The El Paso Times Sports staff and a special guest share their thoughts on: "How will the UTEP men's basketball team do this season under Tim Floyd?":
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Bill Knight
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This should be a basketball season filled with fun.
The Miners, despite being a veteran team, will get better with each week, each month. The shift to the Tim Floyd defensive style will take a bit of an adjustment, some repetitions until it becomes instinct and not something the players have to think about.
There are some challenges in the non-conference schedule -- Pacific, the double dip with rival New Mexico State, a meeting with Georgia Tech and either Michigan or Syracuse in Atlantic City, a home matchup with Texas Tech and a trip to Provo to face old WAC rival BYU. These games will only strengthen the Miners for the Conference USA chase.
The Miners will probably play with a smaller lineup this year. But their quickness and athleticism and the old-school defense will be fun to watch.
And it will add up to plenty of wins -- enough for yet another tango in the Big Dance.
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Felix Chavez
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The Miners have a proven college coach in the popular Tim Floyd, who is a good recruiter and solid teacher of the game.
UTEP is coming off a strong season last year and should be in the hunt for an NCAA or NIT postseason berth this year. The Miners have a very good backcourt led by Randy Culpepper, who is one of the best guards in Conference USA.
UTEP's biggest challenge will be in the post, where the team must replace Arnett Moultrie (transfer) and Derrick Caracter (NBA). But Floyd is a solid technician and UTEP's backcourt is capable of carrying the team a long way. Plus the league tourney is in El Paso, so expect UTEP to win 20-plus games and return to the NCAA or NIT.
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Aaron Bracamontes
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There is a good buzz around the UTEP men's basketball team this season.
Looking at all the talent that returns from last year and with a coach like Tim Floyd, it can all make for an exciting season and many sold-out crowds. I would not be surprised if the Miners become the hottest ticket in town.
But, of course, what will matter the most are victories. UTEP has a good chance to have a winning season, contend for the Conference USA title and take another shot at reaching the second round of the NCAA tournament.
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Bret Bloomquist
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Personnel losses should add up to three or four fewer victories for UTEP, though the arrival of Tim Floyd could offset that.
So give the Miners one less victory in the regular season, then a conference tournament title because they are on their home floor.
They'll get underseeded by the NCAA in the tourney because they are a mid-major, but that should still mean a No. 11 seed and a chance for an upset in the first round.
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Margaret Gallardo
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The excitement has been in the air since March 30 -- the day UTEP hired Tim Floyd, much to the delight of excited fans across the city.
On Oct. 15, that energy burst all over the Don Haskins Center floor when the players took to the court for their first day of official practice under Floyd. It's one thing embracing someone who has been here and coached under the legendary Bear, but it's another to support someone who has proven himself time and time again.
Floyd will not only bring back discipline, hard work and motivation -- he brings back a signature defense that worked so well for so many years when he was Don Haskins' assistant. And now he's at the helm.
Everyone prepare: A new era of Miner Basketball is here (or shall we say -- is back).
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Tim Hardaway -- Guest
Former NBA, UTEP player
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I know Coach Floyd will get it going here.
He's been out on the road recruiting and that's something he does well. He's got to get a lot of guys for next year and that's tough. But I know he will get this thing going and UTEP will be good.
I'm sure this year will be good and pretty soon he'll have some other great athletes in here.
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