Fairfield–Little Rock Early Edition Game Notes ♫ 23-24 - 232
Mar 22, 2024 21:07:51 GMT -5
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Post by reindeerfan on Mar 22, 2024 21:07:51 GMT -5
Early Edition Game Notes is intended to be fun, informative and sometime irreverent way to look at the numbers, but if you take this stuff too seriously you are cautioned against reading any further. Please proceed at your own risk!
PLEASE DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR! .
Fairfield–Little Rock Early Edition Game Notes ♫ 23-24 - 232
Fairfield (#7) (22-12, 14-6, MAAC) VS UA Little Rock (#10) (21-12, 14-4 OVC)
Sunday, March 24, 2024 • 3:30 PM EST
Daytona Beach, FL
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 1st match-up between Fairfield and UA Little Rock. In fact this will be the first match-up between the Stags and the Trojans from any institution as Fairfield has never faced the USC Trojans, The Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) Trojans, the Troy Trojans (Troy University, formerly Troy State University), the Little Rock Trojans (University of Arkansas at Little Rock. the SAIT Trojans, (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology), the Virginia State Trojans, the Mount Olive Trojans, (University of Mount Olive), the Trojans of Dakota State University, the Trinity International University Trojans, the Valley Forge Military College Trojans, Taylor University Trojans. So the Stags have no basis to determine how they might fair against Trojan Warriors.
STAGS IN THE POSTSEASON*
This will be Fairfield's first appearance in the CBI. Fairfield has appeared in 26 post season games including 6 NCAA D II tournament games (2-4), 3 NCAA appearances (0-3), 8 NIT games (2-6) and 9 CIT Games (4-5). Overall the Stags are 8-18 in post season games. Appearances include: the NCAA DII Tournament in 1960, 1961 and 1962; the National Invitational Tournament in 1973, 1974, 1978, 1996, 2003; and 2011 NIT; the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 1986, 1987 and 1997; and the 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2017 CIT.
*Editors note: there are reports that the Stags appeared in the 1951 NAIA tournament but Fairfield is not listed as a participant. The early edition welcomes any information regarding Fairfield involvement in an NAIA tournament
NCAA Division II Tournament results
The Stags have appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament three times. Their combined record is 2–4.
Year Round Opponent Result
1960 Regional semifinals Drexel W 56–44
....... Regional Finals American L 74–75
1961 Regional semifinals Albright L 67–85
....... Regional 3rd-place game Virginia Union L 66–70
1962 Regional semifinals Rochester W 86–75
....... Regional Finals Northeastern L 69–80
NCAA Division I Tournament results
The Stags have appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament three times. Their combined record is 0–3.
Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1986 #13 First round #4 Illinois L 51–75
1987 #16 First round #1 Indiana L 58–92
1997 #16 First round #1 North Carolina L 74–82
NIT results
The Stags have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times. Their combined record is 2–6.
Year Round Opponent Result
1973 First round Marshall W 80–76
....... Quarterfinals Virginia Tech L 76–77
1974 First round Hawaiʻi L 65–66
1978 First round Dayton L 93–108
1996 First round Providence L 79–91
2003 Opening Round Boston College L 78–90
2011 First round Colorado State W 62–60
....... Second Round Kent State L 68–72
CIT results
The Stags have appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) five times. Their combined record is 4–5.
2010 First round George Mason W 101–96OT
....... Quarterfinals Creighton L 55–73
2012 First round Yale W 68–56
....... Second Round Manhattan W 69–57
....... Quarterfinals Robert Morris W 67–61
....... Semifinals Mercer L 59–64
2013 First round Kent State L 71–73
2016 First round New Hampshire L 62–77
2017 First round UMBC L 83–88
LITTLE ROCK MASCOT - MAXIMUS
Maximus might be the one wearing the Backpack
(The EEGN Staff isn’t 100% sure but we think Maximus might be the one holding the Starbucks Cup)
MASCOT TRADITION
The Little Rock Trojans are among the most storied teams in college sports. Founded as an extension to the University of Arkansas Fayetteville, UALR may be the lesser of the two institutions, but you still shouldn’t take Little Rock for granite. While it seems like little rock has been around since the Stone Age, the school was founded in 1927, and first went by the name little rock junior college. Unofficially, the basketball program began in 1929, when the LRJC “Jassacks” hit the court playing a very limited schedule against a variety of area teams that included high schools. But officially the program played their first season in 1930 under their newly adopted name, the Trojans. One of UA Little Rock’s claims to fame is that, while they have changed the name of the school several times, unlike just about every other school in the nation, they have “always” been known as the Trojans. While UA Little Rock claims to be an original deal, they were in fact preceded by at least two other Trojans, the first from the University of Southern California who began going by the name Trojans in 1912, and also by Fay and Youngs corporation, who began selling consumer products under the brand name Trojan in 1916. While Trojan has become synonymous with this particular consumer product, the leadership at Little Rock is not considering a name change. A member of the board UALR Board stated, “To our knowledge the only consumer products colleges need to disassociate with, are pancake mix and rice (Aunt Jemima and Uncle Bens). At UALR the Trojan name has been trusted for more than 100 years.” According to University President Donald Bobbitt (no relation to Lorena), “Trojans are associated with strength and courage, traits that embody Little Rock’s spirit even today! This moniker has become associated with our young men’s success on and off the field. We feel safe with Trojans.”
