MinerManiac said:

I've got a different strategy. Recruit better and coach better, then bring in teams that fans want to see. In my four years at UTEP (85-89) we certainly had some cupcakes on our home schedule, but we also hosted Georgetown, Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon State, Texas, Auburn, Boston College, UAB, and Maryland. Of these, we only lost to Oregon State. Fans get much more excited watching this type of team than they do playing Northern New Mexico after having already played Sul Ross and UTPB.

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There has to be some middle ground. Also not sure why UAB is mixed in there with the others. UTEP and UAB could probably play each other here and there, but I don’t think fans will turn out for them.

NMSU will return to the non-conference schedule in 2026. That should help the schedule a little bit. The power teams aren’t coming here unless they have a special reason to.

Alabama played at North Dakota the other day because one of their players asked them to. Cases like that and relationships with other coaches are probably the only way name teams are coming here, and it won’t be often.

I would like to see UTEP schedule Pac-12, MAC, and MVC teams. Along with LaTech, UAB, Rice, UTSA, UT-Arlington, and some Big West, WAC, WCC schools going forward.

MinerManiac said:

I've got a different strategy. Recruit better and coach better, then bring in teams that fans want to see. In my four years at UTEP (85-89) we certainly had some cupcakes on our home schedule, but we also hosted Georgetown, Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon State, Texas, Auburn, Boston College, UAB, and Maryland. Of these, we only lost to Oregon State. Fans get much more excited watching this type of team than they do playing Northern New Mexico after having already played Sal Ross and UTPB.

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The 80's aren't coming back.

MinerFan79 said:

Yeah so you understand the logic in bringing in teams we can beat

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I've got a different strategy. Recruit better and coach better, then bring in teams that fans want to see. In my four years at UTEP (85-89) we certainly had some cupcakes on our home schedule, but we also hosted Georgetown, Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon State, Texas, Auburn, Boston College, UAB, and Maryland. Of these, we only lost to Oregon State. Fans get much more excited watching this type of team than they do playing Northern New Mexico after having already played Sul Ross and UTPB.

KaneFan29 said:

That doesn’t mean it’s big win or deserves a Deaver documentary on it.

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Agree. The Miners aren’t going to have any big wins until they get into conference tourney play…and even then, “big” might be debatable.

MinerFan79 said:

Why the crowds are so empty to watch our miners

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It's Christmas. People are shopping. People are traveling. Many people don't have money. Many people don't like watching sports. The Miners are an average team, etc.

MinerFan79 said:

Yeah so you understand the logic in bringing in teams we can beat

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They’ve been doing that forever. Hasn’t changed a much, except less fans at the games.

KaneFan29 said:

If UTEP wins, there will be certain fans acting like beating a 6-6 team at home is special.

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Probably going to be a game that looks better in February than it will now. They've played a tough schedule and played some good teams very well.

Of course, we would have to win first for it matter, which, based on the last couple of games, is an iffy proposition at best.

KaneFan29 said:

Who got tired of getting beat at home? The Miners have never had great home schedules.

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Yeah so you understand the logic in bringing in teams we can beat

MinerFan79 said:

That’s probably based on ticket sales

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Ya think?

MinerFan79 said:

Wins are wins. They got tired of getting beat at home. We need wins. It’s a wise strategy

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Who got tired of getting beat at home? The Miners have never had great home schedules.

KaneFan29 said:

Arrived at the Don. UTEP claimed 4900 for the game last night too. Not even half that if they’re lucky.

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That’s probably based on ticket sales

Dmanminer said:

Damn, this is like the third time this week I agree Kane, ( is hell freezing over)?
UTEP and The Sun Bowl association need to bring back quality teams to the Don.
I am not interested in going to watch these small colleges with losing records.
We have no pride? Isn’t Golding embarrassed, about the scheduling? What about you Senter?
If we ever want to get back to relevance, they all need to step up their game.

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Wins are wins. They got tired of getting beat at home. We need wins. It’s a wise strategy

MinerManiac said:

I need a little clarification on the "Just got here" statement. Did you mean you just logged on to the YouTube channel, or that you just arrived at the Don? If the latter, c'mon Kane, you have a reputation to uphold! 😉

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Arrived at the Don. UTEP claimed 4900 for the game last night too. Not even half that if they’re lucky.

KaneFan29 said:

Just got here, man is it empty

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I need a little clarification on the "Just got here" statement. Did you mean you just logged on to the YouTube channel, or that you just arrived at the Don? If the latter, c'mon Kane, you have a reputation to uphold! 😉

MineroFanatico said:

I mean…it sure beats losing to a 6-6 team.

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That doesn’t mean it’s big win or deserves a Deaver documentary on it.

KaneFan29 said:

If UTEP wins, there will be certain fans acting like beating a 6-6 team at home is special.

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I mean…it sure beats losing to a 6-6 team.

Dmanminer said:

Damn, this is like the third time this week I agree Kane, ( is hell freezing over)?
UTEP and The Sun Bowl association need to bring back quality teams to the Don.
I am not interested in going to watch these small colleges with losing records.
We have no pride? Isn’t Golding embarrassed, about the scheduling? What about you Senter?
If we ever want to get back to relevance, they all need to step up their game.

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This tournament is decent, but only if you pay attention to college basketball. Yale and Akron are two good programs at the moment. Jackson St is just having a horrible year. Most fans aren’t going to get excited about Yale or Akron, but Arizona St and Texas Tech aren’t coming here most years. It’s time for everyone to realize that the Yales and Akrons of the world are the best the SBA can get now. Expecting better, is just foolish.

The rest of the home schedule is poor as well. 3 non-D1s, Seattle, and Tarleton St. Tarleton wasn’t really UTEP’s choice either. Probably a better opponent because of BG than other possible WAC opponents, besides Grand Canyon.

Going about a decade without a formidable team plus this schedule, aren’t great for ticket sales.

Damn, this is like the third time this week I agree Kane, ( is hell freezing over)?
UTEP and The Sun Bowl association need to bring back quality teams to the Don.
I am not interested in going to watch these small colleges with losing records.
We have no pride? Isn’t Golding embarrassed, about the scheduling? What about you Senter?
If we ever want to get back to relevance, they all need to step up their game.

develman said:

Yale about to smoke us.

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If UTEP wins, there will be certain fans acting like beating a 6-6 team at home is special.

Yale about to smoke us.

MinerFan79 said:

Why the crowds are so empty to watch our miners

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Opponents aren’t good or interesting. Miners’ record is inflated with wins over trash.

We were outrebounded 40 - 33.