McCollum's Column: Bears make steps in 'honeymoon' seasonQuote:
The seeds planted during Corliss Williamson’s first season as University of Central Arkansas basketball coach were covered with debris of the traditional measures of success.
The bottom line is stark: The Bears finished 5-24 (one of the worst seasons in history). They were 1-14 in Southland Conference play and finished the season with nine straight defeats.
This was a honeymoon year. UCA won nine games the year before and had a couple of key players finish their eligibility. It was questionable whether this team could have a winning season with best-case scenarios, particularly in the face of the toughest schedule they have played in NCAA Division I. Williamson, who took the job almost exactly a year ago, got a late start in recruiting for 2010-11.
Most of his players were recruited for a different system, not their fault. But Williamson spent much of the year trying his best to fit square pegs in round holes. And to their credit, his players did their best to fit.
The Bears had five seniors and another (T.K. Smith), who will graduate early.
Great write-up by Mr. McCollum as usual!