UT Arlington Basketball to Open Season November 2
The UT Arlington men's basketball team prepares for a new campaign after experiencing a massive roster turnover.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball
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The UT Arlington men's basketball team is set to open its season against North Texas at Dallas on November 2, 2026, at 7 p.m. The team enters the year with a heavily rebuilt roster following the departure of 12 players from last season.
Why it matters
The program is aiming for a resurgence after finishing with an 18-14 record last year, as the coaching staff leveraged the transfer portal to overhaul the team. Players and staff are now targeting a conference title and a return to the NCAA tournament.
Junior center Miles Goodman, one of two returning players, averaged 13 minutes and 3 rebounds per game last season. Meanwhile, new addition Teodor Simic provides a significant interior presence at 7 feet 1 inch and 250 pounds.
The players
Miles Goodman
He is a junior center and one of the two returning players for the UT Arlington men's basketball team.
Stoney Hadnot
He is a redshirt sophomore forward who remains with the program alongside teammate Miles Goodman.
Teodor Simic
He is a 7-foot-1-inch center from Skopje, North Macedonia, who joined the team as a new addition.
The details
The team successfully replaced most of its roster through the transfer portal while utilizing global connections to recruit international talent. The schedule features a mix of nonconference opponents including the University of Arkansas, Colorado State University, and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Timeline
November 2, 2026, 7 p.m.: The team opens the season against North Texas at Dallas.
January 9, 2027: UTA begins its first season in the United Athletic Conference.
Season Trajectory
The program is seeking to repeat its success in the 2008 NCAA tournament, which marks the last time the team reached the field. Achieving this goal requires immediate cohesion from a roster that is effectively brand new.
The roster turnover means fans will see a high volume of new faces, including Noah Shelby, who brings experience from five previous schools. The team's performance against non-NCAA and Division III opponents will be a key early indicator of the team's depth and rotation.
The takeaway
The team's success this season hinges on how quickly the coaching staff can integrate international recruits and transfers into a cohesive unit. Building chemistry early will be essential for the squad to remain competitive in their new conference.
What happens next
The team is scheduled to begin its United Athletic Conference play on January 9, 2027.
Further reading
For more on the local sports scene, visit Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Shorthorn.
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