Senior guard Marcell McCreary attempts a layup during an open practice Oct. 21 at the Maverick Activities Center. McCreary is a new addition to the men’s basketball team from the University of Northern Colorado.
With a mix of new faces and a few returning veterans, the Mavericks are entering the 2025-26 season looking to develop chemistry and establish their team’s new identity in the Western Athletic Conference.
After a 13-18 season in 2024, the Mavericks are trying to bounce back from last year’s growing pains and use their revamped roster to push for a winning record.
Sophomore forward Cameron Jackson said the team isn’t playing for revenge, but rather, to prove to themselves what they can accomplish as a program.
Despite a flash of potential last year, UTA struggled to find an offensive rhythm as they finished 6-10 in conference play.
Now with many new faces and the only returning players, senior forward Raysean Seamster, redshirt junior guard Alex Bossinakis and Jackson, UTA enters the 2025-26 hopeful to improve with a fresh roster.
The Mavericks reloaded in the offseason through the transfer portal, bringing in a mix of experienced players from across the country.
Among the transfer student-athletes is senior guard Marcus Rigsby Jr., who played at Troy University for two seasons, as well as sophomore center Miles Goodman from Penn State University.
Other transfers include sophomore guard Tyran Mason, senior guard Marcell McCreary, and sophomore guards Bahsil Laster and Cash Chavis.
Freshman guard Augustine Youssef dribbles the ball during an open practice Oct. 21 at the Maverick Activities Center. The UTA men’s basketball team only has two returners from last season.
Head coach KT Turner said the biggest difference going into this year is the team’s overall size and athleticism. Turner said that the team has gotten bigger across the board, from guard to center.
The Mavericks schedule features a mix of nonconference play and WAC games that can shape their season.
The team opens the season with a game against the University of North Texas at Dallas at 7 p.m. Monday at College Park Center.
On Nov. 15, UTA will host Missouri State University at College Park Center for Homecoming, providing fans an opportunity to pack the arena in an important game.
Another big game for the Mavs will be against Stanford University, which finished its 2024-25 season with a 21-14 record and made the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
Seamster said his mindset coming into the season is to dominate and be a dog on the court.
“We’re a whole bunch of dogs,” he said. “We all want to get after it.”
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