Five score in double figures as UALR downs Louisiana-Lafayette

68   77

It wasn’t always pretty, but UALR got back on track on Thursday with a 77-68 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock.

Five Trojans scored in double figures as UALR (16-14, 10-9) clinched no worse than the No. 6 seed at next week’s Sun Belt Tournament. UALR will be the No. 5 seed, and earn a first-round bye, if the Trojans beat Arkansas State on Saturday or Western Kentucky loses to Middle Tennessee.

BTH Vote: Who was the UALR player of the game on Thursday vs. Louisiana-Lafayette?

	Will Neighbour (17p, 11r)
	John Gillon (13p, 5a)
	Ben Dillard (13p)
	Leroy Isler (10p, 5r)
	Josh Hagins (14p, 7r, 3a)
pollcode.com free polls

UALR beats Louisiana-Lafayette 77-68

More to come. Will Neighbour had a double double with 17 and 11.

BTH Live Tweetcast: UALR vs. Louisiana-Lafayette live updates at 7:30 tonight

UALR hosts Louisiana-Lafayette at 7:30 tonight. We'll have live game updates, observations, commentary, other Sun Belt scores and more.

Mobile users. Follow along on Twitter at this link: CLICK HERE

BTH Gameday: The way UALR is losing is more concerning than actual losses

If there had been a road sign on the UALR schedule two weeks ago it might have read “Caution: Dangerous Curves Ahead.”

Even Though UALR had won four of five games and was sitting in first place in the Sun Belt Conference’s West Division, the most dangerous part of their schedule was ahead. In order to keep pace, UALR would need to at least scratch on a four game stretch that included at Arkansas State, home vs. Middle Tennessee and at Florida International and Florida Atlantic.

That the Trojans lost all four games wasn’t a huge surprise. They weren’t favored in any of them. The surprise came in how they lost.

Now the questions about UALR’s offense are lingering as the Trojans host Louisiana-Lafayette at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Jack Stephens Center. UALR needs a victory and a Western Kentucky loss to clinch a first-round bye in next week’s Sun Belt Tournament. Louisiana-Lafayette needs a win and a WKU loss to keep its hopes alive for a bye.

UALR still with work to do; Sun Belt byes not yet decided

With two games remaining for most teams in Sun Belt Conference play, there are still four schools in competition for two remaining first-round byes at next week’s Sun Belt Tournament in Hot Springs.

Middle Tennessee (17-1), Arkansas State (12-6) and South Alabama (13-5) are already assured of the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 seeds. That leaves the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds.

The four remaining teams vying for the two remaining byes are: Florida International (10-8), UALR (9-9), Western Kentucky (9-9) and Florida Atlantic (8-11).

If Florida International wins either Thursday at Louisiana-Monroe or Saturday at Florida Atlantic, they will be the No. 4 seed. If they lose either game, it opens up a number of possibilities.

If UALR wins either Thursday (ULL) or Saturday (ASU) OR Western Kentucky wins Thursday (USA) or Saturday (MTSU) it will eliminate Florida Atlantic and Louisiana-Lafayette from bye consideration.

Florida International and UALR are the only teams in control of their bye destiny. UALR would guarantee a bye by winning both Thursday and Saturday.

Here are some tiebreaking scenarios:

• UALR and WKU at either 9-11, 10-10 or 11-9: UALR wins
• UALR and FIU at either 10-10 or 11-9: FIU wins
• UALR, WKU and FIU at either 10-10 or 11-9: UALR gets the 4, FIU the 5 and WKU the 6.
• UALR, WKU and Florida Atlantic at 9-11: FAU gets the 5, UALR the 6 and WKU the 7.
• UALR, WKU, FAU and ULL at 9-11: FAU gets the 5, ULL gets the 6, UALR the 7 and WKU the 8.

BTH Up Next: UALR (15-14, 9-9) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (11-18, 7-11)

WHEN 7:30 p.m. Thursday

WHERE Jack Stephens Center, Little Rock

TICKETS Available at the Stephens Center box office or by calling (501) 565-UALR. Prices: End zone ($7 adults/$5 children); Level 200 ($12); Level 100 ($18); Leather ($24); Club ($38).

