Pelphrey says UA is on way

— Not even a five-game winning streak has kept Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey from addressing offcourt issues, but at least it’s improved his comedic timing.

Pelphrey spoke Tuesday at the Downtown Tip-Off Club at the Wyndham Riverfront-Little Rock hotel in North Little Rock, and it didn’t take long for Courtney Fortson’s name to come up.

The sophomore pointg uard has been on indefinite suspension since the start of the season, and his status remains unchanged for tonight’s game with Baylor at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock.

Pelphrey was asked Tuesday during the question-and-answer portion of the meeting to comment on his incoming recruiting class and on Fortson’s standing with the team.

Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey speaks to the Little Rock Tip-Off Club.

John Pelphrey speaks to the Downtown Tip-Off Club

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Pelphrey paused for a moment, drew in a breath and said “Rickey Scott is a great kid,” referring to the incoming 6-3 guard from Irving (Texas) Macarthur.

The performance drew a laugh from the crowd, and Pelphrey went on to talk about the Razorbacks’ other commitments but never did touch on Fortson during the session.

Pelphrey addressed Fortson’s standing only afterward when talking with reporters, saying “when Courtney’s ready to play, he’ll play.”

Fortson aside, those who came out Tuesday saw a noticeably chipper and enthusiastic Pelphrey, and for good reason.

Arkansas entered its Christmas break coming off a 66-62 overtime victory over previously unbeaten Missouri State, which finally provided some momentum for a team that had previously lost to the likes of Morgan State, East Tennessee State and South Alabama.

The Razorbacks usually pull in a good crowd for their annual one-game appearance in central Arkansas, and a winning streak can’t hurt. Nor can the fact that - Missouri State notwithstanding - a victory over Baylor would be proof that the Razorbacks have indeed taken a step forward.

“We love coming to central Arkansas,” said Pelphrey, who is 1-1 in North Little Rock. “To have a chance to win down here last year, man, that was good. That was right.”

Stamina will play a big part in whether Pelphrey can bump his record to 2-1 in North Little Rock. Pelphrey said he had to hurry to get his team back in basketball shape after the break. That’s part of the reason he put the Razorbacks through three practices Monday.

“Obviously, we were a little winded,” Pelphrey said.

Pelphrey’s remarks tended toward the positive, with plenty of allusions to his team’s work ethic and the statewide fan base. Pelphrey called this year’s Razorbacks the hardest-working group he’s had in his three seasons at Arkansas, and said “When we don’t do well, I hurt for you, because I know how much you love it.”

But Pelphrey didn’t need to be prodded to acknowledge the turbulence the program has experienced. Fortson was one of five players who began the season on suspension, and Pelphrey said he knows such problems have changed the perception of some fans.

“Maybe there’s someone out there saying negative things,” Pelphrey said. “If they want to say that, have at it. But I want you guys to know there is a plan in place.”

Pelphrey promised that plan will come to fruition, but he urged fans to avoid looking at things in the short term.

“I’m just telling you right now, we’re on our way,” Pelphrey said. “I know, I know, we live in a microwave society. It’s not going to happen that way. There are a lot of businessmen here ... did it take you a year and a half?”

Sports, Pages 23 on 12/30/2009

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