Razorbacks basketball report

Both sides short on numbers

Arkansas' Trey Thompson (1) calls time out from the floor after wrestling the ball away during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Akron, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, in Fayetteville, Ark. Akron defeated Arkansas, 88-80. (AP Photo/Samantha Baker)
Arkansas' Trey Thompson (1) calls time out from the floor after wrestling the ball away during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Akron, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, in Fayetteville, Ark. Akron defeated Arkansas, 88-80. (AP Photo/Samantha Baker)

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas and Northwestern State both have depth issues going into their game tonight in Walton Arena.

Razorbacks sophomore point guard Anton Beard -- the team's only returning starter -- remains suspended for the fall semester and sophomore forward Trey Thompson will miss a second consecutive game because of an ankle injury.

The Demons are playing without senior guard Jalan West, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener at Ole Miss, along with junior guard Tra'von Joseph (knee) and freshman forward Colby Koontz (concussion).

West led Northwestern State with 25 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds at Arkansas last season when the Razorbacks beat the Demons 100-92. He averaged 20.0 points and an NCAA-leading 7.7 assists.

In Northwestern State's 90-76 loss at Ole Miss, West had 25 points and 6 assists before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee driving to the basket in final minute.

Northwestern State Coach Mike McConathy said he had West in the game at the end because NBA scouts were there to watch him.

"He had a phenomenal second half, and it's just a really frustrating thing he was injured," McConathy said. "I was beating myself up about it, but Jalan has been awesome, being concerned about me taking it so hard, because that's the kind of kid he is.

"He's been very encouraging. It's been a lesson to me to see a young man approach things in that manner."

Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson used eight players in the Razorbacks 69-66 loss to Stanford, with Thompson out.

"It's tough, but we have to go with the guys that we have," Anderson said of playing an uptempo style with a reduced roster. "Hopefully, we can maximize what those guys bring to the table.

"You can't extend them as much because of the numbers."

The Demons lost the first two games after West's injury, at home, to LSU Alexandria 99-97 and Louisiana-Monroe 80-64.

"It was like we were in a fog," McConathy said. "We played almost as if someone had passed away."

McConathy said Northwestern State played better when beating Louisiana College 86-80 at home and losing at Arizona 61-42 and at Auburn 119-82.

The Demons slowed their pace at Arizona, but they played more of their usual uptempo style at Auburn.

"How fast we play at Arkansas depends a lot on what we can get," McConathy said.

Woodley can score

Northwestern State junior guard Zeek Woodley is averaging 23.8 points to rank eighth nationally. He was the nation's leading returner scorer after averaging 22.2 points last season.

"He's an unconventional player, because he's 6-2 and we play him inside and outside," Demons Coach Mike McConathy said. "He can score against those big guys and he can make shots.

"He just shoots the ball with such a God-given touch. You can't teach that, it's just a gift."

Woodley scored 29 points at Auburn when he hit 9 of 16 shots and 10 of 12 free throws.

Foul trouble

Arkansas guard Anthlon Bell and Moses Kingsley each fouled against Stanford.

"Something we need to work on is adjusting to the referees, how they're calling the game," Bell said. "We know they're calling pretty tight.

"We've got to know that and give them a little cushion."

Kingsley has fouled out of three of five games this season.

Sports on 12/01/2015

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