Inside most often beats outside, shooting that is. And UTEP did not get inside enough Saturday night and lost by 1 point, 69-68, to a two-decade-long sturdy Tulsa program in Tulsa, Okla.
This is a "UTEP" year, and the Miners are still atop the Conference USA standings, tied at 5-2 with Memphis - a loser at Marshall Saturday.
Going into this season, UTEP's soft underbelly was its body-lack of oomph inside the paint. Tulsa dominated there Saturday, and by early in the second half had UTEP in foul trouble in there.
Tulsa, always good since El Pasoan Nolan Richardson coached there in the 1980s, never pulled away. This is not Tulsa's best team (11-10 overall, 4-3 in the league). But the Hurricane did know to go inside while the Miners couldn't. Miner big guy Claude Britten is no scorer, and was in early foul trouble. Freshman John Bohannan is still ... Coach Tim Floyd obviously doesn't trust the 6-foot-11 guy with ups and down the floor.
So, in a close game, it went like this: UTEP shootists Christian Polk and Randy Culpepper each hit big-time clutch 3-pointers in the waning seconds. But Tulsa's season leading-scorer, Justin Hurtt, made the game-winner fome in closer in than "way out there."
Marshall beat Memphis. UTEP is still at league co-leader. The conference tournament is in El Paso ... UTEP didn't lose much Saturday, except a win. That might matter if the Miners don't win the C-USA Tournament at get an automatic bid to the NCAA Touranement.
This was not a loss at a so-so opponent. This, though was an opportunity lost for UTEP.
It took Tulsa shooting over 50% and UTEP hitting under 40 for them to get a one point win on their home court. The Miners were terribly off balance offensively with most shots coming from long range and little to no offensive production inside. Again, we had to rely on defense to get it done and tonight, Tulsa hit big shots. I don't see any reason to panic about this one. We do need to find shots around the basket early in the game from now on so that we don't end up having to shoot our way back into games like tonight.
Posted by: CLEOFITZWITZ | January 29, 2011 at 08:42 PM
"...It took Tulsa shooting over 50% and UTEP hitting under 40 for them to get a one point win on their home court..."
Posted by: CLEOFITZWITZ | January 29, 2011 at 08:42 PM
-------------------------------
Tulsa hitting 50% to the Miners 40% is only part of the story. Tulsa hit something like a miserable 40% of their free throws, which the Miner defense had nothing to do with, versus about 80% for the Miners. Tulsa had a 10 rebound edge, which offset somewhat their awful free throw shooting.
In the end, a loss is a loss is a loss, be it by 1 point or 10; it is the "L" that matters. If the Miners lose another game prior to the conference tournament, and do not win the conference tournament, then the they probably won't make the NCAA tourney. Seven losses in a weak league with a terrible strength of schedule is not going to get it done.
So, no, you are right, there is no reason to panic. Winning is the cure for all ills...
Posted by: bill | January 30, 2011 at 12:54 AM
Why o why can't UTEP penetrate in the paint and shoot, why doesn't Floyd see this? CBS Sports TV commentators were baffled on why UTEP didn't choose to drive inside and score and get Tulsa in foul trouble. Instead they somewhat got themselves in foul trouble with stupid fouls and relied only on long range shots. They also mentioned UTEP looked out of breath at times. I saw UTEP make no effort with the rebounds, at times Tulsa players were the only one's under the basket rebounding UTEP's missed long range shots. UTEP had better get into gear cause UCF is now looking for revenge. I love my MINERS but seeing them get outplayed by an 11-10 team, come on... GO MINERS!!
Posted by: Jay from San Antonio | January 30, 2011 at 09:11 AM
I think a key to the first game (win against Tulsa) was the fact that Tulsa ended up in serious foul trouble. The inside game isn't just for the big men - how about some more driving and slashing by the guards in order to draw more fouls?
Posted by: Canaima | January 30, 2011 at 09:54 AM
Ouch, what a heart breaker. We all agree UTEP made a huge mistake not taking it inside, especially on the last play. If you follow college basketball, then you know there were tons of upsets yesterday, even Auburn won. UTEP and Memphis simply could not escape upset Saturday. But at least were still tied for first, and with 7 teams being within a game of each other, CUSA fans are being treated to a very exciting conference race.
