LOS ANGELES – Under the direction of first-year head coach Austin Claunch, the UTSA men’s basketball team will make its unofficial 2024-25 debut on the road in an early exhibition contest at USC on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the Trojans’ Galen Center. Tipping off at 9 p.m. CT (7 p.m. PT), the game will be streamed live on Big Ten Plus.
The game will not be on UTSA’s radio network but will air on Big Ten Plus for subscribers here. USC Athletics will also provide live stats.
UTSA is facing USC for just the second time and first since 1983. The Roadrunners last played at the Galen Center on Dec. 15, 1983, under the late Don Eddy – UTSA’s first men’s basketball coach.
For fans able to attend in Los Angeles, tickets are available for $15 and can be found on the USC ticketing page.
Both teams are setting off their 2024-25 exhibition seasons under the direction of first-year coaches; the Roadrunners with Austin Claunch and the Trojans under former Arkansas coach Eric Musselman
The Trojans finished the 2023-24 campaign at 15-18 overall, after going 22-11 in 2022-23. Meanwhile, the Roadrunners were 11-21 last season and feature a roster that includes 15-of-16 new players – most notably there are 14 transfers.
In addition to returning sophomore Nazar Mahmoud, Tuesday marks the first potential views on Primo Spears, Jaquan Scott, Tai’Reon Joseph, Marcus Millender, Raekwon Horton, Mo Njie, Paul Lewis, Damari Monsanto, LJ Brown, David Hermes, Jonnivius Smith, Baboucarr Njie, Jackson Fazande, Zach Gonsoulin and Skylar Wicks.
Also making his unofficial debut, Claunch hit the ground running after wrapping up Alabama’s historic run to the 2024 Final Four as an assistant coach for the Crimson Tide. His past success at Nicholls State produced back-to-back Southland Conference Championships, an SLC Coach of the Year honor and 90 wins in five years leading the Colonels.
The regular-season opener is set for Nov. 4 at the Convocation Center, hosting crosstown opponent Trinity. After wrapping up with the Trojans, UTSA will return to campus for their part in this week’s Homecoming festivities, appearing at 2024 Rowdy Jam alongside the women’s basketball team on Wednesday, October 16 at the Convocation Center. Start time is 7 p.m. and admission will be free for all fans.
The fun and energetic Rowdy Jam event will feature free pizza for UTSA students, an introduction to the players and coaches on the Roadrunners’ men’s and women’s basketball teams, and interactive games, including players and UTSA students in attendance.
- UTSA -