Recently UA Little Rock “rebranded,” changing their name from University of Arkansas LR to Little Rock. As part of this bold rebranding plan, they stayed true to the Trojan name, while still developing a new mascot who they named “Maximus,” after Maximus Decimus Meridius. Some historians claim that Maximus consumed his wife; and that while initially he felt remorse for this deed, in the end, he was gladiator. Of course the name Maximus is also associated with the largest muscle in the human body, the gluteus Maximus, so Maximus has been jokingly referred to as a big “?” (insert your favorite synonym for “keister”) mascot. Certainly he has become the butt of many jokes.
As the Trojan’s head to Florida, their coach hopes that they will get their mind in the game, and that everything will be in place so that Sunday is a night to remember, not regret. The Stags are hoping to burst their bubble, and poke holes in the Trojans plans to become CBI Champions……
SCHOOL HISTORY
UA Little Rock has a rich basketball tradition that begain officially in 1930 when the school scored victories over Colonial Bread and the Arkansas State Hospital. In 1933 the team moved toward exclusively playing other academic institutions yielding disastrous results as the Trojans managed just 9 victories in 70 games. From 1935-39, LRJC basketball posted a 2-42 record, including a 30-game losing streak when the Trojans lost by an average of 23 points. Only a two-point win in 1935 and a one-point victory in 1938 saved the Trojans from four consecutive winless seasons. Thankfully America prepared for war and the basketball program was temporarily put on hold. It resumed in the fall of 1941, as the program again gained success as the school avoided other colleges and managed to win half their games against factory teams earning a 6-5 record in the Little Rock City League. After floundering for another 37 years the program went D1 in 1978 winning 6 games as an independent in 1978. The legendary 1979 UALR team finished over 500, finishing the season with 16 wins against only 10 losses. Little Rock went on to finish above 500 several other times.
Despite their pathetic start, UALR has had some real success since moving to D1. The Trojans have appeared in the NCAA tournament five times. Their combined record is 2–5 including a first round victory over 3 seed Notre Dame in 1986 and a double overtime win over Purdue in 2016.
1986 14 First Round (3) Notre Dame W 90–83
Second Round (6) NC State L 66–80OT
1989 13 First Round (4) Louisville L 71–76
1990 16 First Round (1) UNLV L 72–102
2011 16 First Four (16) UNC Asheville L 77–81OT
2016 12 First Round (5) Purdue W 85–83 2OT
Second Round (4) Iowa State L 61–78
ABOUT THE TROJANS
• Prior to their loss in the OVC tournament to Morehead State, the Trojans were on a ten game winning streak, the third longest in the nation.
• Entering the conference tournament, Little Rock was ranked 21st in the College Insider Mid Major Top 25.
• Little Rock is one of 38 schools in the nation to win multiple regular season conference championships since 2020. The Trojans won their first-ever OVC Regular Season Championship this year and won the Sun Belt Regular Season title in 2020.
• Head Coach Darrell Walker was named the OVC Coach of the Year. He becomes only the 24th head coach since 2020 to be named Coach of the Year multiple times as he garnered the Sun Belt Coach of the Year honor with Little Rock in 2020.
• Jaylen Crocker-Johnson was named the OVC Freshman of the Year. The San Antonio, Texas-native received OVC Freshman of the Week nine times this season becoming the fifth player to do so. He becomes the first Little Rock player to be named Freshman of the Yea• KK Robinson and Jamir Chaplin earned All-OVC First Team honors. This is the first time since the 2019-20 season that Little Rock has earned First Team recognition. The pair were also recognized as two of the five players named to the All-Newcomer Team.
• Makhel Mitchell earned All-OVC Second Team honors.
TRIVIA QUESTION
What player scored the most points for Fairfield in a single post season tournament and how many points did he score?
COMIC OF THE DAY
Nancy
Nancy is an American comic strip, originally written and drawn by Ernie Bushmiller and distributed by United Feature Syndicate and Andrews McMeel Syndication. It was spun off from Fritzi Ritz, a strip Bushmiller inherited from creator Larry Whittington in 1925. After Fritzi's niece Nancy was introduced in 1933, Fritzi Ritz evolved to focus more and more on Nancy instead of Fritzi. The new strip took the old one's daily slot, while Fritzi Ritz continued as a Sunday, with Nancy taking the Sunday slot previously filled by Bushmiller's Phil Fumble strip beginning on October 30, 1938. After Bushmiller's death in 1982, the strip has been produced by a wide variety of different writers and artists.
TRIVIA ANSWER
Rakim Sanders scored 60 points in the 2012 CIT, scoring 21, 9, 14 and 16 points over the 4 games. Maurice Barrow was a close second with 57 points.
DID YOU KNOW - WITH SJ
In 2003 the State of Arkansas passed a law making ownership of French Poodles illegal to protest France’s lack of support for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since the law has never been repealed, you cannot get a dog license for Poodles in Arkansas and they are banned from driving on State roads.
MAGIC NUMBERS
1 – The number of wins Chris Casey will need to surpass Paul Cormier for 30th place all-time in MAAC coaching victories.
80 – The number of points Alexis Yetna needs to reach the 1000 career point mark.
142 – The number of points Jalen Leach needs to reach the 1000 career point mark.
431 - The number of points Brycen Goodine needs to reach the 1000 career point mark.
729 – The number of points Louie Bleechmore needs to reach the 1000 career point mark.
