for freshman Nigel Hawkins.
and freshman Jordan Lathon is already playing like a senior.
Realistically, we can't expect Hawkins to play perfect games the rest of the season, but this was a game that will influence the way he plays from here on out.
The next three-four years (minimum) should be interesting...
Lathon deserves all of the love that he is receiving for his performance in Saturday's game, but I think that Hawkins is being a little overlooked. His 24 points and 7 boards were huge in helping UTEP make that comeback. While this was easily his best game in a Miner uniform, in my opinion it didn't come from out of the blue. He's been building up to this.
I was in the building when the Miners lost to UTSA. Hawkins was the best player for the Miners that night. While he still had his usual struggles from outside, missing on all five of his three point attempts, he played great in the other facets of the game. His drives to bucket in the second half, resulting in baskets, free throws, and and-ones, led a brief Miner comeback that was stymied by the fact that he didn't receive help from his teammates. It's too bad, as with 21 points and 9 boards he played great in that game.
While he wasn't as aggressive offensively in the second game against the Roadrunners, I believe that he stilled played well, with his 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was solid against North Texas as well; while he only gathered 3 boards, he did return to double figure scoring with 11 points.
Hawkins has had he struggles early. This is to be expected, he's a freshman. But he continues to improve. The Achilles Heel so far has been his outside shooting, but hopefully his 3-5 performance from behind the arc on Saturday is a sign that his has broken out of his outside shooting slump.
I know all of the talent we have coming in next year. My hope is that Hawkins and Lathon come into practice next year with the attitudes that they are the starters, and won't give up those spots without a fight. My bet is that if either or both of them lose their starting spots, their replacement(s) will have really earned it. These two have the potential to be studs for the Miners.
