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For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 9, 2002 BRONCS
HOST AIR FORCE EDINBURG, TX-Home has been the
place to be for the University of Texas-Pan American men’s basketball
team this season. The Broncs will try to extend
their perfect record at home when they begin a three-game home stand
against Air Force Thursday night. Game time is 8:00 p.m. at the UTPA
Fieldhouse, following the Lady Broncs’ game against Centenary. Thursday’s game will match
the Broncs’ high-scoring offense against Air Force’s patient style
and defensive strength. UTPA enters the game ranked 22nd
among NCAA Division I teams in both scoring (80.9 points per game) and
field goal percentage (48.7 per cent from the field). In addition,
senior guard Mire Chatman (Garland, TX/South Garland HS/Southwestern
Christian JC) is fifth nationally in scoring, averaging 23.9 points per
game. He also ranks fourth in steals, averaging 3.5 per game. Air Force is coached by
Princeton graduate Joe Scott, and their style is similar to the one used
for many years by the Tigers. The Falcons come in with a 6-7 record, and
although they average 57.5 points per game, they yield just 63.
They’ve won an equal number of times at home and on the road, and have
split their last four games. “Air Force is a
well-disciplined team that runs a Princeton-style offense,” said UTPA
Coach Bob Hoffman. “They’re very wise about who has the ball, and
they take advantage of normal defensive principles. They have an unusual
style of play, so preparation is very important. They play a very heady
game of basketball, so we have to do a good job being prepared for the
contest.” The Broncs will be home twice next week, hosting
Lipscomb and Gardner-Webb. MBB-18-01 010902 |