Thomas returns for UA

Dustin Thomas
Dustin Thomas

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas Razorbacks' basketball team isn't back to full strength, but it's getting closer.

Coach Mike Anderson said Monday that forward Dustin Thomas has been reinstated and is eligible to play Thursday when the Razorbacks (3-0) face Oklahoma (2-0) in the Phil Knight Invitational Tournament in Portland, Ore.

Thomas, a 6-8 senior forward, didn't play in the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville's two exhibition games or its first three regular-season games because he was suspended for undisclosed disciplinary reasons.

Thomas, who continued to practice with the team while on suspension, averaged 5.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 18.0 minutes in 36 games last season, including 27 starts.

Arkansas is still without freshman guard Khalil Garland, who hasn't been medically cleared to play or practice at full speed, and senior forward Arlando Cook, who remains on disciplinary suspension but is practicing.

Thomas' return gives the Razorbacks' 10 available scholarship players.

"He's had a lot of energy in practice, I know that," Anderson said. "And he's had some pretty good practices.

"But he doesn't just jump right in there. He's got to work and earn his keep."

Senior guard Daryl Macon said Thomas has shown in practice he's ready to help the team.

"I think he's gotten a lot better on both ends of the court," Macon said. "I wouldn't say he's going to be rusty. Probably his conditioning will be the main factor."

The Razorbacks will play three games over four days in Portland, so they can use the added depth. After Thursday's game, they'll play either No. 9 North Carolina or Portland on Friday, be off Saturday, then play on Sunday against No. 4 Michigan State, Oregon, Connecticut or DePaul.

"We know depth is so critical, especially with how we want to play," Anderson said. "We want to get up and down the floor, and we want to attack offensively and attack defensively.

"You expend a lot of energy ... and that's a lot of basketball crammed into [four] days."

Thomas could play a key role if 6-11 freshman Daniel Gafford and 6-9 senior Trey Thompson get in foul trouble.

Gafford fouled out of the first two games against Samford and Bucknell while playing a combined 33 minutes. He played 30 minutes against Fresno State after Thompson picked up two fouls less than two minutes into the game.

"We know his versatility is really big for our basketball team," Anderson said of Thomas. "I think he's worked on really shooting the ball and maybe can stretch the floor a little bit more.

"His ball-handling, his rebounding, his tenacity hopefully will be an asset."

Sports on 11/21/2017

Upcoming Events