Dillard shows potential as UALR's missing shooter

BURN THE HORSE

Ben Dillard

It’s way to early to pass judgment either way on freshman Ben Dillard’s ability as a three-point threat for UALR. But recent trends show a lot of promise.

Take a look at the season statistics. UALR is shooting just 27.3 percent from the three-point line as a team and Dillard is right in the middle of it. He’s 4 of 14 from the three-point arc on what so far has been a poor-shooting team.


UALR’s best three-point shooter by percentage is non-three-point shooter Courtney Jackson, who is 3 of7 for 42.9 percent. And of the four players attempting more than two three-pointers per game, only Will Neighbour is topping 30 percent (He’s actually nearing 40 percent at 9 of 23 for 39.1 percent).

Then there’s Dillard. He didn’t get off to a great start from the three-point line this season. In fact, he was 0 for 6 in his first five games of college basketball. In the past three games, Dillard is 4 of 8 and emerging as a legitimate three-point threat.

These shots came in losses to Northwestern State and SMU and a victory over Philander Smith. The competition gets greater on Saturday afternoon when the Trojans host Missouri State at the Stephens Center. The Bears have done a nice job defending the three-point line, holding opponents to 33 percent. We’ll find out Dillard’s potential soon enough.