UTEP Clinches Number 3 Seed in CUSA Tournament

After a heartbreaking two point loss to rival Memphis, the Miners knew they would have to take care of the Mustangs on Saturday for the opportunity to get the number three seed in the CUSA tournament. I am positive that no one believed that SMU would defeat Tulsa tonight, but sure enough they did. This is big news for a Miner's team that had a pretty tough day yesterday after rumors spread about coach Tim Floyd's possible departure, as well as the loss. The fact that the Miners got the number three seed means a couple of important things. First of all, it gives them a day off to scout the teams that play in the tournament early on (those byes can be helpful). Second, the team will be rested and ready to go while the other teams will be a little weary. The most important thing is that with the number three seed, we won't have to worry about facing Memphis until the title game. There leaves a world full of opportunities to knock them off or even us. The truth is no one is really safe when it comes to March Madness.

So taking a look at the locks for the CUSA tournament so far you have:

#1. Memphis

#2. Southern Mississippi

#3. UTEP

#4. East Carolina

#11. Rice

Seeds 5 through 10 are still up for grabs. The Miners will face the winner of the #6 vs. Rice game on Thursday March 14th at a time to later be decided. At this moment, the teams that might face UTEP on Thursday would be Tulsa (0-2), UAB (0-1), Houston (1-1), Tulane (2-0), Marshall (1-0) or Rice (2-0). Like i said earlier, crazier things have happened and as tight as the race is for seeds 5 to 10, the Miners could end up facing any one of these schools.

As always, stay tuned to Miner Rush for developing stories with UTEP basketball and all things UTEP sports.