FAYETTEVILLE — UA not rushing Powell
FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas sophomore forward Marshawn Powell remains limited in practice after two weeks and might not play in the Razorbacks’ exhibition games against LeMoyne-Owen College on Saturday and Victory University on Nov. 11.
Powell, a preseason firstteam All-SEC team pick by the coaches after averaging 14.9 points and 6.7 rebounds as a freshman, is continuing to recover from breaking a bone in his left foot in early August.
“We’re still moving along there,” Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey said of being cautious with Powell in practice. ‘We’ve had some good days with him, and then we’ve had some days we give him off.”
Powell’s practice time figures to increase as he gradually regains conditioning lost while hewas wearing a walking boot.
“I’m feeling really good, but you can’t just rush all the way back into it,” Powell said. “Because if I hurt myself again, it’s going to be a longer wait to get back.”
During the first 20 minutes of Friday’s practice which was open to the media, Powell took part in drills but came off the floor when the Razorbacks began going 5-on-5.
“It’s tough to sit there and watch a thing that you love to do,” Powell said. “But it’s made me more hungry.”
Pelphrey said it’s “still up in the air” whether Powell will play in either exhibition game and that the focus is onmaking sure he’s ready for the regular-season opener against Grambling State on Nov. 18.
“I don’t see any problems with that,” Pelphrey said.
Powell said there are “no doubts” in his mind he’ll be ready to play in the opener.
Leaner Sanchez
There’s a different look to 6-8 junior forward Michael Sanchez.
Sanchez, who is practicing at full speed after being sidelined by foot injuries last season, has lost 20 pounds since last year and is at 220.
“It’s just something I did on my own,” Sanchez said of losing the weight. “I felt like I was too bulky and needed to trim down and be more explosive and quicker and lighter on my feet.
“I definitely feel a whole lot different. I think it’s a good weight for me.”
Improved Nobles
Coach John Pelphrey said that through the firsttwo weeks of practice, sophomore guard Julysses Nobles looks to be the most improved among the Razorbacks’ returning players.
Nobles averaged 4.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 18.3 minutes last season. He started 14 games while Courtney Fortson was suspended, then played 14 times off the bench.
“We think he’s noticeably better,” Pelphrey said. “What really stands out is his consistency from one practice to the next, being able to play for a two-hour period with speed and intensity instead of just a half-hour.”
Pelphrey said he’s also been impressed with Nobles showing more leadership and communicating better with his teammates.
“Our best days in practice have been where he’s very vocal,” Pelphrey said. “We’ve observed him coaching the younger guys, and it’s always good to see guys take ownership in the team.”
Peterson limited
Junior point guard Jeff Peterson, who redshirted last season after transferring from Iowa, has been limited in practice because of a sore right hamstring.
Coach John Pelphrey said that if Peterson plays in the exhibition opener against LeMoyne-Owen College, it probably will be for only a few minutes.
“We’re being smart with him because those hamstrings are funny,” Pelphrey said. “We certainly want the young man full speed for the start of the season.”
Peterson said it’s a frustrating injury, especially when he’s waited so long to get back on the court.
“I would love to play in the exhibition games, because I haven’t seen any real competition in a year and a half,” Peterson said. “But I don’t want to jeopardize anything for the season, so we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Sports, Pages 38 on 10/31/2010