UTPA has opportunity to break through nationally

EDINBURG — Early season victories over Missouri or No. 18 Mississippi State might not mean much to other programs around the country, but at the University of Texas-Pan American a celebration might break out.

Exaggeration aside, an upset in one or both of the games could mean national exposure for UTPA. Not many outside of the Rio Grande Valley know much about the Broncs.

At the very least, a win would make the Broncs feel a little better about their 0-3 start.

UTPA takes on Missouri at 1 p.m. today in Columbia, Mo. and Mississippi State at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Starkville, Miss.

These games are considered the first two rounds of the South Padre Island Invitational. The final two rounds will be played Friday and Saturday at the Island’s convention center.

“I think these are the kinds of games that are fun for the players and fun for the coaches,” Broncs coach Ryan Marks said. “Obviously, playing nationally recognized teams in great venues is always exhilarating. Even though our record doesn’t show it, we have gotten better in every facet of the game. We want to continue to do that.

“I think our team is cognizant of the fact that we could play very well the next two games and not come away with wins.”

Missouri (1-0), an Elite Eight team from a season ago, and a Bulldogs team (0-1) ranked in the Top 25 to begin the year provide tall tasks for a team with a 331 RPI. The Broncs are taking an anything-can-happen approach.

“This is a great opportunity,” Broncs sophomore guard Nick Weiermiller said. “We really don’t have anything to lose against both those teams. We are going to go out there and try and play our game.

“We are going to try and keep it close and give ourselves a chance to win. Hopefully, we can pull both of them off.”

The Broncs arrive at today’s game after a 77-55 loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Thursday. Despite the setback, Weiermiller said he has seen vast improvement in the team. His coach agrees.

“From an offensive standpoint, I think the guys are more comfortable playing together,” Marks said. “Against Corpus Christi, I thought we had a lot of good shots we just didn’t shoot the ball particularly well. But I thought our offensive understanding continued to grow.”

FREE THROWS: Missouri is 3-0 all time vs. UTPA. The Tigers last beat the Broncs 78-57 in 2000. …Under coach Mike Anderson, the Tigers are 31-0 at home against non-conference opponents, 27 of which were by double-digit margins…. Mississippi State’s ranking might drop when the next polls are released after losing 88-74 to Rider  on Friday.

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