FAYETTEVILLE -- Former Morrilton standout Joseph Pinion is set for his sophomore season at Arkansas.

The excellent 3-point shooter showed off his skills in an open practice to the media Thursday afternoon. Following practice, Pinion talked about how practice has been to this point.

"Practice has been really good," Pinion said. "We've all been really intense. The scrimmages have been close, they've been competitive, we've all just been battling it out the whole time."

As a true freshman in 2022-23, Pinion played in 26 games. He averaged 2.4 points, 0.6 rebounds, 0.1 assist and 0.2 steal per game. He shot 44.7% from the field, an incredible 100% from the free throw line and 38.2 from behind the 3-point line. He averaged 5.7 minutes per game. What do you feel is needed to get an extended role this season?

"I hope to have an expanded role, but it's not all about that," Pinion said. "It's just what helps the team win games. Whatever I can do."

Pinion's ability to shoot extremely well is certainly something that he has going for him in his quest to help this year's team.

"I mean first off I want to thank God for it," Pinion said of ability to shoot. "But a lot of hard work put into it. God has been able to help me make it into rhythm where it works in games and works in practice."

Arkansas was 22-14 last season. How good can they be this year?

"I feel like this team can be really good," Pinion said. "Personally, I think we're able to win a championship. Obviously not right now, but I feel like as the season goes on hopefully we continue to get better like we have been this summer."

It would obviously help to avoid injuries like the ones to Nick Smith Jr. and Trevon Brazile last season?

"Yeah, that's for sure," Pinion said with a smile.

Pinion grew up with a dream of one day playing for the Razorbacks. Now that the dream has been realized how is it?

"It's a huge blessing," Pinion said. "I just want to thank God. just coming here from Arkansas. Growing up watching Arkansas it has always been a dream for me. I'm just really blessed."

At midterm last season, Pinion saw his friend and former Morrilton standout quarterback Jacolby Criswell transfer from North Carolina to Arkansas. That excited Pinion.

"We've always joked about it," Pinion said. "I didn't know he was for real whenever he said he was coming here. I'm really excited to have him here. I feel he's going to get great reps soon. I'm ready to be rocking a number-six jersey in the stands."

He's a very good quarterback don't you think?

"A 100%, a 100%," Pinion said.

What are one or two things the team needs to do, as a whole, to be as good as all of you want to be?

"I feel like we're really an experienced team," Pinion said. "I feel like we don't have too many areas, but I just feel like togetherness, just jelling together. That is what I feel like really needs to happen."

Arkansas has such teams as Duke, Oklahoma and Stanford on the schedule this season in addition to the SEC portion of the schedule. Pinion shared his thoughts on the schedule.

"It's a tough schedule, but they wouldn't have made it if they didn't think we were able to compete with it," Pinion said.

Eric Musselman has made a good impression on Pinion as his head coach. Pinion talked about Musselman's intensity

"He's really intense, but he loves all his guys," Pinion said. "He lets us know. Just a great coach to play for."

Musselman is impressed with what Pinion has done during the offseason.

"Well, I think one, athletically, he's made strides," Musselman said. "I think the injury that he had in high school is completely gone. I don't think that's in his mind, and he's not wearing a brace. A year ago from today, he had a heavy brace on, and that's hard for certain players, especially a guard, to wear. So, I think mentally, he's overcome the injury as well. I don't think that he's thinking about it.

"His shooting has been incredible. He's still got some things that we want him to try and focus on defensively. He got beat backdoor the other day in a situation where - we're not a deny team. But certainly, he's been a real pleasant piece for us since we've been together."

Musselman is known for his teaching of sound fundamentals. That is something Pinion agreed on.

"We shored up our fundamentals here," Pinion said. "We do all the little things. Doing all the little things really helps wins games."

Pinion and the Razorbacks will hold the Red-White Game on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Barnhill Arena. 

Photos Courtesy of Craven Whitlow CW3 Sports Action