I have a theory. But don't let that stop you posters (Cleo, RJ, JAT, James and other who are always on the ball) from commenting on what UTEP's 83-76 loss at East Carolina Wednesday means, or about the officiaiating that saw East Carolina wind up making 35 free throws.
Theory:
1. UTEP's coaching staff, after the home loss to Central Florida Monday, saw that the Conference USA sun was setting faster than they planned. They could coach, but so could other coaches, who had the dibs on overall C-USA talent. So ...
2. They had their leader, point guard Julyan Stone, call the players to arms by calling himself, and everybody else, "soft." That got good ink in the press, and it probably got some attention in the lockerroom. It's the age-old strategy of "firing 'em up," if there's fire in those coals.
3. Uh-oh. It was looking perilous against ECU early in the second half. Those lower-lifes of the C-USA caste system had achieved an early second-half lead of 8 points. They were at home, UTEP was on the road.
4. Time for super strategy. Not only does Head Coach Tim Floyd get himself kicked out of the game, to spur on the guys (age-old tactics), BUT a minute or so later top-assistant Phil Johnson gets ejected, TOO. When has THIS ever happened? And if this was Hollywood, the Miners would put on Rambo faces and it would go down as a historical win for the good of all Utepia-kind. Plus, the strategy was that assistant coach Greg Foster - Mr. NBA Foster - could coach this team.
5. Looking good: A 12-point Miner deficit during the ho-hah was cut to a 4-point deficit. But that was the end of any "Win one for the Coach." ECU would not buckle.
That's what I think happened, and I think UTEP, 20-9, and now halfway down the fireman's pole in the C-USA standings, didn't have enough to overcome what could have been legendary strategy.
The coaches and the players, along with some of the more astute bloggers here, knew that the Miners' chances of an NCAA atlarge bid was gone with its loss on Monday. (There are some clueless bloggers that think the sun rises and sets on the Miners and that 7 losses would still get them an at-large bid, AND that CUSA was somehow a conference that is really better than it is. It isn't.)
I have believed that the only chance for the Miners to get an NCAA bid, since even before the Monday loss, was to win the conference tourney. Because the Miners also realize this, they have let up a bit.
I also believe the Miners will respond to the home crowd during the CUSA tourney. That home court advantage will prove most important in the tourney championship game, where I expect the Miners to find themselves.
Posted by: Morgan | February 23, 2011 at 07:47 PM
Again, bored with your mindless, predictable and unoriginal dribble. This is just stupid.
Posted by: Miner Mike | February 23, 2011 at 08:35 PM
Team lacks discipline and the coaches blew it. You cannot allow your assistant coach to get tossed after the head coach got ejected. 15 Minutes left in the 2nd half and your opponent is in the bonus. The coaching staff set the team up for failure on this one.
Players seem to have forgotten about passing the ball. The last few games it seems all they want to do is shoot the 3 ball.
UTEP season was quite predictable before the season started, No inside threat = no rebounds. Other than Randy, there is no consistent scoring.
Posted by: Jim Smith | February 23, 2011 at 09:39 PM
I still ascribe to the original theory that this team is simply running on fumes. You're running a system that requires you to play precise defense, precise offense ALL without a quality big man. It takes a toll on you AND the MIners simply have hit the wall Wouldn't be surprised if they made a run at it in the conference tournament, BUT hey mission accomplished, the Miners have reached a 20 win season
Posted by: JZ | February 23, 2011 at 09:52 PM
its now extremely important to get that first round bye in the conference tourney.
* winning 4 straight games in four nights, even at home would be very difficult. considering how competitive every C-USA team is.
* these remaining games are still very important.
Posted by: Prospero | February 23, 2011 at 10:20 PM
According to Bill Knight, EPT did not even attend this game. SO, Joe, how are you comning up with this "theory"? Pulling it out of your aspirin bottle? Or are you now sharing harder stuff with Edgeren and your hero Limbaugh? I am as curious as anyone about what happened at that game that warranted ejections of two coaches. That is odd and severe in a game at any level. But for you to "suppose" that it was intentional? At least look at the video online. It looks like there are refs who are in over their heads and cannot manage the game. But I wasn't there either, so I cannot speculate. Maybe if someone did his job (officiating, reporting, etc.) we could get some real information about this fiasco.
Posted by: fan | February 24, 2011 at 07:42 AM
Pure drivel, Miner Mike.
Posted by: Harold Reynolds | February 24, 2011 at 07:52 AM
Joe, let me enlighten you about UTEP's loss at EC last night.
In three words, "UTEP GOT ROOKED!!!
Stop the denial that C-USA and it's biased officials have it in for UTEP!
It's quite ovbious that they do!
UTEp is not very good playing against an opponent whent ehy bring their own refs! It's a mis-match five against eight and three of them have the whistles!
We've forgotten that UTEP plays at southern schools, confederates, if you will, which still hold a grudge!
So no matter how you try to blame the UTEP players, it's out of their control to try and win at these stinking BUSH LEAGUE schools!
Posted by: MONCHIS | February 24, 2011 at 08:03 AM
Three things - the Haskin's tatic "win one for the coach" didn't work (All due respects, Floyd ain't Haskins). The team may well be "soft." What can you say about C-USA officials that hasn't been said already. Having said all that, the only way this team is going to the dance is to win the conference tournament. Playing at home they have a chance, but unless the beat Memphis on Saturday they is no way they are going to get a first round bye. Too Bad. Better luck next year.
