Disciplinary action and injury whittled Arkansas ’ roster to 10 players Friday night during the Red team’s 84-78 win of the Red-White Game at Bud Walton Arena.

With no reserves on either side, all the principals expected to play the full 40 minutes. That was until a former Mr. Basketball from the commonwealth of Kentucky entered the fray for the White team.

At the 8: 45 mark of the first half, Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey removed his oversized sweatshirt and took the floor in relief of walk-on guard Stephen Cox.

Pelphrey hoisted a trio of 3-point attempts during his seven minutes of playing time. His first attempt sailed over the basket, and his second bid spun out. On the third try he found the range, drilling a deep shot from the left wing just before intermission.

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Following the trey a winded Pelphrey begged off without formally checking out, almost collapsing on the White team’s bench. A key cog in Kentucky’s 1992 run to the Elite Eight, Pelphrey relished the chance to rekindle his playing days.

“ I miss playing, make no mistake about that, ” Pelphrey said after the game. “ If I could play today, I’d still be playing. The only reason I’m coaching is because that’s the next closet thing. Unfortunately for me, my day has come and gone. ”

Senior forward Charles Thomas could sense something was afoot when he saw Pelphrey getting taped up before the game.

“ I saw that and said, ‘ is this guy really fixin’ to play ? ’ I was wondering why he wasn’t in a suit, ” Thomas said. “ I guess now we know why. ”

Thomas’ 19 points tied the team-high for the victorious Red squad. Despite the impressive performance, he curried no favor with his coach.

Feeling his oats, Pelphrey drove to the hoop intrepidly at the 6: 50 mark of the first half. Thomas took exception, unceremoniously swatting Pelphrey’s shot. Earlier in the game, he knocked the coach to the floor.

“ He ain’t getting nothing easy down there, ” Thomas said of rejecting Pelphrey. “ It felt good, especially with all the running that he puts us through. It was a little payback. He said tomorrow was going to be a long day for me. ”

Disciplinary reasons compelled Pelphrey to suspend Preseason All-SEC guard Patrick Beverley, senior point guard Gary Ervin and sophomore center Michael Washington for the game. Pelphrey joked that more suspensions might be in order.

“ I think some things will happen, ” Pelphrey quipped. “ Charles Thomas will be suspended for the blocked shot. After reviewing the film, I’m sure they’ll be a few more guys. ”

As for a possible comeback, the 39-year-old Pelphrey said the Red-White game was the last hurrah.

“ I’m done, ” Pelphrey said. “ I’m in retirement. Stick a fork in me. ”