BURN THE HORSE
At the beginning of the week, we
thought that if UALR could go 3-1 this week it would be a pretty solid week.
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UALR vs. South Carolina8:30 p.m. tonightPuerto Vallarta, Mexico |
That would have meant winning a
couple of decent home games against Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Jacksonville and splitting
the two games in Mexico.
But after winning the first three
games this week, the feeling is different.
It’s time to get greedy as UALR
(4-2) takes on South Carolina (4-1) at 8:30 tonight in the championship game of
the Hoops for Hope Classic in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
UALR Coach Steve Shields said last
night the recent success wasn’t about what has happened this week, but it was
more about the process of how this team has evolved throughout the month.
But there’s a definite opportunity
to see how far this team has come in nine days. Nine days ago, the Southeastern
Conference’s Ole Miss blistered UALR in a 40-point loss in Oxford, Miss. UALR
gets another shot at an SEC opponent tonight in South Carolina.
Regardless of tonight’s result, this
has been a successful week. But a little icing on the cake would be a nice
treat heading into Sun Belt Conference play.
BURN NOTICE
Through six games, UALR’s freshmen
point guards have combined for a positive assist-to-turnover ratio. John Gillon
and Josh Hagins have a combined 33 assists and 30 turnovers this season. Those
aren’t great numbers, but for freshmen gaining their first collegiate
experience it’s not bad.
BTH KEYS
Turn, turn, turn: South Carolina averages more than 20
turnovers per game. The Gamecocks had 20 in the first half last night against
Missouri State. But they had only five the remainder of the game (second half
and overtime). UALR, which had a season-low seven turnovers last night, needs
to win the turnover battle.
White lightning: UALR’s James White
has been the ultimate garbage player so far. Don’t take that as a negative. It’s
been White’s hustle at both ends of the court that has been a major boost this
week. But White also has a nice jump shot that just hasn’t been falling.
Tonight would be a good night to make that work.
Rebound: South Carolina is going to
be aggressive in attacking UALR. The Trojans have got to get a body on USC
players and hold their own in rebounding.
VEGAS SAYS
South Carolina is a two-point favorite
in the Las Vegas line. We’d suspect that line would have been double digits last
week. UALR is 2-2 as a straight-up underdog and 3-2 vs. the spread this season.
PREDICTIONS
Real Time RPI hasn't updated yet, but everyone else goes with South Carolina. It should be noted that Jeff Sagarin had this game a virtual tie. South Carolina was narrowly rated higher.
REAL TIME RPI (5-1) No pick
THE SPORTS NETWORK (4-1)
South Carolina 70, UALR
63JEFF SAGARIN (4-2) South Carolina 73, UALR 72
CBS SPORTSLINE (4-2) South Carolina 67, UALR 65
OMNI RANKINGS (0-0) Still waiting
BTH AVERAGE (4-2) South Carolina 70.0, UALR 66.7
