Returning Broncs looking forward

EDINBURG — Nick Weiermiller tried to make sense of it.

Ben Smith ignored it the best he could.

Smith and Weiermiller are two of the six University of Texas-Pan American men’s basketball players returning that all reacted similarly to the commotion that surrounded the team last year.

The team played with a dark cloud over its head last season as a secretive internal investigation into possible NCAA rules violations by the program played out. Former coach Tom Schuberth’s relationship with the athletic department’s front office deteriorated and was not asked back. The team also won only 10 games.

If that was not enough, UTPA took nearly three months to hire a new coach while crucial recruiting time slipped by.

“There were so much things outside that were going on that was a little bit of a distraction for us,” sophomore guard Jared Maree said. “At the same time, in life you are going to face adversity. What makes you a better team is how you get through it.

“I think last year even though we went through a lot of adversity, we handled it well.”

The six returning players -Nate Hawkins, Luis Valera, Jacob Trader, Weiermiller, Smith, Maree – said they have moved past last season and see this year and a new coach, Ryan Marks, as a fresh start.

On Saturday, when the Broncs open their regular season at home against Louisiana State, they will try to regain some normalcy.

“It seems like it,” Weiermiller said when asked if the team can move on. “There have been some changes in the athletic office. It does seem like a different atmosphere. With practice and with some of the things that have gone on, the atmosphere has changed. There aren’t as many distractions.”

Marks complimented the returning players as resilient. He doesn’t see any ill effects from last season.

After all, they are still playing the game they were recruited for and chose to stay at UTPA even after the turmoil.

Weiermiller was named a preseason Great West Conference all-first team. Hawkins and Smith received honorable mention selections.

“Obviously, they were cognizant of some of the things that were going on last year,” Marks said. “I think they tried to block it out the best they could. In some ways it had to diminish the enjoyment of their season. I think they are getting over being gun-shy and looking over their shoulder and thinking, ‘What’s going to happen next?’

“I think the start of the season will finally put a final reconciliation to any of the baggage they had from last season.”

Peter Rasmussen covers UTPA athletics for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.