EXHIBITION: Arkansas in flux, tops NAIA foe

By Bob Holt

Posted: November 3, 2009 at 6:55 a.m.

Jason Ivester
Arkansas’ Courtney Fortson pressures Dillard’s DeCarlos Riley during Monday night’s exhibition game at Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

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FAYETTEVILLE — Stefan Welsh and Marshawn Powell weren’t in Walton Arena on Monday night.

Neither were many fans.

Arkansas beat Dillard 77-59 in an exhibition game before an announced crowd of 2,278 with Welsh suspended and Powell absent because he was ill.

Razorbacks Coach John Pelphrey said it’s possible Welsh, a senior guard who started 24 games last season and averaged 11.5 points, might be suspended for the entire first semester, which includes nine regular-season games.

It’s also possible Welsh could play sooner than that, Pelphrey said.

“It’s up to me, but up to him as well,” Pelphrey said. “I think he’s doing a good job. He’s been working very hard in school, he’s at practice every single day working hard, trying to get better and help the team.”

Pelphrey wouldn’t be specific about why Welsh is suspended. “I can’t,” Pelphrey said. “I’m not allowed to.”

Powell, a 6-7 freshman forward rated as the Razorbacks’ top newcomer, fell ill on Monday, Pelphrey said, and had a fever Tuesday.

“It’s in his best interest to be resting,” Pelphrey said. “And probably in the team’s best interest, too.”

Brandon Mitchell, a scholarship quarterback with the Razorbacks, dressed out with the basketball team and went through warmups, but stayed on the bench during the game.

Mitchell recently underwent hernia surgery and has been practicing with the football team, which was off on Monday, on a limited basis.

Pelphrey said after the game he expects Mitchell to be with the basketball team this season, but word came later from the sports information office that Mitchell will be at football practice today.

Mitchell hasn’t played in any football games and is expected to redshirt.

Asked about Monday night’s attendance, Pelphrey didn’t sound upset about seeing so many empty seats.

“That’s more than we ever got at South Alabama,” said Pelphrey, who coached the Jaguars for five seasons before being hired at Arkansas in April of 2007. “I think we’re playing basketball earlier than we ever have. Obviously, football season is still in full swing.

“Am I surprised? I’m probably not real surprised about anything when it comes to college athletics.

“But the bottom line is, we know how great our fans are.” Also missing Monday night for Arkansas was walk-on sophomore guard Nick Mason, who played in one game last season, but has been practicing.

“There are certain things we’ll let him do and certain things he won’t do,” Pelphrey said. “He’s part of the team on a limited basis.”

Razorbacks sophomore forward Michael Sanchez, a starter last season, continues to be sidelined because of plantar fasciitis in both feet. He underwent a procedure last Friday in which shock waves are applied to the feet in the hopes of relieving some of his pain.

Pelphrey said he’s not sure when Sanchez may be able to practice, but that it likely won’t be this week.

With nine Razorbacks playing Tuesday night, senior forward Michael Washington had 25 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in 21 minutes.

Freshman forward Glenn Bryant had 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots and sophomore guard Rotnei Clarke had 14 points while shooting 4 of 13 on three-point attempts.

Sophomore point guard Courtney Fortson had 8 points, 9 assists and 4 turnovers. He didn’t start, but Pelphrey said that Fortson wasn’t being discliplined.

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