Montana State at UTEP Gameday Thread

The UTEP Men's basketball team has matched a season high two game winning streak, and will try make it three in a row as they entertain the Montana State Bobcats tonight in the Don Haskins Center.

Tonight's contest starts a streak of six straight games at home for the Miners, including an exhibition match up.

The Miners are riding high after a 64-51 impressive win Saturday against the Washington St. Cougars, holding the Cougars two leading scorers to well under their averages, while also holding Wazzu to 34 percent shooting from the field.

Vince Hunter has been absolutely solid for UTEP, averaging 15 points and 8 rebounds in the Miners last three games.

In those games, Hunter has not played more than 25 minutes, and leads the entire C-USA in field goal percentage with .639 percentage.

John Bohannon has also been solid during that same stretch, after only scoring one-point against Kansas, Bohannon has scored in double figures the last four games, while picking up two double-doubles, and was one rebound away from a third.

It has been well documented how important McKenzie Moore is to this team, he has put in 30 points in the past two games, while getting to the free throw line 22 times in those two games.

Moore had his best outing of the season in my opinion against Washington State, 5 assists to 2 turnovers, while playing very solid defense, something that with his size, is more important than his scoring at times.

After a 1-4 start, the Bobcats have won four of their last five games, and come into tonight at 5-5 on the season.

Their schedule isn't much to write home about, though they do have four players who average nine points or more.

Flavien Davis is the leader at 10.2 points per, Paul Egwuonwo is a 6-9 center who averages 9.2 points, and 7.2 rebounds.

Montana State isn't a real deep team, the have eight guys who average 20-plus minutes a game. Forward Terrell Brown averages 9 points a game, and also rates near the top of the nation in free throw percentage at .871.

The Miners have finally found somewhat of an identity the past two games, playing tough defense, and playing smart on offense.

It has been fun to watch the growth of this team in those games, can this be sustained tonight and carried into this weekend's two games? .

Coach Floyd said he can tell his team is having fun again playing with each other, meaning this team might be coming around, perfect time with the next five at home including the C-USA opener.

Montana St. Bobcats

Current Record: 5-5, 0-0, Big Sky

Head Coach: Brad Huse

Team Stats

UTEP Miners

Current Record: 7-5, 0-0 C-USA

Projected Starters

McKenzie Moore, G, 13.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg

C.J. Cooper, G, 6.6 ppg

Julian Washburn, F, 10.7 ppg, 4.0 rebs

Vince Hunter, F, 10.8 ppg, 6.5 rebs

John Bohannon, C, 9.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg

Make sure to stay tuned to MinerRush for more information on all things UTEP sports, and make sure to Follow@sbnminerrush on Twitter for live updates throughout the game.