Tarleton Men's Basketball expectations for the upcoming 2024-25 season

BY BARRETT JORDAN / Multimedia Journalist

The bar has never been set higher for Tarleton Men’s Basketball than it is for the fast-approaching 2024-25 season. The team seeks to build upon last year’s incredible 25-10 overall and 16-4 conference records. The team has several returning players including one familiar face that is sure to have an impact on the court.  

Freddy Hicks spent his first 3 years with Tarleton beginning in 2020 and lasting through the 2022-23 season. Last season was spent at Arkansas State University, and he has returned with the Texans in what is his final collegiate season. 

“We’re going to win the WAC,” Hicks said. “I think my experience will help me a lot and it will also help me lead some of the younger guys and hopefully get our team in the right direction.” 

Hicks has the opportunity to build on several categories that he already leads the program in during the Division I era and to potentially add additional records to his title.

The Texans will begin the season at Southern Methodist University on Nov. 4. The remaining non-conference games have yet to be released on the schedule. 

The Texans will enter conference play hosting UT Arlington on Jan. 4. The following week they will endure two road games at Southern Utah University  and Utah Tech University. 

They will return home to face California Baptist University on Jan.16 and then hit the road again for a game against Grand Canyon University on Jan.18.

After a game on the road versus Abilene Christian on Jan.23, the Texans will face repeat opponents in Utah Tech and Southern Utah at home the next week.

The Texans will then have six additional conference games in February and two in March leading up to the 2025 WAC Basketball Tournament. 

Izzy Miles is a sophomore guard for the Texans that played in 23 games during the 2023-24 season. 

“We got a lot of new pieces, a lot of guys coming from overseas and junior college guys that are ready to help us and ready to play hard,” Miles said.

Despite newer additions to the team and several notable departures, the Texans remain confident in their team chemistry and ability to succeed together on the court.

“I feel like we’re going to surprise a lot of people,” sophomore guard Bubu Benjamin said. “Even though people say we’re young and we’re inexperienced, the team that we have, I think it’s going to surprise a lot of people.”

The men’s basketball coaching staff is led by head coach Billy Gillispie, assistant coaches Luke Adams, Zach Settembre and Glynn Cyprien.

The Texans are calling on students and fans to attend home games and bring high energy. 

“We need everyone to come out and support us so we can get Wisdom packed again,” Miles said.

The season begins for Tarleton Men’s Basketball in Dallas on Nov. 4.