Spring Conversation With Tim Floyd

In a confident way due to the work of himself and his staff in putting together the 2015-16 roster and despite losing four big time producers, Tim Floyd thinks his new group of Miners will be just fine.

It's our first conversation with the head man since the end of last season season, Floyd talked about wrapping up the class of 2015, where the schedule for next year is at, the new college basketball rules, and sort of dispelled any Iowa State rumors.

Floyd explained the process in gathering information on Dominic Artis before even offering, he also feels Artis is the point guard the program has been missing under his watch.

"I feel like he has the opportunity to solidify that position." Floyd said of the addition of Artis. "I’ve always felt like my best teams, in fact the best teams in this school’s history played with two point guards at the same time. We may be at a point where we are able to do that."

He also talks about the latest additions in Kelvin Jones who will be a Prop 48 signee, and British swingman Josh McSwiggan.

He also stressed the importance of the program building that he has done in staggering the recruiting classes to have the scholarship depth UTEP will have this year despite the youth.

"It’s a big class, we feel like for the first time we have got to a point where we have a program going. We lost four key players a year ago and now, who are you? Well we think we’re going to be good again because of the guys we have returning, and because of the newcomers we have coming in. Our classes are staggered, to where if we take a hit with a couple of seniors leaving we should have younger guys bleeding in. It’s been real process to get to this point."

Floyd also says the putting together of the 2015-16 schedule is still fluid and not ready to be announced, but the Corpus Christi Tournament around Thanksgiving time is official.

On the note of program building, it also seems Floyd has no interest in leaving UTEP if the Iowa State job opens as first reported by ESPN’s Andy Katz on the possibility of Floyd being a candidate if Fred Hoiberg leaves Iowa State for the NBA.

Floyd shot the question down, but did not deny or address the topic in detail.

Coming up in late June are a pair of camps Floyd and his staff will host for fans and their children.

On June 20th is the guardian and child camp for ages 7 through 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Then from June 29th through July 2nd is the boys and girls camp for ages 7 through 17 featuring instruction from UTEP coaches and players.

Registration information for both camps can be found on the UTEP Athletics website or call 915-747-5142 or visit www.UTEP.edu.

Full audio of the interview below