Just guessing now because all the details haven't come out. I'm saying Kareem Cooper left UTEP Tuesday — during the season — because he has an offer to play pro ball in some foreign country.
He didn't figure in UTEP's plans, anyway.
Basketball is played world wide and year round these days. Maybe Moldavia needs a big slow guy? Or one of the "Stans." Hey, Coop, no going to Iran, though.
Since former UTEP Coach Jason Rabedeaux reads this blog, and is coaching the Jiangsu Nanjing Dragons in China's main pro league, maybe he needs a center — although his season ends in March.
Note to Rab (I always liked Rab): No on Cooper. And don't eat too many sauteed eel eyeballs and pig snouts while you're over there.
Really no comment on Cooper, but Joe what gives with the "I always liked Rab" comment? I've followed UTEP basketball 25 years and was a part of the UTEP basketball family when I played and I can't think of a more selfish person than Rab. His lack of respect for the players and the Coach before him tarnished a once great program. Rab exemplified the "ME, ME, Me" mentality that has run rampant in today's game. China couldn't be far enough away if you ask me.
Posted by: Plato | February 17, 2009 at 02:28 PM
So are you trying to say you don't like Barbee? I've never liked you, nobody has.
Posted by: Jack | February 17, 2009 at 02:40 PM
Opinions are a dime a dozen, and mean absolutely, "squat"!
So, Cooper left! Who cares about the speculation or the reasons that he left? He's history, life moves on, forget about it!
Joe is only doing his job,....which is... dissing UTEP!
After all, that's what brings readers and generates interest in his blogs!
Hey Joe, like Rab? Why? (speculation here), was he your connection to UTEP chicks?
Just wondering.
Posted by: BOOGIEMAN | February 17, 2009 at 02:52 PM
Wait! If he got an offer during his college basketball career, then isn't that illegal?
offers only go to agents, don't they?
I can't see over-seas as a solution for his troubled career. First of all, if authorities catch this guy with marijuana or running around drunk on the streets, the laws are much different!
Second, if he wouldn't listen to coach cal and to coach barbee as a free ride student athlete, what makes people think he'll listen to coaches while he's getting a paycheck?
Third, what team in their right mind would want a center who can't even rebound against 19-20 year olds here in the good ole' United States?
Fourth, He left his first high school team, his first college team, his second college team? hola, shouldn't there be sirens blasting? Bad attitude, Bad team player
Posted by: john dooright | February 17, 2009 at 03:01 PM
P.S...To COOPER
Thanks for abandoning your teammates during this part of the season
This just goes on to say that most of us were right about you and your attitude!
Go dunk a donut!
Posted by: john dooright | February 17, 2009 at 03:04 PM
If a player doesn't want to be with the team, the sooner he's gone the better for both player and team.
Best wishes Cooper. Thanks for your efforts thus far.
Posted by: Granger | February 17, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Joe's job is making trouble. He didn't like Rab, he doesn't like anybody.
Bad timing Coop. ESPN comes to town on Saturday, and you split on Monday? Might even caught the eye of a scout. Churlish.
DJ round up the posse, let them know that winning is the rule from here on out.
If this city cannot sell out the Don on Saturday, Coach Barbee is not to blame.
Posted by: 2myeye | February 18, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Coop never quite fit in with the Miners. But he is a young man that has to make his way in life and not quite sure how to go about it yet.
I wish him the best and all the other young men that come through my Alma Mater.
Get your tickets now. Plenty of good seats left.
Posted by: Toasted Whitebred | February 18, 2009 at 01:42 PM
Again! Why wasen't the UTEP/Rice mens game on TV?
The womens game against Rice in Houston was!!!
What gives????
Posted by: sick-o-joe | February 19, 2009 at 10:54 AM
The Miners will do the unthinkable and take down Memphis Saturday.
You heard it here first.
Pick Ax
Posted by: Pick Ax | February 19, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Coop came to play at UTEP for one reason: to improve his NBA draft potential. I don't think he had any intention of returning for his senior year. Obviously with his play so far this year, he would never be drafted and would have to settle for playing over seas. So in Coop's mind, why delay the inevitable? Why not start making some money now?
It was the best decision for Coop, and from Barbee's point of view, the best decision for UTEP.
Posted by: j.g. | February 19, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Miners must get productive minutes from their big men. Jackson, Stone, Jones, and McCulley match up well with Anderson, Evans, Mack and Kemp. It's the athletic and more experienced Taggert and Dozier who we need to contain. The crowd needs to be loud and the Miners need to be in the game early to help them become so.
Posted by: CLEOFITZWITZ | February 21, 2009 at 10:52 AM
sick-o-joe,
Just to answer your question. I know that for some Miner Fans it is all about mens sport; that's fine. Then again don't just put the other Miner sports teams down because the mens team isn't on. If you dig harder I believe you will find it has more to do with TWC and CBS CSTV having a business spat. Also keep in mind that in CUSA womens BK, it is the Lady Miners who are the champs. That despite having lost so many good players to injury this year, they continue to play well enough to have made it to top again. Shouldn't a championship team get rewarded with some air time? Just saying.
Posted by: Lowercase Ray | February 22, 2009 at 12:05 PM