After injury, Powell making progress for Hogs
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas forward Marshawn Powell continues to make progress in his comeback from knee surgery.
Powell took a big step in August when he returned to practice as the Razorbacks’ men’s basketball team prepared for a four-game exhibition tour in Italy. Then he played limited minutes in three of the four games as Arkansas went 4-0.
Coach Mike Anderson said he’s seeing more positive signs from Powell in preseason workouts.
“I think Marshawn’s really starting now to emerge and go ahead and just play basketball,” Anderson said Thursday. “For a while he was being kind of cautious, but our guys are not showing any mercy, so he’s had to pick it up.”
Powell, a 6-7 redshirt junior, tore ligaments in his right knee during a practice in late November and was sidelined for the rest of the season after averaging 19.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in Arkansas’ 2-0 start. He underwent surgery after the Christmas break.
“I feel he’s more comfortable and playing more natural now,” Anderson said. “You can see the confidence is building each and every day — offensively, defensively, going to rebound the basketball. Even running.”
Anderson said Powell, who is wearing a knee brace, ran naturally and without any hesitation in a workout earlier this week.
“I finally saw him running full stride,” Anderson said. “When you’ve got the brace, sometimes you run just like you’ve got a brace on. ... I saw him break out, and he ran really fluid.
“It looked like he was in his normal stride that I’d seen before — and he’s in a lot better shape than when he first came back.”
Anderson said Arkansas is still waiting for the NCAA to rule on a waiver submitted on behalf of junior forward Alandise Harris, a former Little Rock Central standout who transferred from Houston to Arkansas after last season. Arkansas is seeking immediate eligibility for Harris for family reasons, so he can be closer to his older sisters after his mother’s death two years ago.
Devonta Abron, who transferred from Arkansas to TCU after last season, was granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA in a case that involved family issues.
“We’ve done our due diligence, and hopefully the NCAA will make a decision that can benefit the kid,” Anderson said of Harris. “That’s the most important thing. I’m not into comparing [Harris and Abron’s situations], but hopefully it’s a scenario that works for the good of the kid. That’s what it should always be about.”
Anderson said he’s not sure when the NCAA will issue a ruling on Harris’ eligibility for this season.
“It’s a wait-and-see right now,” he said.
Anderson gave the players two weeks off after the team returned from Italy in late August. They resumed workouts in early September and sometimes have been going at 6 a.m.
Compared to this time a year ago, Anderson said the Razorbacks are a better conditioned team. Being able to hold 10 practices in August and then playing the exhibition games in Italy accelerated the process.
“We’ve had the chance to really step up the conditioning because we already have played some games early in the year,” Anderson said. “We’re working so we can get ready for practice. They have to be in shape just to get through one of our workouts. But I think so far so good.”
Anderson said he can see conditioning workouts aren’t as much of a struggle for the returning players, and they’re helping bring along the newcomers.
“I don’t see guys fighting it as much as they did last year. Some of them couldn’t finish some of the time,” he said. “But now I think they’re really getting after it. You can see it’s a different mindset, and they’re showing some leadership from the standpoint of really encouraging the young guys to push and fight through the fatigue.”
Arkansas opens practice Oct. 12 at Walton Arena as part of its “Primetime at the Palace” event. The arena doors open at 8 p.m, when the Razorbacks have an autograph session followed by a short practice. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for donation. Collection bins will be located at each entrance to the arena.
“Everywhere I go, people talk about being excited,” Anderson said. “We’re not that far away. October is right around the corner.”