UALR has NCAA tourney in its sights after quick turnaround

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Expectations were low this season for Arkansas-Little Rock, which was coming off a 13-18 record a year ago. However, led by first-year

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Expectations were low this season for Arkansas-Little Rock, which was coming off a 13-18 record a year ago.

However, led by first-year coach Chris Beard, the surprising Trojans are 23-3 to start the season and have their eyes set on only the school's second NCAA Tournament appearance since 1990.

The turnaround has come in large part thanks to the arrival of Beard, a former Texas Tech assistant under Bobby Knight who entered this season with a combined 141-45 record as a head coach.

After allowing 70.3 points per game a year ago, Arkansas-Little Rock leads the country this season by allowing an average of only 58.3 points per game, and the school has road wins over San Diego State, DePaul and Tulsa on its resume.