ARLINGTON, Texas – UT Arlington men's basketball (6-2) looks to win its third straight on Tuesday, Dec. 2, as the Mavs are set to take on Sun Belt foe Arkansas State (5-3) at 7 p.m. from the First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Fans can also watch live on ESPN+, and listen live on the Varsity Network App with the voice of the Mavs, Josh Sours.
UTA is coming off of a gritty 66-61 home win this past Saturday against in-state rival SFA and closed the month of November winners of six of eight. The Mavs were led in that game by senior forward Raysean Seamster and sophomore guard Cash Chavis, who each scored 16 points as the Mavs overcame a 10-point first half deficit to improve to 4-0 at home this season.
Arkansas State has also won two straight after knocking off North Dakota State 85-80 in overtime on Friday night.
Arkansas State is led by first-year head coach Ryan Pannone, who joined the Red Wolves following the past two seasons as an assistant at Alabama under head coach Nate Oates, where he helped lead the Crimson Tide to the Final Four (23-24) and Elite Eight (24-25). Pannone was an assistant for one season with the New Orleans Pelicans (22-23) and was the head coach of the Erie Bayhawks and Birmingham Squadron (NBA G League) from 2019-22. He also has stops coaching in China, Germany, Israel and Angola, as well as in the junior college ranks at Wallace State and in high school at Oldsmar Christian in Florida.
The Red Wolves are led by three players who average double figures, as well as a familiar face for Mavs fans. Sophomore G Joey Chummaa is the team's leading scorer, averaging 19.0 ppg in his two appearances, both off the bench (though he is also averaging 25.5 minutes per contest). Additionally, junior G TJ Caldwell is averaging 12.1 ppg and is shooting the three well at a 44.0% clip, while senior G Chandler Jackson is scoring 10.9 ppg and dishing out 4.0 apg. The familiar face is senior F Jaxon Ellingsworth, who spent last season at UTA. He is scoring 9.9 ppg and pulling down 6.1 ppg in his first eight appearances in Jonesboro.
The Mavs and Red Wolves will meet Tuesday night for the 69th time, with Arkansas State holding a 44-24 advantage, including an 83-79 win in Jonesboro last season (Dec. 12, 2024).
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