Off-court problems hanging over short-handed Hogs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP)—When Arkansas takes the court for its season opener Friday night, the short bench will tell the whole, unpleasant story.

Only eight players are expected to suit up against Alcorn State. One starter is injured, but five other Razorbacks are suspended and the program—once the pride of Arkansas and a perennial power under Nolan Richardson—is struggling with a host of problems.

“We’re the University of Arkansas. We’ve had unbelievable coaches, unbelievable teams, great, great players who have done some remarkable things,” coach John Pelphrey said in announcing the suspensions this week. “I’m not going to apologize for believing that we should do it a certain way, for being disciplined. There are consequences for your actions. Know that.”

Pelphrey’s tough talk comes with the program at a crossroads. He’s entering his third season with the Razorbacks, and although he took them to the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2008, Arkansas fell apart last season. The Hogs won only two Southeastern Conference games and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2005.

Pelphrey has been more than willing to suspend players, but off-court issues haven’t gone away. Before last season, the Razorbacks lost guard Patrick Beverley, who later said somebody wrote a paper for him while he was with the team. Earlier this year, the program was put on notice by the NCAA about its low academic-progress rate.

Less than three months ago, three players were accused of rape. No charges were filed after an investigation, but Pelphrey said his athletes should be held to a higher standard of conduct. He suspended each of the three for multiple games, though he didn’t say why. Two other players were suspended indefinitely for reasons the team won’t disclose.

Ro DiBrezzo, a university professor who used to coach women’s basketball at Central Michigan, said she’s hopeful Pelphrey’s methods will work in the long run.

“I think he is really trying to be a good steward,” said DiBrezzo, who is also chair of the campus faculty. “The good news is he’s not compromising. The bad news is he’s not compromising.”

DiBrezzo said in sports, as in academics, progress doesn’t always happen overnight.

“If you’re going to change the culture of an academic unit, sometimes it takes a long time,” she said.

Bud Walton Arena opened during the 1993-94 season, when Arkansas won the national championship. When it’s full and loud, there aren’t many better places to see a game. Arkansas is one of few schools in this area where basketball occasionally overshadows football.

In 2002, the Razorbacks fired Richardson in an acrimonious ending to his 17-year tenure as coach. He later lost a discrimination lawsuit against the school, but returned to campus last season when his ’94 team was honored. He has been publicly supportive of Pelphrey.

“I’m always going to be on the coach’s side,” Richardson said.

Pelphrey is Arkansas’ second coach since Richardson, if you don’t count Dana Altman’s one-day tenure in 2007. After Stan Heath was fired, Altman took the job and then immediately backed out. Pelphrey was eventually hired.

“You’ve got two coaches in the period of eight years,” Richardson said. “Sometimes you’ve got to say, ‘Hey, you’ve got to build something here.”’

The Razorbacks draw support from all over the area and there aren’t any other options in the state for fans of big-time college basketball. Dena Shoffit, 26, works at a sports bar across the street from Arkansas’ baseball and indoor track facilities. There’s a good crowd any time the Razorbacks have a big game.

“Arkansas fans love Arkansas so much. I think we could have absolutely nobody playing and we’d still have a crowd and we’d still have season tickets sold,” she said. “Arkansas fans are loyal.”

That loyalty, however, creates a spotlight, and the basketball team’s problems are on plenty of minds. Dave Farmer, 53, is a bartender on Dickson Street, at the center of Fayetteville nightlife. He said he’s glad Pelphrey is willing to discipline players.

“I like what he’s doing. I think it’s about time,” Farmer said. “Do what you’re supposed to do. If not, bench ‘em. I’m proud of Pelphrey.”

Corliss Williamson, a star on the NCAA championship team, agrees.

“I applaud coach Pelphrey and his staff for taking a stand. The most important thing is how those young men develop as people off the court,” said Williamson, now a coach at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock.

Pelphrey knows his job is to win games, and he’ll have to do that while also trying to improve the program’s image. The long road back starts Friday night, and Pelphrey is doing everything he can to rally support for his short-handed team.

“Adversity is tough, but I think it makes you better if you’re not afraid of it,” he said. “I want all of the Hog fans to understand—all of the great state of Arkansas to understand—that I’m fearless in my resolve for what we’ve got a chance to do here.”