The University of Texas Permian Basin men's basketball team will look to prove the doubters wrong when they take the court this season, as the Falcons were projected to finish 13th according to the Lone Star Conference Men's Basketball 2023-24 Preseason Poll, which was released today (Oct. 23). Additionally, the Falcons had one basketball player named as an LSC player to watch.
 
Grad student, Lathaniel Bastian spent the 2022-23 season at Cal State Fullerton, where he played in all 32 games. He shot 51.1 percent from the field, recorded 83 rebounds, 15 steals and eight blocks.
 
"I'm honored to be a player to watch in the lone star conference. This is going to be a special year because I have coach Tolin who believes in me and gives me the confidence to go out there and show my skill set at an elite level every day," said Bastian. "I already knew that we would be picked lower in the conference because of last year's outcome however we are a new team full of dogs that are willing to go out there and compete every single night and at the same time it's a reminder to me and my teammates that nobody believes in us outside of our locker room. With that being said, it's time for us to change the narrative."
The Falcons will be on the road to kick the season off, competing in the South Central Region Challenge against Adams State (Nov. 10) at 11 a.m. MT and Westminster (Nov. 11) at 12 p.m. MT.  
 
 
 
LSC Men's Basketball 2023-24 Preseason Poll
 

No.	Team (1st votes)	Points
1.	West Texas A&M (34)	703
2.	Angelo State (9)	675
3.	St. Edward's (1)	600
4.	Lubbock Christian (1)	564
5.	DBU	522
6.	Texas A&M-Kingsville	497
7.	St. Mary's	443
8.	Eastern New Mexico	377
9.	Midwestern State	298
10.	UAFS	282
11.	Texas A&M International	278
12.	Western New Mexico	216
13.	UT Permian Basin	208
14.	Oklahoma Christian	183
15.	UT Tyler	176
16.	Cameron	93