Cardell McFarland prefers to let his older Missouri State basketball teammates do most of the talking.

That doesn't mean the freshman guard is exactly bashful.

"I think I can do just about a little bit of everything on the offensive end," McFarland said, when asked to describe his game.

With back-to-back 14-point games in his first two college appearances, apparently the 6-foot-2 guard can back up his words.

McFarland looks to continue making a strong early impression on Saturday when MSU faces Arkansas in the inaugural game at JQH Arena.

"He's doing a good job," Bears coach Cuonzo Martin said. "He's making big free throws. That's the biggest key. He's getting better in all areas."

McFarland made 8 of 9 free throws in Monday's three-point victory at Central Michigan, including two with 25 seconds remaining.

The cool, calm demeanor McFarland displays has impressed teammates.

"He's fearless," senior guard Spencer Laurie said. "He just goes out there and plays his game and it doesn't matter who he's playing against.

"I think Cardell is just scratching the surface of what he can do. He's the type of guy who will make big shots and big plays during his career."

McFarland describes the start to his college career as "pretty cool, but I'm still learning.

"I've played all right for my first two college games, but I can play better."

There were some nerves in his debut, last week at Auburn, as McFarland was shut out in the first half.

He responded by scoring 14 in the second half, helping rally MSU within one point before the Tigers pulled away.

"I was just trying to get a feel for it, being out there in my first college game," McFarland said. "Once I started playing and made my first bucket I was like, 'All right, it's time to play.'

"After that game, Coach (Martin) just told me to be more aggressive and stop passing up wide-open shots and just play basketball like I know how to."

Added Laurie: "It's never easy going into your first college game. We just encouraged him (at halftime) to attack and be aggressive.

"When Cardell is aggressive, he's good."

McFarland said he's learned a lot from playing against Laurie in practice, especially on the defensive end.

"Just going against him in practice every day, I learn a lot," McFarland said.

Martin said McFarland, from Bosse High in Evansville, Ind., by way of Bridgton Academy in Maine, will get better with experience.

But one area the coach is looking for immediate improvement from McFarland is attacking off the dribble.

"He makes good moves off the dribble, but it's like an afterthought," Martin said. "We want him to be aggressive when he catches the ball and not wait until the shot clock is down to attack.

"We want a part of his regular offense to be ... always in attack mode."