However, the real upsetting part is that this is not good for CUSA in the national spectrum. When one team dominates the conference, the media uses it as proof that CUSA is weak. When we all beat up on each other, it is still proof that CUSA is weak. We cant win. Nevermind that every single team was above .500 entering league play. Nevermind that CUSA boasted 2 top 25 teams this year. Nevermind nearly all CUSA teams have at least one win over BCS schools. But when the Big East beats up on each on other, top teams taking loses from their bottom teams, "Wow, look how strong the Big East is!"
Its not fair.
Posted by: Stahala | January 30, 2011 at 10:52 AM
UTEP and CUSA are the Rodney Dangerfields of college basketball.
However last week (I think it was last week) I watched the Memphis/UAB game on national tv and the announcers said that CUSA was 3rd or 4th of all conferences for having the most teams within the top 70 RPI (I think they said 6 teams). They gave the conference props for being balanced when just a few years ago it was pretty much a one team show.
Posted by: Canaima | January 30, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Stahala:
Completely agree with everything ur saying, but unfortunately this is the college hoops world we live in. I remember the old WAC would get at least 4 bids every year based on reputation alone, but no way CUSA gets that type of respect and its a shame because this is a competitive league.
But that leads me to my next point...I think parity is a bad thing for mid-majors. I'd much rather see 2-3 dominant, for sure NCAA squads than see everyone beat up on each other. Look at the hype BYU and SDSU got last week and look how those two teams alone have held up the MWCs RPI..I believe the conf is ranked 5th. CUSA has more teams in the top 100 RPI, but I guarantee you MWC gets at least 3 teams in the NCAA tourney because teams like UNLV and UNM will benefit from BYU/SDSUs success.
Now that UCF has fallen off, I was really hoping UTEP, Memphis and UAB would just take over the league...but after yesterday, that didn't happen so it leaves us with just a bunch of really good teams and that doesn't translate to more bids in the dance.
It sux, but I get the sense we literally have to win every game from here on out...I expected the loss yesterday just because TU is always trouble, but I think we cant afford anymore losses or else we will definitely need that autobid.
Posted by: rj | January 30, 2011 at 06:09 PM
The old WAC had powerhouse teams, and its reputation was deserved because the old WAC proved it on the court. CUSA, hasn't earned anything as a conference since UTEP joined. Sure, you have Memphis, but outside of Memphis, who stands out? Which team consistently makes a run into the NCAA tourney? Easy answer: NONE.
Posted by: Morgan | January 30, 2011 at 07:00 PM
I remember the WAC of the 80s and 90s with those teams like BYU, Utah, UNM, UTEP. Tough conference.
Of course those previous WAC teams are now in the Mountain West Conference, except UTEP. The Mountain West now has something like 3 teams in the top 25, two of which are in the top 10.
I can see the MWC getting three or four teams invited to the NCAA tourney, depending on if there is an upset in the MWC tournament. Now, that conference deserves multiple bids. CUSA? Not so much.
Posted by: WilliamS | January 31, 2011 at 11:29 PM
WillamS, you dont know anything about college basketball do you? "The Mountain West now has something like 3 teams in the top 25" No dude, they have 2, no one else is even getting votes, and even UTEP got a vote in the coaches poll this week(Im guessing Tulsa's coach gave it to us). Yes their top 2 teams, would kill our top 2, but our next 8, would kill their next 8. As Canaima pointed out, CUSA has 6 teams in the RPI Top 70.
WilliamS, you're just another old fogie in love with the old WAC who doesn't follow college basketball much. Haha, sounds like Joe M.
Posted by: Stahala | February 01, 2011 at 12:35 AM
Stahala, you are such a little girl.
On giving the MWC three teams in the top 25 --- I was remembering a little earlier when BYU was in the top 25 but didn't check the current rankings. Wow. Utep got a vote. Fantastic.
So you don't think too much of MWC's teams, outside of the top two, but you don't remember that BYU, not one of the top two in the MWC killed one of our top 2 ---- That was BYU giving to the Miners up the tail by 20+ points. Maybe you don't know quite as much as you think. Seems like BYU proved something on the court and not on somebody's statistical index.
If you insist on using some kind of RPI statistic to prove a point, CUSA has 5 teams in the top 70 rpi, just the same as the MWC. What you aren't saying is that CUSA has 7 teams out of the top 70 while the MWC has only 4. Seems to me that when you compare the conference top to bottom, the MWC is better. And that is not only my opinion, but others as well, as the MWC is generally ranked in the top 5 of basketball conferences while CUSA is, at best, 8th. (Take a look: http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_conf_Men.html)
So, don't get your chest all pumped out about "powerful" CUSA, and don't be so indignant about the lack of props for the conference because the conference doesn't prove itself over time. It just doesn't. Outside of Memphis who has been pretty consistent on the national scene, there are no other teams in CUSA that have done anything to warrant giving the conference more NCAA tourney consideration than it has been getting.
