Collosal collapse
- Thread starter topminer
- Start date
People here are quick to judge. They had unrealistic expectations based on nothing. Do people realize these players have never played together, and half of them are sophomores? I know that everyone here thinks they know basketball, but really? it sure is fun playing arm chair QB.
Will one of you media people please find out what the hell is going on with this unfathomable situation? There were such high expectations for this group of players, but it's getting harder to take this punishment each game. Over and over coaches decisions are contrary to common sense. Recent examples involving Stroud, Efe, Vila, etc. It's almost like a conspiracy by the coaches to come up with ways to throw away games that we should win. There was no post game coach following the FAU game. How can they get away with avoiding confrontation about their blowing another game?
Can one of you please get some answers?
Can one of you please get some answers?
Many people around UTEP had a high buzz with this team.
On paper they will probably triple their win total from last season. There can be no complaints about making progress. Some were thinking 24+ wins, conference championship, and NCAA run.
We were looking at it through orange glasses.
In the official CUSA pre-season poll they picked us to finish tied at fourth. Last season 8-6 earned the 5th place before the start of pod play. Eight conference wins should be the adjusted goal for this team.
We didn’t bring in 5 star pieces that we can simply plug in and they’ll dominate the conference.
My question to everyone with those high expectations. Why did you think a coach entering his 9th year with an overall record of 119-129 vs D1 teams would accomplish such lofty goals so soon?
On paper they will probably triple their win total from last season. There can be no complaints about making progress. Some were thinking 24+ wins, conference championship, and NCAA run.
We were looking at it through orange glasses.
In the official CUSA pre-season poll they picked us to finish tied at fourth. Last season 8-6 earned the 5th place before the start of pod play. Eight conference wins should be the adjusted goal for this team.
We didn’t bring in 5 star pieces that we can simply plug in and they’ll dominate the conference.
My question to everyone with those high expectations. Why did you think a coach entering his 9th year with an overall record of 119-129 vs D1 teams would accomplish such lofty goals so soon?
I have been intently watching UTEP basketball for over 35 years and last night’s game seriously confused me. Here are the questions I have:
1. Why was Verhoeven in the game the last minute? He had not played all game (even though he had recently started several games).
Answer: The coaches have no situational awareness and no idea how to manage a bench.
2. Why was Odigie not in the game the last minute and why does he consistently get less than 20 minutes of playing time?
Answer: I can’t answer this question. If the coaches want to win, then Odigie must play more and must play with Williams. Odigie needs to start.
3. Why does Stroud, the most athletic guy on the team and guy who carried the team in the first half against FIU, get less than 10 minutes of playing time?
Answer: The coaches do not understand how to manage their bench. Management of starters, subs,and playing time, beyond Williams, make no sense.
4. Why does Vila get so much playing time - especially in crunch time? Does he add something besides bad defense and consistently missed 3 pointers?
Answer: I have no answer for this question. The use of Vila is stupefying - especially in crunch time. He should not be allowed to take 3s and he deserves no more than 10 minutes of playing time in relief of Williams and/or Odigie.
5. Are there any unique offensive sets for Williams that can be implemented? Everybody knows he is going to be triple teamed. Can we get creative whereby we have specific sets for him or some things that open things up for Efe or a three by somebody with the hot hand?
Answer: I am not sure this staff has a floor coach.
Oh, and note to players, if you want a starting role then enter the transfer portal and then withdraw.
This is some bull#@*% basketball that I’ve been watching.
1. Why was Verhoeven in the game the last minute? He had not played all game (even though he had recently started several games).
Answer: The coaches have no situational awareness and no idea how to manage a bench.
2. Why was Odigie not in the game the last minute and why does he consistently get less than 20 minutes of playing time?
Answer: I can’t answer this question. If the coaches want to win, then Odigie must play more and must play with Williams. Odigie needs to start.
3. Why does Stroud, the most athletic guy on the team and guy who carried the team in the first half against FIU, get less than 10 minutes of playing time?
Answer: The coaches do not understand how to manage their bench. Management of starters, subs,and playing time, beyond Williams, make no sense.
4. Why does Vila get so much playing time - especially in crunch time? Does he add something besides bad defense and consistently missed 3 pointers?
Answer: I have no answer for this question. The use of Vila is stupefying - especially in crunch time. He should not be allowed to take 3s and he deserves no more than 10 minutes of playing time in relief of Williams and/or Odigie.
5. Are there any unique offensive sets for Williams that can be implemented? Everybody knows he is going to be triple teamed. Can we get creative whereby we have specific sets for him or some things that open things up for Efe or a three by somebody with the hot hand?
Answer: I am not sure this staff has a floor coach.
Oh, and note to players, if you want a starting role then enter the transfer portal and then withdraw.
This is some bull#@*% basketball that I’ve been watching.
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Agreed.
