By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas guard Rotnei Clarke has been dealing with knee tendinitis most of the season.
But the Razorbacks’ leading scorer was experiencing some aches and pains before Arkansas’ 71-66 loss to Florida on Thursday night for other reasons.
Clarke said he was involved a car accident on Wednesday night after leaving an extra shooting session with his father in Springdale. Clarke was at the complex getting in some extra shots — which he does on a daily basis — and was the passenger in a car that hit another from behind after his workout.
Clarke classified the wreck as a “minor accident” and said no one was hurt in the incident.
“I’m blessed to be all right,” he said. “I’m fine.”
The sophomore said he felt a some soreness Thursday, but added that it was nothing serious enough to affect his performance against the Gators. Clarke led Arkansas with 17 points in the loss.
His most impressive stretch came in the second half, when he scored 11 straight to help the Hogs keep pace in a back-and-forth game. Clarke was 6 of 12 from the field and 5 of 9 from behind the 3-point line.
“Go my knowledge everybody was OK in that deal,” Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. “I believe Rot was fine. If he wasn’t fine, he wouldn’t have played.”
Long Range Threat?
There’s no doubt Clarke is the Razorbacks’ biggest threat behind the 3-point line. But Arkansas got a pair of big buckets in the first half from an unlikely source against the Gators.
Forward Glenn Bryant knocked down 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to help Arkansas grab a 24-19 lead — its largest of the game — Thursday.
The 6-foot-7 forward is better known for his shot blocking and rebounding, but has hit a few 3-pointers this season. Bryant was 3-for-13 entering the game.
Britt Starts Again
Arkansas guard Marcus Britt started his second straight game Thursday night. Britt was joined in the lineup by Arkansas regulars Clarke, Michael Washington, Marshawn Powell and Courtney Fortson.
Pelphrey credited Britt for his work on defense, but would like to see the junior more aggressive on offense. Britt opened the game guarding Florida point guard Erving Walker, who scored 15 of his 27 points in the first half. Offensively, Britt scored two points.
Football Talk
It may be basketball season, but the student section was thinking about football recruiting before tip-off.
Highly touted defensive lineman Shon Coleman, who has verbally committed to Auburn, was visiting Arkansas’ campus and attended Thursday’s game.
Students held signs that said “We want Shon Coleman” and chanted “We want Shon” as the prospect made his way to his seat along with Arkansas defensive end Tenarius Wright.
