Two key injuries put UTA men on the defensive
With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, UT Arlington’s stretch run just got a lot more difficult.
The Mavericks (14-10, 8-6 Sun Belt) only have two teams left on their schedule with a winning record, but they will finish the season without two of their best defensive players, Johnny Hill and Drew Charles.
UTA will ease into the run by playing host to Appalachian State, the least-efficient team in the Sun Belt, at 7:15 p.m. Thursday at the College Park Center.
Hill underwent season-ending wrist surgery after scoring 16 points against Louisiana-Lafayette on Feb. 7. Charles left Saturday’s 97-91 loss to South Alabama early with an injury to his right (shooting) hand. An MRI later revealed a fracture in his thumb, ending his junior season.
Charles was the best 3-point shooter in the Sun Belt, draining 41.1 percent of his shots, but his biggest asset might have been his defensive mentality. Charles set the tone for coach Scott Cross. That role will now fall to a talented group of freshmen.
Kaelon Wilson figures to be the first in line for more minutes based on his ability to take over games. The Lancaster product is third on the team with 15 blocked shots, an impressive statistic considering he’s only 6-foot-2. He and Erick Neal have given the Mavericks energy in the backcourt. Neal had the best game of his career Saturday with 16 points and three assists.
But that game exposed one of Cross’ biggest fears — without his top defenders, UTA could get into a shootout. This team isn’t set up for those games. Fortunately for the Mavericks, Appalachian State (9-14, 6-8) scores only 63.8 points a game and shoots below 40 percent.
UTA men vs. Appalachian State
7:15 p.m. Thursday, College Park Center
Radio: KKGM/1630 AM
Records: Appalachian State 9-14, 6-8 Sun Belt; UTA 14-10, 8-6
This story was originally published February 18, 2015 at 7:36 PM with the headline "Two key injuries put UTA men on the defensive."