UALR begins
its 2013-2014 season tonight with high expectations. Despite being picked sixth
in the Sun Belt Conference in the preseason coach’s poll, the expectation is
for the Trojans to compete for the top seed in the postseason tournament.
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| 7 p.m. tonight Jack Stephens Center |
The journey
begins at 7 p.m. tonight as the Trojans (0-0) host North Florida (0-1) at the
Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock.
Much of
UALR’s high expectations rest with senior forward Will Neighbour. Arguably,
Neighbour was UALR’s most heralded recruit in some time. He held firm with his
commitment despite having to spend a couple of years at junior college. And
after a couple of injury plagued seasons (and offseasons), Neighbour is healthy
and poised for a big year.
What makes
Neighbour special is his ability to do a little bit of everything. He has a
devastating fade-away jumper that can be impossible to defend when it’s going
down. And he’s unselfish when opponents try to double team him.
He’ll have
to be special this year if UALR is to meet expectations. That starts with
tonight.
BURN UNIT
While UALR
will have a size advantage on the inside, North Florida will have the height
advantage at the guard spot. If UALR senior Leroy Isler, at 6-5, chases around
North Florida’s Beau Beech, at 6-8, it means UALR’s shooting guards are going
to have to try to match up with North Florida’s Charles McRoy, who is 6-6. That
task will fall to the likes of Josh Hagins and Kemy Osse, who are both 6-1.
KEYS TO VICTORY
SET THE
ALARM North Florida has the benefit of already playing a game. They’ll have
opening jitters out of the way. UALR needs to get off to a solid start tonight.
LET FREE-DOM
RING The new NCAA rules make the likelihood of more fouls being called in games
this year. UALR needs to get to the free throw line and win that stat line.
NO FREE
THREE North Florida made 9 of 24 three-pointers (38 percent) while holding
Florida to 2 of 10 (20 percent) on Friday. Senior Leroy Isler figures to get
the matchup against North Florida’s Beau Beech, who made 5 of 8 threes. Beech,
who is 6-8, didn’t even attempt a shot inside the arc. Against Florida he
migrated to the three-point line and spent most of his time there. But he doesn’t
need much space to get off his shot. He uses his height and has a quick
release. And he’s always looking to shoot.
VEGAS, BABY
As of last
check, no line has been set for tonight’s game.
