GAME DAY INFORMATION
ARKANSAS TECH WONDER BOYS 5-4 (3-4 GAC)	ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO BOLL WEEVILS 7-3 (6-3 GAC)
Thursday, February 6 | 4 p.m. Monticello, Ark. | Steelman Fieldhouse LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO | LISTEN LIVE | ATU NOTES (PDF)

TIPPING OFF

For an unprecedented third time in the regular season, the Arkansas Tech men's basketball team is set to take on Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday afternoon at the Steelman Fieldhouse in Monticello. Each team has claimed a victory through the first two games of the season series with each winning on their home court. 

The first meeting between the Wonder Boys and Boll Weevils opened the GAC schedule back on January 7. In that game, the Boll Weevils defended their home court and dealt the Wonder Boys their first loss of the season to that point. 

Just over two weeks later, the Wonder Boys returned the favor and handed the Boll Weevils a loss as Tech edged UAM 65-64 in overtime. 

That was the first of two-straight overtime games for the Wonder Boys, both of which were victories and had the team riding high on momentum. Unfortunately, that momentum was stifled by a string of three-straight games being canceled due to COVID-19 protocols set forth by the GAC. During that time, the Wonder Boys lost games with Ouachita (a team they have yet to play), Southern Arkansas and Harding (in a non-conference game). 

That put the Wonder Boys 10 days in-between games before they resumed their schedule this past Thursday night at home against Henderson State. 

In the game against the Reddies, which was the third time the two have played this season, the Wonder Boys got off to a cold start offensively and trailed at one point 14-0. Tech was able to overcome that early deficit and eventually took a lead late in the first half. The Wonder Boys would trail at halftime, but started out the second half strong and held a lead as late as the 7:29 mark. The Wonder Boys would be plagued by another cold spell offensively, however, as the Reddies pulled away down the stretch.

TECH TIDBITS 

The Wonder Boys enter play on Thursday with a 5-4 record and a 3-4 mark in the GAC. As a team, the Wonder Boys are averaging 71.8 ppg and rank to tie for eighth in the GAC. On the defensive end of the court, the Wonder Boys rank sixth in the league in scoring defense, giving up an average of 72.2 ppg. In terms of field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense, the Wonder Boys are eighth in the conference as they are shooting at an overall clip of .423 (224-of-530) and are limiting opponents to a .417 mark (221-of-530) to rank third. 

Individually, the Wonder Boys have two players averaging double figures in scoring. True freshman Cejay Mann leads the way at 13.2 ppg Senior Tony Hall is next and rounds out double-figure scoring at 11.9 ppg. 

The Wonder Boys are coached by Mark Downey, who is in his first season back on the sidelines at Tech after a 10-year hiatus. Previously, Downey patrolled the sidelines at Tech for four seasons. In his final season, Downey guided the Wonder Boys to a program-record 30 wins and during the course of that season, the Wonder Boys were ranked No. 1 in NCAA DII for the first time ever. 

In his time at Tech, which is now in its fifth season, Downey has amassed an 82-47 record. Overall, Downey is in his 14th season as a head coach and has career record of 248-153. 

SCOUTING THE BOLL WEEVILS 

Arkansas-Monticello enters their game against the Wonder Boys 7-3 overall and 6-3 in the GAC. Prior to this past Thursday's action, UAM was atop the Great American Conference Eastern Division standings thanks to a three-game winning streak. That streak and their place atop the standings ended after the conclusion of Thursday night's contests as the Boll Weevils lost at home to Harding by a score of 69-79. 

In that game, the Boll Weevils suffered their first loss of the season at home. After a back-and-forth closely-contest first half, Harding took control and pulled away in the second half en route to the win over UAM. 

Statistically, the Boll Weevils are averaging 74.9 ppg on offense to rank fourth in the GAC and are giving up an average of 66.5 ppg to rank third in the GAC. In terms of field goal percentages, UAM is shooting at a .458 clip overall (252-of-550) to rank third and are allowing opponents to shot at a mark of .421 (223-of-530) to rank fifth. 

Individually, the Boll Weevils have four players scoring in double figures and are led by Miles Daniels at 16.8 ppg. Denzel McDuffey is next in scoring at 13.3 ppg. Dajuan Jones and Lemmie Howard round out double-figure scoring for the Boll Weevils at 12.5 ppg and 10.5 ppg, respectively. 

The Boll Weevils are coached by Kyle Tolin, who is in his seventh season at UAM. In his time as a head coach at UAM, Tolin has amassed a 99-86 record.