Four-game Italy tour offers Arkansas some quality time

Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson’s team will have to adjust to a 24-second shot clock, a wider lane and a deeper three-point line when the Razorbacks take part in a four game exhibition tour of Italy that begins today.
Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson’s team will have to adjust to a 24-second shot clock, a wider lane and a deeper three-point line when the Razorbacks take part in a four game exhibition tour of Italy that begins today.

— Arkansas’ basketball team doesn’t have time to be jet lagged after flying to Italy on Friday.

The Razorbacks open a four-game exhibition tour against an Italian professional team, Amici del Campetto, at 1 p.m. Central today in Como, and they need to be ready to get up and down the court playing international rules that include a 24-second shot clock - 11 seconds faster than NCAA rules.

“It’s going to be interesting for our guys because of the fast pace,” Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said. “But I really don’t think we’ll have a problem with that.”

Other rule changes Arkansas must adjust to include a wider lane, a different ball, a deeper three-point line - 23 feet, 7 inches as opposed to 20-9 -and having eight seconds to get the ball over the half-court line compared to10.

“Eight seconds,” Anderson said, smiling at the thought of his trademark pressure defense having more opportunities to force turnovers. “I’m hoping we can use that to our advantage.”

Sophomore forward Hunter MIckelson said the Razorbacks have gotten used to playing with an international ball during practices on campus before leaving for Italy.

“The ball we’ll use over there is about the same size [as an NCAA ball], but it’s a little slicker,” Mickelson said. “I think we’re used to it now.”

Several Razorbacks said they are excited to take an international tour, which college teams are allowed to do every four years under NCAA rules.

“I’ve been to a lot of states, most of the states, but never been out of the country,” sophomore guard BJ Young said. “This is a first for me. I’m very excited, and I know my teammates are, too.”

Anderson will manage a roster with a mixture of returnees from last season’s 18-14 team and newcomers. The returnees are led by Young, Mickelson, junior forward Marshawn Powell, junior guards Mardracus Wade and Rickey Scott, sophomore guard Ky Madden and junior guard Kikko Haydar. The newcomers making the trip are junior forward Coty Clarke, freshman forward Jacorey Williams and freshman guards Michael Qualls, Anthlon Bell and Dee Wager.

“There are more options for our team,” Anderson said.“A little more depth.”

Anderson said there were times last season when Young, an All-SEC pick, dominated practices.

“That doesn’t take place anymore,” Anderson said. “The competition in practice has really started.”

Anderson said he’s brought “more winning into our locker room” with this year’s recruiting class. He said the newcomers are ready to do the dirty work and little things that translate into victories, such as taking charges, diving for loose balls, rebounding out of their area and making sure to get back quickly on defense.

“These kids have motors,” Anderson said. “They’ll leave it on the floor. ... They won’t back down from anybody.”

Mickelson said the biggest difference in practice compared to last year, when at times the Razorbacks were down to eight healthy scholarship players, is on defense.

“We’ve got a lot of guys that are long and athletic, and they’re quick side to side, so getting around them is real difficult,” Mickelson said. “For any guard that’s driving, it’s a problem for them.”

The 10 practices allowed before the exhibition games combined with playing the games while being abroad for several days should prove to be valuable for the Razorbacks on and off the court.

“It’s been great being here with the team and getting to bond a lot earlier in the season than most teams would at this point, just getting to know the freshmen and the new players, them getting to know the system a lot earlier,” Young said. “I think that will be an advantage for us later on in the year.

Schedule Arkansas’ men’s basketball team will play four exhibition games against professional teams and a team of college all-stars during a tour of Italy that begins today (game sites in parentheses): TODAY’S GAME Amici del Campetto (Como) MONDAY’S GAME Atletas Kaunas (Florence) TUESDAY’S GAME Montenegro Selezione (Florence) FRIDAY’S GAME All-Star Italy (Rome)

Sports, Pages 27 on 08/12/2012

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