RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men's basketball team is hosting the Texas A&M-Kingsville (TAMUK) Javelinas in the 2026-27 season opener Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. 
 
This will be the first game between the Vaqueros and Javelinas since December 2016. UTRGV is 18-12 all-time against TAMUK and has won eight consecutive matchups between these programs with its last loss to the Javelinas coming back in 1977. 
 
UTRGV went 19-14 last season with a program-record 14 wins in Southland Conference (SLC) play. Two Vaqueros in redshirt senior guard Always Wright and senior Los Fresnos alum Luis Ramirez return from that squad while 13 newcomers will make their UTRGV debuts in front of the home crowd. 
 
Two new Vaqueros bring Power 4 experience to the UTRGV Fieldhouse in senior guard Devon Pryor and redshirt junior Jace Posey. Fans can expect a high-flying, athletic, exciting style of play as first-year head coach Brandon Chambers's group takes the court for the first time. 
 
The Javelinas went 13-16 last season with a 10-10 mark in Lone Star Conference play. They were picked to finish ninth in the LSC preseason poll. TAMUK also has a new-look team this season with 12 newcomers but boasts a few key returners in 2025-26 Freshman All-Conference selection Jadon Sautter and 26-27 preseason player to watch Bryce Smith. Monday's game is an exhibition for the Div. II Javelinas. 
 
The men's season opener follows the women's basketball season opener against Arlington Baptist which starts at 5 p.m. at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. Fans can purchase tickets for either game at UTRGVTickets.com and gain admission to both contests. All tickets for UTRGV Athletics home events will use NFC scanning, therefore screenshots will not grant entry. Fans can save and access tickets for entry via Apple or Google Wallet or by logging into your account at UTRGVTickets.com. 
 
Fans are encouraged to visit RallyTheValley.com for everything they need to know about attending home basketball games. If you're unable to attend, the game will be streamed on ESPN+ domestically and Southland International for international fans. 

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