Deep Dive Thread for UTSA

Alabama Gameday Poster Courtesy AlabamaMBB

The Roadrunners are coached by Austin Claunch, in his second season in San Antonio after a season under Nate Oats. So far this season, they have started 4-4, including a win over former Oats Assistant Charlie Henry and Georgia Southern. This will be Claunch’s first time facing Nate Oats as a head coach.

Their leading scorer is Senior Southern Utah Transfer 6-5 Jamir Simpson. Simpson is averaging almost 19/5 per game while shooting over 40% from behind the arc. Simpson has scored in double figures in every game this season, including 4 games of 20 or more points.

Simpson is seen more as a scorer, but he will jump lazy passes and make you pay. https://x.com/UTSAMBB/status/1986883825301856450?s=20

Their second-leading scorer is high-major transfer 6-2 Austin Nunez from Arizona St/Ole Miss. Nunez leads the team in steals while also being tied for the lead in assists. The place where he has struggled is from behind the arc. This season, he’s shooting just 23.5% from behind the arc, which hurts given the style the Roadrunners play with.

While not the most consistent from behind the arc Nunez is not afraid to let them fly. https://x.com/UTSAMBB/status/1995226010560946226?s=20

The other 3 starters on this team are freshmen. 6-5 Dorian Hayes leads the team in assists, scoring just over 8 with just over 2 assists per game. Hayes is shooting sub-30% from deep on serious attempts. UTSA’s front court is 6-8 Kaidon Rayfield and 6-8 Matheo Coffi. Rayfield is their leading rebounder, and both guys are solid on the offensive glass.

Hayes also more than capable from behind the arc. https://x.com/UTSAMBB/status/1995211316949320078?s=20

Their bench isn't huge, but they do have some experience coming off the bench. 6-7 Junior Macaleab Rich transferred from Kansas State. He’s averaging just under 9 per game and has been super efficient scoring. 6-6 Brent Moss won an NJCAA national title, but so far this season has shot super poorly from behind the arc. 6-6 Baboucarr Njie leads the team in blocks and is second on the team in rebounds.

UTSA has been a better defense than offense this season, mostly due to their poor shooting this season, both inside and outside the arc. They are a decent offensive rebounding team as well as do not turn over the ball too much on offense. This team is one of the least experienced teams in the country, though, so Alabama will have a substantial advantage there.

Alabama should be able to control the pace of this game, which I expect to be very fast. UTSA has struggled to keep teams off the offensive glass. I think Alabama should be able to crash the glass and use their size for dominance on the glass. I think Alabama should be able to get up big and get Bethea or some others some playing time with the game out of reach.

My player to watch is Taylor Bol Bowen. Taylor is the guy whom Nate called out by name when asked who he wanted to see improvement from moving forward. I additionally think that with Keitenn still doubtful, Taylor will be needed to play some small-ball 5 in this game, which I think will fit his skill set great. Taylor shot the ball well versus Clemson and would love to see that continue along with better rim protection and rebounding.

Alabama is clearly the better team in this game, and when you combine that with the style of play that UTSA plays with, I think Alabama should be able to name their number. This will be a good game to get Bethea and others some extra playing time, and I expect Alabama to cruise to a victory in this game.

Prediction: Alabama 104 - UTSA 62

I broke down this game in more detail over on YouTube. Check it out and subscribe for more Alabama Basketball coverage. https://youtu.be/dhR26903Jvc