(What's happening with the Arkansas Razorbacks? Make sure you're in the loop --- take five seconds to Sign up for our FREE Razorbacks newsletter now!)

FAYETTEVILLE – An already shorthanded Arkansas team had even fewer players to work with Friday night than expected.

Down to 10 scholarship players before the exhibition game, the Razorbacks were also without freshman Darious Hall and senior Dustin Thomas in their 78-66 win over Central Oklahoma.

Head coach Mike Anderson announced after the game that Hall was held out for precautionary reasons after bumping heads with a teammate at practice, while Thomas was suspended for a “violation of team rules.”

He did not elaborate on Thomas’ specific violations, but indicated that he wouldn’t play in the exhibition games and could “possibly” miss the first three regular-season games.

“You’re a fifth-year senior,” Anderson said about his disappointment in Thomas. “I think you should know. You put your heart and soul (into it), you worked hard to get to this point and I think you let down your team.”

The pair joined a trio of scholarship players who were already known to be out for the time being.

Senior Arlando Cook is still suspended from playing in games because of his Sept. 2 arrest, sophomore Jalen Harris has to sit out because of NCAA transfer rules and freshman Khalil Garland is out indefinitely with an undisclosed medical condition.

Thomas and Cook combined for 34 starts last season, meaning the Razorbacks are lacking in depth at the forward position.

In Friday’s exhibition, those minutes were filled by senior Trey Thompson (31 minutes), sophomore Adrio Bailey (25), freshman Daniel Gafford (15) and freshman Gabe Osabuohien (1).

“What it does is there are times, you saw tonight, where we went small,” Anderson said. “Not only that, but now that means Adrio, Gabe, those guys are going to be able to command some minutes.

“Trey can’t play 31 minutes at the pace I want them to play, not with the energy that you’re going to exert.”

Be sure to enjoy VIP access to Hawgs247 with our 7-day free trial promotional offer.