Editor's Note: This is the sixth profile in a series highlighting Little Rock Athletics Hall of Fame inductees. For more information on the Feb. 6 ceremony, visit https://bit.ly/4q5KPV7 or email Noah Henkell at nhenkell@ualr.edu.
The 2015-16 Little Rock men's basketball season will forever stand as a turning point in program history-a year when belief turned into achievement and a team reshaped how Trojan basketball was viewed nationwide.
In their inaugural season competing under the Little Rock name, the Trojans delivered a remarkable run under first-year head coach Chris Beard. Little Rock finished the year with a 30-5 record, including a 17–3 mark in Sun Belt Conference play, capturing both the regular-season and tournament titles through consistency, preparation, and relentless competitiveness.
From the beginning, the group adopted an identity rooted in discipline and resilience - one that carried them deep into March and onto the national stage.
"That all started with the coaching staff," Josh Hagins, a senior star guard on that team, said. "They worked tirelessly to make us better with the early-morning workouts and the discipline It paid off. As the season went on, we became more and more mentally tough."
That commitment became nationally visible in the NCAA Tournament. Entering the field as a No. 12 seed, the Trojans delivered one of the tournament's defining moments with a stunning first-round victory over Purdue, advancing to the second round and etching their name into NCAA Tournament history.
Hagins provided steady leadership throughout the season and postseason, guiding the Trojans with poise and confidence in critical moments. His performance earned All-Sun Belt Conference and Tournament honors, while Marcus Johnson Jr. and Roger Woods also received all-conference recognition for their contributions.
While the record-setting numbers told part of the story -30 wins, a .857 winning percentage, and sustained dominance within the Sun Belt—the season's true legacy extended far beyond the stat sheet.
"We played with an underdog mentality and a chip-on-our-shoulder approach," Beard said. "Our phrase, 'Why Not Us,' wasn't just something we said—it was how we competed every day."
That mindset galvanized the Little Rock community, bringing national attention to the program and uniting fans across the state during the Trojans' memorable March Madness run.
"Our team energized the university, the city, and the entire state of Arkansas," Beard added. "On behalf of everyone in our program, and especially our players, thank you for honoring this team."
Nearly a decade later, the impact of that season remains unmistakable. The 2015–16 Trojans didn't just win games -they established a new standard for the program.
Now, that extraordinary group receives one more lasting tribute with its induction into the Little Rock Athletics Hall of Fame, honoring a season defined by unity, belief, and championship achievement.
"Our 2015-16 championship team is very appreciative and deeply proud to be inducted into the Little Rock Athletics Hall of Fame," Beard said. "It's hard to believe 10 years have passed since that historic season, but it's easy to remember how and why our team was successful. Everyone in our program - especially our players - was fully committed to winning."
