SAN MARCOS, Texas – Sitting just one game behind Sun Belt Conference leader Texas State (17-4, 6-2 SBC), the UT Arlington men's basketball team (9-12, 5-3 SBC) returns to action Saturday at 4 p.m. in a pivotal road tilt in a matchup which will represent the midway point of the league season.
 
MAIN STORYLINE
Texas State – receiving votes in the national polls for a second-straight week – is tied with Georgia State atop the SBC standings with 6-2 records, while UTA, Georgia Southern and Coastal Carolina all are tied for 3rd place just a game back at 5-3. The Mavericks are one game clear of 4-4 Louisiana and ULM, and two ahead of a trio of teams at 3-5 in a tie for 8th.
 
Since joining the Sun Belt in 2013-14, UTA has won 61 league regular-season games, and is the only program to finish in the top 5 of the conference standings every year. Only Louisiana (66) and Georgia State (71) have more league wins in that time.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
The contest will be broadcast on ESPN+ by clicking here. The Voice of the Mavericks Josh Sours will have the call on the radio at KEXB 620 AM and streaming via the TuneIn App and iHeartRadio. Furthermore, for updates and behind-the-scenes photos and videos from not only this game, but all season, be sure to follow @UTA_MBB on Twitter and @UTA_Hoops on Instagram.
 
TWEETABLES – 5 Things To Know In 260 Characters Or Less
1) UTA was picked 11th in the Sun Belt Preseason Poll, while Texas State was predicted 8th. Both clubs' +8 differential in the current standings (UTA 11th to 3rd; TXST 8th to 1st) are tied for the largest among the league's 12 teams.
2) Last Saturday at Georgia State, UTA lost for the first time this year (8-1) when scoring at least 68 points. The Mavs erased a 16-point deficit to take the lead, took a four-point lead in the 2nd half, but couldn't hold on late.
3) UTA posted a +18 rebound margin (48-30) at Georgia State – its largest positive rebounding differential in a loss in any game since at least 2011-12. The Mavs pulled down a season-high 21 offensive boards.
4) Helping aid in UTA's 5-3 SBC start is that the Mavs are averaging just 13.3 turnovers per game (15.9 in the non-conference), issuing 14 assists per game (10.5 non-conference) and making 16.8 free throws per game (15 non-conference).
5) The Mavs ranks 24th nationally in 3-point percentage defense (29.7). Only one opponent (Tulsa, 55.6 percent) has shot better than 42 percent against the Mavs this year; just two others (Little Rock, Appalachian State: 41.2) have shot over 40 percent.
 
Bonus Tweet
Through UTA's first 21 games, head coach Chris Ogden has utilized 13 different starting lineups – the 2nd-most such starting 5 combinations in the nation to this point (UT Martin: 14).
 
LOCKING IN ON D
In each of UTA's first eight SBC games, the Mavs have faced a player who ranks in the top 10 in the conference in scoring, and all eight times they have held that player below his season average:
 
2) Ty Cockfield: 20.7 (16 vs. UTA)
5) Rayjon Tucker: 20.1 (15)
6) Zac Cuthbertson: 19 (17)
7) D'Marcus Simonds: 18.6 (15 & 1)
8) Ronshad Shabazz: 18.4 (16)
10) Tookie Brown: 16.8 (4 & 11)
 
The Mavericks will get another chance to hold a top-10 league scorer below his average on Saturday as Texas State's Nigel Pearson ranks 9th in the league at 18.3 points per game.
 
In addition to holding every player below his season average, the Mavs have held seven of eight SBC opponents below their conference scoring average. UTA ranks 2nd in SBC action by holding opponents to 68.2 points per outing (Texas State: 67.6).
 
Included in that stretch was UTA limiting two opponents (Coastal Carolina, 58; Arkansas State, 59) below 60 points – just the third time in program history the Mavs have held consecutive Sun Belt foes under 60 points.
 
The previous occurrences:
Jan. 18 & 23, 2014: Texas State (48), Troy (56)
Jan. 19 & 22, 2015: Texas State (55), ULM (57)
 
ABOUT TEXAS STATE
Texas State has received votes in the USA Today Coaches Top 25 Poll each of the last two weeks. The Bobcats are ranked #18 in the latest CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll, marking the seventh-consecutive week the team has been ranked in the poll.
 
UTA and Texas State enter Saturday's showdown as two of the hottest teams in the Sun Belt as each club has won five of its last six games; both had five-game winning streaks snapped in the Peach State last Saturday – the Mavericks at Georgia State and the Bobcats at Georgia Southern.
 
The Bobcats lead the Sun Belt in scoring defense (62.8), scoring margin (12.4) and rebounding margin (6.4). Texas State ranks 9th with 75.2 points per game, shooting 46.5 percent from the floor and 36.9 percent from 3-point range.
 
BATTLE TESTED
ESPN published an article last month detailing the toughest non-conference schedules in the country this year, of which UTA ranked the 7th-most difficult; click here to read the full article (note: ESPN+ subscription required).
 
At the time of the non-conference schedule concluding, UTA played an incredible seven Quadrant 1 (Home 1-30, Neutral 1-50, Away 1-75) non-league opponents, based on the NET report (NCAA's new RPI), and all seven of those came on the road – the most in the nation.
 
NEXT UP
UTA returns home off its three-game road swing to welcome Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State to the College Park Center next Thursday and Saturday, respectively.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
In an effort to enhance public safety and the fan experience, for all UTA men's and women's home games this season the College Park Center will implement a clear-bag policy. All purses, containers, backpacks or anything larger than a small clutch bag are prohibited, and items must be placed in a clear tote bag not to exceed 12" x 6" x 12". For more information, fans are encouraged to visit UTAMavs.com/BasketballGameday.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
To secure tickets for upcoming games and find out about additional gameday procedures, log on to UTATickets.com. Additionally, for updates, behind-the-scenes photos, videos and more engaging and personal content, be sure to follow the men's basketball program on Twitter (@UTA_MBB) and Instagram (@UTA_Hoops).