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After a year in which scoring was not a problem but wins came almost as often as losses, UT-Arlington men’s coach Scott Cross decided the ideal road to success is one with bumps in it.
"We have great group of guys that are very defensive-minded this year," Cross said. "We have great team chemistry, so I can’t wait to get started."Last season, the Mavericks led the Southland Conference in scoring at 79 points a game. They return four of their top six scorers, including senior guard Marquez Haynes, who averaged 16.3 points while shooting .474 from the field last season.Cross said the defensive approach shouldn’t limit his team offensively, but he’s not sure the Mavericks will lead the league in scoring again."We could have a chance because we will play very fast," Cross said. "But there are some other teams that are capable of putting up a lot of points. You never really can tell until you get out there, but I think we have plenty of scorers, obviously more perimeter scorers than interior, so it’ll be a little bit different. But I think we still are very capable of putting points on the board."UTA lost leading scorer Anthony Vereen, who averaged 17.7 points per game, and at 6-foot-7, 245, took up loads of space in the lane. But 6-5, 250-pound forward Tommy Moffitt, who averaged 7.5 points and 6.4 rebounds last season, is back for his senior year.Cross is also hoping for production from 6-11, 225-pound freshman Jordan Reves from Jeffersontown, Ky."Tommy Moffitt, obviously he’s our one wide body that we still have left," Cross said. "I think he’s going to be very productive for us. "Jordan Reves is looking very, very good. He’s very talented. [He’s] got a great opportunity to be our starting center. He’s been doing way better than I expected in practice. He’s very skilled, very knowledgeable. You tell him one time and he does exactly what you say. Has a great feel from the game. He’s rebounded remarkably well the last couple of weeks in practice. I think he’s going to contribute right away."There is little doubt, however, that Haynes is going to be the team leader."He’s been absolutely unbelievable," Cross said. "I’ve never coached a player that is so well-rounded from leadership to work ethic. Toughness, attitude, being able to handle the ball, shoot the ball, play great defense — he’s got the all-around package."The 6-3, 190-pound Haynes played on the wing last season, but Cross said he will move to his natural position of point guard this year."We had to play him on the wing last year because we had some talented guys who were a lot smaller than he was, and to get our best players on the court, we had to slide him over to the wing. But he will be playing the point for us this year."The season opens Saturday with a home game against Dallas Baptist. Cross is hoping to improve on the 16-14 record of a year ago."We’ll definitely play a different style," he said. "Offensively and defensively, we’ll be very, very different from what we’ve seen in the past. The last few years, we’ve just pounded it inside relentlessly. This year we’ll play more of a pick-and-roll-style offense, spread the court and try and open up the lanes and get our guards to the basket. It should be a lot of fun."ONLINE: utamavs.comJan Hubbard, 817-390-7760
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