Wisconsin vs. UT Rio Grande Valley: Opponent Preview

Background and History

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros are a relatively young Division I college basketball program, having only been founded in 2015. Despite their short history, the Vaqueros have quickly established themselves as a competitive force in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). In their inaugural season, they won the WAC regular-season title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. They have since made three more NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the second round in 2019.

Head Coach

UTRGV is led by head coach Matt Figger, who is entering his eighth season at the helm. Figger has a career record of 143-89 at UTRGV and has led the Vaqueros to three WAC regular-season championships. He is known for his up-tempo, high-scoring style of play. Under Figger's leadership, the Vaqueros have consistently ranked among the top offenses in the WAC.

Key Players

The Vaqueros are led by a talented group of players, including senior guard Javon Levi and junior forward Lesley Varner. Levi is a dynamic scorer who averaged 18.9 points per game last season. Varner is a versatile forward who can score inside and out and is also a strong rebounder. Other key players for UTRGV include senior guard Justin Johnson, junior guard Marek Olesinski, and sophomore forward Will Johnston.

Strengths

The Vaqueros have several strengths that could pose a challenge for Wisconsin. They are a high-scoring team that can put up points in a hurry. They also have good size and athleticism in their frontcourt, which could give Wisconsin's smaller lineup fits. Additionally, the Vaqueros are a well-coached team that is known for its discipline and execution.

Weaknesses

Despite their strengths, the Vaqueros also have some weaknesses that Wisconsin could exploit. They are not a particularly deep team, and they can be prone to turnovers. Additionally, their defense can be suspect at times, especially against teams with good shooters.

Overall

The Wisconsin Badgers will face a tough challenge when they take on the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros on Tuesday night. The Vaqueros are a well-coached team with a talented group of players. However, Wisconsin has the experience and depth to win this game. If the Badgers can limit turnovers, play solid defense, and hit their shots, they should be able to come away with a victory.