FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas knows it will be shorthanded when it opens the season against Alcorn State on Nov. 13 because of the wave of suspensions handed down by coach John Pelphrey earlier this semester.

So it may have been fi tting the Razorbacks were missing a handful of players for a variety of reasons in Monday’s exhibition opener against Dillard.

Arkansas, using nine players, beat the Bleu Devils 77-59 in front of an announced crowd of 2,278 in Bud Walton Arena. Senior Michael Washington (25 points, 10 rebounds) and freshman Glenn Bryant (17, 10) each notched doubledoubles for the Razorbacks, but the missing players dominated the conversation.

Sophomore Michael Sanchez, who hasn’t practiced this preseason, is still sidelined with plantar fasciitis in both feet. Touted freshman Marshawn Powell didn’t play because of an illness. Walk-on Nick Mason, who was one of the three players involved in the fraternity house incident in August, was out for disciplinary reasons. And senior guard Stefan Welsh is serving a suspension for unknown reasons, one Pelphrey said could last the entire semester.

“These exhibition games are for a reason,” Pelphrey said. “They’re obviously very important for us because of some of the things we’re going to have to deal with interms of odd lineups, some of the guys we’re going to be playing early on here.”

As a result, Arkansas started an unusual group of forwards Michael Washington and Jemal Farmer, and guards Rotnei Clarke, Julysses Nobles and walkon Stephen Cox. Sophomore point guard Courtney Fortson - who will be suspended at the beginning of the season - was one of four players available off the bench.

The Razorbacks held a 47-28 lead at halftime thanks to 17 points from Washington and four 3-pointers from Clarke. But Arkansas, which built as much as a 25-point lead in the second half, struggled after the break. The Hogs were outscored 31-30 in the second half and held to 39.2 percent shooting Monday.

“It probably wasn’t one of our best performances, but we can go back (today) and get ready for practice and watch some film and get ready for Thursday for the next one,” Clarke said.

Arkansas is hoping to have Powell, who scored 19 points in the Red-White scrimmage on Oct. 23, back on the fl oor soon. Pelphrey said he practiced with the team Sunday, but had a fever Monday and stayed home.

Welsh continues to practice with the team, but his return to games is unknown. When asked if Welsh was out for the semester, Pelphrey said: “It’s possible.”

“I think he’s done a very good job at this point,” Pelphrey said. “Since he’s been back, he’s doing a very good job in school. He is doing very well there.

“He’s at practice every single day working hard, trying to get better and trying to help the team.”

Sports, Pages 11 on 11/03/2009