KINGSVILLE, Texas: The Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball team is set to begin the 2022-23 regular season on Friday, as they host South Dakota Mines on Javelina Champions Day with tipoff set for 7 p.m. in the Steinke Physical Education Center. The inaugural weekend continues Saturday at 4 p.m. with the Javelinas set to face Chadron State as the team honors legendary former coach Bill Carter.
Javelina Champions day will see a ring ceremony for the 2020-21 squad that captured the LSC South Division title for its first championship since 1996, as well as the 2021-22 team that reached the LSC Tournament Championship and received an invitation to the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. Less than a day later, the Hogs will honor Bill Carter on Bill Carter Day with a special presentation honoring the coach that led TAMUK to a pair of LSC Championships in the 1990s. Additionally, Carter is a 2002 inductee of the Javelina Hall of Fame and led the program to its first NCAA Division II National Playoffs while capturing 1991-92 LSC Coach of the Year honors.
The Javelinas look to carry momentum over from the 2021-22 season when they compiled an 18-11 record, including an LSC Tournament run that saw the team reach the league championship and secure a berth in the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament for the seventh time in the history of the program, and the third time under coach Johnny Estelle.
TAMUK will return seven student-athletes from the previous year, including guard C.J. Smith who collected All-LSC Third-Team honors after leading the Javelinas in scoring, assists, steals, and made baskets.
Forward Will Chayer represents another critical returning piece, with the Corpus Christi, Texas native coming off a season in which he started 25 games, pulled down 109 rebounds, and blocked 17 shots. Among other returners are guards Creighton Avery and Jake Majors, with Avery representing a former All-South Central Region student-athlete, while Majors played more minutes off the bench than any non-starter in 2021-22, stroking 44.4% from beyond the arc.
The Hardrockers are an experienced bunch and bring back 11 after a season in which they graduated no seniors. The group went 10-18 overall, despite the success of Alejandro Rama, who led the RMAC in three-point field-goal percentage at 43.2%, knocking down 60 shots in the process. Defensively, Ramos also paced the team in steals, swiping 39, while Kolten Mortenson blocked 12 shots. Additionally, SD Mines is a disciplined bunch, continuing the least amount of fouls in the RMAC, and are a high-volume shooting program, as they averaged 9.1 three-pointers a game.
On Bill Carter day, the Hogs will match up with the Eagles, a squad that went 10-17 across the 2021-22 season. The Javelinas are tasked with containing versatile guard Marcus Jefferson, who led the Eagles in assists, free throw percentage, and steals last season, dishing out 3.6 helpers a game and shooting 82.1 % from the charity stripe.
In addition to hosting men's basketball on Saturday, the Javelinas football team is set to kick off against Western Oregon at Pepsi Field in Javelina Stadium at 7 p.m. Tickets for either event can be purchased at https://javelinatickets.universitytickets.com/ and will be valid for entry at both venues.
To keep up with the Javelinas all season long visit javelinaathletics.com to find links to live stats and streaming information as well as a recap at the end of each contest. Fans can learn more about the Javelina men's basketball team throughout the season by following @JavelinaMBB on Twitter and Instagram, liking Texas A&M University-Kingsville Men's Basketball on Facebook, subscribing to the Javelina Athletics YouTube channel and visiting Javelinaathletics.com.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
To provide a safer environment for the public, Texas A&M University-Kingsville has implemented new guidelines limiting the size and type of bag allowed into the Steinke Physical Education Center limiting the size and type of bag allowed into the venues. Fans are permitted to take the following style and size bags into the arena:
- Bags that are clear and do not exceed 12 inches long by 12 inches high by six inches wide;
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag; and
- Small clutch purses, with or without a handle or strap, not exceeding 4 ½ inches by 6 ½ inches.
- Clear backpacks that do not exceed 12 x 6 x 12 clear bag policy guidelines
Exceptions will be made for medically necessary bags, after inspection at the entrance. Prohibited items will not be held during the event and must be returned to your vehicle. Seat cushions will be permitted.
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: purses or bags larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, luggage of any kind, or computer bags. Fans may continue to carry approved items without a bag (e.g., cameras, smartphones, binoculars, etc.) into the arena.
Thank you for your cooperation as we strive to maintain a safe environment in which to enjoy games at the Steinke Physical Education Center and all our athletics venues.
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