The Roadrunners had a difficult out of conference schedule last year and started the season losing 10 of their first 11 games including a loss to lowly Prairie View.  The highlight was a home game at the Convocation Center (affectionately called the Bird Cage by students there) that featured the showdown between LSU’s Pete Maravich and the Roadrunners Gervin in the only sellout of the season in the arena that seats a little more than 4000 fans.  The Pistol got the better of the kid that day but Derrick was the main reason for any success this team had last season.  He was basically a one man show on the offensive end.  

Gervin is the main man in San Antonio and that should continue this season.  A slasher who can also launch from the perimeter, Gervin is more than just George’s little brother.  He can play.  He has the potential to be something special if he continues to improve and gets some muscle on his skinny frame.  Gervin has the same skinny physique as his brother but he is more of an inside player.  He, like brother George, can take it out to about 18 feet pretty easily.  He is not quite the ballhandler and he does not have the signature finger roll but he knows how to finish around the hoop.  He shot almost 55 percent and led the team in scoring and rebounding.  He was raised in Detroit and decided to come down and give it a shot in the Southland as no one was recruiting this kid up north and the Iceman had made a name down in San Antone on a recent visit.  His return was even more epic as the two brothers went toe to toe for 40 minutes with Derrick scoring 25 to George’s 28 in one of the best games of the year in the Lone Star State.  Gervin has the game and the pedigree and should continue to get better as he grows into his game and his six eight frame.  The Roadrunners need him to continue to bedazzle with his superb overall game if they are to move up the Southland food chain.  

Carter rotated three guys at one of the post positions to start the year.  Sophomores to be Dennis Mumford, Bruce Wheatley and Rick Doyle gave the team some size and toughness.  Mumford maybe the most talented of the trio but did not produce as well as some had thought.   The problem is he relies too much on the outside game.  This team gets bad when it falls in love with the outside shot.  Mumford can play inside and bang but needs to do this more consistently.  Doyle and Wheatley give the Roadrunners better rebounding and defense (Doyle is a solid shot blocker) but the Roadrunners would like Mumford to play up to his potential because he could be an offensive force.  The biggest think that Doyle brings to the table is size as he goes 6’10 250.  He is a project and did not play as much as he would have liked.  Still, he played and contributed as the Roadrunners were more than willing to play many players to see what they had for the future. 

As stated, Carter used many different players trying to take this program to the next level.  Sophomore guard Eric Cooper was first up and did well in limited minutes before hurting his shin and this opened the door for a variety of players in the back court.  Fellow sophomore Ike Thornton started all year at the two and performed well.  He has some size at 6’4 and cane defend and run the court.  Dion Pettus also played a bunch of minutes but is way undersized for the four at only 6’4 and will be hard-pressed to keep his minutes.  Darryl Eaton played some at point but was out of place there but it was the only opening on the roster.  Tim Faulkner is another project big man who barely played but can defend and board a little.  Frank Hampton is a 6’4 power player who was second on the team in scoring and rebounding but is not a real four. He plays like a linebacker though and gives the team attitude to might overcome the purge that is about to take place for everyone not named Gervin in San Antonio.  Carter has brought in one of the biggest classes of recruits in the country and has made it clear that every starting job is up for grabs besides Gervin’s.     

The Texas San Antonio Roadrunners had a very entertaining first season in the Southland.  They built a fan base to fill up their Bird Cage with up tempo basketball that includes some great individual efforts!  They are a young program made up entirely of freshman and sophomores but are making great strides very quickly.  To be able to finish the season 500 in league even if it was the lowly Southland was quite an accomplishment for any program that has been around less time than any program in Division One.  Yes, these babies showed they belonged and will be around for a while and after their terrific start won’t be overlooked for long.  These Roadrunners are ready to sneak up on the Southland conference next year.  Watch out Wiley E. here they come.   BEEP BEEP.