College basketball has a funny way of throwing teams together in places you’d never expect. Take the matchup between the UT Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros and the Charleston Southern Buccaneers. These two programs don't share a conference, they aren't geographic rivals, and honestly, they rarely see each other on a court. But when they do, it tends to be a grind-it-out affair that reveals a lot about the mid-major landscape.
Most recently, these two met up at the Greenbrier Tip-Off in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. It was November 15, 2024. Neutral ground. A chilly mountain setting for two teams usually accustomed to coastal humidity or South Texas heat.
What Really Happened With UT Rio Grande Valley vs Charleston Southern
If you just looked at the final score—UTRGV 86, Charleston Southern 76—you might think it was a comfortable ten-point win for the Vaqueros. It wasn't. Not even close.
The first half was a total seesaw. We’re talking seven lead changes. Neither team could pull away by more than six points. UTRGV eventually took a slim 43-41 lead into the locker room thanks to a last-second layup by Trey Miller.
The second half is where things got wild. UTRGV started heating up, eventually stretching that lead to 14 points. You’d think the Bucs would fold. Instead, Charleston Southern mounted a massive 14-3 run. With just 1:39 left on the clock, the Vaqueros were sweating a tiny 78-75 lead.
The Hasan Abdul-Hakim Factor
Why did UTRGV win? One name: Hasan Abdul-Hakim.
He was the best player on the floor, period. He finished with 24 points on an incredibly efficient 10-of-13 shooting. When the game got tight in those final two minutes, he personally scored six straight points to ice it.
The stats tell a story of two different styles:
- UTRGV lived in the paint. They put up 58 points near the rim.
- Charleston Southern actually shot better from deep (33% vs 17%) but got killed on turnovers.
- The Vaqueros recorded 15 steals. That is a lot of extra possessions.
Key Contributors for the Buccaneers
Despite the loss, Charleston Southern had some bright spots. Daylen Berry led them with 18 points, while Taje’ Kelly was a beast inside, putting up 16 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. They actually out-rebounded UTRGV 36 to 33, but you can't win many games when you turn the ball over 21 times.
Digging Into the Series History
Believe it or not, this wasn't the first time these schools ever met, but the history is sparse. Before the 2024 meeting, you have to go back decades.
Charleston Southern’s records show matchups as far back as 1974. Back then, UTRGV was known as Pan American. In those early days, Pan American usually dominated. They beat the Buccaneers 107-70 in January 1974 and followed it up with wins in '76, '77, and '78.
Fast forward to the modern era, and the Vaqueros still seem to have the Buccaneers' number. The overall series record leans heavily toward the Valley, with UTRGV holding a perfect 6-0 record against Charleston Southern in men’s basketball history.
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Beyond the Box Score: Why This Game Matters
For programs like UTRGV (moving into the Southland Conference) and Charleston Southern (Big South), these early-season neutral-site games are everything. They are resume builders. They are chances to fix rotation issues before conference play starts.
UTRGV under coach Todd Simon has been trying to establish a high-tempo, "Valley O" style. Seeing them rack up 26 points off turnovers against the Bucs shows that the system works when the defensive pressure is high.
On the flip side, Charleston Southern has been searching for consistency. They’ve shown they can compete with high-major talent—like their surprising 83-79 win over Miami later in the 2024-25 season—but the loss to UTRGV highlighted their struggle with ball security against aggressive defensive schemes.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re tracking these two teams for future matchups or looking at them in a bracket, keep these nuances in mind:
- Watch the Turnover Margin: UTRGV thrives on chaos. If an opponent can't handle a full-court press or active hands in the passing lanes, the Vaqueros will run them out of the gym.
- Interior Defense Matters: Charleston Southern has size with guys like Taje’ Kelly, but they struggled to stop UTRGV from scoring 58 points in the paint. If you’re betting on the Bucs, look for matchups where the opposing team relies more on perimeter shooting.
- The "Neutral Site" Variable: Both teams travel long distances for these tournaments. UTRGV’s ability to win in West Virginia suggests a high level of mental toughness and travel readiness.
The saga of UT Rio Grande Valley vs Charleston Southern might not be the biggest rivalry in sports, but it’s a perfect microcosm of why college basketball is so entertaining. It’s about players like Abdul-Hakim taking over, teams refusing to quit during a 14-3 run, and the sheer unpredictability of a game played in a resort ballroom in the mountains.
Next time these two appear on a schedule, don't just look at the records. Look at who is winning the turnover battle and who owns the paint. That’s where the game is won.
Check the latest schedules on the official athletic sites for GoUTRGV and CSUSports to see when the next chapter of this cross-country series might happen.