SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA men’s basketball team, currently standing at 4-20 overall and 0-12 in the American Athletic Conference, is set to visit Charlotte for a rematch against the 49ers this Sunday at Dale F. Halton Arena. The Roadrunners are eager to break their losing streak as they aim to replicate their recent success in Charlotte from last year’s competitive encounter. This game will be broadcast live on ESPNU starting at 11 a.m. CT.
For fans eager to catch the action, ESPNU will feature live commentary from Ted Emrich and Chris Spatola. Additionally, the game will be available for streaming on ESPN+, while local radio coverage can be found on Sports Radio AM 760 The Ticket, with play-by-play commentary from Andy Everett. The station will also provide a 30-minute pregame and a 15-minute postgame analysis accessible online.
The Roadrunners have encountered challenges this season, struggling in conference play but looking to build on their performance during a demanding travel week. After a tough game against East Carolina, UTSA aims to improve their offensive output which stands at an average of 68.8 points per game with a shooting efficiency of 39.5 percent. Graduate student Jamir Simpson has been a standout, scoring 11 points in their last outing and averaging a team-best 15.9 points per game. His three-point shooting prowess has been critical, leading the team with 46 makes from beyond the arc. Additionally, junior Brent Moss displayed strong shooting against East Carolina, contributing 15 points.
The Charlotte 49ers have seen improvement this season, currently holding an overall record of 13-11 and sitting at 7-4 in conference play. The 49ers, who previously defeated UTSA 74-58 back in January, have achieved notable success after initially struggling, now tied for third place in the American Conference. Their offensive strategy tends to be slower-paced, averaging 73.3 points per game on 45.7 percent shooting. Key players for Charlotte include sophomore Ben Bradford, who leads the team with 12.6 points per game, as well as Marshall transfer Dezayne Mingo contributing 12.1 points and 4.3 assists per game.
In the series’ history, Charlotte has a slight edge over UTSA with nine wins to six. Nonetheless, the Roadrunners have previously tasted victory in Charlotte, most recently securing an 83-80 win during a closely contested match last March, filled with multiple lead changes.
Following the matchup against Charlotte, the Roadrunners will return to their home court at the Convocation Center on February 18 for a rematch against Florida Atlantic, which promises to be a thrilling contest for students and fans alike. Subsequently, they will face off against Tulsa on the road, marking another significant chapter in their season.
As the Roadrunners prepare for this challenging matchup, hope remains that they can turn their fortunes around and make a stronger push in the second half of the season.