By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Mike Anderson’s team has grown accustomed to playing short-handed, taking the court with nine healthy scholarship players most of the season.
So when the Razorbacks were asked about the likelihood of losing another player — forward Marvell Waithe — for one game or more Monday afternoon, no one seemed to panic.
“We’re kind of getting used to that,” Arkansas forward Hunter Mickelson said. “We’ve just got to step up like we have been.”
Waithe said he is “doubtful” for Wednesday’s game against Auburn (12-7, 2-3 in Southeastern Conference) because of the strained calf he suffered during the Michigan win last Saturday.
It means the Razorbacks (14-5, 2-2) will play with eight scholarship players as they step back into conference play, looking to extend their Bud Walton Arena win streak to 15 games.
Waithe, who was in the starting lineup for just the second time last Saturday, suffered the injury two minutes into the game. He went to the locker room for evaluation and did not return until the second half, when he sat on the bench and watched the Razorbacks.
It’s a spot Waithe will reluctantly take once again against the Tigers after averaging 6.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. Waithe said he doesn’t expect to miss much time, although teammates suggested he could miss more than one game.
“I walk around all day in a boot,” Waithe said Monday. “I can’t really jump or do anything right now, but I’ll be back. It’s just a strain. It wasn’t a tear. I’ll be back soon.”
Waithe wasn’t the only player banged up against Michigan. Guard BJ Young fell hard to the floor after being fouled by Michigan’s Zack Novak as he tried to dunk the ball on a fast break. Young said after the game his hand hurt from the fall, but added a sore back to the list of ailments before Monday’s practice.
“My hand is still a little swollen,” Young said. “My back took more of the pain afterward, like a day later. But it should be all right.”
Waithe’s absence will test a frontcourt that already is missing forward Marshawn Powell, though. It leaves Arkansas with Mickelson, Michael Sanchez and Devonta Abron in the post.
Sanchez said the Razorbacks will make do with the players they have available Wednesday.
“It just puts a little more pressure on us to go in there and pick up the slack,” Sanchez said. “It’s hard to replace a guy like Marvell, just like Marshawn and stuff, but with our guys I think we will be able to do it.”
Anderson said one solution will be using some four-guard lineups if needed against Auburn.
“Marvell was giving us some great minutes off the bench at the four spot,” Anderson said. “He’s a guy that was very versatile, athletic, blocked shots, rebound and he can extend the defense. So that means now we’ve got other guys are going to get more minutes whether it be the forwards that are playing already getting more minutes as well as sometimes we’re going to play small as we did against Michigan.”
One other solution: the Razorbacks could get some contributions from quarterback Brandon Mitchell, who joined the team last week.
The 6-foot-4 Mitchell did not play against Kentucky and Michigan as he acclimated himself to Arkansas’ system, but Anderson said he’s getting closer to helping the Hogs.
“Brandon will get a chance this week to really get some work in,” Anderson said. “That’s all he needs. He needs to get some timing and some actual practice time on the floor. Hopefully that will extend to some playing time.”
Either way, the Razorbacks remain confident they’ll find ways to win with Waithe out.
“We just move on,” Arkansas guard Julysses Nobles said. “When one goes down, its an opportunity for somebody else.”
