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.

Comments

[Viktims]

The Miners had way more talent on the court. But the Aggies had way more heart.

Utep will get it together.