Big-name opponents await UTPA this season

The University of Texas-Pan American men’s basketball team will see its share of major conference opponents this season.

The most notable name on the docket is Texas, which UTPA plays Dec. 15 in Austin. UTPA will also hit the road against SEC’s Mississippi State (Nov. 24), the Big 12’s Nebraska (Dec. 12) and Missouri (Nov. 22), the ACC’s Virginia (Jan. 5) and the Big 10’s Northwestern (Jan. 7).

Northwestern will be a Broncs opponent the next two years, with the Wildcats coming next season to play at Edinburg.

The Mississippi State and Missouri games are a part of the South Padre Invitational, which takes place from Nov. 22 to Nov. 28. Games on the Island will only take place on the last two days. It is also the only tourney the Broncs will compete in this year.

UTPA also takes on TCU in Fort Worth on Jan. 20 and Air Force on Jan. 2.

“For a standpoint of exposure and national recognition for our program, I think there are a lot of good things about our schedule in that regard,” Broncs coach Ryan Marks said.

As is the case for UTPA programs, home games are tough to come by. The Broncs play in only 10 at the Field House.

“One of the things that we would like to do differently in the future is to schedule more home games,” Marks said. “To be honest with you, (the schedule) is not the ideal situation for our players or for our fans or from a competitive standpoint. That is something I think we’ll have to correct in future years.”

The Broncs open the season hosting Marks’ former team, the University of St. Edwards, in an exhibition Nov. 7 at the UTPA Field House.

It is also the first year the Broncs will compete in a full Great West Conference schedule, which include a conference tourney to end the year March 10-12 in Orem, UT.

The Great West Conference does not have an automatic bid to the NCAA tourney.

Women’s Basketball

The Lady Broncs compete in a 30-game schedule this year not including the end-of-the-year Great West Conference tournament March 12-13 in Orem, UT.

UTPA plays in only 11 home games and in only two tourneys (Rice and Longwood). The Lady Broncs will play Big 12 competitors Baylor on Dec. 30 and Oklahoma State on Jan. 2, both on the road.

They open the season on the road against Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Okla. and host Texas Southern in their first home game (Nov. 18).

They also play Long Beach State on Nov. 22 at South Padre Island.

Full Roster

The men’s basketball team now has 16 players on the roster, 10 of which are new to UTPA. Only six players — Jared Maree, Nick Weiermiller, Ben Smith, Nate Hawkins, Luis Valera and Jacob Trader — return from last year’s team.

Of the 16, only 13 are eligible to play. Guards Brandon Provost, Perry Petty and Ivory McGilvery transferred from Division I programs and have to sit out one season.

Marks said the Broncs may or may not add a walk-on to the team.

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.