687 – The number of points Jasper Floyd needs to reach the 1000 career point mark
801 – The number of points Peyton Smith needs to reach the 1000 career point mark
SEPARATED AT BIRTH
HEARD BUT PROBABLY NOT TRUE
WHY DAVIS LOVES THE CBI
According to college basketball personality Seth Davis. “I love the CBI. Because when my wife accuses me of watching every single college basketball game, I can honestly say that I haven’t even watched a single second of the CBI……
THINGS FLORIDA, KANSAS AND ARKANSAS HAVE IN COMMON
Little Rock coach Darrel Walker is hopeful there will be no hurricane’s in Daytona beach during the CBI. "Traveling to Florida makes me think about what Florida Hurricane’s, Kansas Tornado’s and Arkansas divorces have in common. In each case, some poor sap is gonna lose a trailer……"
SINGLE SEASON RECORDS
Playing in the CBI give several Stag players a chance to add to their career totals and also possibly establish new single Season records. Here's some single season bests that current Stags players are approaching......
THREE-POINT FIELD GOALS
Caleb Fields become the second Stag to reach sink 100 three point baskets in a single season. Fields could surpass Nelson’s single season mark with 5 made threes.
1. Tyler Nelson 104 2017-18
2. Caleb Fields 100 2023-24 current season
3. Ferron Flavors Jr. 95 2017-18
4. Landon Taliaferro 90 2018-19
5. Mike Van Schaick 88 2006-07
6. Tyler Nelson 81 2016-17
7. Greg Francis 80 1995-96
8. Derek Needham 78 2012-13
Marcus Gilbert 78 2015-16
10. Brycen Goodine 77 current season
11. Derek Needham 73 2010-11
Marcus Gilbert 73 2013-14
13. Derek Needham 72 2011-12
THREE POINT FIELD GOALS PER GAME
Caleb Fields pace of 3.29 three point baskets per game would be an all-time best in Stag history if Fields could maintain this pace. Only two other players averaged better than 3 triples per game:
Player 3FGPG
1.Tyler Nelson 3.151 104/33
2. Caleb Field 3.125 100/32 current season
3. Landon Taliaferro 3.0 90/30
4. Ferron Flavor 2.9
5. Michael Van Schaick 2.8
6. Greg Francis 2.7
7. Tyler Nelson 2.6
8. Jermaine Clark 2.6
9. Brycen Goodine 2.5 current season
10. Marcus Gilbert 2.5
THREE-POINT FIELD GOALS ATTEMPTED
Player 3FGAs Season
1. Tyler Nelson 295 2017-18
2. Ferron Flavors Jr. 283 2017-18
3. Caleb Fields 256 2023-24
4. Derek Needham 239 2012-13
5. Derek Needham 236 2010-11
6. Mike Van Schaick 222 2006-07
7. Jermaine Clark 218 1998-99
8. Landon Taliaferro 213 2018-19
9. Marcus Gilbert 209 2015-16
10. Tyler Nelson 207 2016-17
Greg Francis 207 1995-96
THREE-POINT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
(min. 2.5 attempts per game/played in 75% of teams games)
Player 3PFG% Season
Below is a top 10 list all time of qualifying players for 3 point shooting percentage.
1. Brycen Goodine .467 current season
2. Landon Taliafero .423 2018-19
3. Caleb Fields .391 2023-24 current season
4. Michael Van Schaick .396 2006-07
5. Tyler Nelson .391 2016-17
6. Greg Francis .386 1995-96
7. Marcus Gilbert .373 2015-16
8. Tyler Nelson .353 2017-18
9. Ferron Flavors .336 2017-18
10. Jermaine Clark .317 1998-99
FREE THROW PERCENTAGE
Source: Fairfield Record Book (min. 100 attempts)
Jalen Leach has a chance to finish the season with one of the top free throw shooting percentages in program history. Here are the current top 10 based on a minimum 100 attempts:
Player FT% Season
1. Jalen Leach .895 2023-24 current season
2. Joe DeSantis .892 1976-77
3. Tyler Nelson .880 2017-18
4. Tyler Nelson .8795 2015-16
5. Mike Van Schaick .857 2005-06
6. Tyler Nelson .856 2016-17
7. Joe DeSantis .844 1977-78
8. Taj Benning .842 2021-22
9. Kevin George .842 1991-92
10. Joe DeSantis .835 1975-76
11. AJ Wynder .832 1986-87
Jasper Floyd still needs 26 attempts to qualify
ASSISTS
Player Assists Season
1. John Ryan 301 1973-74
2. John Ryan 245 1972-73
3. Joe DeSantis 187 1977-78
4. Jonathan Han 186 2006-07
5. Joe DeSantis 184 1978-79
6. Derek Needham 177 2009-10
…Joe DeSantis 177 1976-77
8. Danny Odums 175 1974-75
9. Marvin Walters 172 1988-89
10. Jerome Segura 160 2015-16
….
