ADVERTISEMENT

Biggest surprise---men's hoops

topminer

All Star
Sep 5, 2003
827
346
63
So far I think Keith Frazier has played beyond expectations. I get the feeling he will hang with bonafide competition as he did when he was a healthy SMU player. My take, thus far, is that he wants to prove himself this year, to the point of overplaying at times (i.e., turnovers), but he has the potential to be a game changer and season changer.

I'm also pleased with the way Gilyard and Magee are coming along.
 
I would pick Frazier as the "biggest surprise" over Wade, simply because people have been speculating on Wade's potential since last year. Wade is doing an outstanding job thus far, and I feel he is as advertised, if not better.

On the other hand, people were questioning whether or not Frazier's injuries would keep him from performing. At this point, I am very relieved and "pleased as punch" with his output. I believe he has matured immensely since his SMU days. He had 9 rebounds last night...
 
I have to admit that Frazier has suprised me so far. He's been deadly from the 3 point line on the wing. All of his shots are either in, or in and out so far. He has a high and quick release on his shot. He rebounds well and is very athletic. He finishes well. He his quick on defense. He needs to protect the ball better but he is easily a starter and difference maker on this team.

Osbourne and Wade will give us scoring power and depth off the bench. I'd like to see them both finish a little better/stronger at the rim, but they both play well. Wade is playing a lot on ability right now IMO. Once he learns Floyds game he will be more dominant on both ends of the floor.

Smith played strong against a smaller team. I watched him closely. He needs to block out better and get quicker lift under the basket. That should improve quickly. Right now he uses his body well to make space and shoots free throws well too. Of course he has to minimize his fouls. I don't think we will see him much at the 3 point line this year now that he is the backup center.

Gilyard has done well handling the ball and finishing at the rim. He is pesky on defense. He is too small to be a shut down defender but good enough to run this team.

If PT, Omega and Willms keep playing well then this team should be strong when the defense gets rolling. Flaggert and Touchet as a 9th/10th man provides great depth.
 
I have to admit that Frazier has suprised me so far. He's been deadly from the 3 point line on the wing. All of his shots are either in, or in and out so far. He has a high and quick release on his shot. He rebounds well and is very athletic. He finishes well. He his quick on defense. He needs to protect the ball better but he is easily a starter and difference maker on this team.

Osbourne and Wade will give us scoring power and depth off the bench. I'd like to see them both finish a little better/stronger at the rim, but they both play well. Wade is playing a lot on ability right now IMO. Once he learns Floyds game he will be more dominant on both ends of the floor.

Smith played strong against a smaller team. I watched him closely. He needs to block out better and get quicker lift under the basket. That should improve quickly. Right now he uses his body well to make space and shoots free throws well too. Of course he has to minimize his fouls. I don't think we will see him much at the 3 point line this year now that he is the backup center.

Gilyard has done well handling the ball and finishing at the rim. He is pesky on defense. He is too small to be a shut down defender but good enough to run this team.

If PT, Omega and Willms keep playing well then this team should be strong when the defense gets rolling. Flaggert and Touchet as a 9th/10th man provides great depth.

Conference champs?
 
Before my stream cut out, i did see frazier hit some really nice shots. He shows a kind of confidence in the way he plays. I'm sure he realizes that he can really shine on this team and be the kind of player people always expected him to be.

I'm just a little hesitant on putting any faith behind the guy. He's had some issues in the past, and kids don't always wise up before it's too late.

Wade seems like he's got a good head on his shoulders, though. Like i said before, i hope he's part of the few players we've had lately that actually stick around...
 
  • Like
Reactions: unihorn
Thanks for info. Couldn't make the game or hear online.

I'm actually now optimistic based on what I read. Good to hear about Frazier. You really never know what you'll get with a transfer like him. I expect alot from Smith. Jones is gone. Just need to forget it on move on and Smith needs to grab the opportunity.
 
