Alcorn State at UTEP Open Thread

UTEP Miners

Record: 6-4, Conference USA

Key Players:

Vince Hunter, So, F, 16.4 ppg, 10.3 rpg

Julian Washburn, Sr, G, 10.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg

For UTEP, its about how do they respond after a tough loss just 24 hours ago to third ranked Arizona. The disturbing trend of slow starts hurt the Miners again, as they had more turnovers than field goals in the first five minutes for the second time at home this season. I would expect Tim Floyd to tinker with some lineups, particularly the starting lineup as we have all seen what works and what doesn't in certain situations. The good news for UTEP is for the third game in a row, the defense has been back to up to the par we have expected out CTF teams and particularly this one. Two big tuneup opportunities, some have earned important minutes, while some have yet to show, but a huge pair of games for the Miners to solidify their conference contending legitimatizes.

Record: 1-8, SWAC

Key Players:

LeAntwan Luckett, Jr, F, 15.2 ppg

Marquis Vance, So, F, 10.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg

LeAntwan Luckett, returns as Alcorn State's big gun. The 6'4 Luckett is a great athlete, though is in a shooting slump in his last two outings going 10/25 from the field. Marquis Vance leads the Braves with 6.8 rebounds per game, also chipping in 10.8 points per game. Alcorn has seen their share of road struggles by not reaching more than 57 points in their six road losses. The Braves are shooting just 37.4 percent from the field, while their opponents are firing 48 percent from the field. No one averages more than three rebounds per game outside of Vance.