Kaplowitz: Which Jersey Should UTEP Retire Next?

[utep1966]

Let's put our critical thinking cap on... April to August is slow on this board.

The article generated a good conversation.

If he released it in April through August when there's so little to talk about it helps to keep things interesting.

It's not like the game threads get tons of responses. Releasing it now is fine.

 

[Roy_Bigwood_05]

The disrespect on the board for the Great Tomas Gehrke makes me sick. He should be in the discussion.

 

[Dmanminer]

Let’s go way back, Luster Goodwin was a great pure shooter. He didn’t play in the 3 pt era, but if he did I’m sure he would be at the top of the list!

 

[UTEPMiners8106]

OT Omar Thomas

And at least honor, if he isn’t already, John Tofi. We saw that dude grow up freshman year, growing pains and all, on that six win team to the tourney team. The rare 3 pointer OT win versus Pacific is a core memory for me. His injury at Memphis his final year…it was like family got hurt.

Tofi is a great call. Solid player who maximized his talent and helped UTEP go to 2 NCAAs. Other than that maybe Stefon Jackson because he holds a legit school record.

If we want to say our standards are the NCAA Tournament then it should be tough to honor a player who never made a tournament game.

 

[jdubb66]

I agree, to an extent. I think that Jim Barnes is the most dominant player in Miner history, and certainly deserves to have his number retired. The fact that Archibald, Hardaway, and Davis had better NBA careers is irrelevant to the fact that he had a better collegiate career. However, I do believe Archibald's and Hardaway's NBA careers add credence to the fact that they were each the best players at their positions for their class, strengthening their already strong case for retiring their UTEP jerseys. Davis had a strong, but not spectacular, UTEP career. Had DJ become a multi-time NBA All Star I guarantee you that there would be a strong push to retire his jersey.

I believe "Bad News" was the number 1 overall player taken in his draft class. He averaged 29 points and 19 rebounds a game his senior year. A more dominating force in college basketball doesn't come to mind. Injuries took their toll on his NBA career but a legendary collegiate performer for sure. Won an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal. He should be honored. Seems like we have a lot of players to choose from. We haven't even mentioned Gus Bailey or Scotty English.

 

[utep2step]

Let’s go way back, Luster Goodwin was a great pure shooter. He didn’t play in the 3 pt era, but if he did I’m sure he would be at the top of the list!

Oh hell yes.

 

[MinerManiac]

Let’s go way back, Luster Goodwin was a great pure shooter. He didn’t play in the 3 pt era, but if he did I’m sure he would be at the top of the list!

Pony is in my all time five favorite Miners. The 83-84 team that was ranked in the top 10 for much of the season was the team that began my Miner fandom, and he was my favorite player on that team. He was tough as nails, and I've never seen a more deadly nor a more clutch outside shooter in a Miner uniform than Pony.

 

[MinerManiac]

OT Omar Thomas

And at least honor, if he isn’t already, John Tofi. We saw that dude grow up freshman year, growing pains and all, on that six win team to the tourney team. The rare 3 pointer OT win versus Pacific is a core memory for me. His injury at Memphis his final year…it was like family got hurt.

I loved both those guys. OT is pretty obvious. One of the best pure scorers to play for UTEP, and, along with Fili Rivera, one of the primary reasons we went to two NCAA Tournaments. Great player.

Tofi has to be one of the most underrated players to wear Miner orange. Really good player, great attitude and personality, and I don't think that most remember how tough he was. I remember him injuring his leg his senior year in a big conference game (UAB?) that went multiple overtimes, playing through the pain, and being a huge part of helping us win that game. We could really use a guy like him on this year's team.

 

[MinerFan79]

I believe "Bad News" was the number 1 overall player taken in his draft class. He averaged 29 points and 19 rebounds a game his senior year. A more dominating force in college basketball doesn't come to mind. Injuries took their toll on his NBA career but a legendary collegiate performer for sure. Won an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal. He should be honored. Seems like we have a lot of players to choose from. We haven't even mentioned Gus Bailey or Scotty English.

That’s crazy to think we had the number 1 pick in the draft.