His team has one game left at College Park Center this season, but UTA coach Scott Cross is still tinkering with the way his team approaches its offensive attack.
The Mavericks finish their home season with a chance to break even at .500 when they host Utah State at 7 p.m. Saturday.“When we play slow, we’re very easy to guard,” Cross said. “When we play fast, it gives us a fighting chance. We’ve got to defend and then try and get some buckets in transition. It makes us a lot better when we play with speed.”Before Thursday’s 81-74 win over San Jose State, Cross told his team to play a faster pace than they’ve played all season.It also helps that their scorers are finally getting open looks and making them with confidence. Karol Gruszecki and Jamel Outler, who has led the team in scoring in two straight games off the bench, are getting hot with the season winding down and the weaker opponents a thing of the past.After the 19-8 Aggies, the Mavericks play 18-8 Denver and 19-9 New Mexico State.While UTA is guaranteed a top-five spot in the Western Athletic Conference tournament, Cross said he doesn’t pay any attention to where his team will be seeded in two weeks. As a No. 1 seed in the Southland Conference tournament a year ago, the Mavericks were bounced in the second round by McNeese State.“We saw last year that it doesn’t matter. We just need to be at our best come tournament time,” Cross said.More information
UTA vs. Utah State
7 p.m. Saturday, College Park Center
Records: UTA 16-10, 10-5 WAC; Utah State 19-8, 9-6
Radio: KKDA/730-AM
Big 12 basement dwellers TCU and Texas Tech fight to stay out of cellar
All roads intersect for TCU senior Williams in home finale
Phil Forte, like his longtime friend Marcus Smart, is a rising star at Oklahoma State
UTA baseball team can’t overcome sluggish start
UTA women head to Utah State for final road game
Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
