Apologies to the people who were waiting for the gamethread to open for the UAB game. I rushed home from work to catch the game, and was too into it to even think about anything else. Not to mention, I was still trying to gather myself after the loss, and was "unable" to write anything on the game afterwards.
Anyway, tonight's game should be a good one as the Miners (13-4, 1-1) face off against the current leader in the C-USA standings in the Tulane Green WAVE (12-3, 2-0). This game checks in at no. 2 in the MinerRush C-USA games of the week. Tulane is coming off conference wins against SMU and Rice, and have won 6 in a row. The Miners are coming off the heartbreaking loss to UAB, but should be more than ready for this one.
Key players to watch in this one are:
TULANE:
Sophomore G/F Kendall Timmons - Timmons is coming into the contest nearly averaging a double double with 17.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg. The sophomore G/F is coming off his second highest scoring output of the season where he put up 26 against SMU. This standout player has 5 double doubles on the season including a 33 point, 19 rebound performance against Lamar. Timmons also averages 43.5% from downtown.
Senior G Kris Richard - Richard is averaging 13.9 ppg to go along with 6.1 rebounds. This senior can also light it up as he scored more than 20 points 3 times including at Georgetown, and at Rice, and he averages better than 40% from three point land.
Sophomore G Jordan Callahan - Averages 12.9 ppg, and 4.3 apg.
Senior G/F Aaron Holmes - Averages 10.9 ppg, and is deadly from 3. Has only taken 23 on the year, but has converted on over 60% of them.
UTEP:
Senior G Randy Culpepper - The reigning C-USA player of the year needs no intoduction, but look for him to continue his hotstreak. Randy is averaging 31.3 ppg over the last 3 contests.
Senior PG Julyan Stone - Julyan alway contributes in every facet of the game. He's pumped and ready to go. Stone was quoted following the 100-97 triple overtime loss at UAB. "Everybody was upset...we just don't like to lose...we just have to regroup now and move on to tulane". Julyan's knees have been bothering him as of late, but look for him to have a real impact on this one.
Senior G Christian Polk - Polk has to be a big contributor. He's our best three point shooter at 45.2%, and out best free throw shooter at 88%. We really need him to take and make the big shots tonight and for the rest of the season.
Senior F Jeremy Williams - Williams is averaging 10.2 ppg, and 6.0 rpg. He's a leader out there, and we need him to play well.
Freshman F/C John Bohannon - Bo has quickly become our best presence on the inside. He's averaging 6.4 ppg, and 6.3 rpg. Those numbers are fine, we just need him to play strong and aggressive, but SMART!
X-Factors - Gabe McCulley, Mike Perez, Claude Britten: McCulley is a senior and is playing some productive minutes. Great defender, and contributes on the offensive end as well. Perez is only a freshman, but he needs to start becoming more aggressive. We need him to shoot the ball like he can, and play sound defense. Britten has the most polished inside game, but doesn't have the stamina, due to issues with asthma, to play significant minutes. He kept us in it in Birmingham, and we need him to play like that, aggressive and SMART, every second that he is in the game.
OUTLOOK: A classic matchup of youth vs. experience. The Green Wave have surprised many, and maybe even themselves with their 12-3 start, while the Miners have done well at 13-4 but could've done better. The Miners need this one, and their experience will prevail.
UTEP take this one 75-67.