Posted by: George in H Town | February 24, 2011 at 08:32 AM
Essentially, Coach Floyd just goofed. He was very much active outside the box Saturday and on Monday against UCF (I know because I sat directly opposite him on the floor that game). He simply carried this move into hostile territory and got called on it. Being a Veteran coach he should have stopped his antics right then. You get thrown out of the game arguing when the ref chokes a dirty foul call injuring Stone/Culpepper -- not for keeping your feet within the coaching box.
This team is a shell of last year with no Caracter or Moultrie (don't be bitter). Heck, we'd have four losses right now with either of them on the team. UTEP scores in transition and takes errant 3s because they have to. The true identity of this team has been exposed. Team confidence is lacking.
Morgan, I think you are referring to James and Stahala when you say 'clueless bloggers' but they are simply overzealous optimists. The treatment of Coach Floyd by ECU and their law enforcement should light a fuse and pack the Don with other angry optimists.
Joe, I'm not so sure Coach Floyd and Co. planned to be out of the game. Floyd seems to be a "control" kind of guy and it's hard to do that from the bus.
Posted by: JAT | February 24, 2011 at 08:32 AM
Joe,
I'm not making excuses for the Miners, but you are a horrible blogger! We're you eating dinner last night and decide. "You know what I am going to blog about the first piece of crap idea that comes into my mind." Seriously, I heard you used to be respected journalist back in the herald days, but this non-sense dribble. I'm already used to it, but still ceases to amaze me how horrible your blog is. I get it...You LOVE to play devils advocate! WOW! An Aggie doesn't like the Miners...surprise surprise! I guess the days of you being a serious journalist are long gone...It's a shame.
Posted by: EPMiner | February 24, 2011 at 08:57 AM
Hell yeah Im overly optimistic. Im a UTEP Miner fan, not a sports analyst. Ive never said an at large bid is in the Miners future. Ive always said that UTEP is going dancing because we have the Tourney here. Is that really overly optimistic, or reasonably possible? (Ok now after this ECU and UCF losses it seems less possible, but before, was this really a clueless statement?)
And another thing, CUSA is way stronger than most give it credit for. Our top teams have 4 losses not because this conference is weak, but because of its strength. There are simply no easy games in CUSA. And just because I have always preached this, does not mean I have said CUSA is a multibid league. I have said they SHOULD be. But I have made clear that the committee will rob CUSA of at large bids. So Im curious, which poster still thinks UTEP is getting at large bid? Looks like Morgan is making people up.
Posted by: Stahala | February 24, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Floyd to Johnson: "Hey let's get T'd up and tossed. We can give up a bunch of free throws and the ball, but be have a senior group that will get fired up and pull this out."
Ok Joe...
The season is not lost but it's slipping away. There is still opportunity to get back on track and make a run in the CUSA tournament. The Miners should still be favored to win this thing at home. There is no other CUSA team that has set itself apart to the point that it should be favored to win in El Paso.
The adjustments that need to be made are within reason. Defense is what has got us 20 wins but the offense needs to start rolling. We've seen what Polk can do when he gets hot and Williams is very good when he's aggressive. If those things don't happen, there will be a lot of crying and gnashing of teeth in El Paso.
Posted by: CLEOFITZWITZ | February 24, 2011 at 11:18 AM
JAT,
Am not one to subscribe to blaming refs. However, I have never heard of a head coach and an assistant coach get T'd out of a game. Wish I could have seen the game at court side. Definitely hard to believe that both coaches would do enough to warrant getting tossed.
Posted by: Morgan | February 24, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Morgan,
I watched the UCF game courtside not ECU.
But to add insult to insult I do have two good buddies that are ECU alumni and they did not hesitate to forward me the "UTEP Coach ejection" on Youtube this morning. They said they especially loved the "walk that plank" chant.
I wish the ejection occurred against UCF as I no ties I can think of there...
Posted by: JAT | February 24, 2011 at 12:59 PM
* Also, at least we are overachieving haha! considering we were predicted to finish 6th.
We're tied for 2nd right now!
*on another note. did you guys see that we will be playing in a christmas tournament in Hawaii in December that will also include Auburn? So theres a chance we could match up against Tony Barbee!
Posted by: Prospero | February 24, 2011 at 04:29 PM
Many people are praising Coach Floyd's behavior against ECU and believe he did nothing wrong. Bill Knight practically said he'd do Floyd's time if need be.
When Floyd was hired all we heard was 'disciplined, well-versed, savvy, seasoned, and he'll get rid of all this shucking and jiving Barbee streetball, blah, blah, blah.' Go to any open gym and some guy is stopping play with tantrums over foul calls no different than Floyd. Heck, I've played pickup games when a gun was drawn like in the movie "White Men Can't Jump." What kind of example is Floyd setting for his players?
When McCulley received a tech earlier this week for getting overly demonstrative on the UCF sideline he just about got it from everyone because it was 'childish and impulsive buffoonery' that stymied our comeback.
If Culpepper or Stone had swung their warm-up jacket Wednesday and were tossed by police officers they'd be called ghetto, barbaric, and probably much worse. These 21 year-olds are supposed to be much wiser than that. Oh, but Floyd is just passionate because that's just what coaches do. Oh, I get it.
Posted by: JAT | February 25, 2011 at 08:37 AM