UT ARLINGTON MAVERICKS:  COACH:  SCOTT CROSS--10th SEASON

2014-15 RECORD:  16-15, 10-10 Sun Belt, 5th (Lost to Texas State in SBC First Round)

KEY RETURNEES:  G Drew Charles (7.0, 2.3), F Kevin Hervey (7.0, 6.0), G Erick Neal (6.6, 86 ast), F Brandon Williams (3.2, 3.0, 30 blocks), F Jorge Bilbao (3.7, 3.2)

KEY LOSSES:  Lonnie McClanahan (11.6, 3.5, 92 ast), Johnny Hall (10.4, 4.3, 75 ast), Jamel Outler (9.3, 1.4), Greg Gainey (9.7, 4.0)

UT Arlington was on its way to a good season a year ago.  Then guards Johnny Hall and Drew Charles were hurt.  And, when they went down, so did the Mavericks.

UTA lost six of its final nine games a season ago, including a first round loss in the Sun Belt Tournament.  Head Coach Scott Cross had eleven players average double digit minutes last season, which means there is some experience despite losing their top four scorers from a year ago.

Heading the list of returnees is Kevin Hervey, a 6-7 sophomore who led the team in rebounding a year ago.  He's a tough matchup because he can shoot from the perimeter as a combo forward. "Hervey is one of the most talented offensive players I've ever coached," Cross said.  "He's long, can shoot and can offensive rebound. But he still needs to figure out the physical aspect of the game."

The return of Charles will be big for the Mavs as well.  Charles is the best shooter on the club and a solid defender in the backcourt. "Every coach wants players like him.  We took a hit when he went down,:  said Cross.  "He's a great leader  blocks out, jumps to the ball, rebounds..he sets the culture for our team."   Erick Neal was forced into action as the starting point guard and performed admirably  And now, the Mavs have added JUCO transfer Jalen Jones, who Cross says "has grit."

Brandon Williams and Jorge Bilbao return as inside players.  And, the Mavs have added transfer Kennedy Eubanks, who, at 6-6, could help there as well.  "We worked on blocking out in practice and we're bigger on the wings than we've been  Rebounding is a matter of want-to.  If we can stay committed to rebounding, we'll be okay," Cross said.

OUTLOOK--UTA will be able to score.  There's a lot of experience returning in the backcourt despite the losses and one thing you can bank on is Cross' team will be able to shoot the basketball.  That being said, there are plenty of questions.  Will the inside game improve and will those inside players be able to guard and rebound against the teams with solid frontcourts in the league?  Can they rebound, especially on the defensive end.  And, how will last year's support players respond to being the front line players.  All of that, plus the Mavericks' ability to guard (which wasn't great last year), will have a lot to say as to whether or not this truly is a rebuilding year.

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