‘A good thing for the state’: Arkansas men’s basketball puts on a show for Hot Springs

HOT SPRINGS — In many ways, it was a typical practice for the Arkansas men’s basketball team.

There were players working on individual drills, running web and wind sprints, and pacing the field in a five-on-five system.

Coach John Calipari blew his whistle and stopped practice to huddle with his players. Assistant coaches provided instruction and encouragement.

But there was also a twist in training on Saturday.

The Razorbacks were at Bank OZK Arena in the Hot Springs Convention Center rather than their practice facility in Fayetteville or Walton Arena.

It was the Razorbacks’ first public appearance as a team as they practiced in front of an estimated crowd of 4,000 spectators.

Calipari, who was in his first season coaching Arkansas after 15 seasons at Kentucky, decided to take his team to practice in Hot Springs and Pine Bluff on Sunday.

Junior forward Trevon Brazile, the Razorbacks’ only returning scholarship player from last season, had several highlight dunks during practice and signed autographs for fans before taking the court.

“It was fun,” Brazile said. “I feel like we should have done something like that.

“Traveling around the state and playing in front of people who might not be able to get to a game or never see a practice in their life. This is a good thing for the state.”

Freshman forward Karter Knox said he understands what the Razorbacks’ arrival in Hot Springs meant to fans.

“I was talking to a guy and he said he drove three hours just to watch us practice,” Knox said. “So we have to put on a show for the fans, do our thing and show the fans that we are really here for them.”

Calipari did a running commentary with fans during practice, taking a microphone and sharing his thoughts with them.

After the Razorbacks made several passes on a possession that ended with a dunk from Brazile, Calipari asked fans if they would rather see a three-pointer or this play.

Fans responded with: “This piece!”

When Calipari asked her again, the answer was the same but louder, like a game show audience responding to a sign of applause.

“He does that in practice too,” Brazile said of Calipari’s comments. “He’s very humorous, but he’s real.

“He would rather see you attack the basket than shoot a three-pointer. He’s just being himself.”

Calipari, 65, has led Massachusetts, Memphis and Kentucky to a total of six Final Four appearances and won the 2012 national title with the Wildcats. He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2015.

“He definitely knows what he’s talking about,” Knox said. “Whatever he says, listen and understand the message, not the tone.”

Calipari had the Razorbacks repeat a shooting drill after seeing too many missed shots.

“You don’t have to make every shot,” Calipari told the crowd. “But you can’t miss them all.”

Calipari asked several times about his preference for plays that resulted in layups or dunks as opposed to shooting threes.

“It’s not brain surgery, guys,” Calipari said, drawing more cheers from the crowd.

Calipari said the Razorbacks were “a little banged up” when he met with members of the media earlier this month.

Senior guard Johnell Davis and junior forward Thiero Adou were ruled out of Saturday’s practice. Senior forward Jonas Aidoo was limited in practice and did not perform any contact work.

“We were shorthanded,” Calipari told the crowd before practice began. “I’ll keep the boys going for another three, four, five days.

“I’d rather have them ready for the season.”

Freshman guard Casmir Chavis and junior guard Melo Sanchez were also out. With nine players completing the entire training session, some of the team’s graduate assistants took part in the five-on-five work.

“Cal put together a staff of GAs that at times you could tell they looked bigger than some of our players,” assistant coach Kenny Payne said with a smile. “So we have four or five guys that can practice against our guys to make it competitive.

“While our guys are working through injuries, kinks and illnesses, we haven’t missed much in their return.”

In addition to Brazile and Knox, standouts at practice included sophomore guard DJ Wagner, freshman guard Boogie Fland, freshman forward Billy Richmond and sophomore forward Zvonimir Ivisic.

“I thought there were periods in practice where you could see where we were going with this,” Payne said. “Where you could see the ball moving when we put it in the lane. If we make a great pass, we get a good offense.

“We’re limited in time because we still have to spend three or four days without some of the guys who weren’t out there.

“When they come back, you’ll see exactly what this team is all about. But I like it when the ball hits the lane and we do what we practiced and we put up good screens.

“You see, it’s difficult to guard a DJ Wagner, it’s difficult to guard a Boogie Fland, a Karter Knox and TB, who are athletic.

“We have pieces that are going to be really good. We just have to bring everyone together. I think we are on the right track.”

Brazile said he is looking forward to another away practice when the Razorbacks take the field at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on Sunday at 5 p.m.

“It provided some adrenaline,” Brazile said of training with fans in the stands. “Obviously a lot of people were watching. You want to look good.

“I mean, you always want to look good, but that’s amplified when there are 4,000 people in the building.”

Payne said he appreciated the enthusiasm of the fans Saturday and he hopes for a similar atmosphere in Pine Bluff.

“I hope there is a big turnout,” Payne said. “I hope people come and see what we do.

“I think the great thing about it is that this is the public school. Everyone in this state loves Arkansas sports, not just basketball.

“To meet people who may have never seen an Arkansas player in person before, we come to meet you. For me that’s great.

“To bring our team to you so you can see them and cheer for them, not just watch them on TV and say, ‘Okay, we love Arkansas.’

“Now you get to know these players and the staff.”

When Calipari addressed the fans before practice on Saturday, he received loud cheers.

“You don’t always have to come to us,” Calipari said. “We have to go see you sometimes.”