Hey basketball fans! Get ready for an exciting showdown as the Tarleton State Texans gear up to face off against the McMurry War Hawks in their first exhibition home game. The game will take place in Stephenville, Texas, at the legendary Wisdom Gym on Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT. Unfortunately, there won’t be a live stream or radio broadcast, but don’t worry, admission is free, so you can catch all the action in person!
Let’s talk about the matchup. McMurry’s head coach, Drew Long, is in his third season and has done an impressive job leading the War Hawks. Last season, they saw a nine-win improvement, going from a 3-20 record to a solid 12-12. They even started the 2022-23 season with a bang, winning their first six games. McMurry has faced off against two common opponents with Tarleton, beating Arlington Baptist 63-61 and unfortunately losing to Abilene Christian 82-52.
It’s worth noting that McMurry is a member of the NCAA Division III’s American Southwest Conference. Tarleton, on the other hand, will kick off their regular season against another member of the conference, Howard Payne, on November 6th, right here at home.
Now, let’s dive into some quick hits. This is only the second time since 2018 that the Texans are hosting an exhibition game. Last year, they played against Champion Christian and came out on top with a score of 81-42. This will be Tarleton’s first game against a different team under the guidance of their new head coach, Bill Brock. Coach Brock, who has an impressive coaching background at Baylor and Texas Tech, took over the reins of the team in March. He previously led the McLennan CC Highlassies to the NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championships, their first appearance since 1984.
Coach Brock’s experience will be invaluable as he helps the Texans bounce back from their lowest win total in almost two decades. Last season, they finished with a record of 8-21, which was their lowest since the 2002-03 season when they went 7-19.
The Texans have some key players returning this season, including Teresa Da Silva, who was the team’s leading scorer last year. Da Silva averaged an impressive 14.5 points per game and also contributed in rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Elise Turrubiates, the team’s leading rebounder, and Tyler Jackson, the third leading scorer, are also back on the court.
But that’s not all! Tarleton has also welcomed 12 newcomers to the team, which is tied for the most among all NCAA Division I programs. Alongside Utah State and UT Arlington, the Texans have added some fresh talent to their roster. It’s worth mentioning that out of the 12 newcomers, only three are freshmen or redshirt freshmen.
Looking ahead, Tarleton will have one more exhibition game at home against UNT Dallas on Monday at 6 p.m. After that, they will kick off their regular season on November 6th at 7 p.m. with a home game at Wisdom Gym.
So, mark your calendars and get ready to cheer on the Tarleton State Texans as they make their comeback on the basketball court. It’s going to be an exciting season filled with new faces, experienced players, and thrilling matchups. Don’t miss out!