This has the making of a pretty good season. As good overall talent as we have had in my tenure as a fan. An attractive schedule. My motor is running, ready to go. Go Trojans.!

(08-22-2014 11:08 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  This has the making of a pretty good season. As good overall talent as we have had in my tenure as a fan. An attractive schedule. My motor is running, ready to go. Go Trojans.!

I am usually a "show me" type guy, but I am more excited about this team than I have been in years. We really seem to have a great mix of talent and experience. The schedule, like you said, is "good". Nice mix of midmajors, more home games than usual and nothing I would consider a "body bag" game. Hard not to be excited if you are a UALR fan.

We have said for three years now that James White is a monster talent just waiting to break out. Get ready Belt, because this is the year. (And just think, when James is SBC Player of the Year, Alum will be able to say, "I told you so.")

(08-22-2014 01:50 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  We have said for three years not that James White is a monster talent just waiting to break out. Get ready Belt, because this is the year. (And just think, when James is SBC Player of the Year, Alum will be able to say, "I told you so.")

I think LRAlum knows his stuff. James will be first team Sun Belt this season. Mareik has that talent to have a breakout season. I think we have all the pieces this year. But, like you said, the only problem is GaSt has Kentucky and Louisville talent, and a coach's son who could have played at most BCS schools. But, if we can hang close to GaSt, winning the tourney or even getting an at-large NIT bid is not out of the question.

(08-23-2014 09:51 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(08-22-2014 01:50 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  We have said for three years not that James White is a monster talent just waiting to break out. Get ready Belt, because this is the year. (And just think, when James is SBC Player of the Year, Alum will be able to say, "I told you so.")

I think LRAlum knows his stuff. James will be first team Sun Belt this season. Mareik has that talent to have a breakout season. I think we have all the pieces this year. But, like you said, the only problem is GaSt has Kentucky and Louisville talent, and a coach's son who could have played at most BCS schools. But, if we can hang close to GaSt, winning the tourney or even getting an at-large NIT bid is not out of the question.

Two more years and another five year extention and Steve's son will probably be ready to play for UALR. NCAA, here we come!

(08-24-2014 10:11 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  

(08-23-2014 09:51 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(08-22-2014 01:50 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  We have said for three years not that James White is a monster talent just waiting to break out. Get ready Belt, because this is the year. (And just think, when James is SBC Player of the Year, Alum will be able to say, "I told you so.")

I think LRAlum knows his stuff. James will be first team Sun Belt this season. Mareik has that talent to have a breakout season. I think we have all the pieces this year. But, like you said, the only problem is GaSt has Kentucky and Louisville talent, and a coach's son who could have played at most BCS schools. But, if we can hang close to GaSt, winning the tourney or even getting an at-large NIT bid is not out of the question.

Two more years and another five year extention and Steve's son will probably be ready to play for UALR. NCAA, here we come!

We need to avoid the typical UALR devastating injury, as in WN, Mike Smith, etc.

White is about at the optimal weight for his frame and skillset. I think 220 to 225 is the ideal weight for him. The roster shows him at 218 so he is pretty much there. If he was this size coming out of high school he would be playing acc or sec ball. Hopefully shields will let him play to his strengths. If so ualr will go far this season. I would love to see the use of pick and roll and pin downs with him. He can finish at the rim and is a good passer, which makes him a good player to run pick and roll.

This should be the year we've all been anticipating from James. He obviously has great athletic talent. If that translates into basketball skills, the sky is the limit. He could very well be our next NBA player.

really trying to temper my excitement, but i can't help but feel it too. this team could be decent.

(08-25-2014 11:49 AM)UaLrRuLeS Wrote:  really trying to temper my excitement, but i can't help but feel it too. this team could be decent.

I always try to temper my expectations as well. It's a little harder to do this year with the talent and experience we have coming back. Also the fact that we have been able to put together a schedule that won't demoralize the team and fans early is big. That is, as long as we end up winning a good percentage of our OOC games, most of which seem very winnable.