Jasper Floyd 136 2023-24 current season
ASSISTS PER GAME
Player Years Ast per game avg
1. John Ryan, 1973-74 11.6
2. John Ryan, 1972-73 9.1
3. Joe DeSantis, 1978-79 7.4
4. Joe DeSantis, 1977-78 6.9
5. Joe DeSantis, 1976-77 6.8
6. Danny Odums, 1974-75 6.5
7. Jonathan Han, 2007-08 6.2
8. Marvin Walters, 1988-89 6.1
9. A.J. Wynder, 1985-86 5.3
10. Johnnie Jones, 1991-92 5.2
......John Ryan, 1971-1972 5.2
……
Jasper Floyd 4.0 2023-24 current season
STEALS
Player Steals Season
1. Jasper Floyd 79 2023-24
2. Kyle Commodore 74 1998-99
3. A.J. Wynder 66 1984-85
4. Didier Boucard 64 1996-97
5. Colin Nickerson 63 2010-11
6. Derek Needham 60 2009-10
7. Jalen Leach 59 2023-24 current season
8. Colin Nickerson 56 2012-13
9. A.J. Wynder 55 1986-87
10. Kyle Commodore 54 1997-98
11. Jesus Cruz 53 2017-18
12. Rakim Sanders 52 2011-12
STEALS PER GAME
There are only 4 seasons where a Stag has averaged as many as 2 steals per game:
1. Kyle Commodore, 1998-99 2.7
Jasper Floyd 2.3 2023-24 current season
3. A.J. Wynder, 1984-85 2.4
4. Didier Boucard, 1996-97 2.2
5. Kyle Commodore, 1997-98 2.0
CAREER RECORDS
Here's are the all-time school records that current Stags players are approaching......
THREE-POINT FIELD GOALS MADE PLAYER
3FGs Years
1. Tyler Nelson 315 2014-18
2. Derek Needham 281 2009-13
3. Marcus Gilbert 242 2012-16
4. Greg Francis 230 1993-97
5. Jermaine Clark 167 1998-01
6. Mike Evanovich 165 2007-10
7. Mike Van Schaick 163 2003-07
8. Kyle Commodore 162 1995-99
9. Jonathan Han 157 2005-09
10. Landon Taliaferro 153 2018-20
11. Caleb Fields 150 2023-present
THREE-POINT FG PERCENTAGE (min. 250 attempts)
Player 3FG% Years
1. Shane Miller .430 1994-98
2. Mike Evanovich .402 2007-10
3. Mike Van Schaick .398 2003-07
4. Craig Martin .390 1990-94
5. Jonathan Han .381 2005-09
6. Landon Taliaferro .378 2018-20
7. Tyler Nelson .373 2014-18
8. Michael Bell .369 2002-06
9. Tyquawn Goode .366 2001-05
10. Caleb Fields .364 2021-24 present season
11. Kevin George .364 1989-93
MOST POINTS BY A TRANSFER STUDENT unofficial stat
Player PTS Prior School
1. AJ Wynder 1313 UMASS
2. Sam Spann 902 Syracuse
3. Caleb Fields 864 Bowling Green State
4. Kim Fisher 745 Essex Community College
5. Landon Taliaferro 742 Laramire County Community College
6. Mike Evanovich 727 Iowa State
7. Jake Wojcik 724 Richmond
8. Rakim Sanders 615 Boston College
9. Rich Wejnert 501 South Carolina
10. Danny Odums 451 Austin Peay
…Brycen Goodine 459 Providence
MOST POINTS BY A WALK-ON unofficial stat
While this is not an official statistic, as data regarding which players started their careers as walk-on’s isn’t always available, nonetheless here is the EEGN list of the top walk on players all-time in points scored:
1 - 491, 1965-1967 Bill Pritz
2 - 388, 1990-1993 Tim Schwartz
3 - 236, 2012-2015 Steve Johnston
4 - 187, 2001-2006 Alvin Carter
5 - 72, 1987-1992 Mike Plansky
6 - 34, 1994-1997 Brandon Jubrey
7 - 34, 1984-1987 Richard Barry
8 - 30 2020-Present Jack Brown
Free Throw Percentage (min. 250 attempts) source: Fairfield Record Book
Player FT% Years
1. Tyler Nelson .871 2014-18
Jalen Leach .856 2023-present Not enough attempts to qualify
2. Joe DeSantis .849 1975-79
Jasper Floyd .838 2023-present Not enough attempts to qualify
3. A.J. Wynder .832 1983-87
4. Taj Benning .815 2017-22
5. Jeff Gromos .810 1983-87
5. Terrance Todd .801 2002-06
6. George Groom .799 1970-73
8. Mark Young .779 1975-79
9. Chris Rivers .7734 1997-01
10. Tony George .7727 1982-86
Assists Per Game (min. 50 games) source: Fairfield Record Book
Player Assists Years
1. John Ryan (78) 8.7 1971-74
2. Joe DeSantis (104) 6.4 1975-79
3. Jonathan Han (111) 4.7 2005-09
4. A.J. Wynder (116) 4.5 1983-87
Jasper Floyd (129) 4.0 2023-present Not enough games to qualify
5. Derek Needham (131) 4.1 2009-13
6. Marvin Walters (105) 3.99 1986-90
7. Tony George (115) 3.96 1982-86
8. Kim Fisher (54) 3.91 1976-78
9. Bobby Hurt (68) 3.86 1980-83
10. Johnnie Jones (110) 3.8 1990-94
Steals Per Game (min. 50 games) source: Fairfield Record Book
Player (games) Steals Years
Jasper Floyd (72) 2.3 2023-present Not enough games to qualify
1. A.J. Wynder (116) 1.9 1983-87
2. Kyle Commodore (113) 1.84 1995-99
3. Bobby Hurt (68) 1.83 1980-83
4. Tyquawn Goode (120) 1.5 2001-05
5. Didier Boucard (112) 1.5 1995-99
6. Derek Needham (131) 1.5 2009-13
7. Sam Spann (79) 1.5 1999-02
8. Jermaine Clark (82) 1.4 1998-01
9. Colin Nickerson (138) 1.4 2009-13
10. Jonathan Han (111) 1.3 2005-09
The Early Edition Team wishes The Stags the Best of Luck as they try to win the College Basketball Invitational.
