Sun Belt Basketball: UT-Arlington Mavericks 2020-21 season preview

Starting Lineup

This group is expected to win with wingspan and long length on the defensive end, with the shortest player being 6 foot 3 inches, apart from Wells. On offense, dynamic playmaking and terrific rebounding will be this Mavericks M.O. to winning a lot of games this season.

Backcourt

One of the more experienced group, the Mavericks have relied on above-average guard play over the past few years. With Azore returning and second-leading scorer last year in G Brian Warren, it is expected to have the guards carrying the scoring load once again this season. Adding All-NJCAA Shahada Wells brings a new element, that the Mavericks didn’t have before.

Junior G David Azore

The Preseason Second Team All-Sun Belt captains a rather young that is expected to have zero Seniors in the starting lineup. Azore finished last season with scoring 14 points, grabbing nearly five rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.

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Azore’s skills have been glorified, as we gave an In-depth look at the junior guard a shade under a month ago.

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Azore’s game doesn’t dominate with scoring from beyond the arc. Instead, it’s his shot inside the paint and his ability to attack the rim and score. He was 11th in points last year and finished 7th in points produced.

The star Junior’s next steps are to take this Mavericks team to a next level. Contending near the top of the conference is coach Ogden’s goal and Azore is one of, if not the best player to do it within the conference.

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Sophomore G Sam Griffin 

The 6-3 guard from Miami broke out as a Freshman, averaging 9.4 points and a little over a rebound and assist per game. Griffin is more of your prototypical three-point shooter, that didn’t display much of anything else last season. Toward the back half of the season, Griffin was at his best, scoring in double figures in his final seven games.

Maybe his best game as a Freshman, came in an upset win over Sun Belt champions Little Rock. He scored 17 points on shooting 80% from three-point range and 63% from the field.

Improvements Griffin can make is being more of an all-around player. Griffin didn’t pass the ball often, leading to a higher turnover than assist rate. Griffin can be a cornerstone for the Mavericks over the next three years.

However, his consistency of being an all-around offensive player and a better defender will be the next steps for someone that is looking to be the #1 scoring option over the next year or two.

Junior G Shahada Wells

Maybe the most prized acquisition in the off-season was getting Tyler JC standout, Shahada Wells. Wells tore it up at the NJCAA as a sophomore last year, earning First Team All-American last season. He ranked 21st in the country and averaged 21.6 points per game. He also dished out on average six assists per game, good for 23rd in the country.

His offensive game doesn’t end there, as he is a massive threat from three-point range, as he connected on 46.5% of his shots and was a very solid 81.4 from the charity stripe.

He had similar stats in his freshman year at Tyler JC but decided to stay another season. Wells brings something that this team lacks, which is his three-point presence. Even though he was shorter than Ogden may like out of his guards, he is an elite offensive scorer in all facets of the game.

His defense could be improved, but Wells shows that he can light teams up from three-point range. Regardless of the division level, Wells should become an immediate threat to this team.

Frontcourt

The situation in the frontcourt is a little more difficult. With the graduation of Jabari Narcis, that makes this lineup even thinner at forward. However, a plethora of transfers helps with the experience aspect. As to how well they will gel, that will be known in less than two weeks.

Sophomore F Grayson Carter

It’s a bit of a rough sketch as to what Ogden will do. However, the Georgetown transfer is a big-time addition for a Sun Belt. Especially considering his frame of 6-10, 225 lbs. Carter might be one of the most exciting players on the team, after sitting out and redshirting, due to NCAA transfer rules.

Due to minimum playing time and being closer to home, Carter made the decision to come back to Texas, where he played High School ball at Denton Guyer in Dallas. The former four-star recruit was not able to display much at Georgetown, but his pedigree as a High School player flashes signs of what the Mavericks could be getting. Carter played in just 14 games at Georgetown and shot 2-6 from three-point range on the season.

Prior to that, he was ranked the #10 Center in the country and averaged 12.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and almost a block and a half per game.

Regardless of his time at Georgetown, Carter is a talented player and played excellent in Texas High School 6A Basketball. With extended playing time, it will be interesting as to whether Carter lives up to the hype that has been around him.

Senior F Lazaro Rojas

Rojas career up to this point has been nothing short of a roller coaster. After redshirting his first year at Fresno State, he would play three seasons with the Bulldogs. After playing in just eight games as a freshman, Rojas role grew as a sophomore. He played in 27 games and even got two starts.

He displayed some of his solid rebounding ability as he grabbed nine rebounds in a win over Pacific on just 19 minutes on the court. However, his role decreased once again as a Junior as he played in just 10 games and only took eight shots on the season.

The frontcourt overall is a bit hazy, so this spot is not guaranteed for Rojas. However, Rojas is the frontrunner to take the starting position, alongside Carter.