GETTING INSIDE
The early season road schedule has proven to be too tough for the Trojans.
To begin the season, UALR lost games at Mississippi, Tulsa, Creighton and Louisiana Tech.
Recently, Arkansas-Little Rock lost to Memphis, 83-71, at the Verizon Arena in Little Rock.
Arkansas-Little Rock is averaging 8.0 three-point baskets per game, by far the highest average under coach Steve Shields.
NOTES, QUOTES
• Junior Solomon Bozeman has scored in double figures in every Arkansas-Little Rock game this season. Bozeman transferred from South Florida and now leads the Trojans in scoring at 14.7 points and 4.6 assists per game.
Key Early Season Conference Game: Arkansas-Little Rock opens conference play on Dec. 16 at South Alabama and plays at Arkansas State on Dec. 20.
Last Year ‘S CONFERENCE RECORD: 15-3, first in the Western Division.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
What We Learned In November: Arkansas-Little Rock will again be adept at scoring, but the defense is suspect. The Trojans are 255th nationally in scoring defense and 265th nationally in field-goal percentage defense. The ability to create turnovers, block shots and effect steals would be a huge boost. The Trojans rank 270th or below in steals per game, blocked shots per game and turnover margin.
December At A Glance: The Trojans’ first home conference game is not until Dec. 31 against North Texas.
Player Rotation: Usual Starters—G Lionel Foster, G Solomon Bozeman, G Alex Garcia-Mendoza, F Mike Smith, F Derrick Bails. Key Reserves: Matt Mousey, Ricky Davison, Wayne Burton, Montrell Thornton, Courtney Jackson.
Roster Report:
• Junior Derrick Bails made his first career start in Arkansas-Little Rock’s last game against Lyon College.
• Junior Alex Garcia-Mendoza is one of three players born in Mexico currently playing Division 1- basketball.