Edition 232 @stagsmensbball , #stagsmensbball, #MAACHoops , #heardbutprobablynottrue , #EEGN , #HBPNT ♫2023-2024♫
***************************************************************************
PLEASE DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR! .
Fairfield–Little Rock Early Edition Game Notes ♫ 23-24 - 232
Fairfield (#7) (22-12, 14-6, MAAC) VS UA Little Rock (#10) (21-12, 14-4 OVC)
Sunday, March 24, 2024 • 3:30 PM EST
Daytona Beach, FL
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 1st match-up between Fairfield and UA Little Rock. In fact this will be the first match-up between the Stags and the Trojans from any institution as Fairfield has never faced the USC Trojans, The Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) Trojans, the Troy Trojans (Troy University, formerly Troy State University), the Little Rock Trojans (University of Arkansas at Little Rock. the SAIT Trojans, (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology), the Virginia State Trojans, the Mount Olive Trojans, (University of Mount Olive), the Trojans of Dakota State University, the Trinity International University Trojans, the Valley Forge Military College Trojans, Taylor University Trojans. So the Stags have no basis to determine how they might fair against Trojan Warriors.
STAGS IN THE POSTSEASON*
This will be Fairfield's first appearance in the CBI. Fairfield has appeared in 26 post season games including 6 NCAA D II tournament games (2-4), 3 NCAA appearances (0-3), 8 NIT games (2-6) and 9 CIT Games (4-5). Overall the Stags are 8-18 in post season games. Appearances include: the NCAA DII Tournament in 1960, 1961 and 1962; the National Invitational Tournament in 1973, 1974, 1978, 1996, 2003; and 2011 NIT; the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 1986, 1987 and 1997; and the 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2017 CIT.
*Editors note: there are reports that the Stags appeared in the 1951 NAIA tournament but Fairfield is not listed as a participant. The early edition welcomes any information regarding Fairfield involvement in an NAIA tournament
NCAA Division II Tournament results
The Stags have appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament three times. Their combined record is 2–4.
Year Round Opponent Result
1960 Regional semifinals Drexel W 56–44
....... Regional Finals American L 74–75
1961 Regional semifinals Albright L 67–85
....... Regional 3rd-place game Virginia Union L 66–70
1962 Regional semifinals Rochester W 86–75
....... Regional Finals Northeastern L 69–80
NCAA Division I Tournament results
The Stags have appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament three times. Their combined record is 0–3.
Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1986 #13 First round #4 Illinois L 51–75
1987 #16 First round #1 Indiana L 58–92
1997 #16 First round #1 North Carolina L 74–82
NIT results
The Stags have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times. Their combined record is 2–6.
Year Round Opponent Result
1973 First round Marshall W 80–76
....... Quarterfinals Virginia Tech L 76–77
1974 First round Hawaiʻi L 65–66
1978 First round Dayton L 93–108
1996 First round Providence L 79–91
2003 Opening Round Boston College L 78–90
2011 First round Colorado State W 62–60
....... Second Round Kent State L 68–72
CIT results
The Stags have appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) five times. Their combined record is 4–5.
2010 First round George Mason W 101–96OT
....... Quarterfinals Creighton L 55–73
2012 First round Yale W 68–56
....... Second Round Manhattan W 69–57
....... Quarterfinals Robert Morris W 67–61
....... Semifinals Mercer L 59–64
2013 First round Kent State L 71–73
2016 First round New Hampshire L 62–77
2017 First round UMBC L 83–88
LITTLE ROCK MASCOT - MAXIMUS
Maximus might be the one wearing the Backpack
(The EEGN Staff isn’t 100% sure but we think Maximus might be the one holding the Starbucks Cup)
MASCOT TRADITION
The Little Rock Trojans are among the most storied teams in college sports. Founded as an extension to the University of Arkansas Fayetteville, UALR may be the lesser of the two institutions, but you still shouldn’t take Little Rock for granite. While it seems like little rock has been around since the Stone Age, the school was founded in 1927, and first went by the name little rock junior college. Unofficially, the basketball program began in 1929, when the LRJC “Jassacks” hit the court playing a very limited schedule against a variety of area teams that included high schools. But officially the program played their first season in 1930 under their newly adopted name, the Trojans. One of UA Little Rock’s claims to fame is that, while they have changed the name of the school several times, unlike just about every other school in the nation, they have “always” been known as the Trojans. While UA Little Rock claims to be an original deal, they were in fact preceded by at least two other Trojans, the first from the University of Southern California who began going by the name Trojans in 1912, and also by Fay and Youngs corporation, who began selling consumer products under the brand name Trojan in 1916. While Trojan has become synonymous with this particular consumer product, the leadership at Little Rock is not considering a name change. A member of the board UALR Board stated, “To our knowledge the only consumer products colleges need to disassociate with, are pancake mix and rice (Aunt Jemima and Uncle Bens). At UALR the Trojan name has been trusted for more than 100 years.” According to University President Donald Bobbitt (no relation to Lorena), “Trojans are associated with strength and courage, traits that embody Little Rock’s spirit even today! This moniker has become associated with our young men’s success on and off the field. We feel safe with Trojans.”
Recently UA Little Rock “rebranded,” changing their name from University of Arkansas LR to Little Rock. As part of this bold rebranding plan, they stayed true to the Trojan name, while still developing a new mascot who they named “Maximus,” after Maximus Decimus Meridius. Some historians claim that Maximus consumed his wife; and that while initially he felt remorse for this deed, in the end, he was gladiator. Of course the name Maximus is also associated with the largest muscle in the human body, the gluteus Maximus, so Maximus has been jokingly referred to as a big “?” (insert your favorite synonym for “keister”) mascot. Certainly he has become the butt of many jokes.
