Some thoughts, while still contending a UTEP team does not lose at home to a UT-San Antonio, and should not have struggled to beat somebody like UC Riverside:
But I'm glad UTEP Basketball Coach Tim Floyd is building from the ground up instead of trying to have a decent season with a lot of transfer retreads. Recall that Football Coach Mike Price got set back early in his eight-year career here when he brought in some "used stars" who turned out to be bad fits.
It was a good move for Floyd to bring in a transfer (from Fullerton) point guard. Gotta have some ball leadership on the court. And when Gabe McCulley, the lone senior returning from last year comes back from an injury, he'll give some stability. But don't count on McCulley being a star. He's more so a steady role player.
Now here's what's really going on:
The players being announced as signees this week are Floyd's intended TEAM. This year's roster is made up of guys trying to stay on the real TEAM next year. As has been Floyd's modus operandi, some of these guys have to be gone to satisfy the scholarship limit for next season's roster.
There are ways to get rid of guys. Already, freshman Darius Nelson has quit - after just one game. I find it hard to believe he quit because he didn't play in that first game. Life might not have been so good for Nelson on Floyd's practice court? He went from BMOC at his high school to having to play hard in practice. Only guessing.
Remember, too, Mitch Marcus, a JC guard, left school earlier. What was up with Dazmond Starke, a forward from a JC said by some to have been released? There are no details.
There are always guys who flunk out, hate it here - or can't get along with the coach or his style of coaching.
So far there have been hints as to who's high on Floyd's list. Julian Washburn got raves for holding Cal Riverside's big gun to only a few points in Sunday's win. Washburn is a freshman, albeit an old freshman who has sat out a year or two. Washburn's dossier says he's a four-star super athlete. But usually coaches don't praise new freshmen. If Washburn can play defense, he's definitely a keeper - and he does have the best credentials, a la the "experts," of anyone on this year's roster.
Maybe freshman Hooper Vint, 6-foot-11, is going to start getting more time. He seems to be around the ball the times he gets to play.
Let's call this the season some basketball players audition for next year's TEAM.
Where's the banner for our 2011 NIT postseason appearance? I hope Floyd decided not to hang one simply because the team didn't live up to its potential against UNM. The team earned it, and it should be on display at The Don.
Posted by: Miner Maniac | November 15, 2011 at 04:31 PM
I thought it was Mitch Marquis not Mitch Marcus that we had recruited Joe?
Posted by: UTEP fan in SA | November 16, 2011 at 07:59 AM
I am not high on coach Floyd. How many players have we lost last year as well as the two you mentioned this year so far. Choosing not to start his two sophmore's last game appear to be playing mind games with these young men. Remember Streeter didnt start as well. The inside guys didnt score much other than Vint's 3 pointers. We will see if this small line will be able to contend with NMSU this weekend.
Posted by: Henry | November 16, 2011 at 09:04 AM
Henry, like some fans you are not looking at the big picture and you obviously have not been listening to coach Floyd and Johnson. They have repeatedly stated that they are not concerned about the started line up right now. The point is to find the right players for the future, not play favorites or just older guys. He has also said that they really have put in any set offense as of yet either.
Posted by: David | November 16, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Where's the banner for our 2011 NIT postseason appearance? I hope Floyd decided not to hang one simply because the team didn't live up to its potential against UNM. The team earned it, and it should be on display at The Don.
Posted by: Miner Maniac | November 15, 2011 at 04:31 PM
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While we are on the subject of banners, where are all those coveted CBI banners?
Posted by: Bill | November 16, 2011 at 11:37 AM
For those of you criticizing coach Floyd and the Miners for their loss earlier this season, UTSA is on the verge of pulling an upset of Oklahoma State.
Posted by: Brad | November 16, 2011 at 07:49 PM
We need to be patient with Coach Floyd......I'm confident that he will have a winning team by next year. Go Miners!
Posted by: GAJ | November 19, 2011 at 07:47 AM