Feb. 23, 2017 Tickets | Watch | Listen | | UTA Notes | USA Notes | SBC Notes
ARLINGTON, Texas - The UTA men's basketball team puts its undefeated home record on the line this weekend with a pair of Sun Belt Conference games that could determine its postseason fate.
The Mavericks host the University of South Alabama Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the second game of a doubleheader with the Lady Mavs women's team, which is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tipoff in College Park Center.
Tickets are available online at UTATickets.com or during weekday business hours by calling the UTA Box Office at (817) 272-9595. Specially priced group and youth team ticket packages are available.
Saturday's game will streamed live via UTAMavs.com. In addition, a live radio broadcast of the men's game will be available throughout the DFW Metroplex on KEXB 620 AM and via the popular TuneIn app on smartphones and tablets. Links to complete game coverage, including video, audio and live statistics, are available on UTAMavs.com.
UTA enters Saturday's contest with a 21-6 overall record and an 11-3 mark and first place standing in the Sun Belt Conference. The Mavericks are one game ahead of Arkansas State and two in front of Georgia State and Georgia Southern. UTA and A-St have four games remaining, while the Georgia schools have just three left.
"Our teams spirit is good, but we know we aren't finished," said senior guard Drew Charles. "We still have four more games and if we win all four, we know we win the conference. But, these four games are going to be tough. These teams are all fighting for seeds in the Sun Belt Tournament. We have to be focused and dedicated."
On Monday, the UTA men conclude their regular season home schedule with a contest against Troy University. The game will serve as the final home game for seniors Jorge Bilbao, Drew Charles, Jalen Jones and Faith Pope.
"It has been a big season for us, especially for the seniors," said Charles. "This weekend represents the last times we will be able to play on our home court and means a lot to us. I know I speak for Jorge, Faith and Jalen when I say it would mean a lot for us to have a big crowd in our final home game."
South Alabama enters Saturday's game with a 13-14 record and a 6-8 mark in league play. The Jaguars could finish as high as sixth in the conference with wins in their last four games.
"South Alabama has a great team," said Charles. "They have guards who can really score and they have a much-improved inside game. We are going to just have to be tougher. It might sound a bit cliché, but that is what we are going to have to do."
UTA has won nine of its last 10 games and has reached the 20-win mark for the sixth time in program history. The Mavericks are 35th in the official NCAA ratings percentage index and are being touted as one of the top ranked mid-major programs in the country.
