FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas fans finally will get their first look at freshman point guard Courtney Fortson in tonight’s exhibition game against Dillard.

Fortson, the mostly highly touted of the Razorbacks ’ newcomers, missed the Red-White game and Monday night’s 103-58 victory over Campbellsville in the exhibition opener because he was suspended by Coach John Pelphrey for an undisclosed disciplinary reason.

Pelphrey said Fortson, 5-11, will be in the starting lineup tonight and should make plays all over the court.

“He could have a huge impact whether he scores a bucket or not just because of the way he can get inside the defense, find the open guy and then be disruptive with his defense,” Pelphrey said. “He has the ability to be a great player because he can make those around him better. That’s the definition of a great player.

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“ He’s a winner.”

While Fortson didn’t dress out against Campbellsville, he sat on the bench and encouraged his teammates.

“I feel like he took it the right way,” Arkansas junior guard Stefan Welsh said of how Fortson accepted his punishment. “He could have sulked and not been as supportive, but he handled it like a man.”

Fortson is being counted on to provide Arkansas with its first true point guard since Kareem Reid was a senior in 1999. He averaged 23. 7 points, 7. 1 rebounds and 4. 2 steals per game as a senior at Montgomery (Ala. ) Jefferson Davis High School, then attended The Patterson School, a prep school in Lenoir, N. C,. last year and averaged 25 points, 7 assists and 6 steals per game.

“He has a real efficient handle on the basketball,” Welsh said. “He’s probably one of the better ball-handlers in the SEC. I’m not afraid to say that.

“ He brings a great defensive mentality with intensity and toughness. For his size, he’s an excellent rebounder.

“ I just think he’s a very valuable piece to what we’re trying to do.”

Fortson said at Arkansas’ media day last month his main goal is to make his teammates look good.

“I want to get everybody the ball,” he said. “No disappointed players after the game.”

The Razorbacks said they appreciate Fortson’s pass-first mentality.

“He’ll find you when you’re open,” freshman guard Rotnei Clarke said.

“He’s got a great basketball IQ,” freshman forward Brandon Moore said. “He gets you the ball when and where you need it.”

Redshirt freshman forward Michael Sanchez said he’s impressed by Fortson’s speed, quickness and vision.

“He can really see the whole floor,” Sanchez said.

Pelphrey said Fortson will be able to drive into the lane and get layups and dunks for his teammates.

But what might interest Pelphrey most about tonight is how Fortson plays defense.

“Can he bring his practice defense to games ?” Pelphrey said. “Because he’s been very, very disruptive in practice with his defense.”

Welsh and Clarke also can play point guard, but Pelphrey said the Razorbacks will be at their best with Fortson in that role.

“His makeup is he’s consumed with winning,” Pelphrey said. “I’ve never known him to be consumed with points or any other stuff. He’s consumed with winning.”

Pelphrey said he first saw Fortson play as a high school sophomore and quickly was impressed by his attitude and toughness.

“I don’t know if he’s the best three-point shooter, the best ball-handler, the fastest guy, certainly not the tallest guy,” Pelphrey said.

“But when it comes to competing and being tough and having a strong desire to win, it will be hard to beat those characteristics by anybody else out there.”