Turn Up the Orange | UTEP sports talk

Price vs. Price in C-USA

Eric Price, son of UTEP head football coach Mike Price, has been named offensive coordinator for the Memphis Tigers.

Eric Price was UTEP's offensive coordinator from 2004-2007.

But now he's going to be doing battle with dad in Conference USA. Here's hoping he respects his elders.

UTEP football in 2010

The bowl season is in full swing and I know all of us in Minerdom have plenty of time to check out a fair amount of games, seeing as how the Miners are spending the holidays at home. 

But the wishing can begin for next season as UTEP's schedule begins to take shape. 

I wrote a blog post back in October asking for your dream schedules for the 2010 season. Many of you shared the same sensibilities, especially towards the shunning of Football Championship Subdivision teams, and offered great lineups. Regular commenter Lorenzo even pointed us towards Phil Steele's Web site, which gives us a look at UTEP's future schedules (Arkansas and Utah are listed in addition to New Mexico as nonconference games). Steele's outlook on schools outside of the big six conferences is often incorrect and contradicts itself, but it seems he's correct about one of the opponents on the Miners' 2010 slate. 

A November date with Arkansas is apparently a done deal. The Razorbacks' Web site lists UTEP as a home opponent on Nov. 13, 2010. The Miners are in Fayetteville, Ark., sandwiched between Southeastern Conference games against South Carolina and Mississippi State. While, a great addition to the schedule, the initial worry is that this matchup could be another chapter in UTEP's book of November woes. And should the Miners get off to as pitiful a start as they did in 2009, then fans will be chomping at the bit as this date arrives. The Razorbacks went 7-5 this season and are due to play Conference USA champ East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl on Jan. 2. 

Utah, meanwhile, doesn't have the Miners listed as an opponent in 2010. At least, not yet. 

New Mexico was the only 2010 game we knew about heading into this season. The Miners will visit the Lobos on Oct. 2. Interstate 10 rival New Mexico State will be on the schedule as well. The Aggies' Web site also lists UTEP as an opponent. 

That leaves one nonconference game for the Miners to play. 

Who's it gonna be? 

If Orangefever, another regular commenter is correct, then it's gonna be Notre Dame. 

Let the speculation begin. 

UTEP misses Stefon Jackson

I have to think that two late-game collapses in a row by the UTEP Miners (the latest to #20 Mississippi) indicate the team is missing Stefon Jackson.

I thought that the Miners might become a better team without Jackson, and there are some signs that may be true. But the fact is, late in games, the Miners don't have anyone to turn to. Last year, they would have just passed the ball to Jackson and let him do his magic.

The good news is, the season is still young and new-addition Derrick Caracter seems to be adding some rebounding. This team still has time to gel some more.

But they desperately need to find a closer.

UTEP basketball needs some of Young's spirit

The UTEP basketball team has some smooth looking ballers. Some calm and collected players.

A little of that is a good thing, but against NMSU Sunday night, the UTEP team seemed a bit too cool.

On the opposite extreme was NMSU's Jahmar Young, just named WAC player of the week. Young spent Sunday night in the Don Haskins Center acting a fool. He taunted the UTEP players, taunted the crowd, got a technical, and ... oh yeah, scored 24 points while playing with more spirit than anyone on the court.

I'd be embarrassed if any UTEP player behaved like Young did Sunday night (and from watching him in the past, how he acts most nights), but UTEP could use at least a little bit of that spunk.

Too often, the UTEP players play like all that hustling is beneath them.

Hopefully, the loss, and Young's taunting, will light a fire under the Miners. Wednesday's matchup with #20-ranked Mississippi is going to be a big test.

Big Sunday for UTEP basketball

It's going to be a big Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Don Haskins Center.

First up in the afternoon will be the women's basketball team:

The UTEP women’s basketball team will play host to Texas Southern at 1:05 p.m. at the Don Haskins Center on Sunday. Schedule cards and team posters will be given away, and as part of “El Paso Parks and Recreation Day” anybody with a parks & recreation ID/voucher will receive free admission to the tilt.

The Miners (6-3) are coming off a 54-40 triumph against Grambling State which propelled them to a third-place showing at the 15th-annual Commerce Bank Classic in Manhattan, Kan., last weekend.

Then, in the nightcap, will be the men's basketball team having its second grudge match with New Mexico State. You'll remember, I'm sure, that UTEP beat the Aggies, 79-58, last week in Las Cruces. Sunday's rematch begins at 7:05 p.m. at the Don Haskins Center.

Certainly the Aggies will be inspired to get revenge, but the game will be different for other reasons, as well. From a UTEP news release:

Both teams could look different on Sunday. UTEP is hoping to get Derrick Caracter eligible, and NMSU is awaiting word on whether or not forwards Troy Gillenwater and Wendell McKines will be able to suit up for the second semester.

The addition of Caracter would be an early Christmas present for the Miners.  He was regarded as one of the nation's top high school recruits before averaging over eight points per game in two seasons at Louisville (2006-07, 2007-08).  The 6-9, 285-pounder scored in double figures 20 times for the Cardinals.

"If he's eligible, he'll play," UTEP coach Tony Barbee said, adding that he should know Caracter's status sometime on Saturday.

Gillenwater and McKines would shore up an Aggie frontcourt that has received limited production outside of Hamidu Rahman's 13.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Gillenwater averaged 12.1 ppg and 4.3 rpg last season, and McKines averaged a double-double with 12.1 ppg and 10.0 rpg.

UTEP was one of only 16 undefeated teams in the country entering play on Wednesday. The Miners are 5-0 for the first time in nine years.

Plenty of reasons to head out to the Don Haskins Center on Sunday night. And though the NMSU game is usually a sell out, playing on an NFL Sunday means tickets will likely be available for you this time.

So don't drink too much while watching the Chargers end the Cowboys' playoff hopes and come check out the Miners afterward.

Sun Bowl halftime show announcement still coming

Rumors are swirling today about the Sun Bowl halftime show. In fact, a TV station that I don't want to name (but it rhymes with Jay Box), is hinting that they'll have a story at 6 p.m. saying there will be NO halftime show at the Sun Bowl this year!

Say it isn't so!

OK, it isn't so. At least according to Trenten Hilburn, the Sun Bowl's media relations director. Hilburn told me today that the contract is still being finalized, so he can't name the artist, but that there will be a halftime show this year at the Sun Bowl.

So, don't believe the rumors, and stay tuned to see who we'll get to see jam this year. Not sure anyone can top Rihanna, from 2006.

UTEP, Culpepper make SportsCenter's Top 10 plays

Sorry to pile on, Aggie fans, but the beatdown UTEP gave you even made #3 on ESPN SportsCenter's top 10 plays. Culpepper with the flush!

Oklahoma vs. California predicted for Sun Bowl

All the experts, from CBS Sports, to both of ESPN's bowl projectors, have Oklahoma playing California in the Sun Bowl.

Sounds good to me.

Those still hoping for a USC appearance in El Paso have to hope Arizona beats them on Saturday. That would give USC four conference losses, making it a little harder for the Holiday Bowl to take them. USC is a 7-point favorite.