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Men’s basketball team relying on hard work, selflessness

Written by Clint Utley, The Shorthorn sports editor

Thursday, 19 November 2009 09:30 PM

Head coach Scott Cross, left, runs through drills with senior guard Hungo Makor on Thursday at the Maverick Activities Center. The men’s team plays Eastern Washington tomorrow at Texas Hall. (The Shorthorn: Rasy Ran)

After a draining double-overtime loss to North Texas on Wednesday night in which the Mavericks committed 36 fouls, the men’s basketball team turns around to host Eastern Washington at 7 p.m. Saturday at Texas Hall.

“First, we can’t do the dumb fouls,” senior guard Dwight Gentry II said.

Senior forward J.D. Davis also expressed views on the team’s performance against North Texas.

“The effort was there, everything was there, it was just stupid, stupid fouls,” he said. “That stuff goes on in practice because we play so physical in practice.”

The two seniors said the fouls weren’t necessarily a bad thing and the team can cut down on that number by developing better habits in practice.

Head coach Scott Cross said the problem can be easily fixed.

“We’re fouling a lot, I think we’re going to clean that up as the season progresses,” he said. “It’s just because guys are playing hard and they’re getting after it.”

Eastern Washington’s offense features a guard similar in stature to the 5-foot-10-inch Josh White, who torched the Mavs for 35 points on Wednesday night. Benny Valentine, a 5-foot-7-inch senior guard, averages 16 points a game after three games for the Eagles this season.

“They’re going to be really, really patient offensively,” Cross said of Eastern Washington. “They’ve got a post player who’s very, very talented.”

The two teams played in Cheney, Wash., last year with the Eagles victorious 73-70. The Mavs had a chance to tie the game, but missed a shot at the end of regulation. Valentine lit up UTA for 28 points in that game.

“They’re trying to make us play defense for a while, they’re going to run the clock,” Gentry said.

Davis said the team’s film session on Thursday was helpful.

“Coach feels a lot more comfortable with this team,” he said. “Because we do play so hard, it makes him feel at ease. He doesn’t have to worry so much about what team comes out tonight. No matter what we’re going to come out there and play hard.”

He said this year’s team is quicker to make adjustments and accept criticism compared to last year’s, although many players remain.

“Last year, you didn’t know what team was going to show up,” Davis said. “Everybody wasn’t on the same wavelength last year. I’m not going to sit here and say we’re just all perfect and dandy living in Smurfland over here, but we know how to put our differences to the side and come together.

“Last year everybody wanted a piece of pie and nobody wanted to sacrifice their piece of the pie. This year, I think everybody is willing to sacrifice their piece of the pie to get the big picture.”
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 28 January 2010 01:44 PM )

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