In The Dig: More on Evan Davis; A Frosh may crack the starting lineup on defense; some rumors from the recruiting trail and more.
The UTEP Miners
Not What the Miners Needed
Mike Price hasn't yet made up his mind on how he will discipline wide receiver Evan Davis. We were all hoping for a breakout year for Davis but luckily the Miners have some depth behind him.
At that point, Price had known about Davis' situation for about two hours. He indicated he was still gathering facts and presumably to see how the legal situation will play out. Though Davis is a starting receiver, that is probably the position with the least difference between the starter and the players behind him. Price indicated Pierce Hunter was the leading candidate to replace Davis if he is gone for an extended time. James Thomas, Corey Trisby, Russell Carr and Devorick Williams would also be factors.
Good & Bad
It looks like freshman Marcus Bagley may join freshman Germard Reed as the other starting tackle in Andre Patterson's 4-3. Bagley has the size and strength, but whenever you start two freshman at a position as key as defensive tackle, you can expect some growing pains.
UTEP's big defensive concern a month ago was defensive tackle. Now it looks like they could be starting a pair of freshmen in Germard Reed and Marcus Bagley (a true freshman). That may actually be a good thing. At 6-foot-2, 320 pounds, the three-star recruit Bagley is one of the first Miners in a while who looks like a prototypical defensive tackle
No Bull
The Texas Longhorns have changed around their future schedules due to the need to add a 9th conference game (The Big 10, remember?). Consequently, UTEP has moved their 2012 game with the Horns to 2016. The Miners add Wisconsin to the schedule instead. UTEP plays Arkansas this year, Kansas in 2011, Wisconsin in 2012, Colorado State in 2013, and Texas in 2016. All road games.
Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey Joe Muench
The arrest of Evan Davis is even more proof to Joe Muench that this Miner squad will be downright terrible. Joe doesn't discuss UTEP's depth at wide receiver, emerging stars in Lavorick Williams or anyone else. Last week, he said that losing Tim Curry was a sign that UTEP's quarterback play might be improving since Curry probably felt he couldn't move up the depth chart. This week, the departure is another sign that the team is set towards a disastrous 2010.
Success this season, as far as wins, is already iffy. The early two-deep roster shows 10 seniors starting on offense, but virtually no crystal ball prognosticators are picking UTEP to beat a lot of people, even in Conference USA.
The Transfer
Tate Smith, the transfer QB from New Mexico, talked to Craig Evans at Kyyotes Howl. Tate wouldn't taking a stab at his old squad.
Asked if he was looking forward to the upcoming UTEP/UNM game a broad grin spread across his face. "I definitely am…I definitely would like to go down there and beat those guys."
The Rumor Mill
Luke Cothron is a good looking post player out of Alabama. He originally was set to go to N.C. State before signing with Auburn (yes, Tony Barbee's Auburn) but last week he failed to qualify academically.
Cothron is a 6-foot-8 power forward who averaged 31 points and 13 rebounds as a high school senior.
Now, Jacey Zembal of an NC State Rivals site tweeted that Cothron may be headed to El Paso.
Former NCSU commit and Auburn signee Luke Cothron could be playing for UTEP this year, but we'll see. Still much to be determined.
Volleyball Online
The NMSU athletics office is reporting that the UTEP- NMSU volleyball game set for Friday, September 3, 2010, will be available to watch online, at ESPN3.com.
Taxpayer Dollars at Work: The Cit of Birmingham annually purchases 5,000 sets of season tickets to UAB football games to give away. Not 5,000 tickets- but rather 5,000 sets of season tickets. The Blazers clearly don't have much local support.
The Memphis Tigers
Sad for the Grizzlies: New basketball player Antonio Barton discusses what its like playing basketball at Memphis. It might be better than playing for the Memphis Grizzlies.
"It's like you can't even explain it," Barton said of the atmosphere in Memphis. "If we walked in the room the same time as the Memphis Grizzlies, everyone would run to us. We're the No. 1 team there. Every time we play at FedEx [Forum], we sell it out. It's all good. I love it."
JC Quarterback Matt Christian has been named the starting QB at NMSU over incumbent Jeff Fleming.