In preparation for Sunday’s game against the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans, we took some time to talk to Kerry Emmert, one of the administrators of the Little Rock Trojans Web site and message board. Emmert gave us some good insight about what we can expect from the Trojans coming into the season, which has started rocky at 1-2.
But first enjoy the Arkansas-Little Rock Missionary theme song:
White & Blue Review: Arkansas-Little Rock has been dominant in their division of the Sun Belt the last few seasons. What are the expectations for this season?
Kerry Emmert: Anything over 10 wins would be a surprise. We lost a lot off of the team that won 43 games in two years.
WBR: The team has started 1-2. What were the biggest problems for UALR in the two losses to start the season?
KE: Playing on the road against teams receiving votes in the Top 25 (Tulsa and Ole Miss) is never easy. The lack of point guard play and the amount of new players is going to be an issue until about the last 10 games of the year. Chemistry, or the lack there of, is the main issue. This team needs time.
WBR: I see a few contributors from last year’s team that beat CU are back. Through the first couple of games, how have the returners meshed with the newcomers?
KE: Not at all. Mike Smith, our 300 lbs center, lost 50 pounds and his minutes went up to 35 a game. He does not get fouls now either. I have considered sending pizza to his dorm room so we can have “Big Ticket” back. “Medium Ticket” does not want to play inside. The lack of understanding the offense and point guard play is an issue. We are a year away.
WBR: Speaking of newcomers, how would you describe Soloman Bozeman’s game?
KE: He is a BCS talent and will be a force by the end of the year in the Sun Belt. He can shoot the ball, he has a quick first step, he can make you foul him, and hit the free throws. He is the key to us returning to the NCAA Tournament next year.
WBR: The Trojans manhandled Creighton on the boards last season (46-26), led by big Smith who put back the final rebound for the win. Who is the rebounding machine for the UALR this season?
KE: Steve Shields’ teams will always rebound and play good defense. Due to Joe Kline being on staff we have been able to develop good big men. But Smith has lost 50lbs and has not shown the willingness to bang inside.
WBR: Your Athletic Director Chris Petersen has connections with Creighton. Was that the key to getting this series put together? What other big games have been secured with his help?
KE: Yes, in my opinion. Here are the other games we have secured recently:
Misouri State: 4-year deal
Louisiana Tech: 5-year deal
Oral Roberts: 4-year deal
Memphis: 2-year deal
Ole Miss: 2-year deal
Tulsa: 2-year deal
Our scheduling should be the envy of most mid-majors. We tend to schedule winnable games. We fell short last year due to the leading score quitting the team. If that doesn’t happen, I think we’re in the NIT. We’ve won 43 games in the past two seasons, and we had 11 road wins last year, which I think tied for first in Division I.
WBR: The last time UALR was in Omaha, they shot poorly early and the game was over before halftime. What will they do differently this year to try and get a win at the Qwest Center?
KE: Anything within 10 of Creighton would be a win for this team this year. This will be a good game for Creighton to practice running their offense against a game defense, but UALR lacks enough offense to even make this a game. Even if the game gets out of hand UALR’s defense will continue to play hard. Our kids will not give up and the coaching staff will teach until the buzzer.
WBR: Creighton has suffered from injuries and illnesses to start the season with three veteran players out. What do things look like for the Trojans from that standpoint and who will rise to the occasion this year for the team?
KE: We are injury free and have been for the last few years. Bozeman scored nearly ~10 points a game in the Big East as a freshman at South Florida. I think that he will carry a huge part of the load for UALR. Smith will get it going at some point. He is a monster on the block but we have not seen that this year.
WBR: In the end, how do you expect this game to come out? Final predictions?
KE: 20-point loss for UALR. The Trojans will struggle to be .500 this year. Sad due to the high standard Steve Shields has set over his 6 years at UALR (4 divisional titles). He has pieces in place for the rebuilding process, but we are a year away.