The schedule has not done UALR many
favors this season. From a lack of home games to challenging road games to a
postponement that was rescheduled in the middle of final exams, it’s been
difficult.
It continues tonight as UALR (3-5)
travels to top 25-ranked Memphis (6-1) at 7 p.m. at the FedEx Forum.
UALR has played only three home games
so far this year, two vs. NCAA Division II opponents. And last Saturday’s
postponement with Tulsa was moved to Tuesday. That meant UALR had to play on
dead day and race back home so players could take final exams at 8 a.m. on
Tuesday.
They’re missing finals again for today’s
game at Memphis. But at least this one was something they could plan for and
work out with their professors.
"Playing games like this early in the year forces you to compete with a small margin for error," UALR Coach Steve Shields said. "You have to work hard and you have to play the right way to have success in portions of those games as well as throughout entire games. If you don't, you get exposed. But I think games like that are learning experiences for our team."
The good thing is that after tonight
the Trojans will be able to complete final exams before departing British Virgin Islands next Thursday. That
will be quite a reward for a challenging schedule.
BURN UNIT
We’ve been impressed with Memphis so
far this season. The first time we saw the Tigers, they were getting absolutely
hammered by Oklahoma State on National Television. The next time we saw them,
they were winning the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Fla., beating that same
Oklahoma State team in a rematch.
INJURY REPORT
We still expect junior point guard
J.T. Thomas and freshman post Andrew Poulter to be out tonight for UALR. Memphis Coach Josh Pastner said Chris
Crawford, who has an injured ankle, will be a “day of game decision.”
KEYS TO VICTORY
A fine line: UALR has to get to the
free throw line tonight. Easier said than done on the road but Memphis will
attempt to take away UALR’s three-point shooting (and they have the length to
give the Trojans fits).
2 Strong: UALR needs quality minutes
and scoring from its 2 guards. We’re looking for a bounce back game from sophomore
Josh Hagins.
Turning Point: Limit turnovers and
Memphis’ transition points.
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS
Memphis is a whopping 23-point
favorite tonight. UALR hasn’t beat a spread this season.