Perhaps this is typical of really young teams. But UTEP hasn't had the "go-get-em" in the late minutes of its last three games: at Oregon, New Mexico State and at UNLV.
Yes, UTEP beat New Mexico State. But the Aggies blew that game more than UTEP won it Sunday afternoon. Especially standing out badly was undisciplined Aggie guard ChristianTobango. Recall he took that off-balance 3-point attempt in the clutch. (Note: According to one report Tobango later flipped off the UTEP crowd, and that's why he was suspended from the team).
But there's a ray - actually several rays - of brightness in this UTEP team. Recall that when Tony Barbee was coaching, the Miners lost close games with stupid play. This team is mostly missing clutch free throws. It's not playing wildly.
Oregon and UNLV are good, veteran teams. NMSU could be good if it played more disciplined. UTEP will meet a few more good teams like the above in Conference USA.
Bottom line: The Miners' problem is young guy going against experience.That won't last forever. And by staying close to highly favored opponents this early in the season, the Miners are showing this won't be such a bad freshman/soph/JC season after all.
(Note: I'll be away from this blog for a few days. Carry on)
His name is KABONGO. He didn't "flip off" the crowd but grabbed his crouch after making 3 pointers.
Also, I would say that UTEP won the game as opposed to NMSU losing the game which would be a fair assessment ( unless you are an Aggie fan of course).
I do agree shooting needs to improve from outside and at the free-throw lane but the biggest and most obvious change about the miners has been the return of McCulley and the seemingly corresponding confidence in Mike Perez.
Posted by: David | December 15, 2011 at 05:52 PM
The Miners aren't very good right now. Maybe some of that has to do with fatigue at the end of games. More, I think, is a lack of talent.
At least CUSA isn't as strong this year as it has been in the past. That bodes well for the Miners in their chase for a conference title.
Posted by: a fan | December 15, 2011 at 06:35 PM
I excelled as an athlete and thought I finally arrived and conquered my demons. Because the ultimate goal for me, and I think the ultimate goal for any athlete.
Posted by: wireless router reviews | December 18, 2011 at 09:05 PM
..."Because the ultimate goal for me, and I think the ultimate goal for any athlete."
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Huh? Did the demons eat your goal?
Posted by: a fan | December 19, 2011 at 12:16 AM
Look for Miner Football to add an ex-UTEP great. Big news...
Posted by: JAT | December 19, 2011 at 01:17 PM
UTEP wins the second game in a row and what do we hear from Aggie Joe.....stone dead silence. Now that things appear to be clicking he is quite unhappy because he only enjoys commenting when things go wrong. Don't the Miners deserve a little love? How about a backhanded compliment at least. You are used to giving those aren't you?
Posted by: Jem | December 20, 2011 at 09:32 AM
Oh, before you waste anyone's time with an absurd excuse, a "few days" translates to three days, so by that count you are two days overdue already.
Posted by: Jem | December 20, 2011 at 09:34 AM
UTEP wins the second game in a row and what do we hear from Aggie Joe.....stone dead silence. Now that things appear to be clicking he is quite unhappy because he only enjoys commenting when things go wrong. Don't the Miners deserve a little love? How about a backhanded compliment at least. You are used to giving those aren't you?
Posted by: Jem | December 20, 2011 at 09:32 AM
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I guess talking smack about Joe is more important than congratulating the Miners for their second win in a row. Fess up, Joe got to you, making you his boy.
Go Miners!
Posted by: Dongle | December 20, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Naw Dingle,
Its just fun to call out Joe on his hypocrisy as a so called journalist. No one who actually supports the Miners would actually defend butt Muench, so by deduction that likely means wee little dingle dongle and Aggie Joe are one in the same.:)
Posted by: Jem | December 20, 2011 at 07:08 PM
Dude,
You respond to Joe and you play is game. He is paid to get people to read his nonsense and to get riled up. People reading his blog is what the paper wants.
Posted by: a fan | December 20, 2011 at 08:16 PM
JAT, you weren't kidding! Brian Natkin! I didn't know about the hire. I need to fire my UTEP football insider.
Posted by: CLEOFITZWITZ | December 20, 2011 at 11:55 PM
CLEO, I'm usually the UTEP Football insider around here! Brian and I played together and he's a great guy to have around UTEP football.
He played at UTEP when we were a 2-3 win program but was also instrumental that 2000 co-champion bowl season. He has NFL experience but is still down to earth and as classy as they come. Good move Stull/Price.
Posted by: JAT | December 21, 2011 at 09:44 AM
JAT, you get 1st hand information and I get 2nd hand information so I defer to you on this. I did manage to find out before any media outlets made the announcement. I agree that it is an excellent hire. I wish more former Miners would come back because they know what it is like to coach and recruit to UTEP.
Posted by: CLEOFITZWITZ | December 21, 2011 at 01:11 PM