Little Rock Men's Basketball Picked to Finish 1st in OVC Preseason Poll

LITTLE ROCK — The Little Rock Men's Basketball team has been picked to finish first in the 2024-25 preseason Ohio Valley Conference poll, announced by the league this morning as part of OVC Basketball Media Days. The voting was conducted by the league's head coaches and communications directors. This comes as the Trojans hold the title of reigning OVC regular season champions, finishing 21-13 overall and 14-4 in conference play in the 2023-24 season. 
 
Little Rock tallied 200 total points (20 first-place votes), sitting first among the 11-team league. The Trojans are followed by Western Illinois (172 points), SIUE (151 points), and Tennessee State (134 points).
 
Little Rock is gearing up for its third season in the Ohio Valley Conference, stacking up a roster with core returners and many newcomers. The Trojans welcome the return of Little Rock native KK Robinson for his graduate season. Robinson led the Trojans to the OVC Championship game last season, averaging 15.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

"KK is really stepping up in the leadership role," head coach Darrell Walker said. "He's looking great physically, he's leading the team, and he's grown mentally in his game." 

Jordan Jefferson also returns for his senior season, averaging 6.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in the 2023-24 season. Robinson and Jefferson were head coach Darrell Walker's picks for OVC Players to Watch this season.

"Jordan has been with me for four years, and that's really strange to see in today's college athletics," Walker said. "I respect Jordan a lot and I am anticipating him having a strong year."
 
Little Rock also welcomes six transfers and two freshmen to the capital city. LSU transfer and graduate student Mwani Wilkinson joins the team having played in 100 games for the Tigers over his four years in Baton Rouge, La.

"Mwani has improved his game so much over the summer," Walker said. "We have a scale of pluses and minuses and we assess each player after practice, and he's been plus, plus, plus. I've seen so much improvement in him as he's learned our system."

 The Trojans also bring in redshirt junior transfer from Memphis and Creighton, Johnathan Lawson, who's strength is not only in his physical game, but in his mental game.

"Johnathan's strength is behind the arc, shooting the three, and in his basketball IQ," Walker said. "He is smart, and he's able to demand the floor and be a leader alongside KK, Tuon, and Ante."
 
The Trojans open up their 2024-25 season in just under a month with Arkansas Baptist College traveling to the Jack Stephens Center on Nov. 4. The Trojans then hit the road for six games starting in Rock Hill, South Carolina to face the Winthrop Eagles on Nov. 9. 
 
For information on how you can get tickets this season, please call the Trojan Ticket Office at 501-916-3257 or email masutherland@ualr.edu.
 
2024-25 OVC Preseason Poll
1. LITTLE ROCK (20) - 200 pts.
2. Western Illinois - 172 pts.
3. SIUE (2) - 151 pts.
4. Tennessee State - 134 pts.
5. Morehead State - 131 pts.
6. Eastern Illinois - 87 pts.
7. Southeast Missouri State - 86 pts.
8. Southern Indiana - 79 pts.
9. Lindenwood - 67 pts.
10. UT Martin - 52 pts.
11. Tennessee Tech - 51 pts.