Miner Rush

Miners Suffer Gutwrenching Loss...Again (Quick Blog/Vent)

2012-02-05T04:43:52Z

As everyone already knows, the Miner men dropped another tough decision 61-60 tonight, this time at home against the UAB Blazers. The loss puts UTEP at 10-13 overall, and 3-6 in Conference USA.

Its times like these when its easy to get discouraged about the way things are going for our Miners. But, its also times like these when we should take a step back and realize exactly what it is that we have, and forget about what we want, think, and feel.

Its time to realize that this UTEP team just isn't as good as we expect them to be. That's not to say they aren't good, because there is no denying their talent. John Bohannon, while still having plenty to improve on, is having a monster year, and will be around for 2 more years. Julian Washburn is only a freshman, but is a phenomenal athlete, and will mature into one of the best players UTEP has seen in a while. And guys like Perez, Lang, and others also have extremely bright futures.

But, as a whole, they just don't have it...yet. It's no longer a matter of youth. Its more a matter of experience. Its a matter of having the time to play with a group of guys, and establish relationships on and off the court that translate into the makings of a great basketball TEAM.

Its a matter of gaining confidence in their abilities, while still realizing and accepting their limitations. Its a matter of relying on each other, instead of on ones self, and its a matter of being mature enough to be able figure out how to win games that you "should win".

The feeling we have tonight isn't a good one. But let's be honest, its probably not the last time we'll feel it this season. As a program we've been here before, and each time we've risen to great accomplishments. Things are no different for this team. Just be patient, keep believing, keep supporting, and in time we will be the witnesses to some of the greatest teams the University of Texas at El Paso has ever produced. Go Miners!

UAB @ UTEP Open Gamethread

2012-02-04T20:39:52Z

Los Mineros de UTEP (10-12, 3-5) square off against the UAB Blazers (8-13, 3-5) in a Conference USA matchup tonight at the Don. Tipoff is slated for 7:05 p.m. MT, and it will be "Noche Latina". Festivities at the Don include live mariachi music, Mexican food specials, as well as some good halftime entertainment. Also, the Miners will be sporting white jerseys that read "Mineros", and the first 3,500 fans will receive "replica jersey koozies" with Mineros printed on it. So, come out and enjoy the fun.

The two teams have faced each other 12 times previously, with each school taking 6 wins. The last time they met was January 8th, 2011, and it was a game for the ages. Randy Culpepper lit up the UAB scoreboards with a 34 point effort, but the Blazers escaped with a 100-97 victory in triple overtime.

And for anyone who needs some motivation for tonight's game, just take a look at this:

That there is the most exciting part of last year's game, but it doesn't include the end. For those that care to check out the end of the game, here are some links:

End of 2nd Overtime

End of 3rd Overtime

The Blazers come into the contest at 8-13 overall, and 3-5 in Conference USA action. They are fresh off an 80-69 home win over Houston, but as their record indicates, it's been tough going this season. The Blazers started the season at 1-6, and other than a 3 game win streak in late December, they really haven't been able to get things going.

Still though, this team is tough, and this game will be far from easy. The Blazers may have a pretty terrible record, but they've played competitive against a lot of teams. They lost by only 7 to #9 Murray St. early in the season, by 3 to Memphis, by 2 to Marshall, and by 4 at Southern Miss. These guys are extremely capable.

The Blazers are led by senior F Cameron Moore who averages 16.1 points, and 10.7 rebounds a contest. Moore was the one who put the dagger in the Miners' heart last year, knocking down the game winning three in the 3rd OT, and finishing with 29 points. Sophomore G/F Jordan Swing is the only other Blazer averaging in double figure scoring, going for 11.1 points and 3.6 rebounds a game.

The Miners enter the contest at 10-12 overall, and 3-5 in conference play. They have lost 3 games in a row, all on the road, since getting above .500 for the only time this season. The game marks the beginning of a 3 game home stand for the Miners. Hopefully they can use this swing to get this season back on track.

Senior F Gabriel McCulley leads the way for UTEP, averaging 12.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Sophomore G Michael Perez follows McCulley in scoring, going for 12.2. points a game, while also dishing out a couple of assists.

Freshman G/F Julian Washburn has been pretty consistent all year long, and is currently averaging 11 points and 3.1 rebounds. And, it is sophomore C John Bohannon who been the star as of late, averaging 10.8 points and 7.8 rebounds on the season, and 14.5 points and 9.8 rebounds in Conference USA action.

The Miners are in for a tough one tonight, but again one that they can win. Its probably not the matchup we wanted to see coming off a three game losing streak, but its an opportunity to get back a little momentum heading into the finals week of the season, and into the Conference USA tournament. It should be close, but we should get it done. Can't wait for the tip, Go Miners!!

UTEP Receiver Suspended

2012-02-04T19:46:54Z

UTEP Receiver Suspended

UTEP sophomore WR Lavorick Williams has been suspended indefinitely from the university. Details are still emerging, but Williams was arrested on assault charges on January 27th by campus police after an altercation with a 19 year old female. The receiver made 8 grabs for 62 yards for the Miners this past season. More information on this as it becomes available.

Tony Barbee Appears To Hold Grudge Against Arnette Moultrie

2012-02-04T18:06:17Z

Tony Barbee Appears To Hold Grudge Against Arnette Moultrie

"In an interview with a small group of reporters, Barbee declined to utter more than a few words when asked about Moultrie or his background, nor did he even use Moultrie's name."

Miner Memories: "Good Defense and Good Rebounding Will Overcome Fate". Featuring The Bear, and...

2012-02-03T19:31:35Z

Miner Memories: "Good Defense and Good Rebounding Will Overcome Fate". Featuring The Bear, and Miner greats like Marlon Maxey, David Van Dyke, Prince Stewart, and Eddie Rivera. The Miners finished 27-7 in the 1991-1992 season, earning a 9 seed in the NCAA tournament. After dropping the 8 seed Evansville, the Miners moved on to take out top seeded Kansas to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since winning it all in 1966. Unfortunately, the Miners fell in the Sweet 16 to eventual Final Four participant Cincinnati 69-67. But, that team will go down in UTEP history as one of the best to ever don the Orange and Blue.

Lady Miners' C-USA Lead Extends to Two Games

2012-02-03T19:04:54Z

Lady Miners' C-USA Lead Extends to Two Games

I'm sure the Lady Miners were enjoying their Thursday night off last night, but after watching Memphis lose they could enjoy it a little more. The Tigers fell to Southern Miss on Thursday allowing the Miners to gain some extra cushion in the conference chase. UTEP sits at 8-0 in conference, while Memphis and UAB are two back at 6-2 in C-USA action. The Lady Miners will be back in action on Sunday, trying to do what the Miners men couldn't only two nights ago. That is, win in Houston.

Video of the UTEP Miners 2012 Football Signing Class

2012-02-03T19:02:34Z

Video of the UTEP Miners 2012 Football Signing Class

Mekale McKay Recruiting Update

2012-02-03T04:27:44Z

Mekale McKay Recruiting Update

Mekale McKay, the 8th best football prospect in the state of Kentucky, didn't sign with the Miners on Wednesday, as most had expected. Here is a piece by the Louisville Courier-Journal on the latest news in McKay's recruiting process. Apparently, the star WR is gaining more interest as a basketball prospect, and may be turn out to be a basketball first athlete. The Miners aren't completely out of it, as McKay initially intended to be a two sport athlete for UTEP, but the light is getting dimmer by the day.