Long-awaited transfer makes big splash
Just 19 seconds into his first action with UTSA, junior Eric Parrish knocked down the opening basket of the Roadrunners’ season, drilling a 3 from the left wing.
A few minutes later, Parrish slammed a dunk in transition, snatched the ball away on the defensive end, and drove the length of the court for a fast-break layup.
Since Parrish transferred to UTSA last season, coach Steve Henson has raved about the 6-foot-6 swingman’s potential impact. His talent was finally put on display Friday, as he scored 19 of his 20 points in the first half to lead UTSA in a season-opening 97-71 rout of Division II opponent UT-Permian Basin at the Convocation Center.
“I feel like I showed the fans what I bring to the table,” Parrish said, “and what they can look to expect going forward.”
Parrish hit 7 of 11 shots overall and 2 of 4 from beyond the arc, tacking on four rebounds and four steals.
He started his college career at Akron, averaging 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game as he played in all 32 contests, including 21 starts, during his freshman season in 2017-18.
He left the program to play at Bossier Parish Community College in Louisiana the next season, becoming one of the top JUCO prospects in the nation before landing at Nevada.
His stay at Nevada lasted only through the preseason. He transferred to UTSA in December but did not practice with the team immediately, sitting out with a broken finger as he awaited an NCAA eligibility waiver that was never approved.
Parrish said he entered this season expecting to take a significant role on the team, wanting to provide length, athleticism and vocal leadership.
Henson described his defensive style as “unorthodox” but said Parrish uses anticipation to create deflections, complementing a well-rounded offensive game.
“We knew that he’s terrific in the open court, and we were hoping he was a gamer, and he showed that he is,” Henson said. “It’s been a long time coming for him. Waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and to finally get out there and play, I know he was excited and relieved.”
Parrish was one of two
newcomers in the starting lineup for UTSA on Friday, joining junior Houston transfer Cedrick Alley Jr.
Henson praised the 6foot-6 swingman as one of the team’s best and most versatile defenders, calling him a “special presence” on that end of the court.
Alley chipped in seven points, five rebounds and three assists on 3-of-11 shooting.
“I want to bring the defense. Just that grit on the defensive end,” Alley said. “Let the other team know that we come to play defense. That’s what’s going to lead us to win games, our defense, each and every night.”
UTSA’s lineup figures to take a different form today
against UT-Rio Grande Valley with the return of Jhivvan Jackson, the NCAA’s second-leading scorer last season at 26.8 points per game.
The program announced Tuesday that Jackson would miss UTSA’s first two games because of a violation of team rules. Even with Wednesday’s matchup against Oklahoma postponed because of positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing in the Sooners program, Henson said Jackson remains scheduled for a return today.
Jackson watched Friday’s game from the bench in his hooded warmup attire.
“Jhivvan handled it very, very well. He’s had an unbelievable preseason. His attitude has been fantastic,”
Henson said. “He’s ready to go, and we look forward to having him back in the lineup.”
Friday’s game was the first held at the Convocation Center under the 15 percent capacity plan amid the coronavirus pandemic, and UTSA announced a crowd of 425.
Players and coaches were spaced across three rows of courtside chairs to allow for distancing, and no fans were seated on that half of the floor. The first three rows of seats on the other end of the court also were blocked off.
Coaches wore masks through the game, and Henson said finding players to sub in was not as seamless as usual with the group spaced out behind him. He said he’ll also be searching for ways to communicate more normally with his assistants, given that they’re farther away during game action.
Players also wore masks during timeouts or when not playing, leaving them on the scorer’s table or with a team trainer when returning to the court.
“There were a couple times I was checking into the game with my mask on, and I had to catch myself,” Parrish said. “Other than that, it was smooth.”
After Friday’s game finished, the Roadrunners returned to their homes to shower, wary of the risk of spending too much time in the team locker room.
The players grabbed a quick meal and then came back to the Convocation Center to board a bus to Edinburg, where UTSA will meet UTRGV at 3 p.m. today.
Henson said the Roadrunners would watch film Friday night and this morning before jumping into game action without the luxury of a morning shootaround.
“There’s going to be a lot of scenarios this year where we don’t get what we want,” Henson said, “so we just have to figure out the best way to respond.”