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Pillow ready to join UCA

By Mark Burke
Assistant Sports Editor

Staying close to home was an important factor for Marcus Pillow in his decision of where to play college basketball.

Now, the Russellville High School senior will have the opportunity to stay close to home and play NCAA Division I basketball. Pillow recently committed to play basketball at the University of Central Arkansas.

"It feels great to be going to play at UCA," Pillow said. "I wanted to stay close to home and close to my family and go somewhere I could compete with the top players and feel comfortable. It feels good knowing I'll be at the highest level in college basketball. I just see this as another level in my basketball career."

After being members of the Gulf South Conference since the 1990s and a long-time rival of Arkansas Tech, UCA will begin competing in the Southland Conference as it moves up to Division I beginning in the 2006-07 school year.

The transition from high school basketball to college ball is often a big move. However, is it too big of a move? Pillow doesn't think so.
"I've been in a tough conference at Russellville in the AAAAA West," Pillow said. "Every time you play, you know it's going to be tough. It's going to be tough playing Division I, too, but I think (high school basketball) has been a big help."

Pillow said he hopes now he can be of help on the court to the Bears. RHS boys coach Joe Sitkowski said he thinks the future is bright for his standout point guard.

"He's got a chance to be a very good college player," Sitkowski said. "He's one of the best players I've ever coached. He's not only a great scorer, but he's also a good leader. He wants to win in everything he does, and that's the main goal."

Pillow stood out not only at Russellville High School but in the AAAAA-West Conference as well. He led the league in scoring with 22 points per game. He also dished out five assists and grabbed three rebounds on his way to his second straight All-state award. Pillow will become the first RHS basketball player to play at the Division I level since Adrienne Bush, who is currently at the University of Arkansas.

But that wasn't much of an emphasis for Pillow during the season. He was more concerned about the success of the Cyclones.

"He put a lot of pressure on himself all year," Sitkowski said. "He didn't really concentrate on what college he was going to go to. He just wanted to help the team win."

Now that college basketball is the focus, Pillow already has goals. He also sees himself as someone who will be a big plus for the team.

"I hope to bring more fans to the games," Pillow said. "I hope to help the team do well and bring more fans from all over Arkansas as we work on bringing in championships.

"I think they're (UCA) getting an outstanding player that knows the game well and is a good leader. I'm looking forward to playing with people at a higher competition."

Before all that comes to fruition, there is some work left to do. However, the potential is there.

"He'll have to continue to improve in college and work on his weaknesses," Sitkowski said. "But, I think after four years of college you'll see a good college player. ... They're getting a heck of a player in Marcus. I think he'll be a great player for them."

I think four is actually a pretty big class for basketball.

The thing that concerns me most about this group is that, although Haymaker is listed as a center, he's still just 6'8". I know Glen Davis is only 6'9", but he's an exception to the rule. The Bears lacked a consistent inside game last year, and unless Haymaker plays like Big Baby right away, I don't know where they are going to get it next year either.