A day on the job

UTEP dunked a lot, because it could. It shot 3-pointers ... well, they were falling (Jeremy Williams was hot, 24 points with six 3s). So there can't be a lot of complaining about a somewhat sloppy game in a 78-64 romp over Rice. Rice now has 20 losses this season. UTEP (22-5, 13-1 in Conference USA) had subs in after pulling ahead by as many as 24 points late. The win also meant UTEP has clinched at least a tie for the regular season conference title.<p>

This breather for the Miners came at a good time. On Tuesday, they play at second-place Marhsall, which has the home-court advantage, but was taken into triple overtime before beating the University of Central Florida Saturday. Most pundits have Marshall a slight favorite in this one- and UTEP hasn't been very sharp of late, although using talent to keep winning. Coach Tony Barbee said the Miners are suffering from a lack of focus of late. And, yes, UTEP will have a long day of travel Monday - to West Virginia - but at least Marshall will be a tad tuckered, too.<p>

The Miners' grit will be tested at Marshall, and then the final regular-season game is home Saturday against UAB, the only team in Conference USA that has a higher RPI than UTEP.

Two tough games coming up. A trip to the NCAA Tournament is not in the bag yet.

Comments

[Pepto Bismol]

When a team isn’t challenged… it is difficult to pinpoint the deciding aspects for winning this game.

Basically, the Miners showed up… and the Owls laid down.

I would rather have watched #10 New Mexico beat #13 BYU in Provo 83 – 81. Congrats to the Lobos for being Back-to-Back MWC Champs. It would be nice to meet up with New Mexico in the NCAAs.

Talk about it on the newest and Pro-Free Speech UTEP board: txelpaso.proboards.com

[Toasted Whitebred]

Hassan Whiteside WILL be a first round NBA pick this year or a lottery pick next year. Think Caracter and Moultrie are good? Wait till you get a load of this freak.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwmJkidSVx0

[Chamrod04]

I'm interested to see how the game plays out on Tuesday in terms of fatigue levels. UTEP pretty much cleared the bench half way through the second half thus the Miners' starters should have good rest. On the other hand, Marshall just played a 3OT game, have only two days to prepare. Either way the Miners need to set the tone early and just get after the title over in West Virginia. Miners need to snap out of the daze of publicity and just play basketball. UTEP is better, way better than the team that won by 15 tonight. That shows just how dangerous this team can be if they play to their potential. Keep it up Miners!

[Robert J. Barraza]

First of all, good job on the win Miners. It was good practice for the tournament. We really need to work on that half court defense a little. Stay focused and things will continue to go well. You need to really stay intense and pressure Marshall, and the Conference USA title is in the bag. You handled UAB earlier in the season and they just need a reminder who really owns this conference. 2 games to go and we will prove to everyone that the Miners are a tough team to deal with. We are all behind you guys, and will see you in the Great Eight this March! GO MINERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Familyman]

Fatigue? C'mon these are 18-22 year old athletes that have been playing basketball for almot 28 years. During the off season I am sure they are playing more minutes just in pick up games. If they ARE fatigued then its on their strength and conditioning coaches. Good luck Miners on Tuesday.

[EricInNewYork]

It was what I expected. Starters not really playing, lots of substitutions that don't happen in a normal game, Rice coming out looking for gold in a dismal season (we've been there) and playing out of their mind. UTEP still won, easily.

We close the season with two tough games. In spite of what FamilyMan seems to think, fatigue could play a factor in the next game; physically and emotionally.

I can't wait for this game, it would be great if they could clinch the Conference Title.

I think UTEP is a lock at this point, a win streak like this doesn't go unnoticed and doesn't happen every day.

[Lorenzo]

Hassan Whiteside is a freakish player. He's probably the best shot-blocker in C-USA. The Miners know how to deal with shot-blockers though. Remember that dunk Julyan Stone had on Jerome Jordan? The only way to play an intimidating presence like Whiteside is to go right at him and attack, attack, attack. I think he's also only a sophomore and probably would be better served hitting up the weight-room and coming back to Marshall next year. Caracter should just over-power him on the offensive end. I think Whiteside should be more intimidated with DC.

BTW: type in Caracter at youtube and the first vid you get is an old school high school camp where DC's going at it pretty good with Greg Oden. In that vid you can see why DC was rated so high coming out of HS and you can also see that as good as he is now, he can be much better if he loses maybe a little more weight. But I'll take DC in his present form anyday too.

[Lowercase Ray]

Joe, a slight correction to your post, Marshall is in fourth place with Memphis and UAB being tied for second.

