Be with the Bees, visit the Vipers or catch college hoops

There is enough basketball and hockey to go around for sports enthusiasts in the Rio Grande Valley.

The NBA D-League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the only minor league sports team in Deep South Texas with a direct affiliation to a major sport, and Division-I University of Texas-Pan American will provide all the basketball one needs.

The men’s and women’s UTPA basketball teams have new coaches and new faces. The Broncs open the home portion of their season against the University of Texas-San Antonio on Dec. 18. The Lady Broncs play their first regular season home game Nov. 18 against Texas Southern. The teams compete at the Field House on the university campus.

The annual South Padre Island men’s basketball tournament will take place Nov. 27 to 28 and features Missouri, Mississippi State, Chattanooga and UTPA.

In their third year, the Vipers, who play at Dodge Arena, have a history of sending players to the NBA. Last season, Aaron Brooks was picked up by the Houston Rockets and was an impact player for the team in the playoffs.

The Vipers’ first home game is Dec. 4

The Rio Grande Killer Bees are already in season and also compete at Dodge. Last season’s team advanced to the second round of the playoffs with many of the same players back for more this year.

For Bees ticket information, call (956) 843-7825. Vipers ticket info can be found by calling (956) 972-1144. Fore more UTPA ticket information, contact (956) 381-2219.

Peter Rasmussen covers sports for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.