Henry provides spark for Hogs in return from suspension
Matt Jones
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: Sports
Talk about coming back in style.
Arkansas freshman guard Jason Henry hadn't played in 13 days prior to Wednesday night's match-up with Texas Southern in Bud Walton Arena, but the freshman was anything but rusty.
Henry scored 19 to lead all scorers and grabbed seven rebounds as the Razorbacks downed the Tigers 80-61.
"I thought Jason had a chance to get out there and show everybody what kind of talent level he has," Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. "I think this is a product of him working harder and focusing on the right things for the last two weeks."
Henry had been suspended for Arkansas' previous three games against Missouri State, South Alabama and Florida A&M for a violation of team rules. Henry continued to practice with the team despite the suspension.
"He's been practicing real well," Pelphrey said. "He did some good things tonight, but there's more there."
Henry scored eight points within his first two minutes on the floor, helping spark a 10-2 Razorback run to give Arkansas a 22-9 lead midway through the first half.
"I'm not going to waste any time," Henry said of his first half burst. "As soon as I'm on the floor, I'm after it."
Arkansas guard Rotnei Clarke said having Henry back on the floor was a spark in itself.
"It was a big lift," Clarke said. "He's a high-energy guy…just getting him on the court and having a great game like that was big for our team to have him back."
Henry hit three 3-pointers on the night and hit 7-of-11 shots from the floor.
"He has abilities that a guy 6-7, you don't always see," Pelphrey said. "You didn't see them all tonight. He's a terrific passer and [has] great speed…then he can shoot the ball like that from the 3-point line.
"I've always said that Jason has a great, great understanding of how to play. I've got a great appreciation for him in terms of Xs and Os. I can talk to him in very short commands and he understands what I'm trying to get across to him.
"He has a gift understanding spacing and reading defense. He has a chance to be a very good player."
Pelphrey said Henry's improvement hasn't been just on the court.
"He's made a conscience decision to try to be better," Pelphrey said. "It's not necessarily just as a basketball player - he's being a better person and being a better teammate.
"When you do the right things, be careful, you're liable to run into success."
Arkansas freshman guard Jason Henry hadn't played in 13 days prior to Wednesday night's match-up with Texas Southern in Bud Walton Arena, but the freshman was anything but rusty.
Henry scored 19 to lead all scorers and grabbed seven rebounds as the Razorbacks downed the Tigers 80-61.
"I thought Jason had a chance to get out there and show everybody what kind of talent level he has," Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. "I think this is a product of him working harder and focusing on the right things for the last two weeks."
Henry had been suspended for Arkansas' previous three games against Missouri State, South Alabama and Florida A&M for a violation of team rules. Henry continued to practice with the team despite the suspension.
"He's been practicing real well," Pelphrey said. "He did some good things tonight, but there's more there."
Henry scored eight points within his first two minutes on the floor, helping spark a 10-2 Razorback run to give Arkansas a 22-9 lead midway through the first half.
"I'm not going to waste any time," Henry said of his first half burst. "As soon as I'm on the floor, I'm after it."
Arkansas guard Rotnei Clarke said having Henry back on the floor was a spark in itself.
"It was a big lift," Clarke said. "He's a high-energy guy…just getting him on the court and having a great game like that was big for our team to have him back."
Henry hit three 3-pointers on the night and hit 7-of-11 shots from the floor.
"He has abilities that a guy 6-7, you don't always see," Pelphrey said. "You didn't see them all tonight. He's a terrific passer and [has] great speed…then he can shoot the ball like that from the 3-point line.
"I've always said that Jason has a great, great understanding of how to play. I've got a great appreciation for him in terms of Xs and Os. I can talk to him in very short commands and he understands what I'm trying to get across to him.
"He has a gift understanding spacing and reading defense. He has a chance to be a very good player."
Pelphrey said Henry's improvement hasn't been just on the court.
"He's made a conscience decision to try to be better," Pelphrey said. "It's not necessarily just as a basketball player - he's being a better person and being a better teammate.
"When you do the right things, be careful, you're liable to run into success."
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