ALL-TIME SERIES ULL leads 22-16

LAST MEETING ULL 79, UALR 70 (Dec. 29)

VEGAS SAYS TBA

RADIO KABZ 103.7 in Little Rock (Ray Tucker)

TV None

TWEETCAST www.burnthehorse.blogspot.com

AND ONES  A UALR victory and a Western Kentucky loss to South Alabama on Thursday clinches a first-round bye for the Trojans in next week’s Sun Belt Tournament. … Louisiana-Lafayette remains alive for the fifth bye at next week’s Sun Belt Tournament because they can ultimately win a three-way tiebreaker with UALR and Western Kentucky if all three teams finish at 9-11. ULL would have to beat UALR and ULM, have UALR lose at home to ASU and have Western lose at home to South Al and Middle. 

BTH Sun Belt Update: Top 3 locked in; four in contention for final bye

Arkansas State clinched the West Division championship and No. 2 seed by beating Troy on Saturday. The top three seeds in next month's tournament are set. Middle Tennessee is the No. 1 seed, ASU the No. 2 and South Alabama the No. 3. Florida International can clinch the No. 4 spot with a victory at Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday or at Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

That leaves four teams for the final first-round bye. UALR and Western Kentucky are currently tied at 9-9 with UALR holding the tiebreaker. Florida Atlantic and Louisiana-Lafayette are still in it as well.

Thursday's games:

• Arkansas State at North Texas (7 p.m.)  Meaningless game for Arkansas State. North Texas, currently 10th, could still move up to the 8/9 game.
• South Alabama at Western Kentucky (7 p.m.) Meaningless game for South Alabama. Western Kentucky gets the bye if it sweeps USA and Middle Tennessee at home this week and UALR slips up.
• Louisiana-Lafayette at UALR (7:30 p.m.) UALR can eliminate ULL from the bye with a win. It would also bolster the Trojans' chances of getting it.
• Florida International at Louisiana-Monroe (7:30 p.m.) FIU can clinch the 4 spot with a win. A loss keeps UALR alive for the 4.
• Middle Tennessee at Troy (7:30 p.m.) Middle Tennessee is in prime position for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament if it slips up in the Sun Belt Tournament. But a loss here would change that.

BTH Morning After: UALR doesn't hold a lead for the final 60 minutes of Florida trip

UALR participated in 80 minutes of basketball on their trip to Florida. They led for only 5 minutes and 20 seconds of that time. And they didn’t hold a lead of any kind in the final 60 minutes.

That pretty much sums up the trip. And it cost UALR any shot at the West Division championship.

What’s worse is that UALR is now in a fight just to get a first-round bye. The Trojans can still finish as high as fourth or could fall as far as seventh by failing to eliminate FAU from that consideration on Saturday night.

UALR never gets going, gets swept on Florida trip

UALR’s hopes for a No. 2 seed in the Sun Belt Conference went out the window on Saturday. Now the Trojans are just trying to hold on to a first-round bye.

UALR never got anything going offensively again on Saturday in a 73-59 loss to Florida Atlantic at FAU Arena in Boca Raton, Fla.

BTH Live Tweetcast: UALR vs. FAU game updates starting at 6 Central

UALR travels to Florida Atlantic at 6 tonight. We'll have live game updates, observations, commentary, other Sun Belt scores and more.

Mobile users. Follow along on Twitter at this link: CLICK HERE

BTH Gameday: For UALR, stopping FAU isn't just about slowing Gantt

6 p.m. tonight

When UALR and Florida Atlantic matched up the first time this season, we assumed the top on-court matchup would be UALR’s defensive stopper Leroy Isler vs. Florida Atlantic’s Greg Gantt, the Sun Belt Conference’s leading scorer.

And in the first half of that game, Isler completely shut down Gantt. And it didn’t matter. Florida Atlantic still rolled to a 22-point first-half lead and led 35-19. Gantt got going in the second half and finished with 13 points. Again, it didn’t matter. UALR outscored FAU 46-27 in the second half and rallied for a 65-62 victory.

Watch the end of UALR's 1986 upset of Notre Dame

This is much higher quality than the video we've had in the past. Watch the closing minutes of UALR's 1986 NCAA Tournament upset of Notre Dame.

BTH Up Next: UALR (15-13, 9-8) vs. Florida Atlantic (12-17, 7-11)

WHEN 6 p.m. Saturday

WHERE FAU Arena

ALL-TIME SERIES UALR leads 5-3

LAST MEETING UALR 65, FAU 62 (Jan. 24)

VEGAS SAYS TBA

RADIO KABZ 103.7 in Little Rock (Phil Elson)

TV None

TWEETCAST www.burnthehorse.blogspot.com

AND ONES  We don’t know the status of FAU’s Pablo Bertone for Saturday. He didn’t make Thursday’s trip to North Texas because of an esophageal virus. Bertone is the Owls’ third leading scorer. … FAU went scoreless in overtime during Thursday’s loss at UNT. … FAU’s Jackson Trapp did return from injury and played on Thursday.

