Preview | Texas-Arlington Mavericks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

by Seth C on Dec 22, 2010 9:01 AM CST in Texas Tech Basketball

(5-4, 0-0)

VS.

(5-6, 0-0)

GAME	INFORMATION
THE GOOD GUYS:	Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-6, 0-0)
THE BAD GUYS:	Texas-Arlington Mavericks (5-4, 0-0)
LOCATION:	United Spirit Arena \| Lubbock, TX
DATE:	December 22, 2010
TIME:	7:00 p.m. CST
TV:	TTSN \| ESPN3
RADIO:	Affiliates
GAME CAST:	Fox Sports

PROBABLE STARTERS

Position	Player	Ht/Wt	Class	Pts	Rbs	Ast
TEXAS TECH
G	John Roberson	5-11/168	SR	13.3	1.9	4.3
G	Brad Reese	6-6/195	SR	12.8	4.7	1.5
F	Mike Singletary	6-5/235	SR	12.7	5.9	3.0
F	D`walyn Roberts	6-7/200	SR	4.8	4.0	0.2
F	Robert Lewandowski	6-10/256	JR	11.6	6.3	1.0
UT-ARLINGTON
Position	Player	Ht/Wt	Class	Pts	Rbs	Ast
G	Cameron Catlett	6-3/185	SO	7.7	2.9	2.3
G	Darius Richardson	6-4/190	FR	10.2	3.2	1.8
F	Bo Ingram	6-5/195	JR	8.7	4.9	0.6
F	LaMarcus Reed III	6-5/200	JR	16.1	5.0	1.6
C	Jordan Reves	6-10/240	SO	9.3	5.1	0.6

PREVIEW

WHAT TO EXPECT | UTA has wins over power-house programs such as Texas Lutheran, Texas-Tyler (I do not know what Texas-Tyler is), Houston Baptist, Hardin-Simmons and St. Edwards. I should mention that the Mavericks battled North Texas and only lost by 4, while Texas Tech lost by 9. Just a little food for thought. Statistically, UTA is one of the worst offensive teams, 281st in the nation in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, and the worst defensive teams, 278th in the nation in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency. However, due to playing some fairly weak opponents, UTA, as you'll see below, has the advantage except for turnover percentage, over Texas Tech.

I honestly have no idea who will start for Texas Tech, and if it really even matters to these players any more. I wondered out-loud after one of the recent losses if the players were playing like their coach's job was on the line and I still don't think that they are. I just don't get how a team can be so poor defensively. And I won't take any solace if Texas Tech puts out a dominating performance tonight. We need to see a dominating performance against a quality opponent.

KEY MATCHUPS | Reed is UTA's best player and depending on who starts, I suppose I could see either Tairu or Reese getting the call. I still don't really like Reese guarding perimeter players because I don't think he can afford to be aggressive and pressure or keep up with a quicker guard. I mentioned after the UTEP game that what Mike Singletary did against the Miners is what he needs to do each game, which is not take a jump-shot outside of 10 feet, but he needs to call for the ball in the post early in the game.

FOUR FACTORS | A little surprising to see a team that's worse than Texas Tech in the offensive rebounding category and I'm also a little hopeful that UTEP turns the ball over at a higher rate.

NCAA Basketball

Fancy basketball glossary found here.

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Comments

In a normal basketball season I would guarantee a win for TTU over UTA in the USA. But, we are not playing a normal season where we win most our non-conference home games and lose only to fairly good teams on the road. I am anxious to see what new lineups we are going to play with in this game, because PK hasn’t found out the correct one yet. And also too, when we do have in a group that seems to be doing well our players are always asking to be subbed out. Is it just me, or didn’t everybody playing competitive sports (especially at the collegiate level) have to do conditioning until they were at the verge of puking or passing out following a loss? If we don’t play our “best” group for a few long stretches, and lose this game, I will have to say this is the most pathetic Big 12 basketball team I’ve seen at the start of a season in years. Please, Wreck ’em Tech!

by DanSwany on Dec 22, 2010 9:30 AM CST via mobile reply actions