Location: El Paso, Tex. | Founded: 1914 | Enrollment: 18,542 | Colors: Dark Blue, Orange and Silver
Coach: Tony Barbee | Home Court: Don Haskins Center | Capacity: 12,500 Record:
(19-13, 8-8
Conference USA)
THE GOOD NEWS The Miners return most of their best players, including talented freshmen Julyan Stone, Randy Culpepper, Gabriel McCulley, Claude Britten and Wayne Portalatin. The best news would be the return of junior G Stefon Jackson.
THE BAD NEWS The worst news would be losing Jackson to the pros. The Miners have some promising young players but Jackson would be the bridge between the present and the future. Without him, there are no upperclassmen ready to become the Miners' go-to scorer.
KEY RETURNEES Gs Stefon Jackson, Julyan Stone and Randy Culpepper, Fs Tavaris Watts and Gabriel McCulley, and Cs Claude Britten and Wayne Portalatin.
ROSTER REPORT
--G Stefon Jackson, a 6-5 wing, led C-USA and set a conference scoring record for juniors with 23.6 points per game and broke a school record with his 41st 20-point game in the final game of the season, the loss to Utah in the first round of the CBI. Jackson would enter his senior season ranked fourth on UTEP's all-time scoring list with 1,548 points -- if he returns for his senior season.
"What I want for Stefon is what is best for him," coach Tony Barbee said. "We want to get all the information for Stefon. If the best thing for him is to test the waters and go, then that's what I'll tell him. He knows I'm going to do what is best for him and for every member of this team, not what's best for me. He had an outstanding season and he's come a long way as a player and as a person."
--Six first-year players -- Tavaris Watts and freshmen Julyan Stone, Randy Culpepper, Gabriel McCulley, Wayne Portalatin and Claude Britten -- played significant minutes in 2007-08 and finished among UTEP's top eight scorers.
"Now is the time to get better," Barbee told the El Paso Times. "We've got to get stronger. It will be a big offseason in the weight room. One of the areas that hurt us this year was toughness, and toughness begins in the weight room."
--UTEP will also add 6-11 redshirt sophomore Kareem Cooper, a transfer from Memphis, as well as two high school signees -- 6-6 Jason Jones and 6-11 Arnett Moultrie. All three will be expected to make an immediate impact next season.
"We are going to improve our team considerably," Barbee said.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
So our only hop Stephan jackson was arrested earlier on in the week for some BS reason, the allegations are pretty serious you think he will still be at UTEP next season? Also i just read today that our head coach is in the running for the coaching position that just opened up at U Mass. Any thoughts?
Since we got bounced out of the NIT, and we have no basketball to discuss I thought I would open the discussion to my second love: Food. I just wanted to throw down my favorite late night dollar menu.
Jack in the box has the goodness with the two tacos for 99 cents but it's too easy to get distracted from the 99 cent menu.
UTEPplayed arguably the best game of their season, yet no one posts, except some crybaby B****H Houston fan. Stephon was clutch, Kilgore had the half of his life, and you just saw next season in Culpepper, Stone, and McCulley, along with Britton (if he can get in shape). If Jackson sticks around the Miners have to be considered second to Memphis come next pre-season picks. Tulsa tomorrow!!!!!
...(more)
Miner fans, I am sad to report, if you did not catch the game, one heck of a second half performance, only to have the air go out of their tires in overtime. After falling behind 13 pts to start the game, Stephon Jackson rallied his troops and almost led us to a date with Memphis, hitting clutch shot after clutch shot, but not having his number called at all in overtime. Culpepper ove
why does tom penders have to suck so badly we lost to you guys again, I mean we play with no heart whatsoever, no way we should have lost, we were the last hope for c-usa getting multiple bids, now where a one bid lead, I don't get how you guys can be so happy about it, I mean you do want the c-usa to get stronger right??? Or do you only care about your team, thanks alot.
Here is hoping that the Miners take it to the Mustangs, then get a back to back W out of Houston to set up a what may be a sleeper alert against Memphis....i'd like to see UTEP in the NIT, and heaven forbid they run the tables and take a berth away from another team come dance time, I just don't think the height or depth is there so do so. Watcha think? Pick 'em!
