Headed into his second year, UTSA men’s basketball coach Austin Claunch has been extremely positive about his growing program. Claunch, who went 12-19 in his previous season, will look to improve thanks to a complete roster overhaul. While there are questions of whether the new team will live up to its potential, he has remained steadfast in his belief and confidence in this year’s squad.
“We made some changes from top to bottom and we’re really happy with the overall attitude and character of the team we have,” Claunch said. “At their core, not just the players they are but the people they are. I love this group.”
The roster is almost entirely new and appears to be UTSA’s best team in recent history. The squad consists of elite transfers, seasoned graduate students and high-potential freshmen signings. Each player possesses a unique skillset, providing Claunch a multitude of ways to carve out victories for UTSA. The coach raved about the group’s makeup, highlighting their versatility and on-court ability.
“This year we’ve got a lot of versatility, a lot of guys that can do different things,” Claunch said. “Because of our length, size and athleticism, there are a lot of ways we can impact a game.”
Versatility will be one of the team’s strong points headed into the season. With an average height of 6-foot-6, the Roadrunners have impressive wingspans and are incredibly fast. They have the advantage of playing near positionless basketball and will likely outrun most teams within their conference. Each player’s ability to score at all three phases of the game will help open up the floor on offense, forcing opponents to play at the ‘Runners’ pace. The depth of their lineup and overall selflessness will present a tough matchup for any team in college basketball.
“You’re going to see a lot of ball movement and a lot of scoring this year,” he explained. “Starting [five] is going to depend on matchups, but I think the strength of this team is going to be our depth. There isn’t one guy who feels they need to score.”
Facing a packed schedule, depth and a next-player-up mentality will be crucial if the Roadrunners wish to enter conference play with a winning record. As of now, the team will be on the road for five out of six non-conference games. With matchups against schools such as the University of Alabama, University of Colorado and University of South Central, UTSA will be battle tested heading into conference play. The team’s schedule, while tough, is something Claunch has fully welcomed as he prepares his squad for its home opener on Oct. 25 against the University of the Incarnate Word.
“Our guys, they’re ready to test themselves. We’re all ready to test ourselves.” Claunch said. “You expect a couple of bumps and bruises, but you can learn a lot about your team.”
Throughout the off-season, Claunch has been overwhelmingly optimistic about his team. The coach has consistently preached accountability and toughness, developing his team into one that the city of San Antonio can be proud of. When given three words to describe his team, Claunch responded with an answer that reflects the core values of UTSA athletics.
“If there are three words I want people to know our team by, it’s toughness, passion and discipline,” Claunch said. “There’s a way you win at UTSA, and that’s with a team that embodies the identity of San Antonio.”
Claunch and his team will gear up for the start of their season towards the end of October. Under his guidance, the Roadrunners will make a formidable opponent and a serious contender for the American Conference title.
