It's back to business for UALR and Coach Steve Shields

BURN THE HORSE

I had a little running joke going with UALR Coach Steve Shields last week.

For the past couple of years, teams playing in these preseason tournaments have had their coaches wearing polo-style shirts during the games. So the UALR coaching staff wore polo shirts for the two games last week at home. Even though they were played at the Jack Stephens Center they were part of the Hoops For Hope Classic.

Shields, like most coaches, is a little superstitious. So after the Trojans played pretty well in beating Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Jacksonville, I texted him to ask if he'd go polo shirt the rest of  the season if they followed that up with two victories in Mexico.

He jokingly (or maybe he was serious) texted me back: "If we win 2, coat & tie are DONE!"

After UALR beat SMU last Saturday in Puerto Vallarta, I informed him he was one win away. He replied: "I hope we get to burn all ties!"

Unfortunately, that didn't work out as the Trojans lost to South Carolina in the championship game. Still, it was a solid 3-1 week for the Trojans. Thanks to Coach Shields for playing in our reindeer games. Business attire is expected to return on Thursday.