Nov. 12, 2009

UTA-DBU GAME NOTES

by Josh Bowe for utamavs.com

ARLINGTON, Texas - For every new season, fans expect to see new faces. That shouldn't be surprising.

But what should be surprising will be what the Mavericks will be doing on the court Saturday night against Dallas Baptist. Playing hard nosed defense.

"We're way ahead of where we were last year in terms of our defensive ability," coach Scott Cross said. "I think we've got a ways to go offensive but I think that might be a good thing."

Last year, the Mavs run-and-gunned their way to a first round exit in the Southland Conference Tournament. The team scored over 90 points four times last season, but the defense left much to be desired.

"I'm a big believer in that defense wins games," Cross said. "I think we're making some strides in that area."

With former first team all conference forward Anthony Vereen lost to graduation, the lack of offensive punch will be complemented by a better defense Cross said. With a younger group of guys, Cross hopes that better defense will lead to easier buckets on the offensive end.

"That's the easiest way to score baskets, by getting stops and having numbers on the break," Cross said. "If we can get some easy buckets, obviously, that helps the guy's confidence."

Senior guard Marquez Haynes, who Cross believes if the team's best perimeter defender, echoes his coach's sediments. The Mavericks allowed 74.1 points per game last year, a number both Cross and Haynes are looking to lower this season.

"You're going to see a much better defensive team than last year," Haynes said. "This team is a lot more unselfish than last year."

The offensive side of the ball is where the questions are. With Vereen gone, Haynes will likely have to up his 16.3 points per game scoring average. Same goes to senior guard Brandon Long.

Long did most of his damage beyond the arc where he was second on the Mavs with 54 three pointers. But expect to see Cross look for Long to do a little bit more now.

"Marquez and Brandon definitely are going to have to be the guys who take the bulk of our scoring over," Cross said. "We've got some guys who can put the ball in the hole."

But it might not happen so quickly. Haynes admits that this is a young team, and it will take some time before they hit their stride. When it happens though, he thinks this team can be special. "We're a younger team so it might take a while to get it all to come together," Haynes said. "But we got a chance though."

Dallas Baptist at UT Arlington

WHEN: November 13th, 2009 WHERE: Texas Hall TIME: 7:00 p.m.