Expect an up-and-down season from these Razorbacks
Off the foul Pohl
Bart Pohlman
Issue date: 11/14/08 Section: Sports
As year two of the John Pelphrey era begins at Arkansas, it's perfectly clear this season will be far different from last.
The coach remains, as do a few players, but the rest of the roster looks as different from a year ago as Michael Jackson does from his "Thriller" days.
For starters - or lack thereof - Arkansas returns only two players with starting experience.
Juniors Michael Washington and Stefan Welsh have combined to start 32 games in their careers. That's almost enough starts to make up an entire season - for one player.
Seven players from a year ago are gone.
Sonny Weems and Steven Hill are in the NBA.
Charles Thomas and Vincent Hunter both play in Finland for Forssan Koripojat, or, as they say in German, gesundheit.
Darian Townes is in Poland, playing for PGB Turow.
Gary Ervin plays for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA's Developmental League.
Patrick Beverley, who left the team to play in Europe, is in the Ukraine, playing for Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk. Once again, gesundheit.
So, after losing six seniors and one sophomore from a season ago, it's safe to say this is a rebuilding process for the Razorbacks.
But Pelphrey knows that.
"We only have three guys who have ever played in a game," Pelphrey said. "That is a little unique."
That's hardly to say the season is lost, though.
At the very least, these Razorbacks will be fun to watch with all the young talent on the roster.
Rotnei Clarke brings an incredible shooting prowess to the team. Pelphrey even went as far as to call him the best shooter in the country.
Courtney Fortson brings his great court vision and passing abilities. Fortson is the first true point guard Arkansas has had since Kareem Reid still led the Hogs up and down the court.
Jason Henry brings an ability to score points in droves.
Andre Clark and Brandon Moore bring their promising upsides as Southeastern Conference big men.
The coach remains, as do a few players, but the rest of the roster looks as different from a year ago as Michael Jackson does from his "Thriller" days.
For starters - or lack thereof - Arkansas returns only two players with starting experience.
Juniors Michael Washington and Stefan Welsh have combined to start 32 games in their careers. That's almost enough starts to make up an entire season - for one player.
Seven players from a year ago are gone.
Sonny Weems and Steven Hill are in the NBA.
Charles Thomas and Vincent Hunter both play in Finland for Forssan Koripojat, or, as they say in German, gesundheit.
Darian Townes is in Poland, playing for PGB Turow.
Gary Ervin plays for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA's Developmental League.
Patrick Beverley, who left the team to play in Europe, is in the Ukraine, playing for Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk. Once again, gesundheit.
So, after losing six seniors and one sophomore from a season ago, it's safe to say this is a rebuilding process for the Razorbacks.
But Pelphrey knows that.
"We only have three guys who have ever played in a game," Pelphrey said. "That is a little unique."
That's hardly to say the season is lost, though.
At the very least, these Razorbacks will be fun to watch with all the young talent on the roster.
Rotnei Clarke brings an incredible shooting prowess to the team. Pelphrey even went as far as to call him the best shooter in the country.
Courtney Fortson brings his great court vision and passing abilities. Fortson is the first true point guard Arkansas has had since Kareem Reid still led the Hogs up and down the court.
Jason Henry brings an ability to score points in droves.
Andre Clark and Brandon Moore bring their promising upsides as Southeastern Conference big men.
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