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I still say we need a billboard on one of the freeways around town that shows the Trojans and says in big letters, "LITTLE ROCK'S TEAM!"

Expectations

We are about where I thought we would be at this point in the season. However, after seeing the team, I have hopes that we may finish stronger than I had originally hoped.

ULL's inside game

ULL is somewhat of an oddity among teams at our level in that their front line is the strength of thier team. Their top three scorers are 6-5, 6-9, 6-7. The shoot from and defend well from inside the 3-point line, but they do not shoot nor defend from the arc very well.

Defensive stats

I rarely look at scoring defense as an indication of a team's defensive ability, because that is more a function of the pace of the offense. What I mainly look for is opponents' shooting percentages, and to a lesser extent steals and blocks as compared with opponents' steals and blocks.

Neighbour so far

The thing about Will Neighbour's play so far that has surprised me is his rebounding. I certainly did not expect him to be leading the team.

Patience

We are going to have to temper our enthusiasm over the incoming talent with the reality that we are very young and inexperienced yet. It will come, but it will take time.

Freshmen

I would love to get to that ideal situation where all freshmen redshirt - because you have too much talent ahead of them, and because the staff is able to teach well enough that everyone improves vastly over their years there - and because the program is good enough, incoming freshmen don't mind too much redshirting. But that is only a dream. In our situation this year, we REALLY need our freshmen to come through for us, and it appears they are going to contribute greatly. We have some "keepers."

Impressed with the team

I liked what I saw in my first glimpse of the 11-12 version of the Trojans. The incoming talent is very impressive. They are raw yet in some instances, but the potential is considerable. They will win some games I did not think they would. Michael Javes is an outstanding prospect at center. He will be the best big man in the SBC before he is through. Will Neighbour has a great shot, although he needs to gain a lot of strength and stamina. Chuck Guy has picked up the "go to" role from Solomon Bozeman, and he makes his free throws. The only thing about the team that is a cause for immediate concern is ther 3-point shooting and defense, but those probably will come on as the season goes.

I get to see our new Neighbour

Finally, after 2 1/2 years of waiting, I get to see Will Neighbour play tonight. Can't wait! If he is even nearly as good as we have hoped he is, he will be a huge plus for this program.

Finally

Tonight we will get at least an idea of how good our incoming players are. Tulsa will be a pretty good test, especially on the road. Here's hoping.

Investment

We use the word "project" to describe a big man who will not be able to contribute immediately, but might be on down the line. "Investment" might be the better term (at least on that is more optimistic). It is a risk, but at our level, big men who are ready to contribute right off the bat are rare, and having a couple of projects in the pipeline is a good practice.

FAU early

The incoming talent of the other teams may allow them to catch up somewhat by conference time, but there is no doubt that in the early going, at least, FAU is going to be the class of the SBC. Maybe they can get some big non-conference wins for us.

At last!!

College basketball officially begins today. At long last!

European style?

I have long been a fan of the physical style of post play - some call it Big 10 style. I may have to get used to another style this year, though, with Will Neighbour on the roster. Not only is the actually European, but his physical characteristics probably will not allow him to do much banging inside. What frustrates me about the European style is that those post players just are not willing to "get their hands dirty" inside. They do not seem willing to take the pounding, but want to launch away from the perimeter. But someone has to do the dirty work, and I still like the Big 10 better.

Tradition

We badly need some traditions at UALR. Just something we can sink our teeth into as fans and make us feel more a part of the program.

Stan Heath

Head coach Stan Heath of South Florida is listed as the "coach on the hot seat" in pre-season magazines. I hope he makes it. He seems like a class act, at least compared with a lot of the sleeze in college basketball. If he can surprise this year and survive, he might be able to move the program forward after the looming shake-up in the Big East.