The Season that Counts, Men's Version

This year's version of the UT Arlington men's team has had the best start to a season since 2017/18 when they had an equal 8-4 start en route to a 21-win season. I don't know what fortunes this year holds, but it has been a pleasure to watch the non-conference season.

The last Maverick Rambler post was just two games prior to the completion of the non-conference schedule and the results went the way my optimism was hoping.

UTA's lone-Power Conference game was in California against Stanford. UTA hit a cold streak in the first half while the Cardinal did not en route to a 25-40 Maverick deficit. UTA played toe-to-toe and was on the verge of getting the score within single digits on more than one occasion in the second half, but ultimately it was a 76-60 loss. UTA kept its fairly strong three-point defense going, allowing only five of 16 shooting for Stanford beyond the arc. Conversely, UTA was porous in the paint, where Stanford did a lot of damage.

UTA returned to the hardwood five days later to play Oral Roberts. The Mavs hosted ORU in Head Coach K.T. Turner's debut, an eventual 75-71 Mav win.

In this case, UTA played a very consistent game throughout, holding a lead for the majority of the game, including all of the second half. I'm curious as to how UTA is last in the Western Athletic Conference in free throw percentage at 68.1 percent, which is not far from where they were last year. As a whole, UTA was in that percentage range against ORU, 13-20. But they were four makes on five attempts under two minutes in the game to seal the deal. I feel like that has been a better representation of where UTA has been this year. The Mavs won a road game, always a good thing, 69-57.

Speaking of a representation this year, senior guard Marcell McCreary, a transfer from Northern Colorado, has been a leader on this team. The focus coming in was on senior forward Raysean Seamster, and deservedly so, but much of the two-thirds winning percentage is due to the step up in guard scoring from last year.

Seamster, as expected, leads the team with 14.3 points a game. That number is good for seventh in the conference. McCreary is right there, though, with 12.5 ppg, good for tenth in the WAC. Sophomore guard Cash Chavis, a transfer from Arkansas rounds out the triple threat with an output of 10.1 points per, good for 16th in the WAC. Only Utah Tech and Utah Valley have three in the top 16, though Tarleton State has a third player at the 17th position.

The biggest letdown from last year is in the middle. Lance Ware was more than capable at the center position on both ends of the court. Seamster has upped his rebound total by almost two per game, grabbing the ball 6.75 times after a missed shot. Fellow returnee Cam Jackson is second as the sophomore center has gathered 5.6 boards a game, good for tenth in the WAC. McCreary has done a surprising job here as well, averaging four and two-thirds rebounds a game.

Another question mark for me came in the form of, could a replacement be found for point guard Brody Robinson. Chavis has done remarkably, garnering 4.42 dimes per game. That is tied for second in the WAC. 

Another impressive individual stat comes in the form of blocks. Seamster and Jackson are tied with 1.1 a game, good for fifth in the WAC.

UTA is sixth in offensive production in the WAC at 72.67 points a game. Utah Valley leads at 83.77 points per contest. Where UTA has been successful is on the defensive end. UVU has the best points allowed per game at 64. UTA allows 64 and a quarter.

UTA is second in field goal percentage defense, allowing 39.7 percent of makes, while the three defense is best in the nation, 20.4 percent of attempts end with points. First in the nation. I'm not sure I can say UTA has ever led the nation that I know of in its history.

Like the ladies, UTA opens conference play on Monday against Tarleton. Unlike the ladies, the game will take place in Arlington. Like the ladies, tip-off is set for 7 pm. 

Also like the ladies, I will reference how the I'm not terribly pleased with the WAC's decision to have two close geographic rivals open conference play during the holiday break. In UTA's first year back, Stephen F. Austin came to College Park Center in the break. That had the opportunity to be one of the higher attended games if school was in session. UTA will host Tarleton again on January 21, but both those games are too close to the break. Fans and students travel in greater number in February, or late January at the earliest. 

But, also like the ladies, the team can't control it. UTA needs to make a statement to open conference play if they want to build on their 8-4 overall record.