See ya Twymond Howard

[MinerMan2010]

Reports are that he is transferring. Recruits like this are the reason I refuse to get excited about players that haven't stepped foot on a UTEP court. He was highly rated and a lot of Miner fans thought he was going to be a great player. Maybe he will, it just won't be for us. Add another to the growing list of Floyd recruits that weren't "good enough".

I'm sick of excuses, I want results.

[Realm]

Hooper Vint asked for his release today.

[MinerMan2010]

That wouldn't surprise me, but it hasn't been confirmed yet.

[BleedingOrange]

I'm excited about the incoming class, but also very nervous about the shake-up that's coming. These poor kids came to Hell Paso to play for Floyd, and now they may get their scholarships yanked to make way for the latest group... I know that's how the big time programs do it, but it still sucks.

Howard leaving was expected, but I'd like to have seen him get more minutes and more opportunities to show what he can do. I think he'll have success at whatever school is lucky enough to get him.

I kind of thought Vint would leave too, since Willms should eventually start alongside C Wash or Ced, but he's another kid I think really could have found a niche if his back hadn't sidelined him for so long. Shitty luck, and I wish him all the best too.

But now comes the next question... who else will get squeezed out? I have no problem trading Tucker for Hamilton and Hunter for Streeter, but I can't stand the thought of losing Jalen Ragland, who had flashes of brilliance, or CJ Cooper, who was one of our more clutch performers, for a couple of unrated players that may or may not be an improvement. Plus, what is all this doing to the chemistry of the remaining players? What if C Wash decides he isn't playing enough and wants to leave? Would Julian follow? How can a player keep faith in a coach that may yank his ride if a shiny new toy catches his eye?

I kind of wish Floyd had just gone after Hamilton, Hunter and maybe one or two other players, and kept this year's team somewhat in tact, if only for continuity's sake.

Now I'm hearing that we extended an offer to a guard from Florida named Demarcus Croaker who decommitted from Murray State and also has offers on the table from Texas, Baylor, and Ole Miss. Never heard of this kid, but if he does decide to come here, that's yet another head on the chopping block.

I don't quite know how to feel about the carnage to come, especially if we do something drastic and lose a quality player only to then lose his replacement, or find that the new player isn't any better than what we gave up.

[MinerMan2010]

Thats a problem I have with Floyd too. He grossly oversigns. I can see oversigning by 1, but it's not even close. I feel bad for the kids that chose UTEP and Floyd, just to see them gone after 1 year. I hope the results are worth it. For me the minimum expectation next year is NIT with bubble talk.

[BleedingOrange]

I know he said that this was the first year that he could really go after the caliber of players that he was used to signing, but three of the six he signed were virtual unknowns. I just wonder if it's worth the possible damage done to the team to pull the rug out from under the kids he just signed last year.

And I agree with your expectations. NCAA may be another year away, but we damn well better be a lock for the NIT. Our greatest challenge for a conference title is still Southern Miss, so we need to kick the crap out of the rest of the league and at least get some consideration.