UTSA basketball will kick off its season with a home opener against the University of the Incarnate Word on Saturday at the Convocation Center. The matchup will serve as a good opening test for the Roadrunners and will allow head coach Austin Claunch to finally see his new team in action. UTSA is 2-0 all-time against the Cardinals. The team will look to extend its win streak and start the season strong with a victory in the Battle of the Birds.
The Roadrunners will aim to keep the Cardinals on their heels for the entirety of the game. Though Claunch has not announced a starting lineup yet, it is safe to assume that the backcourt will consist of the dynamic tandem of Vasean Allette and Jamir Simpson. Allete, a shifty pass-first point guard, will look to get the UTSA offense going early. His ability to dish the rock and get downhill quickly will help open up numerous teammates and create challenges for the Incarnate Word defense. Alongside him will likely be Simpson, an offensive powerhouse. The guard is a quick driver of the basketball and commands attention from opposing defenses. The pair’s ability to score and facilitate will help space the floor, allowing other Roadrunners to take advantage of Incarnate Word’s weak side defense.
UTSA will also likely run a form of motion-based offense, a system that Claunch has become fond of. The ‘Runners will aim to capitalize on different mismatches and defensive switches. Whether it’s scoring from the outside or dumping the ball into the paint for a quick score, UTSA should put together numerous offensive runs.
Incarnate Word has seen major changes since the Roadrunners last defeated them in 2023. Cardinals head coach Shane Heirman typically runs an offense predicated on the three-ball. Incarnate Word continuously runs screen sets and dribble hand-offs, aiming to get its shooters the ball early. If the Roadrunners are to walk out of the Convocation Center with a victory, they will need to fight through screens and switch when necessary. With an average height of 6-foot-6, the team is more than capable of defending the three-point line and pestering shooters before they have their feet set.
The keys to victory will be executing Claunch’s game plan on both sides of the ball. The Roadrunners will need to be poised offensively while maintaining their imposing defensive mentality. If they can score efficiently and win the defensive rebounding battle, the team should have no issues walking out of the Convocation Center with their first victory of the season.
