UT Arlington vs. Tarleton State Prediction: Do DaJuan Gordon, Mavericks Have the Edge in WAC Semifinals?
UT Arlington faces Tarleton State for the third time this season but this time it's in the WAC Semifinals. Do DaJuan Gordon and the Mavericks have the edge in the WAC Semifinals? Ben Rajavuori breaks it all down.
Ben Rajavuori - March 15, 2024, 5:14 PM EDT
5 minUT Arlington vs. Tarleton State Prediction: Do DaJuan Gordon, Mavericks Have the Edge in WAC Semifinals?
The UT Arlington Mavericks and Tarleton State Texans face off in the Western Athletic Conference semifinal tonight to decide who will play in the championship tomorrow for an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Mavericks enter the semifinal with a record of 19–13 on the season and a 13–7 record in conference play. The Texans enter the semifinal game with a record of 23–8 on the season and a 16–4 record in conference play. Despite Tarleton State having the better record, this line sits at a pick 'em right now on the books. Who will move on to the championship tomorrow?
UT Arlington vs. Tarleton State DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: March 15, 2024
- Game Time: 11:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPNU, ESPN+
UT Arlington vs. Tarleton State Prediction
These two teams met twice in the regular season with Tarleton State taking both meetings. In the first meeting of the season in January, UT Arlington traveled to play Tarleton on the road and lost 78–76. Tarleton shot 57% from three in that game, which was enough to just get by the Mavericks by two. In the second meaning the season, the Mavericks had a chance for rent revenge at home but, once again, fell by two points. Tarleton State shot 61% from inside the perimeter in that game and made 21 free throws to win 80–78. While Tarleton won both regular season meetings, both games were extremely competitive and back-and-forth the whole way.
As it is commonly mentioned in conference tournaments, it is not easy to be a team three times in one season. Even in the Power-Five conferences with some of the best teams in the nation, we find that they sometimes struggle to be a team three times when they meet in the conference tournament after winning the first two regular-season meetings.
This applies even more heavily for Tarleton State, as they happen to go 2-0 this season against UT Arlington, but barely won both meetings. It took exceptional shooting from Tarleton State to win by just one bucket in both meetings, as they shot above their season averages in both meetings. UT Arlington is a sound defensive team that ranked third in the conference in defensive efficiency, so I do not think Tarleton can stay hot for a third time in a row.
DaJuan Gordon and UT Arlington also had the best three-point offense in the conference this season. They averaged the most three-point attempts and the highest three-point percentage, shooting 36.6% in conference play this year. Tarleton State has struggled to defend the perimeter, as they ranked eighth in conference play allowing opponents to shoot 33.5% from three. UT Arlington also enters this meeting hot, winning six straight games to close the regular season. I believe their three-point shooting will finally show up against Tarleton State in the third meeting this season and they will move on to the championship tomorrow.
UT Arlington vs. Tarleton State Pick
Pick: UT Arlington ML -110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
WIN $25 GIFT CARD ON FRIDAY'S CBB SLATE
Think you know what will happen on today's College Basketball slate? Answer the questions below and get the perfect score for your chance to win a $25 Fanatics gift card.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL ODDS
