#3 - Little Rock

I try hard not to be a homer on these predictions, but of course that is hard, since I know so much more about this team than the others. Shields' teams have always been of the sort that relies heavily on intangibles, and that makes them hard to predict.

Will Neighbour is certainly one of the more unique players in the league, and should be the focal point of this team during his senior year. If his 3-point shot comes back like it was during his sophomore year (or better), he will be a very hard player to deal with. The Trojans return four starters, losing only center Michael Javes. They have adequate size. We expect senior Leroy Isler to be the small forward defensive stopper that has become such a hallmark of Sheilds' teams. Ben Dillard is on track to become perhaps the best 3-point shooter in school history. We have more depth at the point guard spot than at any time in recent memory. James White, if he lives up to his potential, could be an All-SBC type player.

Losing Javes created somewhat of a depth problem at the post, because that may force Neighbour to slide over more than we would like. Dillard, though an excellent shooter, is not assertive enough, and we need him to be our main perimeter option. This was not a good rebounding team last year, and someone is going to have to step up there.

Like all the other teams so far, there are some question marks here, but we come into the year with more depth than in most years. This team is young, but more experienced than most teams its age.

I think this team will finish better than 3rd, but this is where they look to me like they ought to be picked on paper.

Well if they finish 3rd that puts their first tournament game in the quarterfinals on Friday March 14th at 8:30

(08-16-2013 11:37 AM)RBL Wrote:  Well if they finish 3rd that puts their first tournament game in the quarterfinals on Friday March 14th at 8:30

They better. I just booked reservations starting on Friday night, assuming they will start play on Friday or even better on Saturday. I doubt I'll go if they finish 5th or lower.

Interesting. As muddled as it is I would not have begrudged you for picking you guys as high as first or second. I don't really agree or disagree with any of your picks so far except maybe UTA in 10th (I think I might have put them 7th). You guys have a nice mix of all the things you want in a champion. Size, depth, experience, and guard play.

(08-16-2013 05:45 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(08-16-2013 11:37 AM)RBL Wrote:  Well if they finish 3rd that puts their first tournament game in the quarterfinals on Friday March 14th at 8:30

They better. I just booked reservations starting on Friday night, assuming they will start play on Friday or even better on Saturday. I doubt I'll go if they finish 5th or lower.

To elaborate, my wife and I bought a trial membership to Wyndham Resorts. You can book a stay at resort for 3, 4, or 7 days but have to start on a Friday (at least at the one in New Orleans). So a 3 night stay works out perfectly, as long as we don't have to play on Thursday.

Crazy to pick UALR ahead of stAte. Good luck this year.

(08-16-2013 09:45 PM)WinstonTheWolf Wrote:  Crazy to pick UALR ahead of stAte. Good luck this year.

I flipped a coin on that one.

(08-16-2013 09:47 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  

(08-16-2013 09:45 PM)WinstonTheWolf Wrote:  Crazy to pick UALR ahead of stAte. Good luck this year.

I flipped a coin on that one.

You think you might want to re-think that one now Pappy, and forget the coin?

(08-17-2013 10:07 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(08-16-2013 09:47 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  

(08-16-2013 09:45 PM)WinstonTheWolf Wrote:  Crazy to pick UALR ahead of stAte. Good luck this year.

I flipped a coin on that one.

You think you might want to re-think that one now Pappy, and forget the coin?

No doubt ASU is the better team right now. Come March, who knows.

(08-17-2013 10:20 AM)mjs Wrote:  No doubt ASU is the better team right now. Come March, who knows.

Remember March isn't one of Shields best months.

These predictions have nothing to do with the tournament. It is the regular conference season.