The UT Arlington men’s basketball team (11-11, 4-4 WAC) is set to hit the road to face Utah Valley (15-7, 7-1 WAC) on Thursday, February 6, at the UCCU Center in Orem, Utah. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m. CT and will be available for live viewing on ESPN+, as well as on the radio via the Varsity app, 102.5 FM, and KTNO 620 AM, with commentary provided by Josh Sours, the Voice of the Mavs.
Utah Valley enters the matchup following a tough 75-57 loss to Grand Canyon on Saturday, while UTA looks to bounce back from an earlier 85-83 overtime defeat to the Wolverines that occurred on January 16. UTA’s head coach emphasized the importance of rebounding and transition defense in order to contain Utah Valley’s fast-paced style, noting that the team must be sharp in their defensive execution.
The Mavericks are currently on a four-game winning streak and most recently secured an exhilarating 73-71 victory at home against Utah Tech. In that game, forward/center earned the WAC Newcomer of the Week title, delivering a strong performance with a double-double that included 10 points and 12 rebounds. Guards have also been crucial in recent outings, each scoring 15 points against Utah Tech, with Wells standing out by making 5-of-8 three-pointers. Robinson has been particularly impressive, averaging 12.3 points and 9.0 assists per game over his last four contests, while Ware has notched double-doubles in four of his last five games.
Looking at Utah Valley, second-year coach Todd Phillips has significantly impacted the program, becoming the winningest first-year coach in Utah Valley history. The Wolverines are powered by guard Dominick Nelson, who leads the team with an average of 14.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. In the January 16 matchup against UTA, Nelson scored 25 points. Forward Carter Welling contributes 12.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game but had a relatively quiet performance in that prior game, possibly shaping UTA’s defensive strategy for Thursday.
This clash will mark the eighth meeting between the Mavericks and the Wolverines, with UTA having claimed victory in four of the previous seven contests.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with UTA’s men’s basketball program through their social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
Overall, this matchup is pivotal as both teams are seeking to solidify their standings in the WAC as the season progresses. The Mavs will aim to carry on their winning momentum and contend for a strong finish in the conference.