BTH Sun Belt update: UALR not out but ASU closing in on No. 2

UALR’s loss at Florida International didn’t completely eliminate the Trojans from the No. 2 seed. But it did eliminate the clearest route.

Still, there are scenarios that could put UALR in the No. 2 spot. The bottom line is that if Arkansas State wins on Saturday at home against Troy (which is likely) and UALR loses on Saturday at Florida Atlantic, ASU wins both the West Division and the No. 2 seed.

BTH Morning After: Offensive execution, defensive gamble hurt UALR in key segment

Thursday’s game slipped away early in the second half when UALR was unable to capitalize on really good defense. The result was a loss to Florida International that likely knocks UALR out of a No. 2 seed in next month’s Sun Belt Tournament.

UALR trailed 29-25 at halftime and FIU quickly extended its lead to 7 points. But UALR fought back, getting to within 32-29 on a dunk by sophomore Michael Javes with 18:28 left.

UALR then got stop after stop on defense. Their offensive possessions included:

• A missed three-pointer by sophomore Ben Dillard;
• A turnover by junior Will Neighbour;
• A missed three-pointer by freshman Josh Hagins;
• A missed three-pointer by Will Neighbour (with a missed putback by Hagins);
• And a missed jump shot from a bad position by Hagins.

UALR can't get over hump in loss to FIU; likely falls to 4/5 game

52    65

UALR couldn’t get over the hump on Thursday in a 65-52 loss to Florida International at U.S. Century Bank Arena in Miami.

UALR has now lost three consecutive games and falls 2 full games behind Arkansas State in the Sun Belt Conference’s West Division standings. Both teams have three games remaining.

BTH Live Tweetcast: UALR vs. Florida International game updates

UALR travels to Florida International at 6:30 p.m. tonight. We'll have live game updates, observations, commentary, other Sun Belt scores and more.
Sun Belt tonight (Troy at ULL; FAU at UNT; ULM at WKU; USA at MTSU)

Mobile users. Follow along on Twitter at this link: CLICK HERE

BTH Gameday: UALR faces must-win in quest for No. 2 seed

It’s really simple for UALR. Win tonight and still have a chance at a No. 2 seed in next month’s Sun Belt Tournament in Hot Springs. Lose tonight and likely be either the fourth or fifth seed.

UALR takes on Florida International at 6:30 p.m. Central tonight in a preview of what could be a first-round tournament matchup in a couple of weeks.

Former UALR Trojan Rashad Jones-Jennings still rebounding

Former UALR Trojan Rashad Jones-Jennings continues to be a rebounding monster on his team in Singapore. Jones-Jennings led the nation in rebounding while he was at UALR. His career included a 30-rebound effort vs. UAPB.

Check out this story:
http://www.foxsportsasia.com/other-sports/news/detail/item937077/Intangibles-the-key-for-Jones-Jennings/

Sun Belt's conference RPI ranks best in nine seasons

The Sun Belt Conference is enjoying a basketball resurgence that hasn't been seen in nine seasons.

Through Tuesday's games, the Sun Belt ranks 14th in conference Ratings Percentage Index (RPI). The Sun Belt hasn't finished that high since the 2004-2005 season when it finished 13th.

The secret this year has been both the success of Middle Tennessee and of the bottom teams in the conference. The Sun Belt doesn't have a team ranked in the 300s this season.

The same was true in the 2004-2005 season -- at least on the back end. The worst RPI team in the conference that season was New Mexico State at 292. On the high end, Louisiana-Lafayette (47), Western Kentucky (75) and UALR (79) all finished inside the top 100. UALR was actually much higher in unofficial calculations most of that season. Then the NCAA released a slightly altered RPI formula and UALR dropped. Eventually, UALR was left out of postseason after a quarterfinal upset in the Sun Belt Tournament.

