The UTRGV men's basketball team held an open practice at the UTRGV Fieldhouse on Monday afternoon, giving fans a first look at the Vaqueros before the season starts.

“For us it's also a chance for them to get a first look at the program and get excited about what's to come,” UTRGV head coach Brandon Chambers said.

The event included meet and greets, jersey giveaways, and autograph signings for those in attendance.

The team hopes to get more people to pack the fieldhouse for home games and build a strong home court advantage this season.

“When everybody comes into the building they know it's gonna be rocking, so it's always an advantage, something that you want at your home court,” UTRGV senior guard Always Wright said.

“You go to other spots in the country or even in the conference and you kind of feel that little added pressure when the stands are full so to be able to do that here would be huge,” UTRGV senior guard B.B. Knight added.

Fans in attendance said they liked what they saw.

“Stars... They look like superstars, they're really good,” UTRGV young fans and brothers Elijah and Abram Guerrero said.

“The team looks faster this year, they can fly, they can dunk, we're retired so we go to all the games. We've got our season tickets. We're ready,” Carlos and Zelmba Gracia added.

Coach Cambers also gave a passionate answer when talking about how badly he wants to turn this program into something for the RGV to be proud of.

"This is the first time in my career I want to win for The Valley more than myself," he said while getting choked up during his pre-practice press conference.

The Vaqueros open the season against Texas A&M-Kingsville on November 2.

Four of the team's first five games this season will be at home in Edinburg.