By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Something unusual took place during the first half of Arkansas’ 91-54 win against Mississippi Valley State in Bud Walton Arena.
Arkansas coach John Pelphrey looked over to his bench and made a substitution two minutes into the game. He did it again two minutes later. Then, at the 14-minute mark, Pelphrey sent three players to the scorer’s table at the same time for a line change of sorts.
For the first time this season, Pelphrey and the Razorbacks could lean on their depth in front of an announced crowd of 6,875. A season-high 11 players stepped on the court, all 11 scored, and it helped the Razorbacks snap a four-game losing streak.
“It is definitely good to have more players,” Arkansas forward Jemal Farmer said. “The way he subbed (Saturday) was good because you could go hard out there and you don’t have to hold back at all.
“We have guys on the sideline ready to come in.”
It was a luxury Pelphrey and the Hogs haven’t enjoyed this season because of suspensions and injuries.
Arkansas opened the year with six scholarship players available, but the number improved to 10 against Mississippi Valley State (1-7). The group included center Michael Washington, who returned to the court after missing two games with a sprained back.
Washington was only “50 percent,” according to Pelphrey, and finished with 8 points and 4 rebounds in 18 minutes. But four players — led by Farmer’s 18 points — scored in double figures for the Hogs (3-5).
“We had more guys (Saturday) at any other point in time this year, which is good,” Pelphrey said. “So hopefully we can get a little continuity here.
“We’re going to need it.”
The depth helped the Razorbacks jump out to a 12-4 lead early and then, after Mississippi Valley State cut it to 19-14, build a 53-32 halftime lead. Reserve guard Stef Welsh played a key role in the half, scoring 13 points. He was 3-for-4 on 3-pointers.
Arkansas was never challenged in the second half, opening as much as a 40-point lead. The big advantage — coupled with the added depth — meant no Arkansas player was on the court for more than 29 minutes in Saturday’s win. In fact, Washington and guard Rotnei Clarke — who scored a season-low five points — combined to play 13 minutes in the second half.
“It’s better for me because I get a chance to rest,” said point guard Julysses Nobles, who is one of four Razorbacks averaging 30 minutes or more a game. “I know it has been stressful because I have been tired.
“I am glad he subbed like that and gave everybody a chance to play. My legs feel much better.”
Arkansas showed improvement in a few areas during Saturday’s win, too. The Razorbacks held the edge on the boards (45-28), outrebounding an opponent for the first time since the opener. They created chances with their defense, getting 23 points off 17 turnovers.
“You need players,” said Mississippi Valley State coach Sean Woods, who played with Pelphrey at Kentucky. “As you saw (Saturday), he got some of his players back and this is the best he’s looked in five games and he’s still not there yet.”
Pelphrey said the win, while important for a program that desperately needed to experience success, wasn’t perfect, though. He said Arkansas’ youth still showed and the Razorbacks have plenty to sort out with its rotation now that most players are back on the court.
But the good news for Arkansas: After playing woefully short-handed the first part of the season, there appear to be more options to work with now.
“Hopefully at some point in time we can have depth, we can go to our bench and continue to stretch our defense up the floor and be chaotic,” Pelphrey said. “And hopefully that will help our defense and we’ll be able to rebound consistently and be able to play more guys. … We need a bench. Hopefully we’ll get one.”
