THE GAME
The
Misty Wilson era is officially set to get under way Friday night when the Tarleton State TexAnns host Southern Arkansas for the TexAnn Tip-Off Classic at 5 p.m. They will also host St. Mary's for an in-region battle Saturday night at 5 p.m.
THE BROADCAST
The game will have a live radio broadcast presented by the Tarleton Sports Network presented by North Texas Ford Dealers. The Voice of the TexAnns, Keltin Wiens, will serve as the play-by-play for Tarleton basketball this season. The radio broadcast can be heard on KTRL 90.5 FM in Stephenville and surrounding areas or online at TarletonSports.com/ListenLive. The pregame show will begin 15 minutes prior to tip-off.
THE OPPONENT
Southern Arkansas enters its second season under head coach Rusty Rainbolt, who lifted the Muleriders to a 12-win season and their first postseason appearance since 2007 last year. Rainbolt's run to the GAC playoffs last season came on the heels of a winless season prior to his arrival. Meanwhile, St. Mary's returns to Stephenville off their second straight trip to the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. Head coach Jason Martens led the Rattlers to 20 wins last season and 42 wins over his last two seasons.
THE SERIES
This is the first-ever meeting between the Tarleton State TexAnns and Southern Arkansas Muleriders. The Rattlers and TexAnns will meet for the 15th time on Saturday. Tarleton won its fourth game all-time against the Rattlers in last year's season opener when
Shanae Lowrance hit a buzzer beater to win the game 74-73 in overtime at Wisdom Gym.
THE CLASSIC
This is the second annual TexAnn Tip-Off Classic. Last year was the debut of the annual tournament and Tarleton won both of its games over Fort Lewis and Lubbock Christian.
THE WILSON ERA
Misty Wilson's time has come. After a four-year playing career with Tarleton, Wilson spent the last 12 years as an assistant coach - the last 11 under Ronnie Hearne. She was named the sixth head coach of Tarleton State last March after Ronnie Hearne announced his retirement after 11 seasons at the helm.
PRESEASON RANKINGS
Tarleton State was picked to finish third in the Lone Star Conference preseason rankings during the LSC's Online Basketball Media Day. The TexAnns received 180 total votes, which was behind Midwestern State (198) and West Texas A&M (227) and 27 points ahead of Texas Woman's (153).
TARLETON IN THE LSC
Tarleton State has developed into one of the premier basketball programs in the nation, as well as within the Lone Star Conference. In addition to being a perennial national power with five straight trips to the national playoffs, Tarleton has also become a premier team in the Lone Star Conference. The TexAnns earned their first league championship in 2012 and reached the finals of the LSC Championship Tournament for the second time in three years last season.
TARLETON IN NATIONAL POLLS
The official USA Today/ESPN Division II National preseason rankings were released and Tarleton State was receiving votes. Only three Lone Star Conference schools were getting votes in the top 25. West Texas A&M is No. 1 in the nation while Midwestern State received 20 votes. Tarleton had eight. The TexAnns have been ranked in the national polls in 27 total weeks since making their debut in 2010. They reached their highest ranking of No. 14 last season.
BREAKING DOWN THE SQUAD
Tarleton State returns eight players from last year's team including starting guards
Morgan Ashmore and
Kathy Thomas.
Meagan O'Dell is back after starting the final nine games down the stretch last season and the duo of
Karli Moore and
Ikpeaku Iwobi are back to control the post. In addition, Wilson added three transfers and five freshmen to the mix.
NEW NUMBERS, SAME TEXANNS
Raven McGrath and
Morgan Ashmore will don new numbers for the TexAnns this season after spending their first two seasons as No. 1 and No. 13, respectively. Ashmore will wear No. 20 this season in honor of Texan Football player, Chance Wallace, and McGrath will take Ashmore's old No. 13 for this season.
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
The TexAnns be back in action tomorrow night when they host regional rival St. Mary's at 5 p.m. to complete the TexAnn Tip-Off Classic.
