No it's not technically his fault but he recruited good high caliber players who had every intention of going pro as soon as opportunity arose. So IMO, he 's correct but unlike Kentucky was has a seventy five percent recruit to NBA sucess rate, mid majors much less any p5 school, don't have that success. As a high caliber player why come to UTEP for limited action sitting in line behind a Hunter, Moore, a top transfer like D.A. when you have St Mary's, a Wichita State or even an Arizona State type teams who offered you as well? This has actually happened under CTF; he gets burned by these recruits (even those who did come to UTEP) who say "to heck with this and leave". They're not looking at this saying to themselves "hey, I'm wearing a Miner uniform" or "I'm getting a free and quality college education". Floyd doesn't recruit those type of players to be starters to execute his philosophy of the hardwood. To do that he goes after high risk, high reward players. Hunter and Moore are good exmples: They play at a higher level and fun to watch as a fan for a year or two. So what he is left with are his supporting cast players who do give it their all, are good students and follow is rules and style of play and that's why I support the team but I don't support is his approach. If he is going to sign a juco stud like Moore (high risk, high reward type player), he better have a good backup plan behind that type of player because making a six figure salary overseas playing ball is much more appealing than sitting in class for four or five years.
Second, saying a comment like that is not a good idea. I don't think he meant harm by it but he just has to remember Kugler's comment a while back about how he fealt fans attitude towards losing many games and dwindling attendance. Don't help the "casual fan" with their decision. A d1 coach in a major revenue sport has his role as amassador hightened three fold whether he or she accepts it or not. That's why d1 programs pay more. For example, Popular Mattress is a local business and support UTEP; but if they publicly said they're fine with just their core supporters or fine, be made at us but you don't understand, they will eventually lose revenue. Floyd is frustrated, but he gambled on players for quick impact, which is fine and logical, but have a better back up plan.
Finally, wins against Xavier and Tennessee are great in December, but you have to win come conference tournament time. You can only blame the conference affiliation on your radio show only so much for providing a reason why you didn't get selected, but you have to win some conference tournaments, otherwise apply for Texas State or Rice HC when that job opens up. This is UTEP basketball.