I don’t know who did the scheduling, but he should be commended!! This Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s games will be so important in the fight for CUSA's seeding. CUSA's top four teams will be facing off against each other; UTEP at Marshall, and Memphis at UAB. For UTEP a win at Marshall locks up the regular season title and would throw Marshall into a tie for fourth place with Tulsa; that is if Tulsa can beat SMU in their game. If Marshall beats UTEP, then the winner of the UAB/Memphis game keeps their chances alive for a share of the title. If UAB wins they even have a chance at the #1 seed by beating UTEP next week. The loser of the Memphis/UAB game drops to a tie with Marshall for the #4 seed. These games will set-up the all important Saturday games for seeding. I have a feeling that seeding will end up being oh so important in the end results of CUSA Tourney.

[Prospero]

Hmmm, on ESPN they said that we already clinched the # 1 seed for the conference tourney. Lets say we lose the next two, and finish with 3 loses. And then UAB wins out and finishes with 3 loses. How do they determain who gets the # 1 seed? Since we would have split with UAB.

[CLEOFITZWITZ]

Interesting Joe. I was more impressed with UTEP winning on the road against a tough Southern Miss team than I was with the double digit slop in front of a sold out Haskins Center.

I think we played at about 85 to 90 percent effort. It looked like we wanted to get it done but the fact that Rice was an 8 game winner kept creeping into the player's minds. That explains the lack of timing on passes and the defensive lapses that led to layups.

We need to play at 100% to win the last two. It's always a bad idea to turn off the intensity and then try to rev it up again. It's a little late in the season to be doing that and it could derail our momentum heading into postseason.

[rj]

DC vs Hassan Whiteside.

Ive thought about this matchup and i'm honestly not too worried about it. I hope DC takes it to this guys chin. I wouldnt even mind an early "accidental" elbow or clear out offensive foul. Jerome Jordan didnt struggle too much with this guy so I think the Miner bigs should be fine. He'll definitely get his 3-4 blocks, but the intimidation factor UTEP brings is at another level. Like ive said during this winning streak, I love this team's nastiness and swag right now.

[Lowercase Ray]

Prospero,
I posted the following on Turn Up the Orange:

"Pablo, if I follow the argument you've put forth, there might be one scenario where UTEP wouldn't win the conference if they only win one more game in the last three games. What if UAB and Marshall both win out and UTEP only wins against Rice. In this scenario, if Marshall has the next highest winning percentage in the regular season standings, then UAB would be 1-1 against Marshall and UTEP would be 0-1 against Marshall; UAB wins."

Pablo's response was:
"Lowercase Ray, you are spot on with your assessment. If UTEP wins only one game out of the next three, it has to come against Marshall or UAB if it hopes to claim the regular season title. Losses to both of those teams mean the Miners will need help to win it."

Let's just say it would be best if UTEP wins Tuesday and takes out any question come the UAB game as to who is the #1 seed.

[Ben]

Obviously the next two games are critical. Not only for winning C-USA but to solidify UTEP's chances for an at-large bid if they fall in the C-USA Tournament. Does anyone know if the game against Marshall is televised (outisde of EP)?

[stahala]

Hell Yes! UTEP #21(ESPN)/#24 AP poll!! And the best part is that UTEP is ahead of Texas in both polls! HOOOOOOO!!!! I hate Longhorn basketball with a passion, so this is truly a great day. Dont forget who represents basketball in the state of Texas. UTEP Baby!

[just a thought]

Ranked ahead of Texas is awesome!

[just a thought]

And I know we're all basketball mode but I came across an article today about the NFL combine. Since Joe told CLEO to go lift some weights the other day I thought...

Most bench-press reps at NFL Scouting Combine (since 2000):

45: Mitch Petrus, G, Arkansas (2010)
45: Mike Kudla, DE, Ohio State (2006)
45: Leif Larsen, DT, UTEP (2000)
44: Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State (2006)
43: Scott Young, G, BYU (2005)
42: Tank Tyler, DT, North Carolina State (2007)
42: Isaac Sopoaga, DT, Hawaii (2004)

Leif really was the Terminator.

[CLEOFITZWITZ]

Joe takes a lot from us bloggers but he sure didn't like the suggestion that he was NEVER an athlete! I wonder how many reps Joe could do.

[jay]

Being a huge MINER fan and living in San Antonio TX, unfortunately I have to rely on either on T.V. or via UTEP's website, tonights game i'll be watching on Marshalls website.
GO MINERS!!!!