FAYETTEVILLE — Experience will go against youth when Arkansas plays its Red-White basketball game at 3 p.m. Sunday in Walton Arena.
Admission is free, but fans are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for donation to local food banks.
The White team roster has junior point guard Julysses Nobles, junior forward Marshawn Powell, senior forward Marvell Waithe, sophomore guard Mardracus Wade, freshman guard Ky Madden and sophomore walkon guards Kikko Haydar and Charlie Henderson.
There are three freshmen on the Red team — guard BJ Young and forwards Hunter Mickelson and Devonta Abron — along with sophomore guard Rickey Scott and sophomore walk-on guard Davion Spivey.
Senior forward Michael Sanchez will miss the game as he continues to recover from lower back surgery.
Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said Sanchez remains on schedule to be able to start practicing next week.
Freshman walk-on guard Matt Thompson will play for both teams.
The teams were divided in a draft Tuesday by members of the media who will serve as honorary coaches during the game.
Players will sign autographs on the arena concourse from 1:45-2:30 p.m.
“Hopefully, we’ll get some fans out here and you guys have some fun with it,” Anderson said. “It’s going to be interesting.
“The talent level to me is not a whole lot different. There is a more experienced team, but I’ve seen teams on paper where they may look good, but something different can happen when you turn the lights on.”
Anderson, the former Razorbacks assistant who returned to Arkansas last spring after coaching at Alabama-Birmingham and Missouri the previous nine seasons, said he hopes Sunday’s crowd energizes the players.
“These young guys haven’t experienced the true Razorback atmosphere,” Anderson said. “Who knows? Maybe the older guys neither.
“I’m talking about where there’s energy in the building and they come in and can feed off of our fans.”
Anderson is bringing back a tradition started by Nolan Richardson in asking for food bank donations at the Red-White game.
“It’s a great opportunity for the people in this area to rally for some people that are less fortunate,” Anderson said. “The basketball is fine, but when you talk about people going hungry, I think it’s our duty as a university and as a basketball team to help this community in any way we can.”
At a glance
UA RED-WHITE GAME
WHEN 3 p.m. Sunday WHERE Walton Arena, Fayetteville
ROSTERS
RED TEAM
G BJ Young G Rickey Scott F Devonta Abron F Hunter Mickelson G Kikko Haydar G Davion Spivey G Matt Thompson
WHITE TEAM
G Julysses Nobles G Mardracus Wade G Ky Madden F Marshawn Powell F Marvell Waithe G Charlie Henderson G Matt Thompson NOTE Michael Sanchez will miss the game as he continues to recover from a back injury. Thompson will play for both teams.
Sports, Pages 26 on 10/26/2011