SAN MARCOS– The Texas State Bobcats have quietly emerged as a competitive force in college basketball, with a 9-7 record and a KenPom ranking of 147.
While they’re not considered an elite program, the Bobcats have proven they can compete with Sun Belt Conference rivals and mid-major teams alike. Texas State just secured a crucial one-point victory on the road against Troy, the conference leader and undefeated in league play. The win snaps a three-game losing streak, giving the Bobcats a much-needed confidence boost as they head into a quick turnaround at Southern Miss this Saturday.
Now sitting at 2-2 in Sun Belt play, Texas State is firmly in the middle of the pack, with their sights set on climbing higher. Away from conference competition, they’ve posted a solid 7-5 record, including key victories over Princeton, Ohio, and Rice.
Though they came up short in a close battle with TCU—a potential resume-boosting win—the Bobcats have shown promise in their non conference schedule. They faced Florida Atlantic on the road, who made a run to the Final Four in 2023, and played them tough in a narrow 89-80 loss. While it wasn’t a win, it served as a moral victory, showcasing Texas State’s ability to hang with top-tier competition.
Texas State secured its largest margin of victory against Arlington Baptist, dominating with a 48-point win. However, the Bobcats suffered a tough loss to UT Arlington in a competitive home matchup, highlighting some of the challenges they faced in non conference play.
Despite the ups and downs, Texas State’s non conference schedule underscored its strength in adjusted offensive efficiency, as the Bobcats rank 118th out of 353 Division I men’s basketball teams. This performance reflects their ability to score efficiently (75.4 points per game), a key factor as they push into the heart of conference play.
The Bobcats make 37.2% of their three point attempts and hit 5.6 per game. From the free throw line the cats make 77.4% of their opportunities.
Rebounding has been a strong point for Texas State, with the Bobcats averaging 36.6 boards per game. They limit their opponents to just 30.9 rebounds per game.
Texas State also thrives in ball movement, averaging 13.9 assists per game. However, turnovers are an area of concern, as the Bobcats commit 12.2 per game, an aspect they will need to address moving forward.
Texas State plays at a methodical pace, ranking 298th in adjusted tempo (possessions per 40 minutes). The Bobcats pride themselves on controlling the game’s flow, taking their time on each possession. However, playing at a faster pace could lead to more scoring opportunities. While they should continue to make strides in the half court, adding more transition play could help boost their offense.
Defensively, Texas State has room for improvement. The Bobcats currently rank 216th in adjusted defensive efficiency, an area they’ll look to improve as the season progresses.
In Sun Belt play, Texas State has wins over Georgia Southern and Troy, but they’ve also suffered tough road losses to Marshall and App State. After their most impressive win at Troy, the Bobcats have made a statement in the Sun Belt. Now, they’ll look to continue their momentum with a game at Southern Miss (6-9) on Saturday, January 11.
Senior forwards Tyrel Morgan and Tylan Pope have been the driving force behind Texas State’s offense, leading the team in scoring. The Bobcats excellent passing ability has four players averaging double figures. The recent addition of Mark Drone, who made his debut against Troy, provides another scoring threat, rounding out a well-balanced attack that should serve Texas State well as the season progresses.
The Bobcats have been fortunate to stay healthy, with no injuries to report heading into their next game. This lack of injury could be a factor in their methodical pace of play, allowing them to maintain control and stay consistent on both ends of the floor.
Texas State returns home for a primetime matchup against Georgia State on January 15, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats will follow that up with a game against Southern Miss on January 18. After these back-to-back home contests, they’ll hit the road to face Louisiana and Arkansas State.
Texas State is tied for fourth place in the Sun Belt Conference standings after a signature win over No. 2-ranked Troy. With Southern Miss also tied with the Bobcats, Saturday’s game presents a crucial opportunity to climb in the standings.
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