Up next: UALR (15-12, 9-7) vs. Florida International (14-12, 9-8)

WHEN 6:30 p.m. Thursday

WHERE U.S. Century Bank Arena, Miami

ALL-TIME SERIES UALR leads 17-8

LAST MEETING UALR 88, FIU 76 (Jan. 12)

VEGAS SAYS TBA

RADIO KABZ 103.7 in Little Rock (Ray Tucker)

TV None

TWEETCAST www.burnthehorse.blogspot.com

AND ONES  The first meeting between UALR and FIU was a run-and-gun affair. Michael Javes was dunking and making free throws. James White put together a highlight reel dunk. And UALR survived 21 turnovers to win. … In that game, UALR had five players in double figures (Javes, Neighbour, White, Dillard and Hagins while FIU had six (Smith, Murphy, Frink, Bell, Hill and Porcher Jimenez). … UALR is 6-6 all time at U.S. Century Bank Arena. That includes the five overtime loss in 2005.

Lockhart's status going forward not known

Last night on The Steve Shields Show, UALR Coach Steve Shields addressed the health of sophomore guard Taggart Lockhart.

"We're not real sure how long he's going to be out," he said.

Lockhart suffered a concussion in the first half of a Feb. 2 game against South Alabama. He returned on Feb. 14 vs. Arkansas State but was knocked out of the game after a flagrant foul in the second half. Lockhart was not in uniform for Saturday's game against Middle Tennessee.

Lockhart is averaging 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds this season.

Concussions are taken much more seriously than they were 10-15 years ago. A concussion recently ended the career of North Texas' Jacob Holmen.

BTH Analysis: Starters outweigh reserves in UALR loss to MT

Click to enlarge

The UALR starters were not bad. The bench just didn’t help much. That’s what the BTH analysis shows during Saturday’s 66-61 loss to Middle Tennessee at the Jack Stephens Center.

The top five players in the plus/minus rating were the five starters. They were an average of +0.8 on the night. The five reserves were an average of -5.8.

BTH Sun Belt standings: No seeding movement after Saturday's games

No real surprises in Saturday's games and that resulted in no table changes for next month's Sun Belt Tournament seeding in Hot Springs.

UALR still has a shot at the West Division championship and No. 2 seed, but the Trojans will need some help. Assuming Arkansas State will beat Troy at home this week, UALR would then have to win its final four games. Arkansas State would also have to lose at North Texas. That would tie the teams at 13-7 in the standings and give UALR a better divisional record. Arkansas State will be the No. 2 seed in almost every other scenario.

Middle Tennessee, South Alabama and Arkansas State have earned first-round byes. UALR isn't quite there yet but is in good shape. UALR is two games ahead of Western Kentucky and controls the tiebreaker vs. the Hilltoppers.

Here's a look at Thursday's games:

• UALR at Florida International: Right now, this looks like a preview of a Sun Belt Tournament quarterfinal game. UALR needs a win to keep its hope alive for the No. 2 seed. 
• South Alabama at Middle Tennessee: Middle Tennessee can clinch the No. 1 seed in the Sun Belt Tournament with a victory. South Alabama is in great shape to be the No. 3 seed.
• Florida Atlantic at North Texas: Florida Atlantic has to win out and get help if it hopes for a bye.
• Troy at Louisiana-Lafayette: Another strong possibility for a first-round tournament matchup.
• Louisiana-Monroe at Western Kentucky: WKU isn't eliminated from getting a bye, but a loss in this game would just about finish them off.

BTH Morning After: UALR pushes back too late

What might UALR look like next year? Or more likely two years from now? It might look a lot like what Middle Tennessee does right now.

Middle Tennessee won its 12^th consecutive game on Saturday, beating UALR 66-61 in Little Rock. The Blue Raiders’ rotation features five juniors and five seniors.

They’re a physically imposing bunch who appeared to intimidate UALR early in the game. But then something happened. UALR fought back.

BTH photos from Saturday's UALR-Middle Tennessee game

UALR puts up fight, comes up short to Middle Tennessee

UALR went toe-to-toe with the Sun Belt Conference’s best team on Saturday. UALR lost 66-61 to Middle Tennessee at the Jack Stephens Center, but UALR’s toughness throughout the second half could not be questioned.

A moral victory it wasn’t. It was more a lesson on how hard, how intense you have to play to win championships. Middle Tennessee’s veteran roster with 10 juniors and seniors has mastered it. The Blue Raiders’ 12^th consecutive win came when they stepped to the free throw line time and time again and made their shots.

