I liked Givance as the ball handler. He definitely isn't a scorer but he's quick and can break the press. Like Kappy said about him, definitely the distributor type.
NMSU @ UTEP BB: OPT, Attendance and Game Thread
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Onyema and Kalu are definitely improved from last year. You have to credit both of them for really putting in some work in the off season. I am one who believes most of player development is a result of the players themselves. I wish Kalu could have taken a redshirt, like Z, to give his skills a chance to catch up to his physical tools. While the Aggies aren't nearly as good as last year inside, it was good seeing UTEP competing physically with them.
While I thought our interior players were better than the Aggies, I thought Pinson and Washington significantly outplayed the UTEP guards. None of the UTEP guards were able to check Pinson in the first half, and he had no trouble driving into the middle of the defense. Golding's adjustment to put Sibley on Pinson seemed to work, but then Washington began driving to the basket at will. With potentially two more games against these guys, it will be interesting how Golding adjusts moving forward. As Golding mentioned, it was good getting the first victory of the season, including scrimmages.
While I thought our interior players were better than the Aggies, I thought Pinson and Washington significantly outplayed the UTEP guards. None of the UTEP guards were able to check Pinson in the first half, and he had no trouble driving into the middle of the defense. Golding's adjustment to put Sibley on Pinson seemed to work, but then Washington began driving to the basket at will. With potentially two more games against these guys, it will be interesting how Golding adjusts moving forward. As Golding mentioned, it was good getting the first victory of the season, including scrimmages.
Those free throws were God awful..
Nice win for the Miners! It's definitely a work in progress, but a good confidence booster for the team and us fans.
Same in Dallas. I'd say it's about 50/50 know or don't know Utep. Some still call it Texas El Paso
We needed and still need Kalu. Golding doesn’t have much of a choice as O attracts whistles easily.
I kind of disagree on the NMSU guard play. We saw the same players but to me but they missed a ton of dump offs and forced plays instead, but that’s on Coach Heiar, that’s his offense which is basically Coach Cal ball. I saw the UTEP guards running a more patient style of play.
Kalu's problems at the line are not something that practice alone can fix. His form is absolutely awful, each free throw is less a shot and more chucking the ball in the direction of the basket. He is going to have to completely change his form in order to be successful, something that will take a lot of time and work. He should demand a refund from that Shaquille O'Neal School of Free Throw Shooting.
Haha. I actually have run into quite a few Miner fans since moving out here. Surprisingly so. There was a young lady not to long ago who approached me at the rec center and asked about my UTEP jersey I was wearing. She was a former El Pasoan and Miner fan.
New Braunfels? I work in New Braunfels!!
Go Miners!!
Small world!
We moved out to Canyon Lake in 2016. Then moved into New Braunfels in 2018. We bought our home in 2020. We love being out here. It’s beautiful and there’s so much to do. We lived in the desert so long I love being on one of the rivers or the lake. Once the temps hit mid 80s I’m on the water!
Sweet. My brother has land just north of Cibolo and we built a home on it. We moved from El Paso at the beginning of COVID and have had fun being around family here. I do miss my restaurants in El Paso. El Paso will always be home.
I lived in Cibolo for a few years up until 2019, and then moved back up to Austin. Really liked that area, and wouldn't mind retiring there if things work out. Nice to have other El Pasoans in the area. You are right about the restaurants for sure. The really sad part is that I will drive two hours to NB just to get some Peter Piper Pizza. I don't care if I catch some heat for that 😉
San Antonio has some great restaurants, its just that the Mexican food isn't as good here. Gravy on enchiladas instead of red or green chile sauce and flavorless tamales the size of a finger are my two biggest complaints. But otherwise I have no complaints about the rest of the food here.
I lived in San Antonio for 15 years and with a very few exceptions never really "liked" the Mexican food there. Not even close to how good it is in El Paso. Even in the DFW area, hard to find really good Mexican food. There are a few good places; just not on just about every block like in EP.
I concur fellas... There are some great restaurants out here - but the Mexican food back in El Paso is head and shoulders above the Mexican food out here. Cool to see so many former El Pasoans/Miner fans in the vicinity. I'm planning on going to the game when the Miners come to play UTSA. I know it's a ways out, but anyone else planning on going?
If UTEP beats FIU I'll go support them on their quest for bowl eligibility.
I’ll be in Northern NM for Thanksgiving. If I make it back in time and don’t feel rushed, I’ll be going to the UTSA game.
Probably also contingent upon beating FIU, as corona said.
Probably also contingent upon beating FIU, as corona said.
I was planning on attending the UTSA game - then my wife made plans for a family trip to Houston Thanksgiving weekend (Friday through Sunday). I made the first UTEP at UTSA football game the year I arrived here (2018), missed the 2020 due to COVID, and had planned to be there this year. I haven't missed a UTEP at UTSA basketball game since I've been here, and should be there this season as well. Hopefully I'll see some of you then.
That is hilarious. We love Peter Piper Pizza too. We go a lot. My brother who moved away from El Paso in 1990 doesn’t get why we love Peter Piper so much.
I have been to every UTEP BBall game in San Antonio since UTSA joined CUSA, except one. I stopped going to the football games when the trend of the away team always wins ended. I'll miss this year's football game due to my kid's basketball tournament, same reason I missed that one basketball game. I'll see you guys in the Convo in January.
