THE 2011 BUICK CONFERENCE USA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

THE DON HASKINS CENTER

The Memphis Tigers at the UTEP Miners

Saturday, March 12, 2011

9:30 AM MST

TV:  CBS

Really, what is there to say?  It's Memphis and UTEP on national television, at the Don, with an NCAA Tournament Bid on the line.  It simply doesn't get any bigger than this for UTEP Miners fans. 

UTEP, of course, has three starters from Memphis.  The Tigers looked awfully good last night against East Carolina.  Joe Jackson was tremendous.  In UTEP's game, Randy Culpepper was incredible.  Will this game come down to a battle between the Tigers young, quick guards vs. UTEP's veteran backcourt?  Or will it come down to the paint where Tarik Black and Will Coleman will battle with Claude Britten, Gabe McCulley, and Jeremy Williams?  Or, will it come down to UTEP's league leading defense against the potentially explosive Memphis offense?

The Memphis Commercial Appeal's preview noted the Tigers offensive struggles last time around.

Memphis shot a season-low 33.3 percent against UTEP the last time the Tigers visited the Don Haskins Center on Feb. 26. Barton was the lone Tiger in double figures with 10 points. Another key was Memphis' 1-of-18 3-point shooting, its worst of the season. UTEP limited Memphis post players Tarik Black and Will Coleman to a combined 10 points last month. UTEP's three Memphis products, Culpepper (Sheffield High), Williams and senior post Gabriel McCulley (Craigmont), outscored Memphis' starting five, 38-23.

It's Pastner vs. Floyd.   It's Memphis vs. UTEP.  What more do you want?

Go Miners.