Personally I think Tydus brings more than Vila and should be the 1st big off the bench and in the game for situational defense. Tarke (if physically ok) has progressed nicely over the past few weeks and deserves more time at the 4. Not a huge fan of Odigie, but agree he should start now. Recruit another big since Eze left and Vila is a flop.
If Stroud is the future, then play him now. I can deal with his turnovers in return for scoring, rebounds, blocked shots, experience and excitement.
I thought Hawkins would be the odd man out before the season because of congestion, but not so. He is aggressive and athletic. He just needs to stay that way and be more consistent.
Boum needs to be moved to 6th man. I think it may really help take pressure off and help his offense. If I'm Terry I tell Boum to use his mid-range and drive. Get to the free throw line. Then use 3-pointers as icing on the cake. Show him video of Omar Thomas and Stefon Jackson.
Edwards needs to be more consistent. At this point in his career, this is on him, not the coaches.
All of this being said, we are still 8-9 deep and with the right line-ups, substitutions and situational play calling this team can still gel and make a good run in the CUSA tourney.
Excellent post axingfools1. The coaches need to find a way to get Efe and Williams on the court together. Like you, I am not a huge fan of Odigie, but Vila just isn't the answer. At least Odigie can provide some offense, and it would allow Williams to operate with fewer double teams. I think Williams can be effective working from the outside in.
The frustrating part is that, even with all the issues, this team could easily be 13-2 with losses to Houston and Washington. 2-5 in games decided by 5 points or less. If we could have just hung on versus Hawaii and FAU, we're 11-4 and the narrative is different. But, good teams find a way to win those games and bad teams find a way to lose them.
Exactly. As Maniac mentioned yesterday, before it happened, the last five minutes of the game have been big trouble for this team. This happened with Lathon on the team, so I can't see using that as much of an excuse. Also, the issue of being inexperienced is true, but some of the teams we ended up losing to were inexperienced as well. Point is, our young roster is not unique to only us. This is when coaching needs to step up.
I would agree with this if it was the players making stupid mistakes. It’s the coaching staff that makes the stupid mistakes.
Against FIU after a time out with the game on the line the ball is inbounded to Villa who proceeds to turnover the ball. Edwards who had the hot hand was sitting right under the basket. What kind of designed play was that? They should have drawn a play for Edwards and Villa shouldn’t be in the game. Don’t get me started on the coaching staff forgetting to tell the players to foul as soon FIU inbounded the ball.
Against FAU the coaches decided it would be a good idea to take out our hottest hand and put in an ice cold shooter in the critical ending moments of the game.
I don’t mind losing games cuz Stroud, or whatever name you want to insert, missed a buzzer shot but I do mind losing games cuz the coaching staff draws up a turnover with players that shouldn’t even belong on the court during crunch time.
Tech is on fire right now. They are progressing nicely as a team. They beat #1 Lousville and have worked their way back into the top 20 with a beat down of OK State by 35 yesterday.
If we didnt look so damn good against Tech then maybe most of us wouldn't have had such HIGH expectations afterwards. I understand the team is still new together and fairly young, but it still puzzles me why we can't seem to get it together mid season now. At this point coaching has to be the main concern.
If we didnt look so damn good against Tech then maybe most of us wouldn't have had such HIGH expectations afterwards. I understand the team is still new together and fairly young, but it still puzzles me why we can't seem to get it together mid season now. At this point coaching has to be the main concern.
You don’t watch very closely then. He played in the first half and picked up a foul as well.
Agree. And the offensive problems haven't happened just at the end of games, but also during those 5-7 minute droughts on offense. The coaches need to draw up plays, that don't necessarily go through Williams, that put the team in a position to score. It is pretty clear the players are not able generate offense on the fly. Right now, everyone knows that when we need a basket, we are going into Williams or nothing. It is way beyond time for the coaches to put the other guys in a position to score. The next step, of course, is that the players have to make the plays. Like Feral mentioned, Lathon wasn't afraid to take the big shot, so we miss that. We need to find other guys who can step up.
So here the appropriate level headed take on what's going on. I was upset yesterday and waited til today to respond to the two road losses. They were both against probably pretty equal teams teams so far this year. We are 0-4 on the road against equal teams this year and 1-1 on neutral site. Point is, this team isn't getting whooped on the road against similar teams, we're simply not finding a way to win. I was afraid that may be the case this year trying to mix in all the transfers. That is not an excuse however, because we do have talent, but it's apparent it hasn't yet jelled . I hope they can get it fixed before the tourney, but right now this team just hasn't figured out how to win close on the road and who to go to in a pinch besides Williams who gets doubled all the time.
So basically you are saying UTEP is athletic enough, but not mentally or willfully strong to win these games on the road?
True, but still doesnt explain the ever changing lineups and weird player rotations. That is not helping the cause. Players can see right through this.
