Losing its fifth consecutive game, UTSA men’s basketball now sits with a disappointing 2-10 American Athletic Conference record. While the story has been much of the same for this year’s Roadrunners, frustrations have grown as the team nears the end of league play. Struggling to create and maintain leads in games, the ‘Runners have come up short countless times this season. Whether it is sloppy starts or lack of discipline, the team has consistently let fans down all year. 

While UTSA has come close to pulling off miraculous upsets over ranked teams such as Florida Atlantic and Memphis, their lack of direction and focus has ultimately cost them numerous games this 2024 season. Forcing FAU into a home overtime thriller, the team found themselves committing crucial fouls and turnovers to effectively end the game. The same could be seen when the Roadrunners took Memphis into overtime, where a foul on a 3-point make would seal the deal for a Tigers victory. 

Averaging 18 fouls per game, it is no secret that UTSA has had trouble staying disciplined on the defensive end. Often, the team commits crucial fouls after important defensive possessions or in the final minutes of a competitive ballgame. A problem that has plagued the ‘Runners all season, foul discipline has continuously cost the team multiple upset victories. 

Though the lack of discipline has consistently held UTSA from reaching its full potential, it is minuscule compared to the team’s slow starts in nearly every ballgame this season. Countless times, the ‘Runners have dug themselves in deep first-half holes. Shooting poor percentages from the floor, giving up large scoring runs and going on long stretches without points, the team fails to secure comfortable halftime leads in most games. 

1-6 in their last seven games, the team has only managed to secure a halftime lead in just one contest. While players and coaches have voiced frustrations about slow starts, little has been done to improve the first-half struggles. In turn, the team has effectively played from behind in nearly every second half this season. An incredibly hindering factor, it has been the biggest problem plaguing the ‘Runners all season. 

With just five games left in the regular season, UTSA hopes to finish on a high note heading into the AAC tournament. Second to last place in the conference standings, the team will need to make drastic improvements to their discipline and sloppy starts if they hope to make it far in the tournament championship.