Jan. 28, 2005

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was written by Kevin Bueker, staff writer of The Shorthorn, the student newspaper of the University of Texas at Arlington. To see more stories from The Shorthorn click here)

For the Mavericks basketball team, filling the guard position hasn't been a problem.

Juniors Brady Dawkins and Jarrett Howell and freshman Rodrick Epps entered the season with aspirations of leading the team.

All three have done just that.

"We all consider ourselves point guards, but we all approach it a little different," Dawkins said. "Jarrett's aggressive and gets to the bucket a lot. Rod is really fast and pushes up the court real hard. I'm more of a passer-control kind of guard. It's definitely a change of pace between all three of us."

Each player's unique background allows them to teach and learn from each other.

"My brother played when I was young, and I always looked up to him," Epps said. "I played against him all the time, but he always told me to go to the gym and play against older players. That's how I've learned to be so aggressive."

Epps, who is the team's youngest player at 18, shares the same type of motivation as Howell, who took over guard duties from his older brother Keith last season.

Howell's father and uncle, who were basketball stars in Louisiana, instilled the competitive nature he now plays with.

"My father is my drive-starter. He always keeps my engine running," Howell said. "Sometimes I feel like I know everything, but I've got to realize that's the man that got me to where I'm at, so I humble myself and listen to the advice he wants to give to me."

In May, Dawkins tore the ACL in his right knee and has used the injury as personal motivation and inspiration for his team.

"I rehabbed like I was going to come back for this season," Dawkins said. "It was my goal to play this season and it's worked out really well."

Dawkins has excelled this season, dishing out 4.63 assists per game, good for second in the Southland Conference. He has also averaged more than 30 minutes per game.

"He has done so much for us," head coach Eddie McCarter said. "I think a little more rest to get that knee stronger will help him and make him more productive. He is the toughest player on our team."

The trio's unexpected emergence has forced McCarter's hand in trying to figure out how to get each of them on the floor.

With increased minutes, Epps has stepped up his play, averaging 15 points per game over the last three contests. He has also knocked down 12 three-pointers, putting him fifth in the conference at 41.4 percent.

"Rodrick has come in and done a great job with his quickness and penetration," Howell said. "He's been shooting lights out in the last three games. The sky is the limit for him. Rodrick, one day, could be a pro, no doubt in my mind."

His teammates and McCarter have seen his progress and been impressed with his success.

"He is just a special player," McCarter said. "He has great quickness and he can defend. He can run forever, and we try to take advantage of that."

While Howell sees immense potential in Epps, he is also a key cog in the trio's success.

"Jarrett, to me, is the heart of the team," Epps said. "He's aggressive and our defensive stopper on the perimeter. If we need a crucial stop, we look to him."

While Howell has become the Mavs' primary defender and Epps has filled up the box score with his versatility, Dawkins has become the purest distributor on the team.

"I've got a lot of respect for Brady because he's stepping up big time, running the offense well and, despite his knee, he's locking his man up," Epps said. "He's one of the guys we look to to lead us through this conference."

Dawkins has started all 16 games this season, despite his injury.

"Brady is a scrapper," Howell said. "I'll go to any war with Brady."

The team hopes having all three point guards on the floor will help with ball control and movement and jump-start the Mavs to a new level.

"Having three point guards out there means that we should be more of a cerebral team, so that we're not just using quickness without enough thought behind it," Howell said. "The challenge is always there, it's just all about what's in between your chest."