Dec. 2, 2006

NORMAL, Ill. -

UT Arlington - Illinois State game notes
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The UT Arlington men's basketball trip to Illinois State has been anything but normal.

The Mavericks endured a 14-hour trip that began Friday morning on the UTA campus and ended at the Redbird Arena here in Normal, Ill., at 11:24 p.m.

In between a 90-minute flight delay, a four-and-a-half hour delay at Chicago's Midway Airport waiting for ground transportation and a three-hour trip through the farm country of Illinois that had been blanketed with ice and snow earlier in the day.

Add to the mix a bus stuck in the snow and a frustrated driver who burned the tires to the point black smoke filled the cabin and forced the team to get out of the bus.

The Mavs ended the long day with a brief shooting practice at the Redbird Arena.

"We learned a lot of lessons today," said first-year head coach Scott Cross. "We are glad we finally made it here and now it is our job, as coaches, to refocus the guys and have them ready to go (Saturday) night.

Illinois State (5-2) comes into the game on a five-game winning streak after defeating Sacramento State earlier this week. The Redbirds, led by JUCO All-American guard Boo Richardson.

UT Arlington (3-2) has not played since a 74-73 loss at Texas-Pan American last Monday. The Mavs' game scheduled for Thursday against Austin College was postponed to a later date after inclement weather covered the Metroplex.

Tonight's game can be heard on Time Warner Cable Channel 95 or through the utamavs.com website. Just click radio!