The bright
spot early this season appears to be the play of junior point guard J.T.
Thomas.
Through
three games, Thomas is averaging 7.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and has turned the
ball over just three times (twice on Monday vs. Middle Tennessee).
One area we’d
like to see go up are his assists. He has only five in three games. But when
your teammates are only shooting 36 percent from the field, it’s difficult to
get assists.
BURN UNIT
UALR
continues to get nothing out of the 2 guard position. It got so bad on Monday
that UALR played about three minutes with junior DeVonte Smith at the point and
starting point guard J.T. Thomas at the 2. Last night’s numbers from the 2 guard included
sophomore Josh Hagins with 4 points in 23 minutes and sophomore Kemy Osse with
1 point in 16 minutes. Thomas, who finished with 11 points, didn’t score in his
three minutes at the 2.
NUMBERS NEVER LIE
0 made
three-pointers. Perhaps someone else will research the last time UALR didn’t
make a three-pointer in the game. The closest in the past four seasons came
when UALR made 1 of 14 vs. Florida Atlantic in 2011-2012. That same season the
Trojans made 1 of 8 vs. Oral Roberts.
GLASS HALF FULL
Middle
Tennessee double teamed Will Neighbour every time he touched the ball. And he
still was almost unstoppable last night. Neighbour finished with 21 points and
8 rebounds. He made 5 of 7 field goals and 11 of 16 free throws. Neighbour is
now averaging 18 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
GLASS HALF EMPTY
While
Neighbour has been good, the inconsistent play from UALR’s other forwards has
hurt. James White was bad vs. North Florida and good against Florida. He had 5
points and 8 rebounds in 28 minutes last night. Gus Leeper was good against
North Florida and bad against Florida. He had 4 points and 3 rebounds in 8
minutes last night. And Mareik Isom was good against North Florida and bad
against Florida. He had 3 points and 1 rebound in 8 minutes last night.
REPORT CARD
Glass
Cleaner: UALR outrebounded Middle Tennessee 37-31, including 12-7 in offensive
rebounds. Grade: A.
Value the
Ball: UALR had 13 turnovers to Middle Tenneseee’s 10. Grade: B.
Two solid:
See Burn Unit Above. Grade: F.
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS
UALR entered
as a 12-point underdog and Middle Tennessee pulled away late to secure that
number. Betting on the Trojans vs. the spread this season would leave you 0-3
at this point.
UP NEXT
It gets no
easier. UALR travels to Baton Rouge, La., to face Southern on Friday. Southern
dropped to 1-4 with a 67-53 loss at Florida last night. Southern trailed 35-19
at halftime.