A road trip to Calipari’s Arkansas provides UTSA with a unique opportunity

December 7th in Fayetteville, Arkansas has the capability to change the trajectory, fan interest, media exposure, student engagement, alumni support, and overall wellbeing for the UTSA Men’s Basketball program forever.

The UTSA Roadrunners have an opportunity of the likes not many college basketball programs encounter. Sure, mid major schools take on the so-called big boys out of the “power conferences” all the time, even occasionally stealing an upset win. Which is not only awesome to see happen, but of course benefits the little guy in all kinds of ways. These upsets are great for the school and college basketball in its entirety. These types of games are fun, loved by all, and good for the sport.

UTSA vs Arkansas on December 7th, however, isn’t this type of game. At least it shouldn’t be for UTSA. It is an opportunity, unlike any other. It is rare, and it is important.

Here is why.

A win, which would obviously be monumental on its own, would be much, much more than anything anybody could anticipate or dream of for this UTSA hoops squad. You see, when certain opportunities are seized, from that comes more opportunities. After that, bigger opportunities are born, which then breed even more massive opportunities, so on and so forth.

The timing is perfect. A new head coach looking to put UTSA on the college basketball map, with dreams and aspirations to become something bigger, something wild and unfathomable which becomes sustainable. He knows deep down he can make it happen, he just needs the dominos to fall just right.

He needs those types of certain opportunities, and he knows it. December 7th, 2024 is UTSA Basketball’s first unique opportunity to set a new expectation for the program’s success. A day which could be what sets in motion a new arena at UTSA and set a foundation for March Madness runs every season and breed eventual national champions.

December 7th, 2024 could be, for UTSA Basketball, literally everything. And it comes against a foe who has seen the mountain top, the big conference, and that shiny arena.

For Arkansas, they have had their day in the sun, and may have some more. Let’s remember, it wasn’t always that way though. They too, just like UTSA, needed one of those unique opportunities once upon a time 30 years ago for a fiery young coach in his own right, and somewhere along the way, opportunity showed up, and produced Arkansas basketball as we know it today.

In time, facilities, coaching, postseason success and notoriety followed the Hogs after seizing those unique opportunities back when they were a middle of the pack basketball school. On the 7th day next month, UTSA will see firsthand the tangible results of a unique opportunity.

The Razorbacks have called Bud Walton arena home since the 1993-1994 season, the same year in which the men’s squad captured the NCAA National Championship, and subsequently raised a banner to the rafters that is still there today. A 20 thousand seat arena that has gained a reputation of being one of the best home court advantages in the country.

John Calipari, arguably one of the finest college basketball coaches to ever step onto the hardwood, took over at Arkansas this past offseason. Calipari is most recognized for his time as the head man at college basketball blue blood Kentucky. He left Kentucky and chose Arkansas. Rest assured; the man had options.

He chose Arkansas. That says it all.

The Arkansas Razorbacks have become just as big of a name in college basketball as Kentucky, Duke, or North Carolina. They play in the SEC, are ranked in the top 25, and have a Saturday afternoon home game being televised nationally next month.

This was not always the case for the Razorbacks of the hardwood.

But it is now. Thanks to uniqueness, coupled with the right opportunity, and the ability to take advantage of it.

The UTSA Roadrunners, have a chance to do the same thing.

Their journey, can start next month with a unique, beautiful, rare as it gets opportunity in Arkansas on December 7th at 1pm.

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