By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay
The UTSA Roadrunners host the McMurry University War Hawks from Abilene on Monday night to close out a two-game exhibition schedule. Game time is at 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
Center Carlton Linguard Jr. had 20 points and nine rebounds last Tuesday in UTSA’s preseason opener, a 100-70 victory over the Trinity University Tigers. UTSA hit 15 three-point shots and romped to a 60-34 edge in rebounding.
Both Trinity and McMurry play as non-scholarship programs in NCAA Division III. The War Hawks, led by ninth-year coach Zach Pickelman, finished 7-18 and 6-12 last year in the American Southwest Conference.
The Roadrunners and the War Hawks haven’t played in 10 years. In 2013, McMurry beat UTSA on a dramatic buzzer beater. Will Adams banked in a three at the buzzer to lift a then-Division II program to a 73-71 victory. UTSA is 5-1 against McMurry all time.
UTSA, a member of NCAA Division I since its inception in 1981-82, is stepping up a level this year as it transitions from Conference USA into the American Athletic Conference. The Roadrunners are playing with almost an entirely revamped roster featuring 10 new scholarship players.
Notable
UTSA opens its 43rd regular season a week from today, hosting the Western Illinois Leathernecks at 7 p.m.