COMMERCE – The Texas A&M University-Commerce men's basketball team begins its regular season on Saturday in the Field House at 1 p.m. against Fort Valley State. The Lions are fresh off a last-second win over UTSA on Monday.
 
Under the leadership of coach Jaret von Rosenberg, the Lions went 7-7 in a Lone Star Conference only schedule last year. Von Rosenberg enters his fifth year as the leader of the Lions, returning to a full schedule in 2021-22. 
 
WELCOME BACK FANS
After playing most of last season's 14 games behind closed doors or limited number of spectators, the Lions return to full capacity in the Field House, opening up with three straight home games.
 
"Our home crowd has been phenomenal in my time here. It is our job to put on a product to keep them coming, but I expect this place to be rocking every night," said Rosenberg.
 
Individual and season ticket packages are available at LionAthletics.Com/Tickets. Fans can use the promo code "Three" for $3 tickets to the season opener against Fort Valley or purchase season tickets for $65.62.
 
LEARNING ON THE FLY
The Lions have had two preseason games thus far against Henderson State and UTSA. Von Rosenberg saw a lot of improvement between the two games, but more work needs to be done.
 
"Defensively, getting to the right position to start the possession, we improved that tremendously in the UTSA game," said von Rosenberg. "Offensively, our spacing was a lot better at UTSA, nowhere near where it needs to be though."
 
The Lions led late against the Roadrunners, but allowed UTSA to tie the game and needed a buzzer-beater to win. Von Rosenberg is glad that they are able to learn from a game that they won.
 
"We need to improve our late game situations, we didn't do a good job in that on Monday," added von Rosenberg. "It is good to learn from a win."
 
EXECUTING THE LITTLE THINGS
Having a normal preseason as well as the entire team being on campus throughout the summer, the Lions were able to bond and work together as a team.
 
"We did a better job executing the little things in the UTSA game than we did at any point last year, as we get more used to it and settle down," said von Rosenberg.
 
The Lions had their second unit on the floor on Monday when Alphonso Willis delivered the game-winning three pointer, which is a big positive for the coaching staff.
 
"The ability for guys off our bench to close out the UTSA game really galvanized the team. We probably won't have 12 players in the rotation, but that was needed to get a good look at everyone," von Rosenberg points out.
 
KEEPING THE FOCUS ON THIS YEAR
The Lions are ser to head to NCAA Division I next season, but von Rosenberg has kept the team's focus on this year. This is not unusual to the Lions, who preach the next-game mentality.
 
"A lot of the time, players, especially seniors are more about what they are going to do in May then January-March, which affects their play. This is not any different," said von Rosenberg.
 
EXPERIENCED NEWCOMERS
Three of the new players on the Lions this season are transfers, including two from Division I. Clashon Gaffney (Clarksville) comes to A&M-Commerce from Tarleton, Jairus Roberson (DeSoto) from Northwestern State, and Alphonso Willis (Atlanta, Ga.) from Young Harris College. Joining the three newcomers is freshman Monyae Davis (Fort Worth – Young Men's Leadership Academy).
 
All three have made their presence felt as Lions, being the top three scorers against UTSA. Roberson sparked the Lions' rally in the second half and Willis put the exclamation point with the game winning shot.
 
"We have a lot of experience coming into the program. Experience and age wins in college basketball," said von Rosenberg on the incoming talent.
 
A roster full of talent means that they are going to be talented players on the bench. For the coaching staff that is a challenge that they are happy to embrace.
 
"We're just getting started, there are a lot of good people on our team and none of them are going to play as much as they want," von Rosenberg said. "Our job as the coaching staff is to make them understand why we are doing what we are doing and go from there."
 
BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER
Carson Tuttle (Mukilteo, Wash.) and Rodney Brown (Beaumont – West Brook) were sidelined most of the season last year due to injury. The normal summer and preseason has helped them develop according to von Rosenberg, who also saw great progression from all-LSC players Augustine Ene (Carrollton – Creekview) and Demarcus Demonia (Fort Washington, Md.) as well.
 
"Carson and Rodney played last year, but it was a weird year, they are now healthy. Demarcus and Augustine had great off seasons and expect them to start where they left off," concluded von Rosenberg.