As I ponder yesterday's great win and if I had video what I would put up. Typically I put clips of great offensive plays that are either at key moments or are worthy of the highlights I like to put up. If I had the video of the game I would have to put a lot of defensive possessions that the miners had yesterday. If you didn't get to see it you missed out. Rice was totally frustrated. This team really deserves our support. It's a classic example of hitting a low point in your life and battling back an NEVER GIVING UP! Go Miners!!
Defense! what a glorious effort by the miners...
- Thread starter MinersWon
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I agree, it was nice to see them lead from start to finish. Their improvement on defense this season, is simply amazing! I kept waiting for Rice to get a good run going, but Miners never really allowed it!
Honestly I am a Floyd supporter since I lived through the greatness we had in the 80's. I had gotten really down on the whole situation earlier in the season and didn't comment on it because I felt that the "haters" had valid points. Bottom line Floyd is one of our guys who cares a great deal about this program and it's been wonderful to see the coaches and the players develop this story.PS im eating crow...Floyd has done a 360 along with his team! So kudos!
Floyd has done a 180 - I'm guessing you mean. 360 = he's back where he began...which might be possible still.
I think they did a 180. A 360 would suck!!PS im eating crow...
Didn't get to watch the game. Followed along on GameTracker. Every time they'd close to within 7-8, we'd answer. It was great seeing the score on GT change back to that 12-13 point lead with regularity.
For those who saw, did we really play that good of perimeter defense, or was Rice off? A couple references to old Haskins style D has me thinking we were in their faces all night. Saw the final stats. Wouldn't mind a breakdown player by player tho, if anybody wants to shed some insight.
For those who saw, did we really play that good of perimeter defense, or was Rice off? A couple references to old Haskins style D has me thinking we were in their faces all night. Saw the final stats. Wouldn't mind a breakdown player by player tho, if anybody wants to shed some insight.
I thought the defense was really good. They used their point zone and at the end went to a triangle in two on Evans and Koulachov. Offensively they played with a lot of poise and only went out of control on a few plays (I.e. going one on four for a layup). Officiating was terrible. They called a lot of touch fouls on the Miners and nothing on Rice. One play really upset me. Miners had a turnover but going down the court Omega stole it from Koulachov and went down the other way for a layup. There should have been a foul called but nothing. Bottom line they came away with a very important win! Great job by the players and coaches!
I heard that game via Teich. One thing that stands out on the post game with coach Johnson. They only had time for a one hour walk through on Friday, they wanted to give the team some rest. The rest was chalk talk. He mentioned they stressed getting to the arc to guard the 3. He said defensively it is a natural reaction to get back and start the defense inside the arc, especially a team like the Miners, who stress getting back on defense. Their fear was the team reacting this way. He said they stressed hard to the team, the guards in particular not to fall back and stay at the arc, which they did, which led to the success of guarding the 3 so well. He said the coaching staff were so proud of the team playing as coached.
There are so many positives from the last few weeks and the development of all three big men is something special. The shining of Thomas has the El Paso winds blowing "Terry who?".
However, Floyd needs held accountable at the end of the year because it's another year that will close quickly after the CUSA tourney. Unless the Miners pull out a miracle tourney run, which they've showed they can do it, reality will be back later this year. CTF has a good recruiting class coming in but UTEP will be without DA next year and who is extremely instrumental with rhis resurgence. DA plays at another level and is extremely strong. Harris is very very athletic but he is not steady like DA and when he is hot, he's hot and when he's cold, he can be frigid.
I'm just enjoying this win streak and glad UTEP owns Rice in basketball. I'm not ready to jump back on the Floyd bus just based on his history after there was so much hope. Just last week he was still complainig about the scheduling of the Florida CUSA members versus the Texas school scheduling and longed for the old WAC days. Ugh! Coach just get UTEP to the NCAA!! But if UTEP wins the conference tournament, everything I fealt would be pointless. I hope to feel pointless next month.
However, Floyd needs held accountable at the end of the year because it's another year that will close quickly after the CUSA tourney. Unless the Miners pull out a miracle tourney run, which they've showed they can do it, reality will be back later this year. CTF has a good recruiting class coming in but UTEP will be without DA next year and who is extremely instrumental with rhis resurgence. DA plays at another level and is extremely strong. Harris is very very athletic but he is not steady like DA and when he is hot, he's hot and when he's cold, he can be frigid.
I'm just enjoying this win streak and glad UTEP owns Rice in basketball. I'm not ready to jump back on the Floyd bus just based on his history after there was so much hope. Just last week he was still complainig about the scheduling of the Florida CUSA members versus the Texas school scheduling and longed for the old WAC days. Ugh! Coach just get UTEP to the NCAA!! But if UTEP wins the conference tournament, everything I fealt would be pointless. I hope to feel pointless next month.
Player by player the way I saw it:
Flaggert was hitting his threes as he should when he's open; played okay defense; a couple of times instead of blocking out for rebounds, he undercut the Rice player and got called for fouls.
Thomas started very slow; was in foul trouble but played smart down the stretch and in my opinion was the player that carried them to victory; a double-double machine coming into his own.
Wilms was in immediate foul trouble and a non-factor; was once again being double teamed and was throwing the ball away; not a good game for him.
Omega was on fire and overall did not play out of control; both he and Artis played smart and controlled the tempo of the game.
Artis was his usual self doing everything; I really love when he takes control at the end of games.
Touchet plays an overall very heady, smart game; hit a three and some free throws; once again he called for a timeout too quick when Jones was fighting for a loose ball and ultimately got control.
Jones was very active and a key factor in the game; he scored, blocked/altered shots, hustled and out fought Rice players; one particular play he was fighting for a rebound and was tied up with another Rice player, after the whistle blew he kept fighting for the ball and came away with it - it sent a statement.
Barrett came in and played under control and hit a three.
Venegas came in for a bit but missed an easy layup and didn't do much.
That I believe is everyone that played (hope I didn't forget anyone).
