UTEP Game

[Pony_Fan]

The 15 point unanswered string in the middle of the 2nd half took us from a 7 point lead to an 8 point deficit. I was surprised and pleased to see that we came back and made the game competitive, but it was really pretty much over after that run.

Yes, that was it. Started playing careless and let them and the crowd back in the game.

[Stallion]

here's some key stats-UTEP's starting inside players went 20-30 from the field for a 66% shooting percentage. Castro and Simpson combined for 8 TOs. If you are going to laud them for scoring a lot of points then you need to consider TOs and defense too. Interesting unusual stat. UTEP's Filberto Rivera had 6 TOs-a very high number for him.

[Stampede]

Good defense causes turnovers and SMU is paying really good defense in these games. Just ask Rivera. And Boise.

SMU is getting better game by game.

[abezontar]

lets hope they can reverse the trend of the last few years and not choke during these last two games, or in the tournament

[Stallion]

Gee I wonder what UTEP's starting interior frontcourt players would have shot if SMU hadn't been playing such "good defense"

[Hoop Fan]

I think the effort is there on defense no issue there, but we have a hard time really contesting the post. I said going in that we would need to keep Omar Thomas from going off to win the game. Well, he had a huge game. I didnt see the game obviously, but it sounded like we had a hard time keeping him and Tofi away from the basket. Luckily we got Tofi into early foul trouble or it might have been worse.

No shame in losing at Utep, it was a hard fought game. Need to get these two at home this week.

[Pony_Fan]

I really think we are going to be hurting without Castro/Simpson next year despite their shortcomings. Castro basically played the entire game. He is doing a good job. Downfall is FT's... He went 0-9 or something against UTEP. He did a good job on Tofi. I think Tubbs should have used Reay for some fouls last night. No stopping OThomas w/out getting in serious foul problems.

[Hoop Fan]

I really think we are going to be hurting without Castro/Simpson next year despite their shortcomings. Castro basically played the entire game. He is doing a good job. Downfall is FT's... He went 0-9 or something against UTEP. He did a good job on Tofi. I think Tubbs should have used Reay for some fouls last night. No stopping OThomas w/out getting in serious foul problems.

So playing the whole game equals doing a good job on defense? Aren't you one of the guys calling Castro our MVP this season? I like Castro and he did a good job getting Tofi in some foul trouble maybe, but I dont think he necessarily did a good job on him on the defensive end itself. We will miss Castro and Simpson offensively and leadership wise for sure, but we have to get better at interior defense and tougher on key rebounds. Those aspects are killing us in close games, some new blood might help. Utep dominated the boards in the the last few minutes when they needed to. While I'd like to be better, SMU is at least average at free throws. We are not adequate at stopping the other teams power forwards and center from scoring or getting an offensive board when we need to, or at stopping the other teams guards from driving all the way to the basket to get game winning shots (see Fresno and La Tech). Castro takes charge on the offensive end quite often, but who is our enforcer who steps up on the other end? Ain't got one at all.

[Pony_Fan]

So playing the whole game equals doing a good job on defense? Aren't you one of the guys calling Castro our MVP this season? I like Castro and he did a good job getting Tofi in some foul trouble maybe, but I dont think he necessarily did a good job on him on the defensive end itself. We will miss Castro and Simpson offensively and leadership wise for sure, but we have to get better at interior defense and tougher on key rebounds. Those aspects are killing us in close games, some new blood might help. Utep dominated the boards in the the last few minutes when they needed to. While I'd like to be better, SMU is at least average at free throws. We are not adequate at stopping the other teams power forwards and center from scoring or getting an offensive board when we need to, or at stopping the other teams guards from driving all the way to the basket to get game winning shots (see Fresno and La Tech). Castro takes charge on the offensive end quite often, but who is our enforcer who steps up on the other end? Ain't got one at all.

Why are you attacking me now all the sudden?
What are you talking about?? - Playing the whole games means we've got nobody else and he is doing a good job considering what is expected of him. Yes, MVP - who else has played every game this year and contributed on offense and defense consistently?

"We will miss Castro and Simpson offensively and leadership wise for sure, but we have to get better at interior defense and tougher on key rebounds. Those aspects are killing us in close games, some new blood might help" - and who is going to do this?? Oh wait, Bamba Fall and Rack.....Exactly, we'll be in great shape next year....NOT.
If I read correctly, you didn't watch the game.

[Hoop Fan]

I'm not attacking you at all, but whats this grading on a curve for MVP all about? He is exceeding what you expected of him so that makes a guy the MVP? Meanwhile, people crucify Hopkins for anything and everything and give him next to no credit when he does have great game. If you're grading on a curve, how about credit for playing entire games hurt? I see a double standard around here thats all. Like Ive said, I like Castro, nothing against him at all, just calling it like I see it. I was talking about interior defense and rebounding on this board at least a year ago. It seems completely obvious to me. And no I didnt see last nights game, not aware it was broadcast anywhere, but go ahead and correct me where i'm wrong in my observations.

As for next year, a juco or a mature bodied freshman like the Morris kid from Oregon would help. I haven't seen Rack play for a long time now, but if hes healthy and aggressive, yeah maybe he will be an upgrade on defense. I sure hope so. You frankly cant get any weaker than we've been in the post area, so even a tall skinny shot blocker like Bamba might make this a better, more balanced TEAM.

[Pony_Fan]

I think we all appreciate Hopkins fine. I am sorry but he didn't step up yesterday...nor did Isham...but what else is new. He has 13 points on 12 shots. Rivera competely outplayed him in the last couple of minutes and he made a ridiculous foul in the final seconds. He does not play clutch or smart when it's needed.

I am very happy he is a Mustang but he needs to play with his head when the game is on the line...he also jacked up a ridiculous NBA 3 pointer at a crucial part of the game. He's got some things to learn still...

I wouldn't contribute the whole loss to the interior but yes, that has been our weak spot for god knows how long....

Total Rebounds, UTEP 30, SMU 29
Points in the paint-SMU 36,UTEP 39
TO: SMU 14, UTEP 13
Omar Thomas had 8 rebounds total

[Hoop Fan]

I dont think Hopkins had a very good game yesterday, but 13 points on 12 attempts isnt that bad either. I guess you also have to give him credit for forcing Rivera into 6 turnovers, while committing 4. And it is also worth noting that Rivera is a serious pro prospect who the scouts are out to see in droves. John Tofi isnt, so perhaps we should have made up more ground there and held Thomas to his average instead of 26 big ones.

Ponyfan, dont take any of this as an attack. I doubt there are more than a handful of people outside of the coaches and players who want to see the team succeed any more than you and I do. I don't know you, but i can tell that much.

[PK]

All in all, the stats were pretty close in all areas except FT's. As someone posted earlier, this game on a neutral court would have been very interesting.

[rich_alum]

"Stats are a great thing if you know what they are all about."

I believe this was your quote to me the other day. UTEP shot .571 from the floor......lots of easy baskets inside. If you don't include 3's they shot 63% from the field.

I wouldn't quite say that the stats were even.

[PK]

Neither did I. I said close. UTEP had 48 points from their inside players...guess what? So did we. All the big guys were playing with 3 and four fouls each towards the end of the game. No one inside on either team was going to play too aggressive on defense with the foul loads they were carrying.