UALR loses to Middle 66-61

More to come

BTH Live Tweetcast: Game updates as UALR hosts Middle Tennessee

UALR hosts Middle Tennessee at 7 tonight. We'll have live game updates, observations, commentary, other Sun Belt scores and more right here:
Sun Belt tonight (ASU-ULM, WKU-FIU, FAU-ULL, UNT-Troy)

Mobile users. Follow along on Twitter at this link: CLICK HERE

BTH Gameday: Middle Tennessee brings 11-game win streak to UALR

It’s really easy to see why Middle Tennessee is so good this year. Just look at their rotation.

Starters: Senior, senior, senior, junior and junior. Reserves: Senior, senior, junior, junior and junior. That’s 5 seniors and 5 juniors in the rotation.

No wonder Middle Tennessee (22-4, 14-1) is running away with the Sun Belt Conference title this year. The Blue Raiders have increased their Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) to 30 and have won 11 consecutive games going into tonight’s 7 p.m. game with UALR (15-11, 9-6) at the Jack Stephens Center.

BTH Up Next: UALR (15-11, 9-6) vs. Middle Tennessee (22-4, 14-1)

WHEN 7 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Jack Stephens Center, Little Rock

TICKETS Available at the Stephens Center box office or by calling (501) 565-UALR. Prices: End zone ($7 adults/$5 children); Level 200 ($12); Level 100 ($18); Leather ($24); Club ($38).

ALL-TIME SERIES UALR leads 13-10

LAST MEETING MTSU 82, UALR 50 (Jan. 17)

VEGAS SAYS MTSU by 9 points

RADIO KABZ 103.7 in Little Rock (Ray Tucker, TBA)

TV None

TWEETCAST www.burnthehorse.blogspot.com

AND ONES  Middle Tennessee has won 11 consecutive games. Their only Sun Belt loss came at Jonesboro in January. … Michael Javes is the only UALR player to have started every game this season. … UALR is ½ game behind Arkansas State in the Sun Belt standings. ... Middle Tennessee ranks 30^th in the latest Ratings Percentage Index (RPI).

Is the sky falling at UALR?

Nah. It was just a meteor.

BTH Ratings: Ill Neighbour kept lopsided loss from being much worse

Click to enlarge

I know some of you don’t buy in to these plus/minus ratings. And that’s OK. They aren’t the end all, be all of basketball statistics. But there is something to be said when teams play so well with a player in and so poorly when that player exits.

Take UALR junior Will Neighbour for example. Neighbour, who played despite missing the entire week of practice with a virus, was limited to 5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 turnovers in 21 minutes during Thursday’s 86-62 loss at Arkansas State.

Watch Thursday's UALR-ASU highlights

Not that it matters, but it doesn't appear Townsell's shot should have counted

It wouldn't have changed the outcome in any way, but this just goes to show what kind of night it was. Check out the shot ASU's Ed Townsell made during Thursday's game against UALR. The problem is that it shouldn't have counted. Here's the rule from the NCAA rulebook:

112
RULE 7
Section 1. Out of Bounds—Player, Ball
Art. 3. The ball shall be out of bounds when it passes over the backboard
from any direction.

UALR's James White had an attempt disallowed in a game earlier this year (White didn't make the shot but officials blew it dead as soon as it went over the backboard). Judge Townsell's shot for yourself:


But veteran officials counted it. Perhaps they ruled it didn't go over the backboard. Again, two points wouldn't have mattered. ASU hammered UALR on Thursday. Sometimes it just isn't your night.

BTH Sun Belt Tournament seeding watch: ASU back to No. 2; UALR's chances diminishing

Arkansas State moved into the driver's seat for the No. 2 seed at next month's Sun Belt Tournament with last night's victory over UALR in Jonesboro. But it was a night that saw some scores with impact around the Sun Belt Conference.

Western Kentucky's loss at Florida Atlantic diminished the Hilltoppers' chances of getting one of five first-round byes in the tournament. And Florida International dropped a game at Troy that we had penciled in for a victory.

Right now, it would take 13 victories for UALR (9-6) to claim a bye. But that's only if Florida Atlantic can win its final five games. Likely, 12 games will easily claim a bye and 11 might easily do it.

UALR still has a shot at the West Division championship and a No. 2 seed, but the Trojans will need to win some games they won't be favored in. The most likely scenario would be a tie between UALR and ASU at 12-8. That would require ASU to lose at North Texas and at UALR in the final week of the season. UALR would have to either beat Middle Tennessee at home on Saturday or sweep the Florida trip and beat both Louisiana-Lafayette and Arkansas State at home in the final week. That would get UALR to 12-8. In that scenario, the first tiebreaker is division record. UALR would be 6-2 while ASU would be 5-3.