Frazier has surprised me in how soon he has been able to come in and contribute after not playing competitively for so long. For him, it has not been an issue of talent, but more how he responds to adversity and injuries. Floyd mentioned this as well on his show. The next few weeks should tell us a lot about this team. I actually like Osborne a lot as well; he doesn't force things, and takes care of the ball (at least up to now). Knock on wood, but with four experienced and talented upper classmen, who all have legitimate all conference potential; maybe it is our opportunity to challenge this year. It is hard to get too excited after what amounts to three exhibition games, but they they look far ahead of where they have been in the past this early.
 
Our level of performance against Boise State will tell us a lot. I expect it to be an even match up, although I anticipate that Boise will be a heavy favorite...by 8-10 points. If we play them close, we should be pleased. If we win the game; I think we will all be elated. This is a quality opponent.
Go Miners
 
Our level of performance against Boise State will tell us a lot. I expect it to be an even match up, although I anticipate that Boise will be a heavy favorite...by 8-10 points. If we play them close, we should be pleased. If we win the game; I think we will all be elated. This is a quality opponent.
Go Miners
Johnson said they have a 6'7" forward thats an NBA prospect (Hutchinson I think) and also a transfer center that stretches the floor and shoots a lot of 3s. They are concerned about our bigs defending the perimeter. BSU did have an excellent PG last year too but he transferred out to the PAC 12.
 
Conference champs?
We play La Tech, UAB, MTSU and Old Dominion on the road. We get La Tech, Marshall and WKU at home. I'm gonna say we finish 2nd behind UAB and reach the championship of the CUSA tournament after beating La Tech in the semi-final.
 
Wade, Frazier, Osbourne, Gilyard, Magee. Take your pick. It's been a while since a Miner recruit has surprised us in a positive way.
 
Biggest surprise would be making it through the remainder of this season without losing at least one more player.

I can think of 5 players(Adrian Moore, Terry Winn, McKenzie Moore, Justin Crosgile, Jalen Ragland) who we recently lost both during the season and after November 13(today's date).
 
Frazier might be what we needed to take the next step, but too early to know for sure or if he can make it through a full season.
 
I swear to God almighty some of you are worse than my wife!! You just HAVE to find something to complain about....


My #1 favorite sports team at any level is UTEP Football(I do not have a favorite NFL or NBA team). As a fan and season ticket holder, I have now been through 11 losing seasons in the past 12 years and I have never even seen my favorite team win a bowl game during my lifetime. Yet I still literally follow my team every single day and after this upcoming Saturday I will have accomplished attending every single home game during a season where we did not win a single game(assuming that happens). I have plenty to complain about my friend, trust me I don’t “HAVE to find something”, there is lots to choose from.
 
My #1 favorite sports team at any level is UTEP Football(I do not have a favorite NFL or NBA team). As a fan and season ticket holder, I have now been through 11 losing seasons in the past 12 years and I have never even seen my favorite team win a bowl game during my lifetime. Yet I still literally follow my team every single day and after this upcoming Saturday I will have accomplished attending every single home game during a season where we did not win a single game(assuming that happens). I have plenty to complain about my friend, trust me I don’t “HAVE to find something”, there is lots to choose from.


Wasn't talking utep football that's a whole other animal than utep hoops
 
I wish we were good in basketball, but The Cosby Show was still on TV the last time that UTEP won a game in the NCAA Tournament(1992).
 
  • Like
Reactions: El Paso 777
I swear to God almighty some of you are worse than my wife!! You just HAVE to find something to complain about....

I thought I was in a Juarez vecindad for a minute but no it's a UTEP fan web
page. Sometimes I just rolled my eyes.

Go Miners...
 
Like others on here I will. Rivalries are fun when both teams are competitive. The sad part is now UTEP is the one that has to catch up in basketball and football.
Actually your the only person on here that I have seen cheer on the Aggies...who you trying to kid?
 
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT