I know it's early but we could use a change of subject. Here comes conference play!
This is the most difficult first game of conference play imaginable against the #1 pick to win the conference. They have a veteran team and we have a first year HC. But, Let's Do It!!
Thursday Dec 30 at 5:50
CUSA TV
https://uabsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster.
UAB
They've got a 260 lb, 7' beast of a transfer from Clemson who starts every game (Trey Jemison ), 3 graduate guards who get another year thanks to the super flu and a bunch of juniors. All of these player have played us before and some have burned us for some serious stats.
Their point guard, Jordan Walker, is 5'11” and averages 16 points per game and 40% from 3 but the rest of their guards are tall like ours so we don't get an advantage there. They are a very experienced team and have been picked by the coaches to win the conference.
The Blazers are 10-3 and have played more cupcakes this year than we have
( https://uabsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule).
They beat New Mexico by 13 on a neutral floor and lost to San Francisco (neutral by 2), West Virginia ( in Morgantown by 6) and South Carolina (Colombia, by 3).
UTEP
The good: We should be able to get the whole band back together again after injuries, super flu, etc. We have had some practice time this past week with the whole group. All players have seen the floor since the season has started and CJG has played more starting combinations that just about any coach in the nation. Our players have seen these Blazers before and I'm sure CJG has debriefed them.
The bad: The Miners lack confidence since they haven't won a big game yet. Evidence shows that the Miners are a long way from gelling. Hopefully that will happen before the CUSA tourney.
The only way we win this game is through a coaching miracle. Can CJG pull it off? Hope so!
Homer Pick:
Miners 77
Blazers 75
Realistic Pick:
UTEP 69
Blazers 82
This is the most difficult first game of conference play imaginable against the #1 pick to win the conference. They have a veteran team and we have a first year HC. But, Let's Do It!!
Thursday Dec 30 at 5:50
CUSA TV
https://uabsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster.
UAB
They've got a 260 lb, 7' beast of a transfer from Clemson who starts every game (Trey Jemison ), 3 graduate guards who get another year thanks to the super flu and a bunch of juniors. All of these player have played us before and some have burned us for some serious stats.
Their point guard, Jordan Walker, is 5'11” and averages 16 points per game and 40% from 3 but the rest of their guards are tall like ours so we don't get an advantage there. They are a very experienced team and have been picked by the coaches to win the conference.
The Blazers are 10-3 and have played more cupcakes this year than we have
( https://uabsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule).
They beat New Mexico by 13 on a neutral floor and lost to San Francisco (neutral by 2), West Virginia ( in Morgantown by 6) and South Carolina (Colombia, by 3).
UTEP
The good: We should be able to get the whole band back together again after injuries, super flu, etc. We have had some practice time this past week with the whole group. All players have seen the floor since the season has started and CJG has played more starting combinations that just about any coach in the nation. Our players have seen these Blazers before and I'm sure CJG has debriefed them.
The bad: The Miners lack confidence since they haven't won a big game yet. Evidence shows that the Miners are a long way from gelling. Hopefully that will happen before the CUSA tourney.
The only way we win this game is through a coaching miracle. Can CJG pull it off? Hope so!
Homer Pick:
Miners 77
Blazers 75
Realistic Pick:
UTEP 69
Blazers 82
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