If UALR and ASU tie in both conference record and divisional record, the next tiebreaker is record vs. the top teams. Even if UALR beats Middle Tennessee on Saturday to even that tiebreaker up with ASU, UALR would still lose when it moves to South Alabama. ASU swept USA while UALR was swept.

Here's who plays where on Saturday:

• Arkansas State at Louisiana-Monroe, 4 p.m. - This would be a major slip up if ASU doesn't win here.
• Western Kentucky at Florida International, 6:30 p.m. - FIU can solidify its position for a first-round bye with a win. WKU can't afford another loss.
• Middle Tennessee at UALR, 7 p.m. - UALR changes the equation if it can win. Middle Tennessee is in at-large NCAA Tournament position. That would change with a loss.
• Florida Atlantic at Louisiana-Lafayette, 7:15 p.m. - Florida Atlantic kept its hopes alive for a bye with a victory over WKU on Thursday. The Owls need a victory or they're probably missing out.
• North Texas at Troy, 7:30 p.m. 

UALR out of sync as Arkansas State takes over Sun Belt West lead

62    86

UALR was out of sync from the start on Thursday in an 86-62 loss to Arkansas State at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro.

UALR (15-11, 9-6) was down 8-0 at the start and never got closer than 12 points in the second half to Arkansas State, which now leads UALR by ½ game in the Sun Belt Conference’s West Division.

BTH Live Tweetcast: UALR-Arkansas State game updates

Update: Last night, we were made aware that UALR's Will Neighbour might not play tonight due to a virus. He has not practiced all week. Technically, he is doubtful for tonight. We expect freshman James White's minutes to go way up tonight.

UALR travels to Arkansas State at 7:05 tonight. We'll have live game updates, observations, commentary, other Sun Belt scores and more right here:
Sun Belt tonight (WKU at FAU, ULL at USA, FIU at Troy, UNT at ULM)Mobile users. Follow along on Twitter at this link: CLICK HERE
Click THIS LINK to enable Facebook chat.

BTH Gameday: Pressure rests with ASU as UALR heads to Jonesboro

The pressure rests entirely on Arkansas State tonight as the UALR Trojans visit Jonesboro for a 7:05 p.m. tipoff.

UALR (15-10, 9-5) leads Arkansas State (15-9, 9-6) by ½ game in the Sun Belt Conference West Division standings. The winner of tonight’s game will hold the lead in the division.

Arkansas State opens as 8.5-point favorite over UALR

Not really surprising, but the early Las Vegas line is out and Arkansas State opens as an 8.5-point favorite for tomorrow's game in Jonesboro.
http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-basketball/teams/team-page.cfm/team/arkansas-little-rock

UALR-ASU rivalry has gone down to final minute 10 times since 2000

Arkansas State has dominated the all-time rivalry with UALR with a 46-28 advantage. But much of that advantage was built up before UALR joined NCAA Division I in 1979.  It was 17-0 before UALR got its first victory over Arkansas State on Dec. 1, 1980. Counting that victory, ASU has held a 29-28 advantage since then.

It has continued of late to be a balanced rivalry. Since 2000, UALR has a 15-14 advantage with some of the more memorable games in the series being played.

Up next: UALR (15-10, 9-5) vs. Arkansas State (15-9, 9-6)

WHEN 7 p.m. Thursday

WHERE Convocation Center, Jonesboro, Ark.

ALL-TIME SERIES ASU leads 46-28

LAST MEETING UALR 62, ASU 60 (Feb. 25, 2012)

VEGAS SAYS TBA

RADIO KABZ 103.7 in Little Rock (Ray Tucker)

TV None

TWEETCAST www.burnthehorse.blogspot.com

AND ONES  Only four Arkansans will take part in this year’s game: UALR’s Stetson Billings (Strong) and ASU’s Rakeem Dickerson (Little Rock), Trey Finn (Little Rock) and Jordan Weaver (Parkin). … Last year’s two meetings between UALR and ASU were decided by 2 points in Little Rock and 1 point in Jonesboro. … UALR has won three consecutive games over ASU. ASU won the three previous games before that. … ASU is 11-2 at home this season, losing only to Murray State and Florida International.

ASU's John Brady, Trey Finn talk about Thursday's game with UALR

Video might not play for some mobile users.

UALR Coach already has good fortune in Spa City this week.

It's already started out as a nice week for UALR Coach Steve Shields.

