Richardson says he has inside game

The knock on Arkansas, even as the Razorbacks appear back in preseason magazine polls, is the Razorbacks will be vulnerable inside because they don't have a true center.
"People say, 'Oh, they don't have an inside game,' but we do," Arkansas Coach Nolan Richardson said. "There will be some schools bigger than us, but that doesn't mean we can't do what we have to do inside."
The Razorbacks are counting on sophomore forwards Alonzo Lane and Larry Satchell to give them some points in the paint when necessary. Both attended a week-long basketball skills' camp last July in Las Vegas, where their competition included LSU's Brian Beshara and Brad Bridgewater.
"We worked on some skills we can utilize in game situations," Satchell said. "I know it helped me improve a little bit, and that little bit can turn into a lot as long as I keep working hard and stay healthy."
Lane, who is listed at a generous 6-7, showed last season when he averaged 7.9 points and hit 56 percent from the field that he has the moves around the basket to get good shots and get fouled. But he is more polished and has increased his range.
"He's got a nice little 12-foot shot and is able to move away from the basket at times now to take a shot," Richardson said. "That can really create some problems [for opponents] and help open things up for us."
Satchell, 6-9, helped the Razorbacks with his rebounding and shot blocking last season after he became eligible in late December, but he averaged only 2.6 points and often looked uncomfortable when he got the ball.
While Satchell still is developing an offensive game, Richardson said he's the Razorbacks' most improved player in preseason practices.
That sentiment is echoed by Satchell's teammates.
"Last year he was kind of timid when he got the ball, and you can understand that because he only played half the year," junior guard T.J. Cleveland said. "This year he's playing stronger and with a lot more confidence.
"I think Coach has instilled in Larry's head that he has to be a powerhouse down there."
Sophomore forward Carl Baker said players can't "lay off" Satchell when guarding him in practice the way they could last year.
"Last year he wasn't really thinking offense," Baker said. "But this year he's going to be somebody to reckon with. ... Now you've got to respect what he can do."
Lane said Satchell is developing a nice little jump hook and turnaround jumper.
"He's a lot more difficult to guard now because he's got an idea of what he wants to do with the ball," Lane said. "He's gotten so much better with his post moves."
Satchell said off-season conditioning work, including yoga, has improved his flexibility and footwork around the basket.
"My body feels better, I feel like my legs are more up under me an I'm more agile," he said. "I think I can disturb our opposition's defense a little bit on that block."

EDDINS STICKS WITH BROTHER
Blood is thicker than scholarship paper.
That's why Blake Eddins, Arkansas' sophomore guard from Montgomery, Ala, was rooting for Auburn's football team Saturday when the Tigers played the Razorbacks.
Eddins' younger brother, Bret, is a freshman linebacker for Auburn and is redshirting this season.
"I'm pulling for my brother," Eddins said. "I believe that's the most politically correct way I can put it."
Eddins said he has to pull for Bret because of the way his brother rooted for the Razorbacks last season when they played Auburn, where their father, Liston, played football for Shug Jordan.
"After Bret had signed with Auburn last year, he came to Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum there wearing a red Arkansas shirt and sat three rows up from his coaches and called the Hogs where everybody could see him," Eddins said. "Then he came to the SEC Tournament [where Arkansas beat Auburn in the final] and wore Arkansas stuff and called the Hogs.
"After the way he pulled for me, I'm going to pull for him. We're a close family."

JONES SHOWING STUFF
Arkansas Coach Nolan Richardson said he's still not sure if Michael Jones, a 6-9 freshman forward from Little Rock Parkview, will redshirt or play this season.
But Richardson said if Jones redshirts, it will be because the Razorbacks have that luxury with a deep team, not because Jones isn't good enough to play this season.
"He can run, he can shoot, and he's thirsting for knowledge of the game," Richardson said. "He's going to be a great player for us."

STEHLIK GLAD TO BE BACK ON COURT
Wayne Stehlik, who is entering his 16th season on Arkansas' staff, was an assistant coach for the first seven years of his tenure.
But in 1992 when an NCAA rule reduced the number of assistant coaches, Stehlik became an administrative assistant who could only be a practice observer.
While Stehlik's administrative duties, including scheduling games and arranging the team's travel plans, were important to the program's success, he missed coaching.
That's why Stehlik is thrilled to be back on the court at practice this season, resuming his assistant coaching duties with the Razorbacks after Nolan Richardson III's move to Tennessee State as head coach.
"I look forward to 3 o'clock every day," Stehlik said, referring to when the Razorbacks begin their afternoon practice. "That's the greatest time of the day.
"That's why you're in this business, to help the kids out and help the team get better. "

This article was published on Sunday, October 29, 2000

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