UALR Coach Steve Shields
has had a lot of different types of teams in his time with the Trojans.
Different years have featured different strengths and weaknesses. But typically
they have a DNA that is easy to recognize.
This year is an
exception. UALR’s inability to defend the three-point line is baffling and is
one of the major factors still holding this team back. And the Trojans will
look to improve in that area when they host Texas State at 7 p.m. tonight at
the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock.
Nationally, teams are
making 34.2 percent of their three-point shots. UALR has allowed opponents to
shoot higher than 34 percent in 13 of its 18 games played this season.
That’s bad. But even
worse is the fact that the problem appears to be getting worse. UALR has
allowed opponents to shoot above 40 percent from three-point range in five of
its six Sun Belt Conference games. The only exception was South Alabama’s 9 of
34 for 26 percent. It should be noted that USA actually made 5 of its first 6
three-point attempts. No idea what happened after that.
UALR gave up 46 percent
to Texas State, 42 percent to Texas-Arlington, 43 percent to Troy, 45 percent
to Western Kentucky and 44 percent to Georgia State.
That brings us to
tonight. Texas State attempts about 15 three-pointers per game and shoots just
under the national average at 33.9 percent. The Bobcats made 5 of 11 in the
first meeting with UALR.
Texas State isn’t really
that bad a three-point shooting team if you take away the 1 of 24 that Victor
Bermudez has put up. Everyone else is shooting a combined 37 percent. Five
players are shooting 39 percent or better.
Since basically the same
defensive philosophy is being utilized by UALR, it comes down to talent and desire
to contest these attempts. If this UALR team is as talented as we believe it
can be, this is an area it will have to improve.
BURN UNIT
It doesn’t seem right to
be playing Texas State a second time when UALR has yet to face
Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe or Arkansas State. But here we are.
INJURY UPDATE
UALR appears to still be
without J.T. Thomas. He has an injury that will ultimately require surgery. It’s
not known whether or not he can return this season. Complicating matters is the
possibility that Thomas could get a medical redshirt. He meets all the criteria
except one. That is the fact that he has already used a redshirt year. But it’s
not unheard of for a player to get a sixth year of eligibility.
KING PRIAM’S KEYS
Threes below 35: See
above. Holding Texas State to no better than the low 30s in three-point
shooting percentage is a need.
Js for Josh: This we
know for sure: When Josh Hagins plays well, UALR plays well.
Smash the Glass: Texas
State has given up 52 more offensive rebounds than it has secured this season.
UALR has to hit the glass hard tonight.
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS?
UALR is a five-point
favorite tonight. The Trojans have only been favored in three previous games
this season, beating Jacksonville State and South Alabama and losing to Troy.
