It will be really easy to rate UALR’s nonconference season.
It goes like this as the Trojans prepare to take on
Jacksonville State at 5 p.m. tonight at Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin
Islands. UALR will play that game tonight as part of the BV I Tropical
Shootout. They’ll also play on Saturday against either Southern Miss or Coppin
State.
Win two games and UALR has a chance at a .500 nonconference
season against an extremely difficult schedule. That would no doubt be
considered a tremendous success.
Split the trip and finish at least one game below.500 for
nonconference play. That wouldn’t be considered a disaster but would definitely
be a disappointment.
Lose both games and the sky starts falling. That would make
for a disastrous nonconference season.
Winning both games won’t be easy. UALR (3-6) is a four-point
favorite tonight against Jacksonville State (5-8). But Jacksonville State no doubt believes they’re
winning tonight and they’ll have some confidence. Just before leaving for BVI,
Jacksonville State played its best game of the season in an 82-73 victory over
Central Michigan.
BURN UNIT
No excuses. That’s the message UALR Coach Steve Shields sent
his team after travel delays turned a 12-hour trip into a 34-hour excursion.
UALR arrived in BVI after dark on Thursday night and was able to practice
Friday morning in Tortola. Meanwhile, Jacksonville State players were Tweeting
photos of the beautiful landscapes BVI has to offer as early as Thursday
morning.
INJURY REPORT
We know junior J.T. Thomas made the trip to Tortola. We don’t
know his injury status for this weekend’s games. We’re not sure about the
status of Jacksonville State’s D.J. Felder. He started the first 12 games of
the season and then didn’t play on Tuesday vs. Central Michigan. But we can’t
find any reference to him getting hurt.
He is listed as a starter in Jacksonville State’s game notes but they
also say that is “the Gamecocks’ last time out.” And he didn’t play last time
out. Stay tuned.
FAMILIAR FACE
Jacksonville State is coached by former Southern Miss Coach
James Green.
KEYS TO VICTORY
Don’t Pass Glass: In Jacksonville State’s five victories
this season, the Gamecocks have a +7.2 rebounding margin. In their eight
losses, they have a -5.7 rebounding margin. Control the glass and have a chance
to win.
Punch the Clock: UALR has had virtually no time to explore
the British Virgin Islands at this point. They need to be locked in tonight
from the start. Jacksonville State will be confident after their victory
earlier this week and will try to bury the Trojans early.
Confidence in Twos: UALR needs another solid effort from its
2 guards tonight, starting with sophomore Josh Hagins. When Hagins plays well,
UALR plays well. And the Trojans need him tonight.
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS
UALR started as a three-point favorite. The line has since
moved to four points. It’s the first time this season UALR has been favored on
a Las Vegas line.