CEDAR CITY, UTAH -- The SUU Men's Basketball team is coming off back-to-back conference wins on the road. Defeating Tarleton State 73-70, and Abilene Christian 82-67. These two wins propelled them into a tie for ninth place in the WAC with Abilene and Utah Tech, over which SUU holds the tiebreaker.
The Thunderbirds are now 8-12 overall and 3-6 in conference play.
Both games will be in the America First Event Center this week, starting with UT Arlington on Thursday, Feb 1 at 6:30 p.m., Followed by UTRGV on Saturday, Feb 3 at 6:30 p.m. Both contests will be streamed live on ESPN+, or you can follow along with the live stats.
The Mavericks
UTA is one spot ahead of the Thunderbirds in the WAC rankings, sitting at 9-11 overall and 4-5 in conference play. They are coming off two consecutive losses to Abilene Christian 78-67 and GCU 67-61.
The Mavericks are scoring 73.5 points per game while giving up 74.5. Opponents shoot just under 40% from three on average and almost 17 free throws per game, a spot where the Thunderbirds can certainly take advantage of being the top free throw shooting team in the conference. UTA averages 38 rebounds per game, a full five more than the Thunderbirds.
UTA is led by transfer guard Phillip Russell, who benefited from the NCAA's two-time transfer ruling. Russell has only played in eight games this season, averaging 15 points a contest.
Shemar Wilson has been one of the best bigs in the conference. Scoring 12.5 points a game, over eight boards per game, and has an astounding 43 blocks, more than two per game average.
Dajuan Gordon is one of four Mavericks that average double-digit scoring. He comes in at 11.3 a game and pulls down just under eight rebounds.
Makaih Williams is the fourth Maverick to average double-digits, scoring at 10.6 per game. He shoots 46% from the field and 44% from three. He also leads the team at 63 assists on the year.
The Vaqueros
UTRGV currently sits in last place in the WAC standings, with a record of 6-14 overall and 2-7 in conference play. They're currently on an L3 streak, most recently at home against CBU 63-54.
The Vaqueros can score with anybody in the conference, averaging 74 points per game, but struggle defensively, giving up almost 80 points per game. On average, opponents shoot 45% from the field and 33% from three.
Vaqueros allow opponents to rebound an average of 40 per game, compared to their average of 35.
They are led in scoring by Elijah Elliott, averaging just over 15 points per game. Four different Vaqueros average double-digit scoring. Hasan Abdul-Hakim (13.9), Ahren Freeman (11.6), and J.J. Howard (10.0).
Abdul-Hakim is their leading three-point shooter at 40%, leading them in total assists with 61 on the year as well. Daylen Williams leads them in rebounds at 6.5 per game, with Freeman not far behind at six per contest.
Elliott averages nearly two steals per contest, which is their team focus, coming in at third in the WAC in steals per game.
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