The other 4 recruits are on campus and have interviewed with the EP media. Williams is one of the highest rated juco players in the country and should make an immediate impact. Anyone know when he is due to arrive on campus?
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Definitely agree Fanaticoog. It may just be that Williams will be coming in a bit later than the freshmen. The frustrating part is that we get nothing from the local media other than what is fed specifically from UTEP. Usually the twitter accounts are a good source, but it looks like Williams deleted his account. I haven't been able to find anything either way. Hopefully, it is just much ado about nothing, but we are all aware of previous recruits not showing up for one reason or another.Just not sure. Was just taking a stab at why he may not be here.
It is not uncommon that when a kid lacks a class or two to graduate that the school allows them to walk for graduation ahead of time.
If this is anything other than something like that, it probably won't have a good outcome.
Glad we have an insider in our midst. Thanks for the good news.According to Bigwood sources (Jeff Darby), Williams is supposed to be here for the Summer II school session in July....
Local media has actually had that info for awhile, but most seemed to sweep that under the rug, but most of us die-hards who have been burned by kids not showing up know that is some pretty important info fans want to and need to know lolThe frustrating part is that we get nothing from the local media other than what is fed specifically from UTEP.
Predictions as of right now......I'd say Magee is going to get some looks and surprise people and my reason is because the coaches really, really, really, like him so he will get a lot mins in Costa Rica in my opinion. Gilyard is more of a two-guard from what I've been told, so it's going to be interesting to see how he unfolds as a freshman presumably behind Omega, and maybe Touchet? But if Magee struggles, does Gilyard move over full time??? That's the biggest thing to watch in Costa Rica in terms of the PG situation....BIGWOOD!!!! UDAMAN!!!!
Now.... How about a prediction? In my amateurish vision, the newcomers "on paper"; could all be superior to the returnees, even Omega, Willms and Thomas. From the videos I've seen...Wade, Osborne, Smith and Williams are absolute studs.
Not absolutely sure about the PG's Gilyard and Magee or St. Pierre but if these guys suited up against the returnees it could be real interesting. Wade, Williams and Osborne drive and jam like nobody we've had in ages plus they can hit from the perimeter. I realize with the exception of Williams and Osborne they are freshmen, but my money would be on them. What do you think?
I thought for sure that Gilyard was in line to be the next big time PG at UTEP. Whether its him or McGee I really don't care, but one needs to step in pretty quick and take charge.
In regards to Wade, CTF said that he could be the best perimeter player he has coached at UTEP. That's saying a lot. I'm expecting big things from him.
Osborne I'm not sold on. I really liked Cameron so Osborne is gonna have to show me a lot. If he is a lights out shooter then--forget about it.
Williams needs to just get here, strap on his headband and go to work. He and Flaggs will be a hell of a combo at SF.
Smith will spell Thomas and has the whole year to mold himself. He and Royster will compete next year.
St. Pierre needs to red-shirt and while getting back in shape. Like Bigwood said, our rim runners Matt and Kelvin will be just fine this year.
This could be the 2nd team this year and the future at UTEP (if not starters soon):
Gilyard/McGee
Wade/Osborne
Williams
Smith
Jones
I say at least one or the other. CTF is against the wall and thats usually when he steps up. Also the point zone will help the new guys integrate faster, especially if they can score. On paper its UAB, WKU and UTEP top 3. UTEP plays UAB on the road this year so I'm saying they finish top 2-3 in conference. I'll go with conference tourny champs cause our PG will be experienced and our defense will be stout. They will take out both teams in the tourney.CUSA conference or tourney champs?
I say at least one or the other. CTF is against the wall and thats usually when he steps up. Also the point zone will help the new guys integrate faster, especially if they can score. On paper its UAB, WKU and UTEP top 3. UTEP plays both on the road this year so I'm saying they finish top 2-3 in conference. I'll go with conference tourny champs cause our PG will be experienced and our defense will be stout. They will take out both teams in the tourney.
When will utep update the roster?
Basketball roster!They have slowly begun to update the football roster. Fields has been added, he will wear #20. But the most important roster updates will be if/when the Gray Shirts(Sullivan, Pickney, and maybe Dupree) are added.
Yes that seems to be the case but actually the miners usually have near the top 3 point defense in CUSA (including last year). Maybe Wade or Osbourne can be the next Stone/Washburn on defense.My question is can anyone guard the perimeter? Those are the issues we have had in the past
Definitely agree Fanaticoog. It may just be that Williams will be coming in a bit later than the freshmen. The frustrating part is that we get nothing from the local media other than what is fed specifically from UTEP. Usually the twitter accounts are a good source, but it looks like Williams deleted his account. I haven't been able to find anything either way. Hopefully, it is just much ado about nothing, but we are all aware of previous recruits not showing up for one reason or another.
The basketball roster is now updated and Roderick Williams is on it. Sidearm is now handling UTEP's web page.When will utep update the roster?
Why did he leave CSDH? Just curious.
Williams has me remembering another very athletic Williams from UTEP's recent past.
Yeah it looks pretty cool. Still needs a few updates like the walkons, weights for the holdovers and Osbourne is a Soph....The basketball roster is now updated and Roderick Williams is on it. Sidearm is now handling UTEP's web page.
Anticipating your pic post.Williams must be here now since the miners were taking pictures for their poster today. I will try to get a pic. Hope for an interview early next week.
I can't find anything and his twiiter account is private. Looks like UTEP or the players are not releasing as many pics as last year. Players may be on break before the 2nd summer session. Looking forward to his interview with the media though. He should be a vital piece off the bench this year.Anticipating your pic post.
Nothing to worry about. It's usually a good sign when a recruit changes his twitter account right before he's due to show up on campus.
Unless you all think that Williams is being kept away like some kind of secret weapon, then he isn't here IMO. He is not in the directory. The bad thing is that the team already took their pictures as far as I know. UTEP and/or CTF keeping this quiet is just gonna hurt them worse and piss people off more. My best guess is that they are praying he shows/qualifies for the regular school year. Somebody needs to explain the WTF.According to Bigwood sources (Jeff Darby), Williams is supposed to be here for the Summer II school session in July....
Unless you all think that Williams is being kept away like some kind of secret weapon, then he isn't here IMO. He is not in the directory. The bad thing is that the team already took their pictures as far as I know. UTEP and/or CTF keeping this quiet is just gonna hurt them worse and piss people off more. My best guess is that they are praying he shows/qualifies for the regular school year. Somebody needs to explain the WTF.
This is 100% speculation on my end, but since he barely graduated from JUCO last month(June 6), maybe his NCAA paperwork is still in process? or maybe his eligibility is now processed but it just wasn't processed fast enough to get him here for Summer 2? Or maybe he had to do an unexpected summer course at his JUCO and he will be here after? Or maybe he is eligible, but after a full year in college, he decided to take these 2 months off to recharge his battery instead of immediately enrolling in summer school here. Or possibly he is no longer coming. I think that those are the 5 likely scenarios and 4 out of the 5 are not necessarily bad. As of this moment, he is still on the official roster and practice is supposed to begin in a week or so, so we should know relatively soon...