 (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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.
Fancy basketball glossary found here.