|
|
|
Thursday, August 2
Updated: August 3, 1:46 PM ET
Team preview: UTEP Miners
ESPN.com
|
The lowdown
2000-01 record: 23-9; 10-6 in WAC (t2nd)
Final Ranking: NR
Postseason: Lost to Memphis 90-65 in second round of NIT.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. Will Eugene Costello be eligible? Will he remain suspended? If he's not allowed to play then who will be the team's point guard?
2. Who will replace Brandon Wolfram's leadership, his scoring and rebounding?
3. Can Brian Stewart be a go-to player in the post? Can he improve his numbers to being a double-double productive player?
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: The Miners get Costello back, are tough to score on again, and make a serious run for the top three in the league and the NIT again.
Worst case: UTEP struggles at the point, inside, can't get higher than fifth and is out of postseason contention.
|
Key Players Returning
|
|
Player
|
Yr.
|
Pos.
|
Ht./Wt.
|
Comment
|
|
Eugene Costello
|
Sr.
|
G
|
5-10/165
|
PTS: 14.2 | REB: 3.9 | AST: 4.6
|
|
Brian Stewart
|
Sr.
|
F
|
6-10/250
|
PTS: 11.8 | REB: 6.7 | AST: 0.8
|
|
Roy Smallwood
|
Jr.
|
F
|
6-6/210
|
PTS: 10.5 | REB: 6.1 | AST: 2.0
|
|
Chris Neal
|
Sr.
|
G
|
6-2/175
|
PTS: 7.3 | REB: 2.1 | AST: 2.6
|
|
Leonard Owens
|
Sr.
|
F
|
6-6/190
|
PTS: 5.9 | REB: 4.2 | AST: 3.2
|
|
Key Losses
|
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
Ht./Wt.
|
Comment
|
|
Brandon Wolfram
|
F
|
6-9/240
|
PTS: 22.3 | REB: 7.6 | AST: 0.9
|
|
UTEP Signings
|
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
Ht.
|
High School/College
|
|
Joe Devance
|
F
|
6-7
|
El Paso, Texas/Burges H.S.
|
|
T.J. Fontenette
|
G
|
6-2
|
Hitchcock, Texas/Hitchcock H.S.
|
|
Jason Johnson
|
F
|
6-8
|
Tucson, Ariz./Tucson H.S.
|
|
Luke Martin
|
G
|
5-11
|
Concord/St. John's Prep
|
|
Justino Victoriano
|
F
|
6-9
|
Western Nebbraska JC
|
|
|
|
|
