FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) For much of last season, Arkansas appeared on the verge of missing the NCAA Tournament for a fifth time in six seasons under coach Mike Anderson.

A late-season surge landed the Razorbacks in the postseason for a second time in three years - relaxing the pressure on Anderson and leading to a second-round NCAA exit at the hands of eventual national champion North Carolina .

Arkansas has its sights set on topping last year's 26-10 record this season, thanks in large part to the return of senior guards Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon. The Razorbacks began practice this week ahead of their season opener against Samford on Nov. 10, and they did so with one of the top backcourts in the Southeastern Conference.