Shields owns a small percentage in thoroughbred Hes Dangerous, who was a winner in the second race on Saturday at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs. He's one of several with a stake in the horse, including UALR supporter Rob Jolly. Hopefully that luck carries over to the rest of the week, and when the Trojans return to Hot Springs in March.

UALR returns to action on Thursday at Arkansas State. Don't forget that The Steve Shields Show airs at 6:30 p.m. tonight on Channel 49 in Little Rock.

Listen to UALR Coach Steve Shields on the College Insider podcast

This is really good. CollegeInsider.com's Joe Dwyer did his weekly podcast with UALR Coach Steve Shields. Open the link and have a listen.
http://www.collegeinsider.com/college-basketball-podcasts/

A look at where the Sun Belt Tournament seeding stands though Feb. 11

The only real upset on Saturday night came when North Texas knocked off Florida International in Denton, Texas. The other winners -- Middle Tennessee, South Alabama, Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette (Sunday) -- were expected.

Arkansas State's victory at Western Kentucky moved them up from fourth to fifth as they pass Florida International. Arkansas State is now half a game behind UALR in the West Division standings. UALR and ASU play on Thursday. The winner of that game will hold first place in the division.

Middle Tennessee is the only team to have clinched a first-round bye (1 of 5) in next month's Sun Belt tournament in Hot Springs.

Thursday's games:

• Western Kentucky at Florida Atlantic. Western badly needs a win if it has any hopes of securing a first-round bye.
• Louisiana-Lafayette at South Alabama. USA is in perfect shape to get the No. 3 seed. Slipping up at home against ULL would let others back in.
• UALR at Arkansas State. Arkansas State's victory over Middle and sweep of USA puts them in great shape to win a tiebreaker over UALR. There are two scenarios where UALR could flip it. First, by sweeping ASU. Second, by splitting with ASU and beating ULL with ASU losing at UNT. Unlikely but it would give the Trojans a better divisional record. If the teams tie in the standings and in divisional record, ASU will win the tiebreaker.
• North Texas at Louisiana-Monroe. If UNT could get into that 8-9 game at the Sun Belt Tournament, the Mean Green could be an interesting quarterfinal opponent for Middle.
• Florida International at Troy. FIU remains in a good spot to get a first-round bye. But a loss at Troy (coupled with a WKU win at FAU) would set up a Saturday showdown.

BTH Analysis: Gillon goes +11 in UALR's victory over ULM

Click to enlarge

Thursday’s 70-60 victory by UALR over Louisiana-Monroe was about as clean a substitution game as Coach Steve Shields will ever have.

He didn’t shift positions as he subbed most of the game: John Gillon for Josh Hagins, Kemy Osse for Ben Dillard, Stetson Billings for Leroy Isler, James White for Will Neighbour and Gus Leeper for Michael Javes. The first time he used a different combination came with 5:12 left in the second half when he put White in for Leeper, sliding Neighbour down to the 5 for the first time all game.

Sun Belt standings/seeding update through Thursday's games

With the higher seeded team winning every game last night, there were still a couple of changes in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament seeding.

If the tournament started today, UALR would be the No. 2 seed as the West Division champion. Going into Thursday's games, UALR and Arkansas State were tied atop the West Division with ASU winning the tiebreaker. But after UALR won at Louisiana-Monroe and ASU lost at Middle Tennessee, UALR is on top of the West by one game.

Arkansas State dropped into a three-way tie for fourth with Florida International and Western Kentucky. FIU is 3-0 in that triad, Arkansas State is 1-2 and Western Kentucky is 0-3.

Saturday's games are:

• Troy at Middle Tennessee, 5 p.m.
• Florida International at North Texas, 7 p.m.
• Arkansas State at Western Kentucky, 7 p.m.
• Florida Atlantic at South Alabama, 7 p.m.

BTH Vote: Who was UALR's player of the game on Thursday vs. ULM?

	Gus Leeper
	Josh Hagins
	Will Neighbour
	Leroy Isler
pollcode.com free polls

BTH Morning After: Leeper provides major boost in UALR victory

Was it a one-time flash or a trend that would provide a major boost down the stretch?

Only time will tell. But for one night, UALR sophomore Gus Leeper was really good in the Trojans’ 70-60 victory at Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday night.

UALR holds off ULM to reclaim first in Sun Belt West

70    60

UALR held up its end of the bargain and got the help it needed on Thursday. UALR’s 70-60 victory over Louisiana-Monroe at Fant-Ewing Coliseum allowed the Trojans to move back into sole possession of first place in the Sun Belt Conference’s West Division.

