By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas forward Marshawn Powell isn’t back to full strength after suffering a broken bone in his foot over the summer.
It’s clear in the way Powell has performed the first month of the regular season. He’s a little slow. He appears rusty. And he certainly hasn’t performed like the player that made an impression with the Razorbacks as a freshman.
Powell knows it. In fact, he estimated last Saturday he’s about 75 percent and couldn’t say when he’ll be completely healed. He can’t wait for that day, though.
“I can’t tell you,” Powell said. “Words can’t explain it. I just miss playing the game the way I used to play it.”
The good news: Arkansas believes Powell isn’t far off after his most productive performance in the Razorbacks’ 75-60 win against Troy last Saturday. The 6-foot-7 Powell scored 8 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and logged 20 minutes, showing more speed, strength and stamina than he has all season.
The Razorbacks (5-1) hope they’ll see more progress with Powell as they head to Louisville to play Seton Hall (3-3) in the SEC/Big East Invitational tonight at 6. The teams will meet as part of a double-header in Freedom Hall. Kentucky and Notre Dame will play the nightcap, which tips off at 8.
Powell won’t be 100 percent as the Hogs face, arguably, their toughest challenge to date. But Arkansas coach John Pelphrey see improvement and is confident Powell will find plenty of ways to help the Razorbacks battle the Pirates.
“He’s on a string of good days here,” Pelphrey said Monday afternoon. “Hopefully we can keep him going.”
Powell has been practicing with the Razorbacks on a regular basis for the past few weeks and Pelphrey said the forward has looked good behind closed doors. But Arkansas fans have watched him favor the foot on the court during games.
Powell played 15 minutes in the opener, then sat out the next two games. He played 25 minutes against Alabama-Birmingham, but was limited to 12 against Oklahoma.
There was a notable difference against Troy, though. Powell, who was wearing a different pair of sneakers, hustled on both ends of the court. He sprinted downcourt on a fast break, fought for rebounds and got to the free-throw line.
“My foot has been feeling a lot better lately,” Powell said after the game. “I’ve just been taking it day-by-day though.
“It feels good to be running again, running faster. I was slow when I first got out of the boot. But it’s getting better. It’s healing. Just taking it day-by-day.”
Arkansas’ frontcourt has figured out a way to hold up without Powell at full strength.
Pelphrey handed center Delvon Johnson the largest share of the credit, saying his growth and improvement as a player has been a welcome surprise for the Razorbacks. The senior is averaging 11.8 points and 8.7 rebounds a game, has notched two double-doubles and has been a rock on defense.
Glenn Bryant and Marvell Waithe have shown flashes, too, although Pelphrey said both are “up-and-down.” Bryant is active on the defensive end and has finished plays on offense with dunks and tip-ins. Waithe has shown strength behind the 3-point line and an ability to take the ball to the basket.
Together, they’ve manned the low post with Powell healing.
“We’ve been fortunate so far,” Pelphrey said.
But Arkansas doesn’t believe it will have to wait much longer for Powell to be back to full strength.
“He’s getting better every day,” Arkansas guard Rotnei Clarke said. “He looks better in practice every day as well. He’s going to keep going out and performing and showing the same thing on the court when we play games.”
Pelphrey believes the next couple of week could be key to his recovery. After the Seton Hall game, Arkansas will take a week off before hitting the court again to begin a stretch of three games in eight days. Then there’s another week off.
“I don’t think he’s too far away,” Pelphrey said. “I think if he keeps pushing, if he can push himself here for the next couple of weeks I think he’ll be really, really close.”
That sounds promising to Powell, who has been playing with a protective plate in his shoe to help soften any blows his foot takes during games. The healing process has been slow, difficult and frustrating at times. But he said his foot felt better than it has all season in the Troy win.
“It has been very challenging to be honest,” Powell said. “But we have a lot of guys that have stepped up into my shoes to do what I did last year.”
TONIGHT’S TICKET
Seton Hall (3-3) vs. Arkansas (5-1)
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kent.
TV: ESPN2
Radio: Razorback Sports Network
Coaches: Arkansas — John Pelphrey (56-47 in fourth season); Seton Hall — Kevin Willard (3-3 in first season)
Projected Lineups: Arkansas — C Delvon Johnson (6-9, Sr., 11.8 ppg), F Glenn Bryant (6-7, So., 5.2), G Rickey Scott (6-3, Sr., 4.3), G Rotnei Clarke (6-0, Jr., 16.5), G Jeff Peterson (6-0, Jr., 8.5); Seton Hall — F Herb Pope (6-8, Jr., 8.5), F Jeff Robinson (6-6, Sr., 12.8), F Fuquan Edwin (6-6, Fr., 6.2), G Eniel Polynice (6-5, Sr., 4.3), G Jordan Theodore (6-0, Jr. 9.7)
