BURN THE HORSE
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| UALR (4-10) vs. Denver (11-2) 5 p.m. today Denver, Colo. Vegas says: DU by 15 |
UALR Assistant Coach Joe Kleine does as good a job as any coach at teaching defense against the Princeton offense. And UALR will get their second look at it this season. UALR can’t allow Denver to pick up uncontested layups.
1. Big start: UALR has played well in most of their recent first halves. The Trojans can’t afford to let Denver run away early. The Pioneers have led at the half in 11 of 13 games this season.
2. Board it: Denver’s one major flaw comes in rebounding. The Pioneers are being out rebounded by almost 5 per game. UALR needs to double that to be in tonight’s game.
3. Take care: Denver doesn’t press and doesn’t play pressure defense. That means turnovers need to be kept at a minimum. At the same time, UALR needs to speed Denver’s offense up by applying pressure.
4. Free time: Denver shoots 81.1 percent from the free throw line. The worst free throw shooter on their roster shoots 68 percent. UALR needs to get to the free throw line but they can’t trade charity tosses with the Pioneers and expect to win.
Vegas says:
Denver by 15 points. 15? 15? Wow, that’s a big number. Vegas darlings UALR beat the spread for the fifth time in a row with Thursday’s victory against North Texas. UALR still hasn’t been favored in a game this season.
Predictions
- CBS Sports line (10-3): Denver 74, UALR 54
- Jeff Sagarin (9-4): Denver 85, UALR 68
- The Sports Network (9-4): Denver 77, UALR 65
- Real Time RPI (8-5): Denver 76, UALR 58
- Combination: Denver 78, UALR 59
