MAVS PICKED EIGHTH IN PRESEASON POLLS
10/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 26, 2004
PLANO, Texas - The University of Texas at Arlington Head Men's Basketball Coach Eddie McCarter likes the role of an underdog.
After having the target of being the league's preseason choice to win a year ago, McCarter has the pressure-free position of being at the back of the league's preseason polls it was announced on Tuesday.
UTA was picked to finished tied for eighth place in the coaches' poll and eighth by the Southland Conference's sports information directors this fall.
"We have one starter back and a lot of new people," said McCarter. "I think it is a challenge for our team to see if we can prove the polls wrong. We have a lot fo enthusiasm on the team and I hope we can channel that into being a competitve team once conference play begins."
UTA won its first league title in school history a year ago, going 11-5 in the SLC and sharing the regular season crown with Texas-San Antonio and Southeastern Louisiana Gone from the team are departed seniors Derrick Obasohan, Donny Beacham, Keith Howell and Roy Johnson. Together they combined for 3,432 points and 1,824 rebounds in 389 games played.
Junior forward Steven Thomas (Fort Worth, Texas) is the lone returning starter off last year's squad. Junior guard Jarrett Howell (Arlington, Texas) started nine games a year ago and sophomore guard Stephen Floyd (Houston, Texas) played a key role off the bench last year for the 17-12 Mavs.
Eight true freshmen and senior transfer Stevin Ozier (Freeport, Texzas) hope to make an immediate contribution. Ozier was the 2002 SLC Freshman of the Year at Stephen F. Austin before transferring to UTA last season. he will be eligible at the semester break. Freshmen Myles Guidry (Alief, Texas), Jermaine Griffin (Houston, Texas), Larry Posey (Houston, Texas) and Roderick Epps (Richardson, Texas) were regarded among the top prep players a year ago and are expected to make an immediate contribution.
Northwestern State received four first-place votes to win the choice of the coach, 88-87, over Sam Houston State. Texas-San Antonio (78 points) received two first-place votes and is picked third with Stephen F. Austin fourth with 67 points and one first-place vote. The rest of the field has Southeastern Louisiana (64), Lamar (56), McNeese State (43), Louisiana-Monroe and UTA (38), Texas State (36) and Nicholls State (17).
The SID's poll has UTSA (97 points) at the top of the standings with five first-place votes followed by Northwestern State (96), Sam Houston State (92), Southeastern Louisiana (86), Stephen F. Austin (80), Lamar and Texas State (60), UTA (53), McNeese State (43), Louisiana-Monroe (42) and Nicholls State (17).
The Mavericks open exhibition play Nov. 16 agaianst at team from Mexico to be determined. The season opener is Nov. 19 at Texas Christian University. Tip-off is at 7:05 p.m.
