Powell on second team, Arkansas fourth

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Southeastern Conference released its preseason media poll and honors on Monday afternoon and sophomore forward Marshawn Powell was tabbed as a second-team preseason performer while the Razorbacks were picked to finish fourth in the conference’s western division.

Powell just missed out on first-team honors by the media as he earned the highest point total for a second-team player. The 6-7 forward led Arkansas in rebounding a year ago and is the only returning All-Freshman player in the league to be a unanimous pick by the SEC coaches. Powell is one of just three underclassmen to be recognized on either of the All-SEC preseason teams.

"Everyone understands how I feel about preseason awards," Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey said. "Even with these honors there are no trophies or certificates that go along with them. That said, the positive recognition of Marshawn Powell has a lot to do with him working hard. I look forward to big things from him this year. Our league and division are very challenging and as a team we need to improve every day."

As a team, the Razorbacks received 72 points in the preseason poll which was compiled on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 basis for each division. Mississippi State received 18 of 20 first-place votes for 118 points and was followed by Ole Miss (84) and Alabama (82) in the Western Division rankings. LSU (41) and Auburn (23) rounded out the division. In the east, Florida (110) was ranked at the top of the division and was followed by Kentucky (95), Georgia (72), Tennessee (71), Vanderbilt (52) and South Carolina (20).

The Razorbacks continue practices this week and will host their annual Red-White scrimmage on Friday evening at Bud Walton Arena. Red-White activities begin at 7:15 p.m.