BURN THE HORSE
BTH Keys
SHOOT IT: UALR didn’t hold South Alabama to less than 40 percent. But they did hold the Jags to exactly 40 percent. And if that last-second bomb hadn’t gone in, it would have been less than 40 percent. Meanwhile, UALR shot 48 percent from the field and 46 percent from three-point range. Grade: A.
WILL OR WON’T: Definitely Will. Will Neighbour was back in the starting lineup. He made only 2 of 8 field goals but he went 4 of 4 from the free throw line and had two blocked shots. And because of the score, he only had to play 19 minutes. Grade: B+.
WHERE’S CHUCK?: Chuck Guy went 3 of 9 from the field, including 3 of 7 from three-point range. He also missed a free throw but he had 4 assists without a turnover. Grade: B+.
REBOUND RUBIT: UALR fought a good rebounding South Alabama team to a 30-30 stalemate. Augustine Rubit did have a solid night with 22 points and 7 rebounds, but the Jags got little else. Grade: B-.
Vegas, baby
UALR was a 2.5-point favorite going in, making them a winner. The Trojans are now 2-2 as a Vegas favorite this season. It will be interesting to see Saturday’s line. We’re expecting Denver to be a sizeable favorite.
Predictions
Omni Rankings, Jeff Sagarin and Real Time RPI are winners, CBS Sportsline and The Sports Network are losers. Sagarin and CBS are atop the standings with 14-7 records.
Stat of the game
5: All five UALR starters (Jackson, Javes, Neighbour, Williams and Guy) hit a three-pointer on Thursday.
Always negative
Augustine Rubit had a big game with 22 points and 7 rebounds for USA.
Keep it positive
The progression of Michael Javes continues. He had 8 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocked shots on Thursday. It will be interesting to see him on Saturday. In the last meeting with Denver he didn’t even play.
Player of the game
Courtney Jackson with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal. He went 5 of 7 from the field including 2 of 2 from three-point range.
Up next
West Division showdown vs. Denver on Saturday at the Jack.
