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Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-6; 3 non-D1 wins)
#348 in KenPom
#348 in KenPom
This year’s stat highlights:
249th in Offensive efficiency
- 15th in FT% (78.3%); 40th in FT rate
- 23rd in offensive tempo (15.3 seconds/possession)
- 27th in 3PA/FGA (46.2%); 58th in 3p%, 36.9%
- 86th in turnover prevention
- 167th in A/FGM (50.3%)
- 341st in offensive rebounding rate
- 351st in 2P% (41.9%)
361st in Defensive efficiency
- 94th in turnover possession
- 136th in FT rate prevention
- 349th in opp. A/FGM (62.5%)
- 361st in defensive rebounding rate
- 362nd in opp. FG% (62%)
- GIving up 99.5 points-per-game against D1 opponents
Results from last two games
- L to Oklahoma 86-107
- L to Gonzaga 71-111
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP:
Rashad Williams 6’2 185 fifth-year (transfer from Saint Louis)
- 18.2p, 3.9a, 3.0 TO, 36.6 2P%, 3.5 3PM, 41.7 3P%, 3.0 FTA, 83.3 FT%, 1.4s, ½ FGAs from 3
- Offensive creator who shoots well from three, but has trouble converting off dribble-drives. Prone to turnovers.
Kylen Milton 6’4 192 senior
- 20.4p, 4.3, 2.6a, 2.2 TO, 67.1 2P%, 1.5 3PM, 40.5 3P%, 8.5 FTAs, 71.8 FT%, ⅓ FGAs from 3, 1.3s
- 4th in the nation in fouls drawn and 6th in FT rate
- Elite bucket-getter; fearless attacking the rim. Weak defender.
Joe French 6’5 190 fifth-year (transfer from Bethune-Cookman)
- 16.5p, 4.2r, 1.7a, 1.4 TO, 35.9 2P%, 3.1 3PM, 36.9 3P%, 2/3rd FGAs from 3, 3.0 FT, 86.7 FT%, 1.1s
- One of the best shooters in SWAC history.
Lonnell Martin 6’4 215 fifth-year (transfer from Montana)
- 10.0p, 3.4r, 2.9a, 39.5 2P%, 1.4 3PM, 32.6 3P%, ½ FGAs from 3, 2.8 FTA, 100 FT%
- Versatile spacer; weak defender
Ismael Plet 6’8 230 senior
- 4.4p, 6.0r, 0.8b, 59.4 2P%, 0 3PA, 1.2 FTA, 50 FT%
- Aggressive rebounder and efficient under the basket.
OR (both Lewis/Plet have started multiple games and averaged 18.8 mpg)
Robert Lewis 6’9 210 sophomore
- 4.6p, 3.4r, 70 2P%, ⅓ FGAs from 3, 20 2P%, 1.1 FTA, 70 FT%, 0.9b
- High-motor power forward who crashes the boards
- Was injured during Gonzaga game on Tuesday (not sure why.
FREQUENTLY USED BENCH PIECES
Jyre McCloud 6’5 junior
- Bouncy athlete who is the team’s most versatile defender.
- Plays mostly the 4, small ball 5
- Can’t shoot
Trejob Ware 5’9 160 sophomore
- Backup PG
- Most gritty and aggressive defender. Relentless on-ball pressure.
Kaine McColley 6’5 215 senior
- Low usage spacer; Just 2 FGAs from 2; 4-10 from 3.
A former assistant at Oral Roberts during their 2021 March Madness run, Arkansas-Pine Bluff head coach Solomon Bozeman has his most talented and efficient offensive unit in his three year tenure.
Known last season as one of the better defensive teams in the SWAC and a poorer offensive team, the roles have swapped early this season. However, the Golden Lions’ tough D1 schedule does soften their rough defensive analytics.
That being said, there is true offensive talent on this team, as the backcourt combination of Williams, French and Milton can all score in bunches. With this group, Bozeman runs a 4-out, 1-in offense that predicates tempo, attacking the rim and shooting threes.
Soloman Bozeman’s best offensive group, former assistant at Oral Roberts during 2021’s March Madness run.
On defense, Bozeman splits his defensive philosophy between denying passing lines and protecting driving opportunities, but during more appropriate competition they are trying to force turnovers while staying conservative in blocking off driving lanes. Bozeman wants to keep opponents away from the paint, but that’ll be nearly impossible against UConn.
At the very least, Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s offensive weapons should make them a slightly more competitive opponent than MVSU. Noting this, this game is a huge opportunity to run Clingan and Castle to grow their conditioning while also allowing more time for our younger weapons to grow. Good chance nine or ten Huskies can get minutes in the double-digits.
