By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Alabama beat Arkansas earlier this season thanks in part to solid performances by veteran forwards JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell.
But Alabama’s starting frontcourt will look a lot different when the teams meet in Bud Walton Arena for the second time on Thursday night.
The status of Green and Mitchell, Alabama’s top two scorers and rebounders, remain in flux after being suspended by coach Anthony Grant for separate reasons in the past two weeks. Grant said earlier Monday he didn’t anticipate either player being available for the Arkansas game, although the Crimson Tide announced Green had been reinstated to resume practicing with the team later in the day.
It’s not known if that means he’ll play against the Razorbacks. But, either way, Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said the suspensions won’t alter his team’s preparation as the Razorbacks try to avoid losing their second game at home on Thursday night.
“We’re going to prepare for the team we played up there previously,” Anderson said. “Obviously they have some good players. With guys not being around, it gives an opportunity for other guys to really step up … They’ve held the ship together.”
There’s no doubt losing Green and Mitchell is difficult, though. The duo was a big part of Alabama’s success under Grant and was expected to be the cornerstone of an NCAA Tournament team.
They’ve produced statistically, combining to average 27.2 points and 14.2 rebounds a game. They combined for 25 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 steals in the 72-66 win against Arkansas on Jan. 28.
But Mitchell was suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team before Alabama’s 68-50 win against Auburn on Feb. 7. His suspension, Alabama announced Monday, will last the rest of the season.
Green and guards Trevor Releford and Andrew Steele were suspended just before Alabama’s 67-58 loss at LSU on Feb. 11 for violating team rules. Releford and Steele rejoined the team after missing one game, but Green hasn’t played in three straight.
Grant believes his team — which suffered losses to LSU and Florida before beating Tennessee last Saturday — have handled the absences well.
“We’re three or four games since that’s happened,” Grant said. “So I think our guys have moved on and we’re just trying to get better with each practice and trying to prepare as best we can for the opponent that’s in front of us.”
It has been a challenge for Alabama, but the Crimson Tide’s NCAA Tournament hopes are still alive despite the losses. Alabama is tied for fourth in the SEC standings with four games remaining and are trying to take a big step toward securing an NCAA Tournament berth with a win at Arkansas.
Grant — whose team is 4-2 since a four-game SEC losing skid earlier this season — said the suspensions have given younger players chances.
“It gives other guys an opportunity to step up and play bigger roles than they have before,” Grant said. “And some other guys to take that next step in terms of what they’ve got to provide our team from a leadership standpoint. The opportunities are there. We’ve just got to get different guys stepping up and taking advantage of those opportunities.”
Freshman guard Rodney Cooper benefited, scoring 28 in the loss at LSU and has settled into the starting lineup. Fellow freshmen like Trevor Lacy, Nick Jacobs and Levi Randolph also have produced. Sophomore 7-footers Moussa Gueye and Carl Engstrom have been pressed into duty as well and enjoyed their best outing with 9 points, 9 rebounds and 6 blocks in the Tennessee win last Saturday.
Anderson said it’s clear Alabama does have some depth and young talent to continue to win games without Mitchell and Green. So he expects a big team test when Arkansas and Alabama play Thursday night.
“You can see those guys are getting some confidence,” Anderson said. “Any given night they can put a lot of things together.”
Sanchez Remains Questionable
Anderson said Monday forward Michael Sanchez remains questionable for the Alabama game because of the shoulder injury he suffered at Georgia.
The senior, who is averaging 4.3 points and 3.6 rebounds, has missed the past three games. Anderson has said Sanchez’s absence has been felt, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