UALR (15-10, 9-5) entered the game tied with Arkansas State atop the West Division standings. But Arkansas State’s loss allowed UALR to take a one-game lead. ASU plays Saturday at Western Kentucky while UALR has Saturday off.

UALR holds of ULM rally to win third straight road game

UALR is back in first place in the Sun Belt Conference's West Division after a 70-60 victory over Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday. More to come.

BTH Live Tweetcast: UALR vs. Louisiana-Monroe live game updates

UALR travels to Louisiana-Monroe at 7:30 p.m. tonight. Actually it probably won't start by 7:30. The UALR-ULM women's game doesn't tip off until 5:15. But when it does start, we'll have live game updates, observations, commentary, other Sun Belt scores and more right here:

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BTH Gameday: UALR looks for way to exploit size vs. ULM

Louisiana-Monroe presents some interesting choices for UALR defensively. ULM is playing primarily a small lineup as it heads in to tonight’s 7:30 game with UALR at Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe, La.

You would think UALR junior Leroy Isler would guard ULM’s leading scorer Amos Olatayo, who averages 15.9 points but didn’t play in the first meeting between the two teams. Will Neighbour and James White guarded ULM’s Jayon James in the first meeting. Much of ULM’s offense runs through James as he averages 10.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists.

Shields fills in for Sun Belt, speaking at Hot Springs Rotary to promote tournament

It was great to visit with UALR Coach Steve Shields for a few minutes today in Hot Springs.

Shields represented the Sun Belt Conference at Hot Springs Rotary's weekly luncheon at the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs. He talked about how thankful he was for the way Hot Springs has welcomed the Sun Belt Tournament in the past and his hopes that Hot Springs will make this year's tournament the best yet.

Sun Belt fans will drive, pay more when tourney moves to New Orleans

Sun Belt Conference fans will travel further and pay more when the postseason basketball tournaments move from Hot springs to New Orleans for the 2013-2014 season.

The Sun Belt announced the move yesterday, walking away from the final year of its contract with Hot Springs. The 2013 tournament will be the final one played at Summit Arena in the Spa City.

Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Karl Benson called it a “great geographical fit for our membership.”

But the fact is that it’s only really a better geographical fit for himself (his office is in New Orleans) and three schools (Louisiana-Lafayette, South Alabama and Troy). Texas State comes in about the same. This makes up the 10 schools expected to be a part of the Sun Belt next year.

On average, Sun Belt fans will drive 30 miles further. Fans of six of the 10 schools will drive at least 98 miles more (each way) to reach New Orleans.

Once they arrive in New Orleans they can expect to pay more. New Orleans’ average hotel rate of $154 ranks among tops in the nation. And that doesn’t include the $25 to $50 per night parking charge many French Quarter area hotels tack on to your bill. Want to catch a taxi from the Quarter to Lakefront Arena? That will cost you upwards of $20 each way.

You can find a cheaper hotel out by the airport. But you’re really nowhere near Lakefront Arena and the things most folks associate with visiting New Orleans. Spend a night out at Bourbon Street and need a cab back to your airport hotel and that will cost you about $28.

The best thing about the Sun Belt Tournament in Hot Springs was the closeness of everything. You would walk down the street and see groups of fans, bands or cheerleaders walking. You’d see the buses from each of the schools parked at the restaurants. There was a lot of interaction going on. That made it fun. And that’s not going to be the case when its spread out across New Orleans.

UALR unsure of Lockhart's status for Thursday's game with ULM

Lockhart during a second
half timeout on Saturday.

We'll try to get another update today but at last check UALR sophomore guard Taggart Lockhart is questionable for Thursday's game vs. Louisiana-Monroe.

Lockhart suffered a head injury in Saturday's loss to South Alabama. As he was driving to the basket late in the first half, he ran into a South Alabama player (and was called for a charge). As Lockhart fell, he hit his head on teammate Will Neighbour's knee.

Lockhart was visibly shaky as he was helped back to the bench. When he returned after halftime, he appeared to have cotton stuffed in his ear.

BTH Scout: ULM offense runs through forward James

Jayon James

Check out these ridiculous numbers from Louisiana-Monroe’s Jayon James, who by the way is the Warhawks’ only starter taller than 6-4. He is an absolute assist and turnover machine – at the same time.

UALR travels to Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday.