UAPB

State of '08: Arkansas

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:44:53 -0700

What is the top D1 basketball program in each state.. and which program is the worst? While there's not much competition in Hawaii.. there are great debates to be had in loaded regions like California, North Carolina, and Texas. The State of '08 is a state by state ranking based mostly on recent success (the last five years) mixed in with subjective factors such as conference prestige, historical success, and overall program direction.

Up today: Arkansas. For more info, check out the State of '08 introduction.

Arkansas - With so many unfamiliar faces on next year's roster, no one's really sure what to expect.. will the Razorbacks be bad or really bad? Also on the negative end, the glory days of the early to mid-nineties (National Champs in '94) seem like distant memories. Regardless, there's not much competition for the title of top team in this state.

UALR - The Trojans bounced back from two down seasons to win 11 Sun Belt games, and won 20 games against all competition. Still, its been years since UALR was relevant on the national scene, or even in the Sun Belt title race. 1996 was their last postseason trip (NIT), and 1990 the last NCAA Tournament bid (which was the end of coach Mike Newell's late eighties glory run).

Arkansas State - The newly titled Red Foxes (nee Indians), Sun Belt rivals of UALR, are coming off a brutal season that included just 8 D1 wins, an RPI of 294, and a 9-game losing streak (at least one of their 8 wins was over UALR..) John Brady was hired in the off-season to right the ship, and hopefully get the program to the Big Dance for just the 2nd time ever.

Central Arkansas - The Fighting Pippens (this is where Scottie went), are new to D1 ball having completed just two seasons with the big boys. All things considered, last year's 10-16 record against D1 teams isn't that bad, and their 280 RPI topped Arkansas State and UAPB.

UAPB - While the Golden Lions are bad by any standard, 310 RPI last year, just two wins over Top 250 teams in the past three seasons, members of the SWAC (the worst league in D1), etc, this program is actually substantially better than it was just a handful of years ago. From 1999 to 2004, UAPB won just 17 D1 games combined in 6 seasons.

Yesterday: Alabama

State of '08: The Introduction

Coaching News: Change at UAPB and Other Tidbits

Shawn Siegel — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:17:49 -0700

A rundown of some of today's coaching news: - UAPB head coach Van Holt resigned after six seasons at the helm. The Golden Lions finished 13-18 this year, and Holt's overall record was 50-124. This record might not look good but consider that UAPB was 4-51 in the two seasons before Holt took over. - Besides the firing of Barry Hinson and Tim Welsh over the weekend, other relatively prominent firings in recent days include Toledo's Stan Joplin (just one season removed from being MAC Coach of the Year) and TCU's Neil Dougherty. - Yesterday I noted that Hinson was a candidate for Mercer's opening, and the Macon Telegraph reports the other interviewee so far has been Oklahoma assistant Bob Hoffman. - According to the Springfield New-leader, Michigan State assistant Mark Montgomery and Texas assistant Rodney Terry are possible replacements for the Missouri State job. - Multiple outlets in Chicago reported yesterday that former Bulls coach Scott Skiles will be interviewed for the Indiana job, but he is by no means the front-runner for the position.

Teams of the Day: Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Texas

Raphielle Johnson — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:10:36 -0800

Arkansas-Pine Bluff 12-14 (8-7 SWAC) With a big road win by Texas, along with a home loss by bubble dweller Villanova, there were certainly better choices in regards to the NCAA Tournament. However, the finish that took place in Pine Bluff on Monday night is one that you just don't make up. After Marcelle Goins hit a shot from just inside of midcourt to get UAPB to overtime, some fans forgot that the goal is to win the game and not just send it into overtime (cue the Herm Edwards soundbite if you wish). Two technical free throws later, Texas Southern began the extra session with a 70-68 lead. After missing a couple of shots to win the game in overtime, UAPB fell 77-76. Looks like they could have used those two points after all. Texas 24-4 (11-2 Big 12) Computer numbers (courtesy of kenpom.com): RPI 5, SOS 3 Thanks to their win at Kansas State (74-65), maybe more people will talk about Texas being a one seed come NCAA Tournament time. Add this road win to earlier victories over Tennessee (neutral), UCLA (road) and Kansas (home), and you've got quite an impressive resume. And while many will focus on the 24 put up by D.J. Augustin and some timely three pointers by A.J. Abrams, don't ignore the 14-point, 7-rebound performance by Connor Atchley (6-6 from the field). The more the Longhorns can get from the likes of Atchley and Gary Johnson inside, the better this team will be in March. On the clock: Ohio State. Winning at Indiana is always tough, but expect a charged atmosphere in the first IU home game post-Kelvin. And with OSU needing wins to bolster their NCAA Tournament hopes, that may not be a good thing.

Daily Conference Poll: Who Will Win the SWAC?

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:11:47 -0700