Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
SWAC (14-20, 12-6)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff started the 2017-2018 season 0-14. That is not uncommon for a SWAC team that will be on the road for a couple months to start the season. Once SWAC action started, the Golden Lions really turned things around. UAPB was not expected to compete for a conference title, but they ended up 12-6 in conference play, finishing tied for second.
Big Wins: 1/20 at Prairie View A&M (72-66), 1/22 at Texas Southern (74-72), 2/24 at Grambling State (75-66)
Bad Losses: 2/5 Alabama State (59-65), 2/10 at Southern (62-70), 2/12 at Alcorn State (52-84)
Coach: George Ivory
Why They Can Surprise:
Martaveous McKnight is the clear star of this team. The 6-4 junior averages 18.6 points, 3.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals on the year. He is a capable three-point shooter and will use his size to get to the basket. While McKnight paves the way offensively and helps the team rank among the best in the SWAC in forced turnovers, it is the play of the frontcourt that can make Arkansas-Pine Bluff so difficult to score against. Travon Harper, Trent Steen and Terrance Banyard are all decent shot blockers and it is very beneficial that this group can have at least one shot blocker on the floor at all times.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The defense is solid, but this is a team that can struggle to score. If McKnight is having a rare off night, the points can be very tough to come by. And even when McKnight is scoring, the Golden Lions need a couple other players to help out. If the opposition only has to worry about McKnight, Arkansas-Pine Bluff is not going to make it very far. The other major problem area is on the glass. This team has been consistently outrebounded all year long. They can make up for some of that by creating turnovers, but not enough to pull off a tournament upset.
Probable Starters:
Martaveous McKnight, Junior, Guard, 18.6 ppg, 3.6 apg, 4.4 rpg, 1.9 spg
Charles Jackson, Junior, Guard, 8.5 ppg, 2.1 apg
Christian Robertson, Junior, Forward, 2.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg
Travon Harper, Senior, Forward, 10.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Trent Steen, Senior, Forward, 7.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Key Role Players:
Terrance Banyard, Freshman, Forward, 5.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Quamauri Hardy, Freshman, Guard, 3.0 ppg
Cameron Posey, Freshman, Guard, 2.8 ppg
Joe’Randle Toliver, Senior, Guard, 5.7 ppg, 1.7 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 65.5 (329th in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 71.6 (154, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.5 (243, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.0 (117, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.4 (288, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.1 (276, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 66.7 (312, 7)
Rebound Margin: -8.8 (348, 10)
Assists Per Game: 12.1 (285, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.7 (313, 8)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2010 NCAA Opening Round win over Winthrop
2010 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Duke
*all team stats through 3/4
