AR Little Rock v North Texas

[Wiggums5]

Didn't see anyone discussing this game but is there any reason not to hammer North Texas. They have also already beat little rock twice this year. They are a much better shooting team and put up 8 more points a game. They are shooting lights out in the tourney so far and go to the free throw line like maniacs.

Thoughts?

[LolsMcwinsey]

yes hammer NT

[HoulihansTX]

North Texas is going for its 2nd Conference Championship in a row.

I would rather trust a proven team, other than a team in their first do or die game.

[IAMWINNER]

The old its hard to beat a team 3 times comes up, can they

[PRiiMO]

i love this game
north texas is on fire

ima pound em from behind and blow all over em tonite

[hoyas2007]

I just got North Texas at -3. They shoot a ton of free throws, and UALR fouls a lot. I see them getting to the line. I also like that they don't rely much on the 3 - it's hard to make those 3s when you're playing your fourth game in four days. UALR relies much more on the 3. They were only 2-14 or something like that in the semis yesterday - I expect something similar today. As such, I think the fact that North Texas can get to the rim and score at the free throw line should be enough.

Game is played an hour from UALR's campus - which is over 5 hours from North Texas's campus so you'd have to think UALR will have the home crowd on their side. Don't know what that will mean exactly though. Both semifinal games yesterday seemed to be pretty empty, so this might not be much of a draw for people.

The reason this line is low is because North Texas has already beaten this team twice. So the key will be whether they come out focused and ready to go. I am a bit concerned about that. They are coming off a win over WKU which is huge - WKU knocked them out of two of the last three tourneys. They were saying things after the game last night about how big of a win that was - nothing about how they need to start preparing for this game. If they come out a bit flat then I think UALR can make this a game. I am hoping the free throws though will get it done for N Texas in the end

[matthewsg]

I have seen every SB team play this season live. North Texas is/was the most talented team in that league. Had some mid-season struggles but seem to have righted ship. Basically same team that danced last year, only a year older. Will be tough to beat. UALR has a better D and will have a huge crowd advantage in Hot Springs. If talent and big-game experience are the deciding factors here, UNT shou,ld be the play.

However, before pounding this play there is something else to look at. This will be both teams 4th game in 4 days. Last night, UNT played all five starters over 30 minutes, and only played 1 sub more than 9. On the other hand, UALR played 10 guys double-figure minutes and only had two starters play over 30. I can see that becoming a factor, and with a pro-UALR crowd to lift them further, UALR could very well outlast UNT in a dogfight. However, UNT has not played a game closer than 14 in the tourney, so they have not expended as much energy as UALR to get there.