Take A Knee’s 2009-10 SBC Basketball Preview

Arkansas – Little Rock Trojans

Probable Starters

PG.  Soloman Bozeman 6’0” 175 Jr.
(7.3ppg, 2.5apg – 2 seasons @ South Florida)

SG. Ricky Davison 6’2” 195 Jr.
(16.8ppg, 4.2rpg @ Southern Union State CC)

SF. Courtney Jackson 6’6” 205 Soph.
(3.6ppg, 2.4rpg, 0.4apg)

PF. Montrell Thorton 6’7” 245 Jr.
(15.8ppg, 10.9rpg @ Southern Union State CC)

C. Mike Smith 6’7”  295 Sr.
(7.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 0.7apg)

UALR Certainties:

Defense.  If you don’t play it, you don’t play for Steve Shields.

It may be a painful game to watch, but the Trojans’ commitment to the defensive end of the floor has translated into victories the past 2 seasons.

UALR Questions:

Offense.  The Trojans’ top 3 scorers from a season ago are all gone.

Matt Mouzy (6’0” 170 Jr.) is a deadly shooter (10.1ppg, 73 3pt made), but he has limitations and often looked overexposed in extended minutes last season.

Bozeman’s career has closely resembled former UNT guard Collin Dennis to this point, and is the most likely candidate to provide scoring.

Newcomers Davison, Alex Garcia-Mendoza (6’3” 215 Jr.) and Nikola Cicic (6’5” 200 Fr.) are proven scorers at lower levels, but will need to prove it can translate to Division 1.

A Nice Luxury Would Be:

2 or 3 of the Trojan bigs making significant contributions.

Between Smith, Thorton, Derrick Bails (6’9” 267 Jr.), Wayne Burton (6’8” 237 Sr.) and Marlon Louzerio (6’7” 262 Jr.), UALR has 5 mountainous options to roll out at the 4/5.

That should be more than enough to beat up on the smallish teams of the Sun Belt, especially considering Shields’ coaching style.

This Team is Special if…:

Mike Smith can put it all together.

Two seasons ago when I had the chance to take in the Sun Belt Tournament, Smith looked un-guardable at 6’7” and nearly 300 pounds, with cat quick speed to boot.  But he has never managed to average double figures for a season, even in a conference without many dominant post players.

Injuries and weight issues have plagued his career. But if he is able to put those behind him and go out with a strong senior season he could be the solution to many of UALR’s concerns.

Email the author: jhemingway.sbc@gmail.com