By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — It’s no secret Arkansas point guard Courtney Fortson has been invaluable to the Razorbacks’ during their four-game win streak.
His performance in two of those wins against Georgia and Auburn was recognized by the Southeastern Conference.
Fortson was named the SEC Player of the Week after averaging 25.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in Arkansas’ victories. He scored 27 points in helping the Razorbacks erase a 15-point deficit at Georgia. Then, Fortson followed it by scoring 24 more — including 10 in overtime — against the Tigers in Bud Walton Arena.
“He had a really good week,” Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. “Obviously he’s played well since he’s been back.
“He’s scored it. He’s helped us win. He has gotten to the free-throw line a large number of times and converted a very good percentage of those. And he rebounds too.”
Fortson was named the SEC’s player of the week for the second time in his career. He also earned honors in Dec. 2008 after posting a triple-double. Fortson was three assists shy of his second triple-double against Auburn.
Fortson is averaging a team-high 20.2 points, 6.1 assists and 5.2 rebounds in nine games. He has scored 20 or more in five of Arkansas’ eight SEC games and also has recorded three double-doubles. The Hogs are 5-4 since his return from a 14-game suspension at the beginning of the season.
“He’s a fierce, tough competitor,” Arkansas guard Rotnei Clarke said. “He never seems like he’s tired or worn down.
“It’s just a tribute to how hard he works in practice.”
Washington Update
Pelphrey said he expected forward Michael Washington to be on the practice court with the Razorbacks on Monday.
Washington’s availability for LSU is not clear after the senior left the Auburn win with 8:09 remaining in regulation because of a leg injury. Pelphrey said after the game that Washington, who was having his shin iced on the sideline, was hit in the leg and did not sprain his ankle.
“Obviously, the feedback is that he’s fine with regards to the injury,” Pelphrey said.
If Washington couldn’t play, the Razorbacks would lean more on reserves Delvon Johnson and Glenn Bryant. Pelphrey was asked if Washington’s status would alter his rotation in the frontcourt, but said no changes were planned.
“If Mike is in foul trouble we’ll get guys in early,” Pelphrey said. “If we see he can’t go, we’ll get them in early. Obviously, we pay attention to him being fatigued or whatever early. We’ll continue to sub early.
“Or if he’s playing well, keep him out there.”
Cox on Scholarship
Guard Stephen Cox can’t be called a walk-on any longer.
Cox, who tied his career high with 16 minutes played against Auburn, revealed Monday that he was placed on scholarship for the spring semester. Cox — who was a member of Arkansas’ golf team before being pulled back to basketball to help the Hogs while several players were suspended earlier this year — was a walk-on in the fall.
“It was kind of a mutual deal,” Cox said of his conversation with Pelphrey. “We went and kind of talked about it and decided that he thought I had earned the right to be on scholarship, so that’s kind of where that was at.”
