UT Arlington joined the Sun Belt in 2013, which is something I just looked up thinking that the Mavericks had been an SBC stalwart for a much longer time. Nope. Bounced from the Sun Belt along with UA Little Rock in 2022, the Mavericks didn’t even enjoy a ten year anniversary.

I also remembered the Mavericks to be a troublesome foe, but in reality, the series is lopsided in Arkansas State’s favor: 43-24 all time, and 26-8 at Jonesboro. UTA has lost its last two meetings against Arkansas State, the most recent a 58-49 thump in Arlington. Tonight will be the first time Coach Bryan Hodgson has faced UTA.

These days, the Mavericks are citizens of the WAC, which is soon to lose their marquis brand, Grand Canyon University, to the limping Mountain West. UTA is 4-5, with one of those losses an epic 98-95 defeat to USC. The Mavs already have a taste of Sun Belt flesh after dispatching ULM 84-70 last week. The team has a nice forward/guard scoring combo with 6’10” forward Lance Ware and 6’2″ guard Jaden Wells each scoring 15 points per game. For those who follow NET, the Mavericks sit at 180 (as of this writing, Arkansas State stands at 113).

Tonight’s contest is a classic “trap game.” The Red Wolves are coming off the program’s biggest win in its history after knocking off #16 Memphis. The only A-State player left on the roster who saw minutes against UTA when the two last met is Avery Felts (who drained a three in the victory). The Red Wolves likely haven’t much emotional heat for the Mavericks, but the Mavericks might have some heat for the Red Wolves and the Sun Belt – the WAC is clearly a step down. Whether UTA’s unceremonious conference bouncing is water under the bridge or water boiling in a cauldron of curses, we’ll find out tonight.

The Red Wolves will answer a few questions this evening as well. Has Derrian Ford recovered from his thigh injury? What about Terrence Ford? He took a hard dive to the floor against Memphis, and he is said to be enduring dings that won’t threaten his season, but will likely have him on the bench tonight. Will Joseph Pinion get another start after draining 22 points on the Tigers? Has Dyondre Dominguez earned more playing time? Will we ever see freshman Josh Hill again?

Answers to come.

PHOTO: Carla Weymeyer, Arkansas State