SUU Hosts Texans, Mavs in WAC Play

CEDAR CITY, UTAH -- The SUU Men's Basketball team is currently on an L5 streak, but will look to correct course and stay above .500 with Tarleton State and UT Arlington coming to town for the second weekend of WAC play.

Head Coach Rob Jeter said
"We have a job to do this weekend, we have to defend our home floor. We have only lost once at home this season, and that is enough. Anytime you play someone in the WAC it is going to be a tough game, so we are going to have to come out with discipline and toughness."

Game Details

Game One - WESTERN NIGHT

Who: Southern Utah (8-7, 0-1 WAC) vs Tarleton State (6-10, 1-0 WAC)

When: Thursday, January 9, at 6:30 p.m.

Where: America First Event Center, Cedar City, Utah

Watch: ESPN+

Live Stats: HERE

Game Two - WHITE OUT

Who: Southern Utah (8-7, 0-1 WAC) vs UT Arlington (7-8, 0-1 WAC)

When: Saturday, January 11, at 6:30 p.m.

Where: America First Event Center, Cedar City, Utah

Watch: ESPN+

Live Stats: HERE

Matchup History

The Thunderbirds are 2-2 all-time against Tarleton State, with Head Coach Rob Jeter earning a split last season with a win in Stephensville.
SUU dropped both games a season ago to the Mavericks by slim margins but are 1-2 all-time against UTA.

The Thunderbirds

SUU still ranks third in the WAC in scoring offense but has slipped to sixth defensively. They are also third in the conference in field goal percentage at 45% and are second in opponents' field goal percentage, holding teams to just 41%.

While the Thunderbirds rank at the top of the conference in total rebounds, their rebounding margin is just +1.27, meaning they need to do a better job limiting teams to just one shot attempt per possession. The T-Birds are second in the WAC in blocked shots, and Brock Felder is tied for the lead with 29 total blocks on the year.

The biggest issue for SUU all season long has been the turnovers, where they rank last in the conference in turnover margin. However, Tarleton State and UT Arlington are just ahead of the Thunderbirds.

Jamir Simpson still leads the Thunderbirds in scoring and ranks third in the WAC at 16.53 points per game. Dominique Ford comes in at seventh in the conference with 14.64 ppg.

After matching a career-high nine assists last time out, Tavi Jackson is fifth in the conference in assists per game, with 3.27.

Scout The Texans

-The game is brought to you by Chrysalis-

The Texans are dead last in the conference in scoring, coming in at just 65.5 points per game while allowing 72.88. They are coming off a win in the conference opener at home against UT Arlington, 77-74. Tarleton St has shot the least threes in the conference by a wide margin, but they make them at a 38% clip when they take threes.

They are also the worst rebounding team in the league, averaging just over 30 rebounds per game.

Bubu Benjamin leads the Texans in scoring and is second in the WAC at 17.3 points per game. He shoots 50% from the field, 46% from three, and 78% from the free throw line. He is also second on the team in rebounds at 5.1 per game.

The Texans have dealt with a lot of injuries throughout the season. Freddie Hicks, a guy who was Second-Team All-Conference in 22-23 hasn't yet played for them this season.

Scout The Mavericks

-The Game is brought to you by Jennifer Davis ERA Realty-

The Mavericks live and die by the three-ball. They are second in the conference in scoring at 77.8 points per game and lead the conference in three-point percentage at 38% and three-pointers made with 139. They have eight games this year with at least 10 three-pointers made and made an incredible 16 against USC. However, they also have a game against Liberty where they went 2-20 from behind the three-point arc.

Lance Ware leads the team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, the 6'10 forward averages 14.5 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game and has 18 blocks on the year. Before their loss to Tarleton State, Ware was on a three-game double-double streak.

Jayden Wells (12.5), Raysean Seamster (10.5), and Diante Smith (10) are all also averaging double-digits in scoring.

Wells leads the conference in three-pointers with 41 on the year, shooting 37% from deep.