As the Trojan’s head to Florida, their coach hopes that they will get their mind in the game, and that everything will be in place so that Sunday is a night to remember, not regret. The Stags are hoping to burst their bubble, and poke holes in the Trojans plans to become CBI Champions……
SCHOOL HISTORY
UA Little Rock has a rich basketball tradition that begain officially in 1930 when the school scored victories over Colonial Bread and the Arkansas State Hospital. In 1933 the team moved toward exclusively playing other academic institutions yielding disastrous results as the Trojans managed just 9 victories in 70 games. From 1935-39, LRJC basketball posted a 2-42 record, including a 30-game losing streak when the Trojans lost by an average of 23 points. Only a two-point win in 1935 and a one-point victory in 1938 saved the Trojans from four consecutive winless seasons. Thankfully America prepared for war and the basketball program was temporarily put on hold. It resumed in the fall of 1941, as the program again gained success as the school avoided other colleges and managed to win half their games against factory teams earning a 6-5 record in the Little Rock City League. After floundering for another 37 years the program went D1 in 1978 winning 6 games as an independent in 1978. The legendary 1979 UALR team finished over 500, finishing the season with 16 wins against only 10 losses. Little Rock went on to finish above 500 several other times.
Despite their pathetic start, UALR has had some real success since moving to D1. The Trojans have appeared in the NCAA tournament five times. Their combined record is 2–5 including a first round victory over 3 seed Notre Dame in 1986 and a double overtime win over Purdue in 2016.
1986 14 First Round (3) Notre Dame W 90–83
Second Round (6) NC State L 66–80OT
1989 13 First Round (4) Louisville L 71–76
1990 16 First Round (1) UNLV L 72–102
2011 16 First Four (16) UNC Asheville L 77–81OT
2016 12 First Round (5) Purdue W 85–83 2OT
Second Round (4) Iowa State L 61–78
ABOUT THE TROJANS
• Prior to their loss in the OVC tournament to Morehead State, the Trojans were on a ten game winning streak, the third longest in the nation.
• Entering the conference tournament, Little Rock was ranked 21st in the College Insider Mid Major Top 25.
• Little Rock is one of 38 schools in the nation to win multiple regular season conference championships since 2020. The Trojans won their first-ever OVC Regular Season Championship this year and won the Sun Belt Regular Season title in 2020.
• Head Coach Darrell Walker was named the OVC Coach of the Year. He becomes only the 24th head coach since 2020 to be named Coach of the Year multiple times as he garnered the Sun Belt Coach of the Year honor with Little Rock in 2020.
• Jaylen Crocker-Johnson was named the OVC Freshman of the Year. The San Antonio, Texas-native received OVC Freshman of the Week nine times this season becoming the fifth player to do so. He becomes the first Little Rock player to be named Freshman of the Yea• KK Robinson and Jamir Chaplin earned All-OVC First Team honors. This is the first time since the 2019-20 season that Little Rock has earned First Team recognition. The pair were also recognized as two of the five players named to the All-Newcomer Team.
• Makhel Mitchell earned All-OVC Second Team honors.
TRIVIA QUESTION
What player scored the most points for Fairfield in a single post season tournament and how many points did he score?
COMIC OF THE DAY
Nancy
Nancy is an American comic strip, originally written and drawn by Ernie Bushmiller and distributed by United Feature Syndicate and Andrews McMeel Syndication. It was spun off from Fritzi Ritz, a strip Bushmiller inherited from creator Larry Whittington in 1925. After Fritzi's niece Nancy was introduced in 1933, Fritzi Ritz evolved to focus more and more on Nancy instead of Fritzi. The new strip took the old one's daily slot, while Fritzi Ritz continued as a Sunday, with Nancy taking the Sunday slot previously filled by Bushmiller's Phil Fumble strip beginning on October 30, 1938. After Bushmiller's death in 1982, the strip has been produced by a wide variety of different writers and artists.
TRIVIA ANSWER
Rakim Sanders scored 60 points in the 2012 CIT, scoring 21, 9, 14 and 16 points over the 4 games. Maurice Barrow was a close second with 57 points.
DID YOU KNOW - WITH SJ
In 2003 the State of Arkansas passed a law making ownership of French Poodles illegal to protest France’s lack of support for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since the law has never been repealed, you cannot get a dog license for Poodles in Arkansas and they are banned from driving on State roads.
MAGIC NUMBERS
1 – The number of wins Chris Casey will need to surpass Paul Cormier for 30th place all-time in MAAC coaching victories.
80 – The number of points Alexis Yetna needs to reach the 1000 career point mark.
142 – The number of points Jalen Leach needs to reach the 1000 career point mark.
431 - The number of points Brycen Goodine needs to reach the 1000 career point mark.
729 – The number of points Louie Bleechmore needs to reach the 1000 career point mark.
