No Worse Start

Both UT Arlington basketball programs began conference play this past week...and that's about the highlight. Both preseason favorites look beatable and it hard to say that either team can claim to be the favorites.

The men took to the road and played two teams that arguably make the second easiest travel pair in the conference, and looked terrible in the process. They started in Conway, South Carolina against Coastal Carolina, finished in Boone, North Carolina versus Appalachian State and came away with an 0-2 start to SBC play.

I can't begin to relay how disappointed, frustrated and utterly disgusted at what I saw this past week.



UTA first appearance on ESPN 2 was dreadful when they lost to the Chanticleers 90-65. And the score was closer than it actually looked. UTA couldn't shoot (37.9%), couldn't stop the three on defense (11-26), were out-rebounded (41-36) and never had a lead. In short, it was the worst I have seen UTA play in several years.

Five different Chants scored in double figures compared to two for UTA, neither of which was preseason player of the year Kevin Hervey. He scored seven points on 3-11 shooting and secured only four rebounds. Had to make a claim he is the best athlete in the Sun Belt with those single-game numbers. It looks like the team was waiting for him to find a groove. That really opened a concern I have with this team - depth.

Last year, guys like Jalen Jones, Jorge Bilbao, Drew Charles and Faith Pope stepped up all year to ignite the offense when they needed to. Kaelon Wilson is about the only one I will say did his best, scoring a team-high 17. Johnny Hamilton was a rebound away from a near-baseline double-double...and that's it.

I'm convinced that UTA has better talent. I'm convinced they were the worst team on that day.

I was also convinced that the Mavs would find an outlet for their frustrations and hammer Appalachian State. I was wrong again.

UTA lost 80-76, and the score didn't relay how terrible UTA played, AGAIN. UTA trailed by 20 at the half and as much as 25 in the second half. They did make a rally late, but it was a hollow one. The Mountaineer lead was in double digits with two minutes left and were it not for several missed free throws by the normally reliable Ronshad Shabazz, it would have been much larger.

Once again, there were only two players in double digits. Erik Neal scored 27 points versus three assists and grabbed eight rebounds, virtually all of it in the second half. All three of those categories were team highs. The three assists is a cause for concern because assists can't be recorded if unless his teammates are making their shots.

The silver lining is that they played one half really well, but it's hard for me to figure out why this team refuses to play a full basketball game. The best they have looked it at UT-Rio Grande Valley, and that's not saying something. Yes there are going to be runs within games, but statistically speaking, if UTA is the elite team we all thought they were, there would be some dominating performances occasionally. Given that CCU was 4-7 against DI competition going in (and they lost to Texas State), I don't think that game was the out of the question to showcase that. I believe that is why the conference choose that game for an ESPN2 appearance. Had UTA dominated on a national broadcast, that would have helped UTA's postseason chances and NCAA tourney seeding. Now there's a severe question mark as to whether they have what it takes to make the tourney.

Without any major injuries to speak of, at least none that are public, there are naturally going to be question marks as to what is going on. It's hard to eliminate what UTA has done the past couple of years. It begs the question as to whether this is a team or five guys playing basketball. Hard to figure out what goes on behind the scenes, but one has to wonder if the is dissent in the locker room that isn't public.

One final thing to consider. ASU was 4-8 versus DI competition prior to playing UTA, while CCU was that aforementioned 4-7. They were ranked in the final 100 out of 351 DI teams. Coastal was picked 8th in the preseason poll while App was 11th. None of this should have been difficult. UTA never led in either game.

This is a disaster of a start.

As for the women, their 1-1 start isn't doomsday, though it wasn't pretty. They dropped an 89-76 game to the Chants and followed that with a 64-60 win against App, now 2-11 App. Cierra Johnson's absence is noted, but if you truly were the best team in the conference at the start of the year, a two-win team shouldn't be a challenge.

The preseason player of the year, Rebekah VanDijk, will not be the PotY at the end of the year. Her rebound total is at a respectable 8.6 per game, but is only averaging 10.2 points per. A true star will shoulder the adversity of an injured teammate and elevate play to compensate.  Right now, this team is a lot of pass around the three-point line, take a shot and hope for the best. That will not win a great many ballgames. A four-point win against a 2-11 squad is a cause for concern.

Both teams return to the friendly confines of College Park Center. There is still plenty of time for both teams to right the ship, but neither team can wait terribly long. Troy comes to town on Thursday. The women Trojans are 7-6 on the year, 2-0 in SBC play, having beaten the two Georgia SBC schools. On the men's side, Troy is 7-8 and 1-1. Saturday's opponent is South Alabama. The Jaguar women are the early favorites in the conference and sit at 9-4 and 2-0 on the year. The men are still below their historical average, 8-6, but did win both their conference games this past week.

Both UTA teams have a chance to make this year something special. But there isn't time to wait.