Unless Terry has Jalen Green and a star center on the phone right now, then he has to BUILD this team and provide a distinct direction.
If we are going to build then play your best interior defenders and rebounders along side your best player, play your young wings equal minutes and let them duke out playing time, demand ball control from your guards and instruct them to exploit their strengths, demand more consistency from your senior and BENCH the guys who are hurting the team when they deserve it. And most of all, put them in the right position.
Hell maybe Terry is saying all this stuff, but he sure isn't showing it as far as I'm concerned. Benefit of the doubt is fading slowly.
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My #1 concern continues to be the coaching. There is 100% agreement that it is unfathomable why certain players are on the floor while others are on the bench and especially at crunch time. These last two losses were directly attributable to the coaches decisions on who they wanted on the floor.
IT WAS SUCH A BLATANT SCREW UP THAT PAULINO (sp) OPTED TO GO INTO HIDING AND WAS A NO SHOW ON THE POST GAME INTERVIEW. TOO EMBARRASSING!
To me this demonstrates the confusion, indecision and inability of the coaches to perform their jobs.
How do we expect our players to face media and “stay the course” when their coaches don’t even do the same. CRT wants to say we are overreacting and we must be there for each other but shows the exact opposite when asked to do the same, blocking people, and making it seem they are making a big deal out of nothing with simple questions we all have. This is probably the same way he coaches and treats his players. This doesn’t look good in any area from what I can see
natty, a few questions:
Do you believe that Paulino made the right decision in leaving Stroud on the bench in the 2nd half against FIU?
Do you agree with Vila playing in crunch time of both Florida games?
Efe's 13 points in the second half against FAU were key in helping us build a 7 point lead against FAU. Do you think the staff made the right decision in sitting him down the stretch.
Do you understand why some players (i.e. Vila) receive so many minutes while others either can't get off the bench or only receive spot minutes?
Do you see any improvement in the team from our games against NMSU and UNM to now?
Do you believe that our half court offense puts our players in the best place to score?
These are some of the issues that have many of us concerned. Yeah, we probably over estimated the talent on this team by a wide margin, and yes, we are better than we have been over the last few years, and sure, we've been in every game we've played down the stretch except for Houston. Still, many of us see glaring issues that haven't been corrected, that we believe should have been fixed in pre conference play.
Exactly!! My expectations were an 18 win season, but once I saw how well we played against tech, only game we’ve shown heart, I thought we would put a good team on the court. Right now I’m asking why certain players are on the court. Smh
Absolutely! They are obviously more talented and athletic than last year, but not on the same page down the stretch, not efficient, not mentally tough to close out. Some of that is coaching, but most is lack of execution down the stretch.
I agree Villa should not be in the game down the stretch period. He's proved to be clueless when it counts. That is coaching and I don't know why he's in there. This team could easily be 13-2. That's the frustrating part, they're not far off, from being what we all expected, but they can't close games.
Naw man, when players aren’t put in a position to at least attempt to execute a game tying/winning shot that has nothing to do with the players. And when the best players of the game are on the bench they can’t execute. This is all on the coaching staff, not some of it.
Well however you slice it, we are underachieving for the talent on the floor and have lost 5 games by a total 17 points I believe so a little over 3 per. All winnable games that the coaching staff and players are missing on and the reason we're 9-6 not 12-3.
I agree. I'm hundreds/thousands of miles away from this team at any given point, yet the negative energy I can feel from this group is palpable, even at those distances. The social media before Hawaii was mostly being done by the players, and they seemed to have had some comradery. That has all but disappeared since.
Have a feeling this team will look a lot different next year, personnel wise. There's at least 3 players specifically that I expect to be gone...
I wanna see how we perform against LA tech at home. They are probably the best team in Cusa at this point. If we can beat them this team can get back on track. However we have to get some road wins. Again everyone is doom and gloom right now, but missing the point that besides Houston, we could've won the other 5 road and neutral site games. This team needs to just ratchet down at the end of games and figure out how to close, which is the toughest thing for a new team.
The only thing I wanted from Floyd's successor was somebody who would keep the players we had and develop them into upperclassmen. But it looks like Floyd all over again. I thought it was a red flag when Terry oversigned and then ran off Gilyard.
All the players saw that.
I really hope it doesn't happen but I can see Efe and Stroud leaving
Can't call it Floyd over again, til it happens. There have been signs, but can't compare it to Floyd just yet, brotha. Hopefully doesn't get to that point, we'll see.
I think Williams too. Wouldn’t he be a graduate transfer next year? Since he sat out a year.
Good point. However, Williams followed Terry from Fresno and Terry Hired Williams' HS coach (or AAU coach I can't remember which one) hopefully those connections keep him here. I wonder if Williams would test the NBA water too
Correct. Williams would need to graduate to transfer to a D1 school.
