Marks not the only new face for Broncs

EDINBURG — The University of Texas Pan-American men’s basketball team returns only six players from last year’s squad, making for a totally new team dynamic.

The number of players on the roster dwindled after players transferred for academic, personal and athletic reasons. New coach Ryan Marks recruited 10 players to join the team, three of which are not eligible because they transferred from D-I programs.

Despite all the new faces, the veteran Broncs said the chemistry of the team is strong.

“When you have a lot of new guys, it just takes time for you to mesh together,” Broncs forward Nate Hawkins said. “I think we are gelling together pretty good. I’m excited for us to get on the court and prove what we can do.”

Broncs sophomore guard Jared Maree remembers joining the team just before the start of school last season and having to get accustomed to his new teammates.

“As far as the chemistry on and off the court, I think it is a group of guys that want to work hard,” Maree said. “It is going to take some time because we have a bunch of new guys and we are trying to get a feel of each other. When it is all said and done, we will be a success.”

SPI TOURNAMENT

The fifth annual South Padre Invitational will take place Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 27 and 28) at the Island’s convention center.

The first two rounds will be played on campus sites and the final two rounds at the Island and will include eight teams (Missouri, Mississippi State, Old Dominion, University of Richmond, UTPA, Chattanooga, Longwood University and Bethune Cookman University).

A pass for all eight games at the island costs $55 and are limited. You can purchase the passes through participating school ticket offices, through the convention center’s box office at (888) 774-8587 or through www.sopadre.com.

IT BEGINS

The women’s basketball season begins its 2009-10 regular season campaign when it travels to take on Oral Roberts at 7:05 p.m. in Tulsa, Okla.

The Lady Broncs were picked to finish fifth in the Great West Conference and will play their first home game of the season when they take on Texas Southern at 7 p.m. next Wednesday at the UTPA Field House.

REGIONAL BOUND

The UTPA cross country teams will compete at the NCAA South Central Regional on Saturday at the Cottonwood Creek Golf Course in Waco. The meet is hosted by Baylor.

The top two teams from the nine regionals and 13 at-large teams advance to the NCAA championships. The top four runners not on one of the qualifying teams can also advance.

UTPA’s cross country programs have not raced in two weeks when both placed fifth at the GWC championships.

Peter Rasmussen covers UTPA athletics for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448 or via e-mail at prasmussen@themonitor.com.