(10-13-2019 09:55 AM)stanman505 Wrote:  Here are some quotes from Texas Tech coach Chris Beard about UTEP

"Give UTEP credit, that's some of the best defense we've seen in a while," Beard said. "They really guarded us."

"I thought the tougher team pulled away in the second half, and that was UTEP," Texas Tech coach Chris Beard said. "Last year (UTEP coach Rodney Terry) had a plan to build a team, investing scholarships on sit-out guys. This will be one of the best teams in the conference.
"Remember that I said that."

Coach Beard also said that UTEP was The basketball school in Texas when he was growing up. UTEP is a legitimate NCAA tournament team and Bryson Williams is better than advertised. This is the best team I've seen here El Paso in the past 15 years. Which also includes those really good Tony Barbee teams and includes those really poor Floyd years.

(10-13-2019 09:58 AM)Franko Wrote:  Nice way to start, even though just a charity game against a final four team from last season.
The main thing that would bother me as a UTEP fan would be playing 3 non-D1 teams plus UAPB & NC A&T, I am assuming the non-D1 games count and are not exhibitions?
There are some potential wins against some teams that have been good recently or for a long time, NMSU (why twice?), Houston, Georgia Tech and Washington.
I expect the Miners to be at or near the top of the league this season, hopefully we can get 2 teams into the NCAA tourney.

Non division 1 games do not count in NET rankings or anything other than the teams win/loss total for the season. So it won't hurt post season chances.

I was surprised by the win, I thought due to how good Texas Tech was this past season making it all the way to the national championship game we didn’t stand a chance.

UTEP just needs to improve on turnovers. Even though it was just an exhibition game it was a great victory for the city of El Paso due to it being a charity game with all proceeds going to the families of the victims of the Walmart shooting. “El Paso Strong” indeed!

If this is an indication of how good we be if it continues in the next few seasons the C-USA Basketball Tournaments could be making a return to El Paso in 2022 once the team is competitive again and the crowd attendance improves as UTEP Athletic Director Jim Senter told me himself we will be making the effort to bring them back to El Paso.

I was at the game and was impressed by our defense. Williams was the best player on the court. He was double teamed and at times triple teamed most of the game. Looks like miner ball is back, go miners!

Reminds me of the time we beat the Harlem globetrotters that year we went on to the ncaa tourney

(10-15-2019 08:04 PM)DxfanMiner Wrote:  Reminds me of the time we beat the Harlem globetrotters that year we went on to the ncaa tourney

Speaking of that game I wish someone would upload that game against the Harlem Globetrotters in its entirety on YouTube. Because it was an exhibition game I’m not sure if it was ever video recorded but it would be nice the see the complete game even with Jon Teicher doing commentary.

(10-13-2019 09:58 AM)Franko Wrote:  Nice way to start, even though just a charity game against a final four team from last season.
The main thing that would bother me as a UTEP fan would be playing 3 non-D1 teams plus UAPB & NC A&T, I am assuming the non-D1 games count and are not exhibitions?
There are some potential wins against some teams that have been good recently or for a long time, NMSU (why twice?), Houston, Georgia Tech and Washington.
I expect the Miners to be at or near the top of the league this season, hopefully we can get 2 teams into the NCAA tourney.

UTEP and New Mexico play NMSU every year in football and twice in basketball. It’s like having NMSU in a conference but without the membership. It’s the reason why UTEP and UNM don’t want NMSU in their respective conferences and the reason why NMSU in the meantime can manage independence and being stuck in the WAC.

(10-13-2019 10:30 AM)stanman505 Wrote:  

(10-13-2019 09:58 AM)Franko Wrote:  Nice way to start, even though just a charity game against a final four team from last season.
The main thing that would bother me as a UTEP fan would be playing 3 non-D1 teams plus UAPB & NC A&T, I am assuming the non-D1 games count and are not exhibitions?
There are some potential wins against some teams that have been good recently or for a long time, NMSU (why twice?), Houston, Georgia Tech and Washington.
I expect the Miners to be at or near the top of the league this season, hopefully we can get 2 teams into the NCAA tourney.

UTEP and NMSU are only 40 miles apart and have played each other twice every year that I can remember going back to the 70s.

The New Mexico Highlands (non D1) game is an exhibition game. NC A&T is part of the Sun Carnival tournament. UTEP also plays UNM at home and that should be a good game against a solid MWC program. UTEP could actually play Houston twice since they are in the Diamond Head Classic tournament also. Scheduling is difficult for UTEP since it is hard to get teams to come to El Paso and there are not many quality programs near by that UTEP doesn't already play. I would like to see UTEP play Arizona St. and Arizona on a more regular basis but those schools wont do a 1-1. UTEP also should have a game against UC-Irvine who has been a solid program the last few years.

I never understood that logic. Before the airline deregulation, it was very expensive to fly and lots of programs relied on buses and kept games mostly regional but what’s the excuse now? What’s the difference between flying to El Paso and Spokane or Boise if you’re Wichita State? Not much. UConn is going independent. They’re desperate for football games. Sentry should offer them a football series in exchange of a H&H in basketball. What about our former conference mates? Tulsa, UNLV, BYU, Boise State, SMU. Maybe do a four series with Texas Tech. I hope Sentry is more creative than Stull.

UTEP beat Grand Canyon 70-69 in a secret scrimmage from the Don.

(10-19-2019 04:22 PM)JCMiner Wrote:  UTEP beat Grand Canyon 70-69 in a secret scrimmage from the Don.

The secret always gets out from these events, doesn't it. Thanks for the info.