UALR freshmen Josh Hagins and James White are a lot further from being
NBA selections than North Texas’ sophomore Tony Mitchell. But it was difficult
to tell during Thursday’s 67-53 by UALR over North Texas.
Hagins finished with 11 points, 8 assists, 6 steals, 2 blocks with only
one turnover in 33 minutes. White had 16 points, 4 rebounds and an assist in 24
minutes.
Those numbers beat those put up by Mitchell, who had 13 points, 5
rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and a steal. The NBA scouts might have come to
see Mitchell. But it was the UALR freshmen who put on the show.
BURN UNIT
Loved that after Tony Mitchell scored on a second half dunk, and a
pretty decent one at that, it was announced on the PA as a “layup by No. 13
Tony Mitchell.”
BURNING SENSATION
The National Anthem was a hit on Thursday. The halftime show? Was the
group singing or lip syncing? I guess the solos were pretty good. And the guy
playing the sax was awesome.
STAT OF THE GAME
1 UALR had one turnover in the second half. One. Yes one. One. Unreal.
KEYS REVISITED
Deny Mitchell: Tony Mitchell had 13 points and 5 rebounds. Most of
Mitchell’s touches came outside the three-point line. Grade: A-.
3D: North Texas made 3 of 9 three-pointers. That’s above their season
average but UALR’s defense made sure they weren’t a factor. Grade: B
Rebound: UALR got outrebounded 32-30, including 11-10 in offensive
rebounds. But we saw more fight out of UALR going after the ball tonight. That
was especially evident in Will Neighbour’s play. He finished with 11 rebounds,
5 offensive. Grade: B.
THE GOOD
Josh Hagins had 8 assists and only one turnover.
THE BAD
UALR got outrebounded again, albeit only 32-30 in this game.
THE UGLY
UALR made only 4 of 10 free throws. Yep, 40 percent.
VEGAS, BABY
UALR went in as between a 3 and 4 point favorite, making them an easy
winner.
PREDICTIONS
Everyone was a winner. Real Time RPI’s pick of 76-62 was closest to the
winning margin.
UP NEXT
UALR hosts Florida International on Saturday afternoon. FIU beat Arkansas State on Thursday and has won four consecutive games.
