UT Arlington at Aztecs

SDSU 2-1, UTA 1-3

Records:

Series history: First meeting

Mavericks update: SDSU is one of eight NCAA Tournament teams from last season on first-year coach Greg Young’s schedule. The lone win is against Div. III Mary Hardin-Baylor of Belton, Texas. They came close at home against Abilene Christian, losing 80-71 in overtime, and were blown out at Oklahoma State (8845) and at North Texas (64-36). In the North Texas game, they managed just four baskets and 12 points in the first half, tying a program record for futility. Their Kenpom rating is 291, ranking dead last in turnover rate (32.9 percent of possessions). They start three grad students, including 6-6 Pedro Castro, who began his career at UTA, went to a JC, went to Houston Baptist, then transferred back. Guard David Azore was a second-team allconference preseason selection. Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, a 6-9 Nigerian center, can touch the top of the backboard and had 60 blocks in 18 games last season. This is the third time UTA has played in San Diego, but both previous visits were at USD and none since 2005.

Aztecs update: They finally face a team that shoots as poorly as they do from deep. UTA is making 20.5 percent of its 3s (342nd nationally). SDSU is making 20.4 percent (344th) after a 6 of 21 effort Thursday. It’s unusual for the Aztecs to play a “buy” game on a one-day prep, but this worked best on the schedule for both teams. And UTA doesn’t have any extra rest, having played at North Texas on Thursday night and spent Friday traveling. Opponents have shot 39.2, 38.6 and 37.3 percent against the Aztecs defense, which currently ranks eighth nationally, according to Kenpom. The priority, though, will be improving the offense, which through games is averaging 63.7 points, down nearly 10 from last season, while shooting 41.6 percent overall and 60.6 from the line (318th in the nation). Lamont Butler moved into the starting lineup in the 65-63 win against Arizona State and responded with a team-high 14 points, 12 in the second half. Cal transfer Matt Bradley is the scoring leader (14.3 points) but is still acclimating to the offense; he’s 0 of 6 on 3s and has four assists against six turnovers.

Next up: Georgetown in the Wooden Legacy on Thursday (8:30 p.m., ESPN2)

MARK ZEIGLER