EDINBURG — Several question marks surrounded the UTRGV men’s basketball team heading into the 2022 season. The Vaqueros entered the year with 13 new faces on the roster, returning just two players from last year’s squad.
A retooled roster with minimal to no experience playing together resulted in the Vaqueros being picked to finish last in the Western Athletic Conference this season.
Early season double-digit losses to Kansas State, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Texas added to the uncertainty, sitting at 4-3 midway through nonconference play.
The Vaqueros have roared to life since, winning four of their last five contests, including three straight to close out their non-conference slate.
“Our confidence should be sky high,” UTRGV head coach Matt Figger said following a victory over Houston Christian on Dec. 18. “We know we have the ability to play offense. We have to have that killer instinct from a defensive standpoint and take pride in what we’re doing. We did it and that is all just about learning too.”
UTRGV will look to carry over its scorching finish to non-conference play into the start of conference competition. They get the ball rolling of WAC play at 8 p.m. tonight, taking on the Utah Tech Trailblazers (8-5) at the Burns Arena in St. George, Utah.
The new-look Vaqueros have created an identity as an offensive juggernaut during Figger’s second year at the helm. They rank 13th in the nation in scoring offense (84.2 ppg) as of games played through Dec. 25, while also sitting at third in field goal percentage (51.3).
Their offense played a key role down the stretch for the Vaqueros, averaging 92.4 points per game over the final five games. They bumped that average to 100.3 points per game during their final three nonconference contests, each resulting in a double-digit victory.
Senior forward Justin Johnson, one of the Vaqueros two returners, has been a pivotal piece in the Vaqueros’ offensive success, leading the team in points per game (21.1), while shooting 44.8% from beyond the arc and 50.9% overall.
The slashing forward has made a living inside the paint, using a combination of size and speed to bully past defenders and get to the free throw line.
“Justin is the only player that experience this last year,” Figger said. “He’s trying to do everything in his power. He’s a human and he makes mistakes but every day I’ve watched him mature and grow to now. His growth has just been incredible.”
He has been complimented offensively by the emergence of junior college transfer Will Johnston. The sophomore sharpshooter has made a living from beyond the arc, connecting 28-of-53 attempts for a 52.8% clip.
Johnston has also stepped into the team’s starting point guard role almost seamlessly, commanding the Vaqueros’ offense with the poise of a veteran. He ranks first on the team in assists with 46.
Johnson and Johnston are just two of several players making a splash this season. Junior Ahren Freeman, who dealt with injuries early on, is starting to carve out his role with the Vaqueros, scoring in double-digits during three of their last five contests.
The 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward has provided the Vaqueros with a dominant presence inside the paint, using his stout frame to bully defenders inside for easy buckets and rebounds.
Freshman Adante’ Holiman gives the Vaqueros another explosive offensive weapon capable to lighting it up from beyond the arc and command the offense, averaging 5.8 points and 2.5 assists per game on 19.5 minutes per contest.
“Coach (Figger) and the rest of the coaches did a good job of recruiting good guys off the court as well,” UTRGV forward Justin Johnson said. “These guys are working hard. When they got here in June, they were ready to learn. I was just trying to be a good leader, just teaching them the system and stuff. Like Coach (Figger) said, we’re growing every day and getting better as a team in practice. Everybody is learning their roles and seeing where they need to be.”