687 – The number of points Jasper Floyd needs to reach the 1000 career point mark
801 – The number of points Peyton Smith needs to reach the 1000 career point mark
SEPARATED AT BIRTH
HEARD BUT PROBABLY NOT TRUE
WHY DAVIS LOVES THE CBI
According to college basketball personality Seth Davis. “I love the CBI. Because when my wife accuses me of watching every single college basketball game, I can honestly say that I haven’t even watched a single second of the CBI……
THINGS FLORIDA, KANSAS AND ARKANSAS HAVE IN COMMON
Little Rock coach Darrel Walker is hopeful there will be no hurricane’s in Daytona beach during the CBI. "Traveling to Florida makes me think about what Florida Hurricane’s, Kansas Tornado’s and Arkansas divorces have in common. In each case, some poor sap is gonna lose a trailer……"
SINGLE SEASON RECORDS
Playing in the CBI give several Stag players a chance to add to their career totals and also possibly establish new single Season records. Here's some single season bests that current Stags players are approaching......
THREE-POINT FIELD GOALS
Caleb Fields become the second Stag to reach sink 100 three point baskets in a single season. Fields could surpass Nelson’s single season mark with 5 made threes.
1. Tyler Nelson 104 2017-18
2. Caleb Fields 100 2023-24 current season
3. Ferron Flavors Jr. 95 2017-18
4. Landon Taliaferro 90 2018-19
5. Mike Van Schaick 88 2006-07
6. Tyler Nelson 81 2016-17
7. Greg Francis 80 1995-96
8. Derek Needham 78 2012-13
Marcus Gilbert 78 2015-16
10. Brycen Goodine 77 current season
11. Derek Needham 73 2010-11
Marcus Gilbert 73 2013-14
13. Derek Needham 72 2011-12
THREE POINT FIELD GOALS PER GAME
Caleb Fields pace of 3.29 three point baskets per game would be an all-time best in Stag history if Fields could maintain this pace. Only two other players averaged better than 3 triples per game:
Player 3FGPG
1.Tyler Nelson 3.151 104/33
2. Caleb Field 3.125 100/32 current season
3. Landon Taliaferro 3.0 90/30
4. Ferron Flavor 2.9
5. Michael Van Schaick 2.8
6. Greg Francis 2.7
7. Tyler Nelson 2.6
8. Jermaine Clark 2.6
9. Brycen Goodine 2.5 current season
10. Marcus Gilbert 2.5
THREE-POINT FIELD GOALS ATTEMPTED
Player 3FGAs Season
1. Tyler Nelson 295 2017-18
2. Ferron Flavors Jr. 283 2017-18
3. Caleb Fields 256 2023-24
4. Derek Needham 239 2012-13
5. Derek Needham 236 2010-11
6. Mike Van Schaick 222 2006-07
7. Jermaine Clark 218 1998-99
8. Landon Taliaferro 213 2018-19
9. Marcus Gilbert 209 2015-16
10. Tyler Nelson 207 2016-17
Greg Francis 207 1995-96
THREE-POINT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
(min. 2.5 attempts per game/played in 75% of teams games)
Player 3PFG% Season
Below is a top 10 list all time of qualifying players for 3 point shooting percentage.
1. Brycen Goodine .467 current season
2. Landon Taliafero .423 2018-19
3. Caleb Fields .391 2023-24 current season
4. Michael Van Schaick .396 2006-07
5. Tyler Nelson .391 2016-17
6. Greg Francis .386 1995-96
7. Marcus Gilbert .373 2015-16
8. Tyler Nelson .353 2017-18
9. Ferron Flavors .336 2017-18
10. Jermaine Clark .317 1998-99
FREE THROW PERCENTAGE
Source: Fairfield Record Book (min. 100 attempts)
Jalen Leach has a chance to finish the season with one of the top free throw shooting percentages in program history. Here are the current top 10 based on a minimum 100 attempts:
Player FT% Season
1. Jalen Leach .895 2023-24 current season
2. Joe DeSantis .892 1976-77
3. Tyler Nelson .880 2017-18
4. Tyler Nelson .8795 2015-16
5. Mike Van Schaick .857 2005-06
6. Tyler Nelson .856 2016-17
7. Joe DeSantis .844 1977-78
8. Taj Benning .842 2021-22
9. Kevin George .842 1991-92
10. Joe DeSantis .835 1975-76
11. AJ Wynder .832 1986-87
Jasper Floyd still needs 26 attempts to qualify
ASSISTS
Player Assists Season
1. John Ryan 301 1973-74
2. John Ryan 245 1972-73
3. Joe DeSantis 187 1977-78
4. Jonathan Han 186 2006-07
5. Joe DeSantis 184 1978-79
6. Derek Needham 177 2009-10
…Joe DeSantis 177 1976-77
8. Danny Odums 175 1974-75
9. Marvin Walters 172 1988-89
10. Jerome Segura 160 2015-16
….
Jasper Floyd 136 2023-24 current season
ASSISTS PER GAME
Player Years Ast per game avg
1. John Ryan, 1973-74 11.6
2. John Ryan, 1972-73 9.1
3. Joe DeSantis, 1978-79 7.4
4. Joe DeSantis, 1977-78 6.9
5. Joe DeSantis, 1976-77 6.8
6. Danny Odums, 1974-75 6.5
7. Jonathan Han, 2007-08 6.2
8. Marvin Walters, 1988-89 6.1
9. A.J. Wynder, 1985-86 5.3
10. Johnnie Jones, 1991-92 5.2
......John Ryan, 1971-1972 5.2
……
Jasper Floyd 4.0 2023-24 current season
STEALS
Player Steals Season
1. Jasper Floyd 79 2023-24
2. Kyle Commodore 74 1998-99
3. A.J. Wynder 66 1984-85
4. Didier Boucard 64 1996-97
5. Colin Nickerson 63 2010-11
6. Derek Needham 60 2009-10
7. Jalen Leach 59 2023-24 current season
8. Colin Nickerson 56 2012-13
9. A.J. Wynder 55 1986-87
10. Kyle Commodore 54 1997-98
11. Jesus Cruz 53 2017-18
12. Rakim Sanders 52 2011-12
STEALS PER GAME
There are only 4 seasons where a Stag has averaged as many as 2 steals per game:
1. Kyle Commodore, 1998-99 2.7
Jasper Floyd 2.3 2023-24 current season
3. A.J. Wynder, 1984-85 2.4
4. Didier Boucard, 1996-97 2.2
5. Kyle Commodore, 1997-98 2.0
CAREER RECORDS
Here's are the all-time school records that current Stags players are approaching......
