2010-11 College Basketball Season Preview: Arkansas

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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Arkansas Razorbacks (Last Year: 14-18, 7-9 in SEC)



2010-11 Projected Depth Chart:


F/C: Michael Sanchez (Jr)/Delvon Johnson (Sr)/Marvell Waithe (Jr)

F: Marshawn Powell (So)/Glenn Bryant (So)

G: Rotnei Clarke (Jr)/Jemel Farmer (Sr)

G: Marcus Britt (Sr)/Mardracus Wade (Fr)/Rickey Scott (Fr)

PG: Jeff Peterson (Jr)/Julysess Nobles (So)/Kikko Haydar (Fr)

Gone: F/C-Michael Washington, SG-Stefan Welsh, PG-Courtney Fortson



2010-11 Outlook:
The Hogs were a tough team to figure out last season. During the non-conference, they suffered three straight home losses to Morgan State, East Tennessee State and South Alabama (partially because leading scorer Courtney Fortson did not play in those games, but still, no major conference school should drop three in a row at home to small-conference teams.) Arkansas then started SEC play with a 7-4 record before dropping their final six games of the season. If I was tweeting about this I would put a #SMH in there somewhere.

Fortson left the program to pursue professional opportunities, but Iowa transfer Jeff Peterson will step right in and replace his minutes in what figures to be an undersized three-guard lineup along with Marcus Britt and sharp shooter Rotnei Clarke who set a school record last season by scoring 51 points in a single game thanks to 13 three-pointers. Marshawn Powell will hope to build off an impressive freshman season and should be joined up front by Michael Sanchez who missed all but four games last season due to plantar fasciitis in both feet.

A few players who saw significant minutes off the bench will resume that role which gives John Pelphrey some decent depth. I just do not think Arkansas has the talent to compete with the other teams in the SEC.





Player to Watch: Marshawn Powell, F
The 6-7 Powell put up solid stats (14.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg) in his freshman season and flew under the radar in terms of impact newcomers. Powell recently suffered a broken foot that will likely keep him out until mid-October meaning he should be ready to go for the start of the season. He can post up on the block, but also step out and knock down jump shots. If the Razorbacks have any chance of making noise in the SEC, Powell will have to play a big part.



Key Non-Conference Games:
  • 12/1 vs. Oklahoma
  • 12/8 vs. Seton Hall (Big East/SEC Challenge at Louisville)
  • 12/18 vs. Texas A&M (in Dallas)
  • 1/4 at Texas



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