As luck would have it, in a season that appears to be full of promise and optimism for the UTA men's basketball team, other teams in the historically one-bid Southland Conference are off to an equally stellar start.
The Mavericks are off to an 8-0 start, and find themselves ranked 15th in the rpi and 14th in collegeinsider.com's Mid-Major Top 25.
Sam Houston St., ranked 11th in the rpi and ninth in the Mid-Major Top 25, is 8-0 with wins over Fresno St., St. Louis, UW-Milwuakee and Bobby Knight's Red Raiders. The Bearkats are led by senior forward Ryan Bright and are probably the pre-season front runner within the Southland.
Stephen F. Austin, led by head coach Danny Caspar and his moustache, just knocked off the Sooners in Norman and are now 7-1. They also broke into the Mid-Major Top 25 this week and should be an obstacle in Sam Houston St. and UTA's attempt at a conference title.
It may be safe to say that many if not most DFW sports fans do not even know what the Southland Conference is, or that UTA has an athletics program at all. But for those in the know, basketball in the SLC will be a show worth watching this season.
-- Trey Benedict
You didn't mention that UTA has some quality wins a well. They beat a good North Texas team (6-2) with wins over Oklahoma St. and New Mexico State. UTA also has wins over a 7-1 Arkansas-LR and Western Illinois.
The matchup between TCU & UTA this year looks like it will be pretty even. They both have solid wins over Texas Southern... UTA won 102-72 & TCU won 83-59. Vegas would probably give TCU the slight edge for home court but UTA will definitely give them a game this year. My prediction is UTA 87 TCU 83!
Hey Casper shave that damn moustache!!
Posted by: David B | December 12, 2007 at 02:19 PM
Everyone knows that Casper can't shave the stache. The stache would have to shave Casper.
Posted by: Justin Kettler | December 12, 2007 at 05:47 PM
With the newest poll released today, UTA could move up some. They did not play this week, but I am sure a few above them did (and hopefully lost)
It will be a disappointment to lose to TCU tonight, considering UTA is the better team ....
Posted by: GBM | December 17, 2007 at 01:01 PM
This could be the biggest run for UTA Mavs BBall ever. IF we beat TCU and Oklahoma State (don't laugh-OKST lost to UNT 73-82, and UTA beat UNT 72-64)on the heels of the big win at Wichita St we should show people we are not a team to overlook.
Posted by: J Kettler | December 17, 2007 at 05:40 PM