John Pelphrey is entering his third season at Arkansas, but for the first time has an experienced group of returnees who are accustomed to playing in his system.



His first season, in 2008, he inherited a veteran club featuring six seniors, but they had to learn Pelphrey's style on the run. Last year, Pelphrey and staff started from scratch with a roster featuring seven newcomers.



This year, the Razorbacks return six lettermen from last year, including all five starters, while welcoming six newcomers who will immediately provide depth and competition for playing time.



Pelphrey, who is beginning his eighth season overall as a head coach, set a school record in 2008 for wins by a first-year Arkansas head coach after taking the position on April 9, 2007. In the process, he became the first first-year coach to lead Arkansas to a post-season tournament appearance as the Hogs advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.



Arkansas went 23-12, finished second in the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, advanced to the finals of the SEC Tournament and won a game in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999. The Razorbacks were ranked as high as No. 18 during the season and ended the year receiving votes after going 6-2 against ranked teams with a win over No. 24 Indiana in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.



Pelphrey's 23 wins easily set a school record by a first-year head coach, topping the 19-7 mark of Eugene Lambert in 1943. Arkansas' best win total since 1999 (23-11) was achieved with improved offense and rebounding.



The 2008 squad averaged 74.1 points, its best since 2002 (74.9); shot .468 from the field, its best since 1994 (.488); made 514 free throws, its most since 1995 (609); had 1,274 rebounds, its most since 1998 (1,306); averaged 36.4 boards, its best since 2003 (38.0); and limited opponents to 32.2 rebounds, its best defensive average since 1985 (27.5).