And when YOU learn a little more about basketball, come back and play.
Posted by: WilliamS | February 01, 2011 at 11:41 PM
One last thing. To quote you: "No dude, they have 2, no one else is even getting votes, and even UTEP got a vote in the coaches poll this week..."
Funny thing is, when I check the Coaches pole of others receiving votes for this week, I see this: North Carolina 38, West Virginia 36, Saint Mary's 33, Xavier 18, --- UNLV 13, --- Virginia Commonwealth 9, Cleveland State 9, Florida State 7, Tennessee 7, Nebraska 6, Coastal Carolina 6, Temple 4, Northern Iowa 3, Missouri State 3, Duquesne 2, Marquette 2, Valparaiso 2, Wichita State 2, UTEP 1, Baylor 1
Now, if I remember correctly, UNLV IS in CUSA. That's 13 points for UNLV and 1 for UTEP.
Glad you know sooooo much about basketball.
Posted by: WilliamS | February 01, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Correction to last post: UNLV "isn't in CUSA"
Posted by: WilliamS | February 02, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Wow William S you really like making a fool of yourself, dont you? You know you can google standings and top 25 polls right? BYU is #8 in the nation and atop the MWC standings. "Remember that BYU, not one of the top two in the MWC" Uh hello, since when is first place not being in the top two?
You know why CUSA teams dont make the tourney? ause the committee hates CUSA. Memphis and UAB shoulda made it along with Houston and UTEP. CUSA shoulda been a 4 bid conference last year.
Posted by: Stahala | February 02, 2011 at 04:47 AM
And believing the NCAA has it in for CUSA isn't making a fool of yourself? Sort of like how the refs have it in for UTEP and every UTEP loss is caused by the refs having it in for the Miners.
Give it up. CUSA is not as good as the MWC. When CUSA start playing and beating better teams, then it will get respect. Until then. CUSA stays at one, or maybe two bid conference.
Posted by: WilliamS | February 02, 2011 at 05:35 PM
Well, I may be making a fool out of myself with my opinions, but at least I know my facts. Haha, at least I didnt say BYU is not one of the top two teams in the MWC, haha, I mean anyone who watches ESPN for at least half an hour a day would know better than that. It just shows your assessment is not based on being an avid college basketball fan, but instead of your fond memories.
Posted by: Stahala | February 03, 2011 at 03:18 AM
Is it a fact that UNLV was a team getting votes in front of UTEP? If you are such a sage, how come you missed that?
Is it a fact that CUSA is way lower on conference RPI than the MWC?
Is it a fact that, top to bottom, the MWC is has a much higher RPI than the CUSA?
You pick and choose your facts. The fact is, you don't have a clue about college basketball. All you can do is blindly spout how good CUSA is without really knowing.
The NCAA tourney will tell. When CUSA is out looking in and the MWC is playing on, that fact will tell all.
Posted by: WilliamS | February 03, 2011 at 05:29 PM
Stahala/William S
Both have your points that make sense.
One thing that isn't brought up is the MWC is changing after this year. With BYU and Utah moving on, I think that weakens the MWC. CUSA doesn't have any teams leaving. The comparison between CUSA and the MWC next year is the one that will be interesting, especially if a team like UTEP or Houston or Tulsa picks up the slack in conference.
The question I have is does the addition of Fresno and Hawaii and after next year Nevada and Fresno make up for losing BYU and Utah?
How about that for discussion, without the name calling?
Posted by: basketball fan | February 04, 2011 at 01:35 AM
bfan: I think the loss of Utah and BYU hurts the MWC in all sports, even though the conference is bringing in Boise, Fresno, Hawaii and Nevada as an offset. I also think that after the two Utah teams leave and the four new teams come in, I would not be at all surprised if the MWC and CUSA are ranked side-by-side in conference rankings, and Stahala would be correct about CUSA having the edge from 3rd teams spot on down. Right now, the MWC has fewer teams and fewer bad teams than CUSA. Adding lesser teams like Fresno and Hawaii in basketball does nothing for the conference’s RPI but dilutes it.
I’d say reassess next season when the shuffling happens. I believe the MWC’s RPI will definitely fall unless another team, UNM maybe?, can get its act together. Sure doesn’t seem so at this juncture.
Posted by: WilliamS | February 04, 2011 at 10:16 AM