As I sit here watching the UTSA Roadrunners warm up for another season, I can't help but reflect on what truly separates good teams from dominant ones. Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years and analyzed countless championship runs, I've come to believe that the difference often comes down to something deeper than just talent or strategy. It's about the intangible drive that pushes players to excel even when nobody's watching. That Filipino phrase from our reference material - "Every game, nandyan siya" - perfectly captures this essence. It translates to "Every game, he's there," speaking to that relentless presence and dedication that becomes the team's backbone.
Looking at UTSA's roster this season, I'm particularly impressed by their returning core players. Last season, the Roadrunners finished with a 15-16 record, but what many people don't realize is that they lost six of those games by five points or fewer. That's not a talent gap - that's a closing problem. With 78% of their scoring production returning, including senior guard Jhivvan Jackson who averaged 19.8 points per game, they have the experience to turn those close losses into wins. But statistics only tell part of the story. What I've noticed watching their preseason practices is the emergence of what I'd call a "culture carrier" - someone who embodies that "nandyan siya" mentality. For UTSA, I believe that player is senior forward Jacob Germany. His commitment reminds me of that Filipino description - from childhood until now, always pushing through, only missing when truly unable to perform.
The Conference USA landscape has shifted significantly with several key programs losing their star players to graduation and the transfer portal. North Texas, last year's regular-season champion, lost their top three scorers. This creates a vacuum that UTSA can absolutely exploit if they focus on three key areas. First, their defensive efficiency must improve from last season's ranking of 9th in the conference. Second, they need to reduce turnovers - their 14.2 per game last season placed them near the bottom of Division I basketball. Third, and this is where that "nandyan siya" mentality becomes crucial, they need to develop what championship teams call "possession toughness" - that ability to fight for every loose ball, every rebound, every single moment of the game.
I've always believed that basketball success comes down to what happens between the ears as much as what happens on the court. That Filipino phrase about being pushed to play since childhood resonates with me because I've seen how that early foundation creates resilient athletes. UTSA's coaching staff under Steve Henson has been quietly building this mentality throughout the offseason. From what I've gathered through sources close to the program, they've implemented what they call "accountability partnerships" where players are responsible for each other's development - showing up for extra shooting sessions, watching film together, and creating that culture of constant presence. This approach could yield significant dividends, particularly in close conference games where mental toughness often determines the outcome.
Offensively, UTSA has the potential to be spectacular. With Jackson's scoring ability combined with Keaton Wallace's all-around game (he averaged 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists last season), they have one of the most potent backcourts in the conference. Where I'd like to see improvement is in their ball movement and shot selection. Last season, they averaged just 11.2 assists per game, ranking 312th nationally. That's simply not good enough for a team with championship aspirations. Better ball movement would create higher percentage shots and reduce the offensive burden on their stars. I'd also like to see them increase their three-point attempts from last season's 18.3 per game - in today's college basketball, you need to threaten defenses from beyond the arc.
Defensively, there's work to do, but the foundation is there. Germany's presence in the paint provides a legitimate rim protector, and Eric Parrish's length on the wing creates disruption in passing lanes. Where they struggled last season was in defensive rotations and communication - issues that often stem from familiarity and trust. With most of the roster returning, that continuity should naturally improve their defensive cohesion. I'm particularly interested to see how they handle pick-and-roll situations this season - an area where they allowed 0.92 points per possession last year, which placed them in the bottom third of Division I teams.
The schedule sets up favorably for UTSA, with key conference matchups at home during the crucial February stretch. Their non-conference slate includes games against Oklahoma and Texas Tech - tough opponents that will provide early tests and opportunities to build resilience. What I'll be watching for in these early games isn't necessarily the wins and losses, but how they respond to adversity. Do they maintain that "nandyan siya" presence when things get difficult? Do they continue to push each other when facing a 15-point deficit against a Power Five opponent? These moments will define their conference season more than any statistical improvement.
Looking across Conference USA, I genuinely believe UTSA has the pieces to not just compete but to dominate. Western Kentucky lost their best player to graduation, Louisiana Tech is rebuilding, and Marshall underwent a coaching change. The opportunity is there for the taking. But championship teams aren't built on opportunity alone - they're built on daily commitment, on showing up even when it's hard, on having that presence that inspires everyone around you. That Filipino concept of constant presence, of being pushed to play since childhood, of only missing when truly unable to continue - that's the secret ingredient that could transform UTSA from a middle-tier conference team into genuine contenders. As the season tips off, I'm more optimistic about the Roadrunners than I've been in years. They have the talent, the schedule, and most importantly, they appear to be developing the mentality required to truly dominate their conference.