With the UTSA men’s basketball season kicking off next week, the Roadrunners will take on two familiar opponents in their long-awaited opening week. Hosting Trinity University on Nov. 4 and University of North Dakota on Nov. 9, the week is set to be a great one for college hoops.
“It’s time to get out there and see who we are,” head coach Austin Claunch said of the opening week. “I expect us to play well, but I don’t expect the team to be the same it will be in March.”
History
Trinity
Meeting last year in a home exhibition scrimmage, the ‘Runners quickly dismantled the Tigers in a 74-47 victory. The Roadrunners have dominated the last three matchups against Trinity, winning by no less than 10 points each time. As a lower Division III university, Trinity has continued to struggle against UTSA in basketball, failing to corral a single victory.
North Dakota
The matchup against North Dakota will serve as the Roadrunners’ first in the program’s history. With no previous meetups between the two Division I programs, Saturday will prove to be an exciting afternoon game.
Analysis
Trinity
The Roadrunners will look to contain the electric scoring of guards Christian Green and Jacob Harvey if they hope to secure the double-digit victory. With both players leading the Tigers in scoring last year with 15 points apiece, the two will likely deal the most damage to UTSA in their home opener. Combating the lanky guards will be UTSA’s premier scorers Primo Spears and Marcus Millender. While in previous matchups almost all UTSA players have found ways to execute offensively, Spears and Millender will look to carry a bulk of the scoring load. The duo combined for 26 points in the team’s exhibition against USC, and will look to build upon their offensive campaign in their first home game of the season. Utilizing their ability to take defenders off the dribble, the players will likely be able to create shots for both themselves and teammates.
North Dakota
Facing off against North Dakota once again at the Convocation Center, UTSA will look to get out and run against the Fighting Hawks. Most likely relying on Spears for initiating the offense, the ‘Runners should have no trouble in a matchup up against their opponent. As both teams come into the year with almost completely new rosters, each will look to build upon their chemistry and try to gel together as quickly as possible. While the size of the Hawks could prove to be somewhat of an issue, the team should be able to penetrate off high screen and rolls, setting up either drives to the basket or quick kick-out three-pointers.
Predictions
Trinity
Though nothing is guaranteed in college basketball, it goes without saying that UTSA should easily defeat Trinity in their season opener. A lesser opponent, the game will serve as a good exhibition-style match to help grow the offense and familiarize teammates with each other. The Roadrunners will route the Tigers in a double-digit victory, marking their first win of the regular season.
Paisano Pick: UTSA 78, Trinity 56
North Dakota
While it is somewhat challenging to predict the outcome of the North Dakota matchup, as both teams are bringing in almost entirely new lineups, UTSA should be able to pull out a victory for their second win of the year. The game will be one that is hard fought and a lot more challenging than their previous Trinity duel. Despite being a game that is likely to be a tough one, the ‘Runners will once again come out of the Convocation Center with a confidence-boosting victory.
Paisano Pick: UTSA 73, North Dakota 70
