LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock head coach Darell Walker has one thing on his mind.
“Defense," Walker said. "Last year, the first 10-12 games defensively were really bad. The last 12, we were unbelievable. So I’m just trying to get off to a good start.”
The Trojans start with high expectations, having been picked to win the Ohio Valley Conference and receiving their first-ever vote in the preseason AP Poll. It’s nice recognition, but the players are keeping focus.
“Of course, we’ve talked about it, but as time went on, we try and focus on what we’re doing now,” redshirt sophomore Ante Beljan said.
Walker concurs.
“It’s good for the school, good for the guys," Walker said. "I’m not concerned with it.”
The Trojans will return just two players who saw the floor in last year’s conference championship game, and star guard KK Robinson is out indefinitely with a leg injury.
But Little Rock re-loaded with a huge transfer class.
“Mwani, JLaw, Isaiah is coming along…everyone who came this year has been a good addition,” said Beljan, who is also a relatively new face after missing most of last year with injury.
Despite all the new names, chemistry has yet to be an issue.
“I’m used to coming in with a bunch of new players and forming a bond for us to play that year,” LSU transfer Mwani Wilkinson said.
The Trojans open their season at home on Nov. 4 against Arkansas Baptist before playing six consecutive games on the road.