Just who will be suiting up for both teams today remains a
bit of a mystery.
UALR (0-1) travels to Gainesville, Fla., to take on Florida
(1-1) at 3:30 p.m. Central today. The game will be televised by Sun Sports and
is also available via Watch ESPN (ESPN3).
UALR senior forward Will Neighbour played in last Monday’s
opener vs. North Florida after re-injuring his shoulder in practice. But he
wasn’t as effective as expected and his status isn’t completely clear for today’s
game. And junior guard Ben Dillard didn’t play Monday due to a back injury. His
status has also not been cleared up.
Florida also has some issues due to injuries and
suspensions. The most notable is the suspensions of Dorian Finney-Smith,
Damontre Harris and Scottie Wilkbekin. None of the three have played so far
this season. On Friday, Donovan reinstated Finney-Smith, a 6-8 sophomore. But Finney-Smith is ill and would need to recover a bit to play (expect him to play).
Harris, a 6-10 junior, and Wilkbekin, a 6-2 senior, remain suspended. Wilkbekin is apparently practicing with the team though while Harris is not.
Dillon Graham didn't play vs. Wisconsin on Tuesday and still isn't at 100 percent with his hip injury.
Harris, a 6-10 junior, and Wilkbekin, a 6-2 senior, remain suspended. Wilkbekin is apparently practicing with the team though while Harris is not.
Dillon Graham didn't play vs. Wisconsin on Tuesday and still isn't at 100 percent with his hip injury.
Florida appears to have survived a couple of injury scares
in Tuesday’s game against Wisconsin. Both Casey Prather (6-6 senior) and Will
Yeguete (6-8 senior) went down with injuries during that game but returned.
BURN UNIT
Florida has
the type of size that can totally expose UALR on both ends of the court. The
Gators will likely start 6-1, 6-6, 6-6, 6-8 and 6-9 and bring 6-6, 6-8, 6-10
off the bench. UALR has a little bit of size but zero depth on the front line.
That means sophomore James White, junior Gus Leeper and senior Will Neighbour
have got to stay on the court.
KEYS TO VICTORY
1
2.
BOMBS AWAY: Yes, UALR needs to drive to the
basket. Yes, UALR needs to try and draw fouls on Florida. Yes, UALR needs to
get to the free throw line. But the reality is with Florida’s size advantage,
UALR is going to have to make some threes.
3.
VALUE THE BALL: UALR was great from a turnover
standpoint against North Florida (even with UNF pressing most of the game).
UALR has to keep turnovers close today.
