FAYETTEVILLE — The truth opens eyes and sometimes it comes from the mouths of babes.
Well, not really a baby, but how about a freshman.
Razorbacks freshman forward Marshawn Powell stepped forward Tuesday and not only accepted a leadership role with the Hogs, he took it and placed it squarely on his back.
When asked how he felt about taking a leadership role as a freshman, the 6-7 forward was bold and strong.
“I believe this is my team now,” Powell said. “Not taking anything from [seniors] Mike [Washington] or Stef [Welsh] or [Stephen] Cox or anything. I’m taking this and putting it on my back. That’s what this team needs is a leader. We haven’t had that all year. It’s my turn to try, I guess.”
A bold statement for sure, but one that makes the Razorbacks’ first-round game against Georgia in the SEC Tournament at 8:45 p.m. (CST) Thursday far more interesting to me.
Arkansas coach John Pelphrey insinuated that he challenged the Razorbacks Monday while they watched film of their give-away loss to Ole Miss last Saturday, leaving “a bad taste” in his players mouth.
When asked, Powell, who was named to the SEC’s All-Freshman team Tuesday morning, politely and wisely dodged the question, but obviously his attitude about his role on the team has changed
