http://txstatebobcats.com/news/2017/8/1/mens-basketball-announces-2017-18-non-conference-schedule-season-tickets-available-now.aspx

Non-Conference Schedule continues to be ugly, particularly at home. We've stooped to a new low it appears, we are playing an NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) team that has no NCAA or even NAIA affiliation. 13 non-conference games, 14 if you count the exhibition game. Only 6 at home, and only 3 D1 home games. Hopefully the Strahan renovation will help scheduling going forward.

Here's the home non-conference slate:
St. Mary's (D2) - Exhibition
UTSA
UT-RGV
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
McMurry (D3)
Ecclesia College (NCCAA)

I'm intrigued by that season opener at Air Force on a Sunday. Just maybe that will be included in the ESPN 24 hour tip off marathon.

If we're not 6-0 at home by the time December rolls around, we are in trouble.

We went 0-3 last year against the 3 D1 teams. Some of our worst losses of the season.

Very true. Though UTRGV's star player transferred to a better school, UTSA graduated one of their best players (new coach so they're still a wildcard) and ideally our returners should be better. Let's hope that this incoming class tops last yrs.

Only two returning starters though.

That is a big issue. Though Marlin Davis is very talented, and I trust him to be a serviceable starter.

Who do you see starting this season, x?

My guess:

1-Davis
2-Nottingham/Gurley/Miller/Adams
3-Pearson
4-Prijovic
5-King

Trash home schedule. Why would you buy season tickets? A&MCC is not a team to look past and UTSa will probably be about as good as us.

Agree with tx.state other than the 2, granted that's by far the hardest position to predict.

1. Marlin Davis is the frontrunner having had a solid freshman season and being the only returning point guard. tx.state has Tre Nottingham and Reggie Miller as shooting guards, but those guys are likely point guards.

2. Again this is the toughest position to predict. Tyler Blount is the only SG returning, but I'm not sold on him as a starter with his size and skillset. 5-11 is a defensive liability I think and there's not much to his game offensively other than the 3-pointer. I predict either true freshman Shelby Adams or JUCO transfer Isaiah Gurley start here. If not by game one, then by the season's end.

3. Nijal Pearson has this position locked down. Deris Duncan to back up.

4. Nedja Prijovic should take over here with newcomer Alex Peacock backing up.

5. Immanuel King other returning starter other than Pearson. Eric Terry should be back and will be a redshirt freshman. Also the latest signee Petar Radojicic will compete at the 5 also.

Four out of five of the projected starters got major minutes last season. I think we're going to have a good season...maybe better than last year. I'm a huge Kaspar fan and have enjoyed watching him begin to build our program from the ultimate depths of the NCAA. Is it too early to project 20 wins?

Big Kaspar fan as well. Followed him at SFA. ATM CC should be a tough game. They are consistently good. Playing UTSA yearly should be a no brainer. Growing that rivalry will be good for both schools.

I don't think it is too early. I think 20 wins is not only achievable, but likely. Our schedule is quite easy, we've got experience and we've got some good momentum from the end of last season to build upon.

I'm hoping Nottingham beats out Davis for point guard. We need a pg who can score to take pressure off others. We'll see.

Hopefully Adams wins the 2. I really like this kid and have a lot of hope he will secure the starting role by conference play. Gurley may start early season games but who knows. I like both of these players.

Nijal, thats all that needs to be said about the 3 position.

The 4 should be Nedja.

King most likely for 5. Terry is better on the offensive end but defensively I'm not so sure about. Hopefully he got a little stronger during the offseason.

On a different note, I thought I heard that Rogers state or college will be our exhibition game instead of St Marys. Anyone know if that is true or am I full of it.

Looks like you're right. It's changed on the schedule to Rogers State.