THREE-POINT FIELD GOALS MADE PLAYER
3FGs Years
1. Tyler Nelson 315 2014-18
2. Derek Needham 281 2009-13
3. Marcus Gilbert 242 2012-16
4. Greg Francis 230 1993-97
5. Jermaine Clark 167 1998-01
6. Mike Evanovich 165 2007-10
7. Mike Van Schaick 163 2003-07
8. Kyle Commodore 162 1995-99
9. Jonathan Han 157 2005-09
10. Landon Taliaferro 153 2018-20
11. Caleb Fields 150 2023-present
THREE-POINT FG PERCENTAGE (min. 250 attempts)
Player 3FG% Years
1. Shane Miller .430 1994-98
2. Mike Evanovich .402 2007-10
3. Mike Van Schaick .398 2003-07
4. Craig Martin .390 1990-94
5. Jonathan Han .381 2005-09
6. Landon Taliaferro .378 2018-20
7. Tyler Nelson .373 2014-18
8. Michael Bell .369 2002-06
9. Tyquawn Goode .366 2001-05
10. Caleb Fields .364 2021-24 present season
11. Kevin George .364 1989-93
MOST POINTS BY A TRANSFER STUDENT unofficial stat
Player PTS Prior School
1. AJ Wynder 1313 UMASS
2. Sam Spann 902 Syracuse
3. Caleb Fields 864 Bowling Green State
4. Kim Fisher 745 Essex Community College
5. Landon Taliaferro 742 Laramire County Community College
6. Mike Evanovich 727 Iowa State
7. Jake Wojcik 724 Richmond
8. Rakim Sanders 615 Boston College
9. Rich Wejnert 501 South Carolina
10. Danny Odums 451 Austin Peay
…Brycen Goodine 459 Providence
MOST POINTS BY A WALK-ON unofficial stat
While this is not an official statistic, as data regarding which players started their careers as walk-on’s isn’t always available, nonetheless here is the EEGN list of the top walk on players all-time in points scored:
1 - 491, 1965-1967 Bill Pritz
2 - 388, 1990-1993 Tim Schwartz
3 - 236, 2012-2015 Steve Johnston
4 - 187, 2001-2006 Alvin Carter
5 - 72, 1987-1992 Mike Plansky
6 - 34, 1994-1997 Brandon Jubrey
7 - 34, 1984-1987 Richard Barry
8 - 30 2020-Present Jack Brown
Free Throw Percentage (min. 250 attempts) source: Fairfield Record Book
Player FT% Years
1. Tyler Nelson .871 2014-18
Jalen Leach .856 2023-present Not enough attempts to qualify
2. Joe DeSantis .849 1975-79
Jasper Floyd .838 2023-present Not enough attempts to qualify
3. A.J. Wynder .832 1983-87
4. Taj Benning .815 2017-22
5. Jeff Gromos .810 1983-87
5. Terrance Todd .801 2002-06
6. George Groom .799 1970-73
8. Mark Young .779 1975-79
9. Chris Rivers .7734 1997-01
10. Tony George .7727 1982-86
Assists Per Game (min. 50 games) source: Fairfield Record Book
Player Assists Years
1. John Ryan (78) 8.7 1971-74
2. Joe DeSantis (104) 6.4 1975-79
3. Jonathan Han (111) 4.7 2005-09
4. A.J. Wynder (116) 4.5 1983-87
Jasper Floyd (129) 4.0 2023-present Not enough games to qualify
5. Derek Needham (131) 4.1 2009-13
6. Marvin Walters (105) 3.99 1986-90
7. Tony George (115) 3.96 1982-86
8. Kim Fisher (54) 3.91 1976-78
9. Bobby Hurt (68) 3.86 1980-83
10. Johnnie Jones (110) 3.8 1990-94
Steals Per Game (min. 50 games) source: Fairfield Record Book
Player (games) Steals Years
Jasper Floyd (72) 2.3 2023-present Not enough games to qualify
1. A.J. Wynder (116) 1.9 1983-87
2. Kyle Commodore (113) 1.84 1995-99
3. Bobby Hurt (68) 1.83 1980-83
4. Tyquawn Goode (120) 1.5 2001-05
5. Didier Boucard (112) 1.5 1995-99
6. Derek Needham (131) 1.5 2009-13
7. Sam Spann (79) 1.5 1999-02
8. Jermaine Clark (82) 1.4 1998-01
9. Colin Nickerson (138) 1.4 2009-13
10. Jonathan Han (111) 1.3 2005-09
The Early Edition Team wishes The Stags the Best of Luck as they try to win the College Basketball Invitational.
Edition 232 @stagsmensbball , #stagsmensbball, #MAACHoops , #heardbutprobablynottrue , #EEGN , #HBPNT ♫2023-2024♫
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