FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ basketball season has been 40 minutes of hell for Marshawn Powell.
Powell has played a combined 40 minutes in the Razorbacks’ first four games, and his left foot - which he broke in early August - appears to be causing him pain.
Powell, who has not done interviews since speaking on Arkansas’ media day Oct. 29, has limped noticeably while playing against Grambling State and Alabama-Birmingham.
Pelphrey said Powell may have “stung” his foot once or twice in the games, but that he is making strides in the recovery process.
Powell, a 6-7 sophomore forward, played 25 minutes off the bench in the Razorbacks’ 70-65 overtime loss to Alabama-Birmingham on Friday night, and Pelphrey said he was able to practice Saturday.
“That was a positive,” Pelphrey said.
Coming into the season, the Razorbacks were relying heavily on Powell, who as a freshman averaged 14.9points and a team-high 6.7 rebounds. The broken bone in his foot did not require surgery, but Powell has been limited in practice, and has missed entire games against Florida Gulf Coast and Southeast Missouri State.
Pelphrey said he was encouraged by Powell’s performance against UAB, and that he expects Powell to play against Oklahoma on Wednesday in Walton Arena.
Powell had 12 points and eight rebounds in Arkansas’ 67-47 loss at Oklahoma last season.
“We know Powell’s a very good player who has had some big moments for Arkansas,” Sooners Coach Jeff Capel said. “We’re going to prepare for this game as if he’s 100 percent.”
Powell had 6 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal against UAB. He was 3 of 11 from the field, but after two air balls in the first half, did a better job of driving to the basket and getting good shots. The problem for Powell has been finishing shots.
Against Grambling State and UAB, Powell shot a combined 33.3 percent from the field (6 of 18) compared to the 50 percent (190 of 380) he shot in 32 games last season. He’s averaging 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.
“He had like a month and some change off,” Arkansas sophomore guard Julysses Nobles said. “He’s just got to get his touch back and a feel around the rim. When he gets that, I think he’ll be OK.”
Pelphrey said Powell played more aggressively against UAB than he has at any point this season.
“I wouldn’t say he’s 100 percent, but I would say he was 100 percent better than anything we’ve had a chance to watch him this year,” Pelphrey said. “We saw him run that hard, be that aggressive, a couple of times in practice, two separate practices.
“But we hadn’t seen that in a game yet. So hopefully that’s a good sign and he’ll continue to get up through there.
“He was probably 70 to 75 percent the other night, so we need him at 100. I think we’re getting closer to that.”
Pelphrey said it was encouraging to see how Powell attacked the basket against UAB.
“I know we’re all used to seeing him score on more of those [shots], and he will,” Pelphrey said. “But I thought his assertiveness was good, and the fact that he practiced the next day.”
Players often get frustrated when dealing with injuries.
“I think Marshawn’s had his ups and downs with it,” Pelphrey said. “But I think right now he’s in a good place.”
Sports, Pages 17 on 11/30/2010