Nebraska Basketball Opponent Preview: Arkansas - Pine Bluff

Arkansas - Pine Bluff

Date: Tuesday, November 24th

Location: Pine Bluff, AR

Mascot: Lions

Coach: George Ivory (8th Year)

Conference: SWAC

2014-15 Record: 12-20 (9-9 conference)

2014-15 Season

I would like to start this article out by saying that the Lions had a decent season, but they really didn't. Having only 3 wins before they started conference play and ended at 12-20. It was a tough non conference schedule playing teams such as Michigan State, Valparaizo, Texas Tech, and Standford and conference play didn't get much better.

The team was lead by senior guards Marcel Mosley who averaged 17.5 ppg and Tevin Hammond who averaged 8.3 ppg. Both players ended the year with multiple honors including representing UAPB in the Arkansas Alumni Classic. Their leadership will most likely be missed on the court this year.

One area that hurt them during the season was a lack of big men in the middle (are we seeing a trend here?). Most teams were able to able to shoot the paint fairly easily throughout the season against the Lions. Something Nebraska will be able to easily take advantage of.

2015-16 Outlook

While the 2014-15 season was nothing to write home about, there is not much optimism coming into this year. The SWAC preseason poll have them 7th out of 10

With Mosley and Hammond gone the Lions will be looking for big men to lead the front court but also some bigger men to fill the paint. The team is junior and senior heavy with many of the contributors many former junior college players. Junior point guard Jaquan Lynch and guard Gihavonni Love should help lead this team in production.

No player was picked in any of the preseason honors for the conference.

Fun Fact

UAPB can say they have one thing over us, an NCAA tournament win. Making their first and only appearance in 2010. Winning their first game in the opening round against Winthrop and losing their second game to eventual national champion Duke.