(Home) UALR- 1/18, 7:30 pm CT

UALR is one of those teams that looks the part when they run out of the tunnel. They have 4 players averaging double figures and 2 others around 9 a game. KK Robinson is just a dude, a former top 100 rated player coming out of high school. Their other big addition, the big man from Arkansas who became eligible recently, hasn’t factored into their plans much this year.

UAL takes a lot of 3s and they miss a lot of 3s. Defensively they are struggling again, much like they did last year. We will need an off night shooting from them and control the backboards to win. This is a winnable game if we play well.

UALR 76
USI 71

I’m going to unfortunately have to think we probably lose this game this year. I’ll say

LR. 78
USI 69

I have noticed several times this year that Vegas as well as many pollsters give us a lot of respect. I’m assuming some of that might be based on how well we have been able to play lots of close games at home.  Sure would be nice to get over the hump and stop losing games by 2-3 points.  I think we have lost 4 games by one possession this year…that’s not being very lucky, especially if it’s a home game. It appears we will be down another player with Campion doubtful for Thursday.  I’m hoping  KP and Causewell can both be on time so they don’t get benched again…that’s why KP didn’t play at SIUE.  He fell asleep and was 30 minutes late so he was told he had to stay in Evansville.  Believe me I’m ALL FOR following rules but does anyone think if Zack Edy was 30 minutes late because he overslept he would have been told he couldn’t have traveled to IU yesterday?  My gut would say no.  I’m not saying he shouldn’t be punished because he should be. But imo, the punishment should be something that ONLY affects KP and not something that hurt the team by him not playing. How about making him run for 2 hours after the game? Or, maybe sit out for a half? Or, having him personally apologize to each player and coach for not following team rules? Maybe I’m in the minority here but I just don’t agree with punishment that negatively affects the team and lets down the fans that paid to watch the game expecting to see our best players and effort.  He could be punished in multiple ways that don’t hurt OTHERS imo. I’m a little salty because I’m getting frustrated playing every game this year short handed. We as fans and season ticket holders didn’t want to see 2/3 s of a team this year. Injuries can’t be helped but even McCord was cleared to play several weeks ago and still is yet to play 1 play in a game. Tilmon could have been a top 2 scorer this year but was dismissed.  KP has been suspended at least 3 games I believe to date and Causewell has been put 2-3 games.  Moore was also suspended early in the season for multiple games.  After all we lost from last year, we can’t afford to lose our top guys like we have. There’s a great reason we haven’t done as well as we all expected preseason.  I just want to stop the disappointment of not having all our guys playing.

Given the amount of injuries and distractions surrounding the team, and our lack of fire power, I don't like our chances. The only way we win is if Little Rocks head coach, Darrell Walker, figures out a way to lose it.
Little Rock 70 USI 61.


Anybody watch the Bradley and SIU game last night? On the road the Braves came back from a 22 point deficit in the second half to win. How I would love for USI to have some of the talent both those teams have. My mind is so fixed on getting a new team for next season.

Swope and Stafford both Juniors doing very well in the MVC.

Edit: Elijah Jones came to USI a year before Stafford/Swope/MilkMan. He is listed on the roster as a Freshman 2 years in a year row because of covid.
Don't forget 6'7 Elijah Jones was part of that recruiting class. Just checked his season stats at Green Bay in the Horizon League.
Starting
Avg 9.2 points / game
64% FG
50% 3pt (only 9/18 so not a big sample size)

Have to think USI would have been a little better this year with these guys. Only question is have they developed more being at their present schools. Stafford and Jones both spent a year in Juco which helped them a lot.

Also, this recruiting class was for Division 2 at the time. The Milk Man was also in that recruiting class and is doing just fine in D1.

That would have been a National Championship caliber roster in D2 at this point.

But times have changed and here we are.

The women and Bruce Pearl’s exciting team to watch is carrying me this basketball season. It is hard to watch basketball when your team struggles to make shots. With that said, I will continue to root this team on because as bad as this team is, the rest of this league for the most part isn’t much better.

The silver lining for a team that isn’t great in this league in a given year is one or two impact players the next year can get you back in the hunt. I imagine we will see another exodus from the better players in this league next year. And although that is not good for this league as a whole, it sure helps us in what is a rebuild situation.

I do look forward to our next recruiting class, though USI will be a tough sell to a lot kids. Still lots of pluses for sure in attending and playing for our university. Will be a big loss in losing Hernandez, and I can't imagine AJ coming back. KP may or may not be back, I'm not sure...I think a lot will depend on how well he finishes his season and his willingness to play for Stan. I lean more that McCord will stay than leave...if Stan felt McCord was intent on transferring and not dedicated to staying he would not keep him around. We desperately need scorers regardless of position, and a fast defensive guard who can dish the ball. As much as I hate the portal, you can rebuild and change your entire team overnight with the right choices.