LEVELLAND — The standard for the South Plains College men's basketball program is never in question.

As three-time national champions and coming off an Elite Eight run a year ago in which the Texans amassed a 32-3 record, and were champions of the Western Junior College Athletic Conference and Region V, South Plains will once again have a target on its back every time they step on the hardwood.

Third-year head coach Hayden Sowers has once again secured one of the country's most talented rosters, earning the Texans a No. 1 ranking in the 2024 NJCAA Div. I men's basketball preseason poll, and are picked to win the WJCAC.

South Plains, who returns just one player from last season, added nine four-year transfers, three junior college transfers, and three talented freshmen to the 24' squad. All-in-all, Sowers knows the preseason hype does not guarantee success, and the Texans will need to stay locked in throughout the year.

"We set out a goal every year in recruiting to show up in September with the most talent in the country, and I believe this preseason recognition shows that we achieved that," Sowers said. "Obviously, the ultimate goal is to be ranked this high at the end of the season. Our depth is going to be our biggest strength as I feel comfortable with 12 guys going into a game right now and having an impact.

"This team has yet to win any meaningful games in the regular season and is still 0-0 like the rest of the country, and we still have a long way to go to be ready to win those meaningful games and compete for championships, which is the expectation and the standard at South Plains. If this team is going to win championships, they must continue to come together and become tougher as we get ready to open up the season."

South Plains opens the season at home at 6 p.m. on Nov. 4 against Yavapai College, before its first road trip of the season Nov. 7-8 when they travel to Twin Falls, Idaho for the Title One Invitational. The Texans will then be on the road in Roswell on Nov. 13 to take on Central Arizona at 6 p.m. MST, followed by a trip to Plano Nov. 15-16.

The full season schedule can be found here: https://spctexans.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/schedule