Macon a push for Monk

Goodman (Miss.) Holmes C.C. guard Daryl Macon has been committed to Arkansas since June and is doing his part to bring more talent with him in next year's signing class.

Macon, 6-3, 180, has turned his attention to Bentonville (Ark.) five-star guard Malik Monk, who will officially visit the Hogs on the same weekend that Macon uses his official trip to Fayetteville (October 23-25).

"I'm working on him," Macon said of Monk. "I think he sees it. I think he sees that, if we play together we could be an Elite 8, Final Four type of team. I really think that would be the best backcourt in any conference.

"I don't really want to say what he's going to do, but I kind of have an idea. He's not going to let anyone know anytime soon. He's going to take all of those visits and then I think in March he'll make his decision. But I think I've kind of got a feeling of what he's going to do."

Macon, a high school graduate of Little Rock Parkview who was named a JUCO All-American as a freshman last season, said he's got one goal in mind for when he officially joins Arkansas' program:

"Just turn the program around," he said. "I know they had a good season this past year, but if I get Malik alongside of me, we can turn that whole program around. Not just that, but a lot more people will want to come here, too."

Arkansas' basketball program had a rough stretch in the spring and summer months. The Razorbacks lost Bobby Portis and Michael Qualls early to the NBA draft, highly-touted signee Ted Kapita did not make it to campus and eventually signed to play overseas, and three current players were arrested on forgery charges.

Even though the Hogs' momentum took a serious hit, Macon hasn't flinched in his decision.

"I'm still committed," Macon said. "I definitely had a lot of stuff go through my head when the off-the-court stuff was happening, with reporters and fans asking me if I'm still going to go to Arkansas, this and that. But I still want to go, because that was a personal choice those guys made. I feel like that doesn't stop me from what I want to do."

Other programs have tried to use the Hogs' misfortunes as leverage to re-enter the picture for Macon, but it appears those teams will have their hands full in getting him away from the team he grew up cheering for.

"Nobody lately, but few weeks ago it was Kentucky, Ole Miss and Iowa State," Macon said when asked which teams have contacted him. "Those are good programs -- not everybody turns down Kentucky -- but it's always been a dream to play for the Razorbacks."

Macon averaged 23 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game last season at Holmes C.C.