UT Permian Basin kicks off its season tonight with the first of two games of a Colorado swing, traveling to Alamosa for an 8 p.m. tip-off at Adams State. The Falcons return to the court less than 24 hours later with a 3 p.m. start at Western State Colorado in Gunnison. With an entirely new coaching staff and a roster of 12 new players in 2018, the Falcons will be feeling things out as they start the year.
 
"We are currently a work in progress," said head coach Josh Newman. "Our chemistry is coming along, but we need to continue to be on the floor together. We are trying to make up for lost time. These guys have never played with each other.  I've been very happy with their attitude and work ethic to this point.  They are learning what it's going to take to be successful and the steps we need take to get there." 
 
Newman noted that while a lot of what the team needs will only be gained in experience, they have put in a lot work with the things that they have been able to control.
 
"The guys have put in a lot of time to forge relationships and work on their game," said Newman. "They come in late at night on their own and get shots up. They watch film and have put the time and energy in with the assistant coaches."
If there's one thing about the Falcons this season that will be recognizable, it will be the pace of play on the offensive side of the ball. Newman has stressed all fall his want to play at a high level of speed when the Falcons have possession.
 
"We want to play fast, but you can only play as fast as you can without being out of control," noted Newman. I have to adjust to that; playing fast but not putting them in a situation where they can't be successful. I may need to adjust my ways, but one thing we won't do is adjust our standards. The standard of playing hard, the standard of playing unselfish. Those things are unnegotiable."
 
While all 12 players on the roster may be new to UT Permian Basin, Kyree Elder and Adam Rivera join the Falcons after playing last season at UA Fort Smith with Newman and the rest of the coaching staff. Elder could be an early focal point of the offense after scoring 20 points with a pair of 3-pointers to go with seven rebounds in the team's exhibition game at UTEP.
 
While there may be more questions than normal about the Falcons right now, Newman and the coaches aren't wavering on their expectations for what this team can accomplish by the end of the season.
 
"Our goals are always to win a conference championship and play in the NCAA Tournament," said Newman.  "Every single year that's my goal, whether I have a team that's new or a team that's experienced. The question is how good can this team be, and we don't know that yet. My ultimate goal for this team is to get them playing as well as they can in March, and that's the process. Every day clock in, every day get better so we can be the best basketball team we can be in March."