With six days of rest in the rearview mirror, the UT Arlington men's basketball team travels to Louisiana Tech to take on the top team in the Western Athletic Conference at 7 tonight in Ruston, La.
Although Louisiana Tech has an 18-3 record and 9-0 in conference, UTA (10-8, 5-4 WAC) isn't likely to be intimidated because the Mavericks have been one of the nation's best road teams, having gone 8-2 away from home.After dropping two games at home to drop below .500 in conference, UTA dispatched Utah State and San Jose State on their own home courts to get themselves back into the thick of the regular-season WAC race.Scott Cross' team wraps up the three-game road trip with a chance to redeem its 55-52 loss to Louisiana Tech on Jan. 5, where the Mavericks saw an 11-point second-half lead slip away.Since then, Cross has switched to a smaller lineup that features three point guards and the insertion of Greg Gainey, who has averaged 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in his two starts.UTA re-established its trademark defense with the best defensive game in the Cross era by holding San Jose State to 21.9 percent shooting percentage last Saturday.Led by sophomore guard Kenneth Smith, the Bulldogs play a fast brand of basketball, but it's one that UTA has proven to play effectively.
UTA at Louisiana Tech
7 tonight, Karl Malone Court, Ruston, La.
Records: UTA 10-8, 5-4 WAC; La. Tech 18-3, 9-0 WAC
Radio: KKDA/730 AM
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