Utpb Basketball Essay - 794 Words

The UTPB Men’s basketball program is coming off its most successful season in program history. Last season’s performance put UTPB basketball on the map and has set this season up for high expectations. So, what are the expectations? Another regular season conference championship? A conference tournament championship? A high seed in the south-central region followed by winning the region? No, it’s winning a national championship. After coming out of nowhere last season, where they were ranked 9th in the Lone Star conference preseason poll, the team shocked everyone and won the Lone Star Conference Regular Season and Tournament championships in just their first season in conference play. Their magical season ultimately came to an end in†¦show more content†¦Last season Allen had 35 steals and was selected to the Lone Star Conference Defensive Team, but he’s the guy also who if you don’t know who Draymond green, is the guy who is going to make hustle plays, and do whatever the team needs from him to win games. Overall there are a total of 9 seniors on this year’s squad with the addition of new comers Jevon Thomas a graduate point guard from Seaton hall, Amari Bryant a guard from Dallas Baptist, Trayvond Massenburg a forward from Tennessee Chattanooga, and perimeter shooter, Garret Baggett from Northeastern Junior College in Colorado. This team values having a Close-knit unit with good chemistry and while that is very important to the success for a team on the court, these guys are close off the court as well. Head Coach Andy Newman returns after being selected as the 2017 LSC Coach of the Year. Newman’s style of coaching play is fast and that means lots of scoring, but more importantly he believes in his guys. He wants their success as basketball players, students, and their future after they leave UTPB, which speaks volumes of the character of the man leading this team. The Falcon coaching staff also added assistant coach Dustin Yoder after spending the last five seasons at Kansas State under Head Coach Bruce Weber. So yes, the expectations are big, and Street and Smith in its annual preview magazine