Tip off: 8 PM EST
Spread: Ark -15
Total: 137.5
M/L: n/a
LOUISIANA TECH
Last season, the Bulldogs finished with a 12-20 overall record, but struggled even worse in conference play, where they only won 2 of their 16 WAC games, failing to qualify for the conference tournament.
Their offense was beyond anemic, and down right moribund, scoring only 0.88 pionts per possession in conference play. No one had a better offensive rating than 98 last season for the Bulldogs and half of their best players were in the low 90s. It ended up costing coach Kerry Rupp his job. It wasn’t 100% his fault, he did lose two of his best players (Olu Ashaolu and Michael White) as transfers.
So far, things have gone much better for Tech. They have won their last 3 and 5 of their last 6 after starting the season just 2-4 SU. They just beat Northeastern by 3 on Tuesday night, and tonight will be a huge test for a team that is a 15 point underdog. They haven’t faced any major programs this year, and Arkansas is usually legitimate year in and year out — we’ll look at them next, don’t worry…
The Bulldogs have the trio of Trevor Gaskins, Cordarious Johnson, and Raheem Appleby to thank for their strong play recently. The three of them average 32.5 points per game, which is nearly half of the team’s offensive output. Appleby’s 10.1 points per game are particularly impressive from the standpoint that he only plays 18 minutes a night.
Gaskins, a 6’2″ senior guard, has been good, but wildly inconsistent. He has failed to score in double figures in 7 games now, while also having had five games with 15+ points. He must establish consistency and step up as the primary backcourt scorer for a team that needs offense badly at times, even in this improved season.
ARKANSAS
As I mentioned, the Razorbacks have had their times in the sun, but last year was not such a campaign. They finished with a middling 18-13 record, while coming up with a sub .500 record (7-9) in conference play. They lost in the first round of the SEC tournament to Tennessee and received no other post-season invites.
They did move forward by hiring Mike Anderson. Anderson spent 17 years at Arkansas and is now using the “40 minutes of hell” approach of Nolan Richardson. He has been successful before, too. He took Missouri and UAB deep in the tournament and he kept Pelphrey’s strong recruiting class together. Arkansas never lacks the talent to be an SEC powerhouse, because of the fact that so many top recruits consider the program.
That fact has helped the Razorbacks establish a potent offense this season, scoring 76 points per game, to rank 55th in the nation. They also are doing a great job on the glass, averaging 37.8 rebounds per game.
They have faced only one ranked opponent in UCONN, who they lost to badly. Their 7-3 record may or may not be deceiving; at this point it is tough to tell. We’ll get a better idea in January and March when SEC play begins and they face the likes of Kentucky, Florida, and Mississippi State.
B.J. Young has been the primary scorer for the Razorbacks with Marshawn Powell out. Young has put up 15.0 points per game while shooting 50% from the floor. The freshman has had some big games, not the least of which was his 28 points against the then #10 ranked Huskies of UCONN. That night, he hit 10 of 20 from the floor, including 5 of 6 from down town. Throw in a 24 point game against Oklahoma and we’re clearly looking at the kind of player who as a freshman has huge potential to be a big name in the SEC.
If you feel inclined to back up a bet on either of these teams, we suggest Bookmaker, from where these odds were taken. Also, take a look at our paid pick plans for the 2011-2012 seasons as our staff of handicappers murders the books again!
