduate  transfer forward Jalen Johnson experienced both in the ACC and SEC.

Guard Neftali Alvarez, swingman James Glisson and forward Felipe Haase are three key returnees and joined Johnson and 6-6 Shawn Walker opening Wednesday’s 93-61 victory over Fort Valley State.

Alvarez led with 19 points. Johnson scored 12.  Reserves Shannon Grant and Kamar Robertson scored 17 and 13.

“Alvarez, is a very, very good ball-handler,” Musselman said.   “Very crafty.  Loves to dribble drive right.  Has got a great spin dribble.  Really good in transition.  One of the best guards in their league if not the best guard in their league.  No. 22  (Felipe) Haase played for the Chilean national team.  He can really shoot the ball.  He plays the 5-spot for them.  He’s a trail pick-and-pop guy.   Johnson  played for Tennessee and Wake Forest, a transfer at 6-6, 6-7.  A very, very good 3-point shooter.  Good defender because of length.  Last night they made 13 threes.  So this is a team that can really, really shoot the basketball. Glisson, is an offensive rebounding, high-energy player. Grant is a big body, physical who had 17 points. Those guys in particular are who we're focused on right now.”

Musselman has tinkered with lineups during the exhibitions.

Returning guards JD Notate and Devo Davis, transfer forwards 

Au’diese Toney and Stanley Umude and Williams might be the starting five.