KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Mike Sanchez doubtful for South Carolina

2/9/2012 at 3:11pm

Arkansas forward Michael Sanchez is doubtful for Saturday's game against South Carolina.

Sanchez, a 6-8 senior, is rehabbing a sprained shoulder. He injured it during the Razorbacks loss to Georgia on Wednesday.

It's yet another setback for Sanchez, who missed much of the preseason with a back injury and has dealt with injury throughout his five seasons at Arkansas. Sanchez had started 23 of 24 games this year and was averaging 4.3 points and 3.6 rebounds.

Coach Mike Anderson said Sanchez had been valuable as an experienced player willing to do "dirty work."

"To me, Mike is a blue collar guy and that's what he has done for us this year, blue collar things," Anderson said.

Without Sanchez, an already thin Arkansas frontcourt takes another hit. Marshawn Powell was injured just three games into the season and Marvell Waithe missed two games with a calf strain.

Waithe is back in the lineup and the team's freshmen frontcourt players, Devote Abron and Hunter Mickelson, will be required to do more. Brandon Mitchell, a walk-on from football, could also see increased minutes with Sanchez out of action.

Anderson said losing Sanchez is just par for the course this season.

"It's been a year of adjustments," Anderson said. "I think for the most part these guys have done OK. From a coach's standpoint, from a teaching standpoint, from a strategy standpoint, you're always having to adjust."

Still, the Razorbacks entered a two game road swing (eventually losses) considered among the teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble. Losses have put the team's postseason status in jeopardy, but Anderson said he still thinks the team has a chance to finish strong with seven games and the SEC Tournament remaining.

Arkansas hosts South Carolina at 12:30 p. m. on Saturday.