Caracter?

What's with the Derrick Caracter injury? One report: Tweaked a knee in practice Tuesday. Another report: Injured a quad.

The 6-foot-9, 280-pounder didn't play in UTEP's easy win over Tulane, 81-74. Tulane is a 6-12 team, and played without two of its better players, including its team-leader point guard.

You have to ask about Caracter, though, since he has a past of being in the doghouse. That's why he's here instead of at Louisville, where Coach Rick Pitino called him a thorn in his side. The rub was this talented player's ho-hum attitude about being part of a team.

And it is normal for some coaches to save a player's face by saying he's hurt a little bit when the truth is the player missed a class or something minor, and is getting a little disciplining. Not saying that's the case here, but you've gotta ask when it comes to Caracter.

Here's a case of fans hoping it is actually a minor injury, as UTEP reports, and not a mental "injury?" A tweaked knee or an injured quad. A minor injury, keeping a guy out of one easy-win game still beats trouble in the lockerroom.

Comments

[just a thought]

Yes, you do have to ask the question when Caracter sits but I consider him a success story thus far.

If you recall recent big-time transfer WR Rouse performed poorly as a student and athlete and blamed UTEP all the way. Little production plus a big time distraction was more like Pacman Jones' last year in the NFL.

Caracter plays within himself and looks to fit in without much distraction. Sort of like T.O. in Buffalo this season as he played well much of the time but did not take away from the team when he did not.

Caracter probably did tweak the knee and Barbee "rested" him like an NFL team before the playoffs.

[jay]

I was watching Character last night and he was cheering and smiling, he didn't look like he was in any trouble. My question is what's the deal with Gabe. Gabe deserves some playing time.

[utep bball fan]

Who cares? Cut the guy some slack for crying out loud. You don't know the truth so until it comes out, why don't you refrain from passing judgment. Tulane is horrible so why not keep him out if he really is injured? It was obvious they didn't need him last night. The guy came to UTEP to turn his life around. Quit bringing up the past until you know the facts!!

[Peprica]

Glad someone brought up Gabe. I miss him too and wonder why he isn't getting some playing time.

[UTEP fan in SA]

This is ridiculous to start giving Caracter a hard time. I've seen him do nothing but bust his tail since he got to UTEP. He got in shape and has been playing with 100% effort every game. If the whole team would put forth the effort he has every game we may have won some of those close games to Ole Miss, BYU and Tech. Resting one of you injured starters against one of the weaker teams in conference is a smart move for the long haul. Don't try to start rumors Joe. why don't you try to comment on the the win UTEP left with last night instead.

[Louster]

I agree with utep BB fan and UTEP fan in SA....cut him and Coach B. some slack. I too watched and Caracter was smiling and cheering the entire game. I also don't think Coach B. would have lied about it. He told us the skinny about Ruppell didn't he? Good win Miners! Glad that others are pitching in and scoring!

[DMiner1]

Why is Gabe not playing? Can he redshirt? What really happened with Ruppel? anybody know?

[jay S.A.]

Good Job Miners last night. Next game is another test for our finally bonded together Miner team. UAB has cracked the top 25 already, let's just hope we don't pay much attention to this latest ranking. UTEP still needs to keep climbing past our own. And since i'm trying to follow the Miners all the way from the Alamo City of San Antonio, what was the truth about Marcus Ruppell?

[PeroButWHY]

Good Win. Kind of let them creep back in the game instead of putting the dagger in them. D.C. was limping around the court during the pre-game shoot-a-round, so he is injured (quad is my guess) or one great actor. He was cheering everyone on and I doubt he's in the dog house. If anyone should be in the dog house it should be Moultrie. Plays like he's 5'11" instead of 6'11".

[shyminer]

Gabe, is probably going to be red shirted...

Caracter, according to Barbee has been hurt and last week on the road it got worse but he played through it. Barbee also said that Caracter was ready to play if needed, hence why he was dressed.

[stahala]

Good Ol' Joe! Refusing to have three positive posts in a row. Caracter is injured. Do I know for sure? No. But I would bet a lot of money he is. If he is really in trouble, he should be a theater major, cause that was great acting, smiling, joking, and hugging his teammates. Another point that was already brought up, Barbee didn't beat around the bush about Ruppel, he came right out and said it, he had an attitude problem. And Ruppell was not even on the bench during his suspension. His injury cited makes sense being the big frame he has to carry up and down the court. Barbee knows this Saturday may decide the regular season champion, and its a no brainer, you rest him against Tulane.
The word on the street is that Barbee is trying to get Gabe to redshirt so that he can come back for two years, instead of one. To be eligible he cant play another game this season. I think that's good, because two years from now, we will have no one back and will probably be a weak team.
@jay: Ruppell wanted immediate playing time. He whined and Barbee suspended him. He is now outta UTEP looking for a school where he can be a starter.

[CLEOFITZWITZ]

Terrible public relations by UTEP, right Joe? Why don't they make a press release on the truth about Caracter?

[Prospero]

As for Gabe McCoulley, Jon Teicher said last night after the game, that early in the season he had a minor injury and that he has recovered from it, but that Barbee is going to try to redshirt him this year, that way he can have two seasons of eligiblity after this one.

[Pick Ax]

Speculation is not good journalism...

[UTEPfan4life]

i was a little dissapointed Barbee never played Ruppell. the kid showed it all when given the chance on the court and could have greatly contributed to the team. His attitude however could have done some damage to our seemingly bonded team.