UT Tyler Men Open Campaign With Centenary
November 16, 2005
By Brett Hone
Tyler Morning Telegraph

It's not very often that a NCAA Division III team upsets a Division I basketball squad.

That doesn't stop UT Tyler from trying.

The Patriots again open their season against a Division I school - Centenary at 7 p.m. Friday in Shreveport, La. - much to the delight of coach Matt Wallis. With more experience than the young program has ever had on its roster, an early season upset isn't that far-fetched.

"We are capable of winning this game," Wallis said, immediately knocking on the wood court. "We have to keep them off the boards, limit easy shots and take care of the ball offensively. But anytime a D-I school is on the schedule, it's huge motivation."

UT Tyler, which played Division I Southern Methodist, UT Arlington and UT San Antonio last season, returns four of five starters. Seniors Joe Henderson and center Brandon Hobbs lead the Patriots on the floor, along with junior guard Brandon Weasby.

The best shooter on the Patriots squad, Weasby averaged 20.2 points per game and shot a sizzling 96-of-101 from the free throw line as the Patriots finished 13-12 (13-9 ASC) and second in the ASC East Division. Henderson added 13.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game from his forward position.

Aside from the obvious goal of winning the ASC East Division title, a feat the women accomplished last season, the Patriots want to win one of their three non-conference games.

After Centenary, the Patriots will face two more D-I schools - UT Arlington (Dec. 22) and Texas State (Dec. 30).

A junior college transfer from Odessa, Josh Venson, will take over the point guard responsibilities for the Patriots this season, though Ryan Salters, Demetrius Blair or freshman Robert Collier could work into the rotation.

Forward Patrick Branche, the Patriots leading rebounder with 8.3 per game, rounds out the starting five. Branche was also the second-leading scorer for UT Tyler with 14.4 points per contest last season.

A key factor Wallis believes will help push the Patriots to a big non-conference win is depth in the post. The Patriots will look to pound teams inside this season instead of settling for jumpers. Forwards Mike Smith and Jamal Vanderbilt, along with Elijah Coppock and Kevin Byrne, should give UT Tyler valuable minutes off the bench and more strength inside.

In Wallis' first two seasons as the Patriots coach, UT Tyler has lived by the jump shot. This season, Wallis said, the Patriots want to play a more inside-out game, feeding the post and letting the underneath players pass back out to the open shooters if they draw a double team.

Centenary, Wallis said, looks like they will push the ball and play aggressive defense, and could have more depth than the Patriots.

"As a scholarship school, you have to expect that they will have depth, and talented depth at that," Wallis said.

The Gents finished last season 3-24, but are looking to turn things around with new coach Rob Flaska, a former Arkansas assistant.

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