For Division I independents like Texas-Pan American, memorable basketball moments tend to include long bus rides, 40-point shellackings at power-conference arenas and an annual psychological thud when the season ends in February instead of March. That's why head coach Tom Schuberth tries to schedule as many two-day, four-team mini tournaments as he can during November and December.

"From our perspective, those tournaments are outstanding," said Schuberth, whose team went 18-13 last season but managed only one runner-up placement in five weekend events. "I get really excited about them, there's a lot of uncertainty going in. If we win our first game, then we're playing for a title. If not, we can still go home with a split. Without being in a conference with a championship to play for, it makes it even more thrilling."

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