UA women's coach counts on his seniors' savvy

Arkansas guard Calli Berna looks to pass the ball during a game against LSU on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
Arkansas guard Calli Berna looks to pass the ball during a game against LSU on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Jimmy Dykes hasn't been shy about seeking feedback from seniors Calli Berna and Jhasmin Bowen in his first season as Arkansas' women's basketball coach.

"Coach D has treated us like consultants," Bowen said. "He's asked me and Calli on a daily basis, 'What do you think about this? What do you think about that?'

"Being four-year veterans now, he's trusted our thoughts."

Dykes, a former college men's assistant coach who worked as an ESPN analyst the previous 15 years, appointed Berna and Bowen team captains before the season.

The Razorbacks' game against No. 13 Kentucky at 7 tonight at Walton Arena is the final home game for Berna, a 5-10 point guard from Fayetteville, and Bowen, a 6-1 forward from Wichita, Kan.

"I couldn't ask for two better seniors to be with me to start my head coaching career," Dykes said. "They know the game and understand it.

"I've relied on them quite a bit, probably more than any other coach in the country in terms of his players. I've talked to them in timeouts almost as much as I've talked to my own staff members sometimes, asking them, 'What do you see? What do you think's going to work right now?' "

Dykes said he knows Berna and Bowen won't be selfish and suggest a play for themselves if they haven't scored for a few possessions, but will offer what they believe is the best call for the team.

"I trust their knowledge of the game," Dykes said. "I trust their care factor."

Dykes also has talked to his seniors about practice and when to pull back because a team with nine players may need a break.

"If it takes us saying, 'Hey, can we change this in practice?' he's willing to listen to that," Berna said. "I think that's why we've gotten where we are, because we all have a sense of trust with each other.

"We all want the same thing for this program, and that's to rise to the top."

Arkansas (16-10, 6-8 SEC) has dug its way out of a 1-6 start in conference play to be in contention for an NCAA Tournament bid. The Razorbacks are 5-2 in their past seven SEC games, including a 54-48 victory over Georgia and 63-41 victory over LSU.

"We weren't going to say, 'Hey, we lost a couple of games. Our season's over,' " Berna said. "We've had that fighter's mentality. "

Dykes said he is confident if Arkansas closes the regular season by beating Kentucky (19-8, 9-8) and winning at Missouri (15-12, 5-9), the Razorbacks will earn an NCAA Tournament bid.

Arkansas has one NCAA Tournament appearance in the previous 11 years, when Berna and Bowen were freshmen during the 2011-2012 season. Now Berna and Bowen are hoping to end their Arkansas careers by playing in the NCAA Tournament again.

"I think it would put a stamp on the four years Calli and I have been here together," Bowen said. "I also think it would be a great statement for Coach D and where he's taking the program and where it will continue to go."

Berna and Bowen, who have helped Arkansas to a 79-43 record in their four seasons, will be honored during a pregame ceremony.

"I don't know how I got here this quickly," Berna said. "It feels like just yesterday we were sending the seniors off when I was a freshman.

"I think Jhas and I have appreciated the time we've had together, but it's also a night where we have a job to do, and that's beat Kentucky."

Sports on 02/26/2015

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