The Traveler

Issue date: 10/20/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Grace Riley Vincent Hunter jumps to dunk the ball during the players' exhibition prior to the start of the red-white scrimmage game at the Razorback Hoop Mania Friday, Oct. 13 in Bud Walton Arena.

The college basketball season has not yet begun, yet things are already looking different for Arkansas Head Coach Stan Heath.

"Last year everybody was trying to see how things fit for our team and how things fit for themselves personally," Heath said. "This year you have players teaching players. I can't tell you how valuable it is when you have an older guy telling a younger guy how to do something, like maneuver off a defender."

Tonight, Razorback fans will get a taste of this year's team when players hit the hardwood in Bud Walton Arena for an autograph session and the annual Red-White Game.

"We'll be showing a strong resemblance of what we'll be doing throughout the season," Heath said.

The Red Team will consist of junior guard Gary Ervin, freshman guard Stefan Welsh, freshman guard Andrew Boyd, junior forward Sonny Weems, freshman forward/center Michael Washington, junior forward Vincent Hunter and junior center Steven Hill.

Opposing them will be the White Team made up of sophomore guard Sean McCurdy, freshman guard Patrick Beverly, junior guard Preston Cranford, junior forward Charles Thomas, sophomore forward/center Cyrus McGowan and junior forward/center Darian Townes.

"I tried to balance the teams as much as possible," Heath said. "We have Sean and Gary going up against each other, we have two freshmen [guards] going up against each other and there's always going to be a battle in the front lines."

Battling at the guard positions will be Ervin and Welsh versus McCurdy and Beverly. All four have been competing hard in practice lately in an attempt to secure minutes for the forthcoming season.

"I see all four of those guys pushing and going at each other," Heath said. "I don't want them to look at it as a personal battle because they're all teammates and they'll be on the court together this season subbing for each other."

Unlike last season, in which the offense moved primarily through the post, this season will allow for a quicker attack fueled by the quartet of guards. Ervin, in particular, has shown the ability to ignite the offense in a hurry.

Continued...

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