WKU Basketball: Talkin’ Tops vs. Miners With Miner Rush’s Alex Nicolas
When I first began my foray into WKU blogging, way way back in 2013, Alex and his crew over at Miner Rush were one of the first folks to really embrace me as a blogger in the C-USA space, nevermind the fact that I had literally no idea what I was doing.
Ever since my entrance into the C-USA blogsphere, Alex has been one of the best folks to interact with. He’s been supportive of every stop I’ve made, and he’s always fun to interact with on Twitter.
The loveliness of Alex makes it hurt how bad a year UTEP has had. First a winless football season and now their basketball season has gone nowhere but south.
Anyway, he was kind enough to elaborate on the terribleness of the season.
The Towel Rack: How has life post-Tim Floyd been?
Alex Nicolas: Miserable. Did you see Tyrik Dixon’s crossover last week? *facepalm*
I mean life with Tim Floyd wasn’t rosy and successful, but Floyd’s departure seemed like the white flag was being waved before December even hit. It’s been really weird and awkward at times from someone on the inside, and UTEP fans aren’t used to having a sucky hoops squad, but reality has hit, and UTEP probably would have been better off with Floyd sticking things out.
TTR: It seems like the Miners have struggled to find footing in C-USA play, but on paper, they were able to hang with UTSA and UAB. Are things starting to come together for the Miners or have those results been somewhat of an anomaly?
AN: Nah, I see you being nice and respectable Fletch, but this UTEP team is on the ropes and one knockout punch from being KO’d from a confidence standpoint. They have one scholarship big man in the rotation while the other two battle unfortunate injuries. UTEP has not found an identity on either end of the floor, and the lack of leadership is why UTEP is a terrible second half team. UTEP hung with both UAB and UTSA for stretches, but have been unable to build any momentum off those closer games.
TTR: Omega Harris might just be one of the best players in CUSA, despite his disappointing statline this season. For those who don’t know him, tell them why they should love him?
AN: He’s quicker than quick, he creates easy shots for his big men, and has a very likeable personality that UTEP fans will certainly miss when he graduates. Harris was slowed up early in the season with a back injury which has tapered off his stat line, but is a capable guard who can drop 20 points on any given night.
TTR: My man, you know I love you, but I just can’t find anything positive about this Miners team. So, I’ll ask this — how are you, and the rest of the UTEP fan base, getting through this hell of a year?
AN: Lots of alcohol, and for the first time ever I’ve been tapped into the NBA regular season and local high school basketball, which I usually don’t do until after the C-USA tourney. It’s been rough watching a football team go 0–12, then being labeled as a basketball school only to have mighty Lamar ragdoll you on your own floor. But fans are optimistic that new AD Jim Senter will shake up the basketball program like he was done with the football program so far.
TTR: Is there anything you could see UTEP doing to sneak up and catch the Tops sleeping and looking ahead to UTSA on Saturday?
AN: Knockdown a bunch of timely 3’s, and finding a defensive niche to make things difficult for the Tops. UTEP doesn’t do anything particularly special overall, but those two aspects could creep up and make things close.
TTR: I think I know how this is gonna go, but got a prediction?
AN: UTEP might hang around via the 3-ball early, and hopefully Stansbury feeds the squad the greasiest Tacos in El Paso the night before the game to slow down WKU. But on the real, WKU will pound the paint and win by 12, but UTEP will show some fight in their crib.
Again, big thanks to Alex for taking time to answer questions, and next time he’s in and/or around BG, a beer (or three) are on me.
If you haven’t (and I’m not sure why) checked out the work he and the Miner Rush crew do, fix that. They do an amazing job, especially with how down football and basketball have been this year.
