A week from now, football may still be the main topic of discussion for most Hog fans, but for all practical purposes a new era of Razorbacks basketball will have begun under John Pelphrey and his coaching staff.

“ We’re eager to get started, ” Pelphrey said. “ We’re looking forward to an exciting season. ”

The Razorbacks begin preseason drills Friday at Walton Arena with an open practice. Doors open at 7: 30 p. m. and all the players and coaches will be the concourse level of the arena to sign autographs for fans. The 2007 basketball schedule poster will be available to those who attend.

Fans are welcome to bring their own items to be signed as well. This will be the only time this season that the entire team will be available to fans.

The Razorbacks actually got a head start on the season with 10 practices prior to a Labor Day trip to Cancun, where the Hogs posted exhibition game victories over Quintana Roo, 60-57, and Belize Select, 108-37.

Since the trip, Pelphrey and assistants Rob Evans, Tom Ostrom and Isaac Brown have only had limited contact with the players, but Pelphrey said those early workouts broke the ice between the staff and the players.

“ Any time there is a new coach, it’s an adjustment for the players and the coaches, ” Pelphrey said. “ I think before the trip there was some anxiety on the part of the players of what was in store, especially with our seniors, who only have eight or nine months left in their [college ] careers.

“ I think we were able to move past that anxiety and get a good feel for each other and for our expectations. We’re going to be on better footing when regular practices begin. We’ve got a foundation. ”

Expectations for this Razorbacks squad are high. The preseason magazines are projecting the Hogs to finish first or second in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference.

And with six seniors returning for their final run through the league, they are in no mood for a rebuilding season.

Charles Thomas (6-8, 231 ), Steven Hill (7-0, 245 ), Darian Townes (6-0, 243 ), Vincent Hunter (6-10, 229 ), Gary Ervin (6-0, 182 ) and Sonny Weems (6-6, 203 ) are all back for their final season.

Sophomores Patrick Beverley (6-1, 180 ), Michael Washington (6-10, 240 ) and Stefan Welsh (6-2, 185 ) all played meaningful minutes, particularly Beverley, who led the team in scoring at 13. 9 ppg., and steals with 61.

“ We have strengths in our front-court depth, ” Pelphrey said. “ We have two very good wing players in Sonny Weems and Patrick Beverley, and we have a very experienced point guard in Gary Ervin.

“ I think our back-court depth is a real question mark. Stefan Welsh can be an important part of this team. With our freshmen, it’s too early to tell. ”

Pelphrey said he would like Welsh to become the most improved player on the team. Welsh is being groomed to play the point along with Ervin. Freshman Marcus Britt is also a point guard, but he is very raw.

Pelphrey would like to avoid using Beverley at the point guard position because he is so valuable at the shooting guard spot.

“ You hate to take an allleague type player and use him at a different position, ” Pelphrey said. “ But Patrick has improved his ball handling. ”

However, Pelphrey said the key to the Razorbacks ’ fortunes is how unselfish the players can be.

“ We have to take care of each other, ” Pelphrey said. “ How much can we sacrifice ? Can each of the players set aside their personal agendas for the good of the team. ”

Pelphrey considers team chemistry a fluid commodity that can be lost as quickly as it is gained.

“ Chemistry is something you have to work on everyday, ” Pelphrey said. “ It can come and go. That’s why we need to really communicate. ”

All the Razorbacks are healthy going into the season except for Weems, who broke his hand in practices prior to the Cancun trip. Weems, however, is expected to begin practice on Friday.