STEPHENVILLE, Texas ­— Tarleton State Men's Basketball opens the new year in Wisdom Gym in its return to WAC play against UT Arlington on Thursday night at 7 p.m.
 
Thursday night's game will be streamed on ESPN+, with Byron Anderson and Scott Garner on the call. Kyle Crews will have the radio call on 90.5 KTRL. Live Stats will be provided by StatBroadcast and can be found on TarletonSports.com. For highlights and live score updates follow @tarletonmbb on Twitter and Instagram.
 
KiAndre Gaddy was named the WAC Player of the Week on Tuesday following his 24-point and 12-rebound performance in his Texan D1 program record fifth double-double this season against Loyola Marymount. Gaddy earned the nod for the first time in his career and joined Jakorie Smith as the second Texan to earn the honor this season.
 
The Texans closed out 2023 with a 79-66 victory in Los Angeles against Loyola Marymount on Dec. 29. Gaddy and Smith teamed up to became the first Texan duo this season to score 20 points apiece in a game. Smith's 21-point effort marks his third game this season with at least 20.
 
Four Texans rank in the top 10 in statistical categories in the WAC this season. Gaddy ranks in the top six in five categories and leads the conference in offensive rebounds (4.46) and double-doubles (five). Smith ranks in the top ten in three different categories. Lue Williams and Emmanuel Innocenti are on two top lists each.
 
As a team, the Texans lead the conference in fewest points allowed (63.2) and free throw percentage. Tarleton is in the top three in seven different categories. For the first time in program history, the Texans are second in the WAC Resume System, which determines conference tournament seeds.
 
Joseph Jones will be standing on the Texan sideline for his tenth-straight game. Jones has been filling in for coach Billy Gillispie since Nov. 19 who has not been with the team due to medial circumstances. Jones was named the acting head coach on Dec. 19. He holds a 7-2 record during his time on the sidelines.
 
Thursday marks the 12^th meeting between the Texans and the Mavericks. Last season, Tarleton took a pair of wins in the first meeting since 1986. Tarleton is 2-0 against UTA as Division I programs, but the Mavericks hold the overall series lead, 8-3.
 
Tarleton will enjoy its first bye game of conference play with having this Saturday off. The Texans will hit the road next week with a pair of road games on Thursday and Saturday starting with California Baptist on Jan. 11 at 9 p.m. The Purple and White will close the weekend in Phoenix against Grand Canyon on Jan. 11 at 8 p.m.