When UTSA hired Austin Claunch on March 17, 2024, the expectation was not an instant turnaround but meaningful progress from the late slide under former head coach Steve Henson, who lost 20 or more games in each of his final three seasons. However, nearly two years later, with an abysmal 17-41 record, it is fair to say Claunch has failed to meet those expectations. UTSA Athletics Director Lisa Campos brought in the young coach fresh off a Final Four run as an assistant at the University of Alabama, hoping his pace-and-space philosophy would modernize the program. Instead, year two has spiraled into one of the worst campaigns in school history. At an embarrassing 5-22 overall and 1-14 record in the American Conference, the Roadrunners have already been eliminated from postseason contention. With three games left, the question is no longer about salvaging a tournament bid, it is about what finishing strong means for the program.

The team’s problems have not been subtle. Offensively, UTSA has struggled to score efficiently, sitting last in the conference at 69.1 points per game while shooting under 40% from the field. The half court offense too often stalls into forced threes, and the assist-to-turnover ratio reflects a group that has not consistently generated quality shots. 

Defensively, the Roadrunners give up over 80 points per game while allowing opponents to control the glass, being out-rebounded by almost five rebounds per game.

Personnel instability has only magnified the schematic issues. Injuries to key transfers and veterans have stripped depth from a roster that was heavily rebuilt through the portal. Junior point guard Vasean Allette has not suited up, junior forward Macaleab Rich was lost to injury and other rotation players missed extended time. 

The reliance on short-term transfers has also created yearly resets rather than continuity. Off the floor, last offseason’s NIL payment controversy involving Raekwon Horton and Damari Monsanto raised questions about the stability, resources and integrity of the program. In an era where roster retention depends on trust and financial backing, the backlash set the program back in its effort to rebuild credibility.

With three games remaining, the final stretch of UTSA’s season is straightforward. After a 100-74 loss on the road to the University of Tulsa, the Roadrunners return home to face East Carolina University and Wichita State University before closing the regular season at Rice University. Wichita State presents another major challenge as one of the conference’s stronger teams, leaving East Carolina and Rice as the most realistic chances to pick up victories. Even if UTSA finishes 2-1 down the stretch, it would not suddenly transform this into a respectable year or compensate for the broader reality of this season, but it could still carry internal significance.

For the five graduating players, including graduate guard Jamir Simpson who leads the team in scoring, it would mean leaving with dignity rather than as part of a historic skid. For younger players weighing the transfer portal, it could offer evidence that growth is possible. Closing with competitive performances could reinforce belief in building something rather than starting over again.

For Claunch, it would provide tangible progress heading into a pivotal third season. UTSA has historically shown patience, employing only four head coaches since 1996, with Steve Henson’s seven-year tenure being the shortest of the previous regimes. Claunch is unlikely to be dismissed this spring, especially given financial realities regarding Claunch’s contract and Campos’ public support, but his seat is undeniably warm.

For a program struggling to fill seats at the Convocation Center and that has been overshadowed in recent years by women’s basketball, finishing strong will not fix everything, and it will not erase frustration. However, it would offer pride, stability and a reason to believe the worst season in recent memory was a low point — rather than a norm. That may not be enough for fans, but for a locker room that has endured months of losing, it might be a start.