UTEP Hoops: Miners Picked to Finish 4th in C-USA
The UTEP men’s basketball team is picked to finish fourth in Conference USA this season, based on a vote by league head coaches.
UAB is the overwhelming favorite to repeat as C-USA champion with 11 of the 14 first-place votes. Old Dominion is picked second with three first-place votes, followed by Middle Tennessee, UTEP, LA Tech, Western Kentucky, Rice, North Texas, Marshall, FIU, Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, UTSA and Southern Miss.
The Miners’ leading returning scorer, senior guard Earvin Morris (11.0 ppg in 2014-15), was one of 10 players selected to the preseason All-Conference USA team. He was joined by FIU senior forward Adrian Diaz, LA Tech senior guard Alex Hamilton, LA Tech junior forward Erik McCree, Marshall junior forward Ryan Taylor, Middle Tennessee junior forward Reggie Upshaw Jr., Old Dominion senior guard Trey Freeman, Rice junior guard Marcus Jackson, UAB senior guard Robert Brown and UAB sophomore forward William Lee.
Morris started 13 games and came off the bench on 20 occasions a year ago. He scored in double figures in 13 of 18 C-USA games.
Fans can get their first look at the 2015-16 Miners at the free admission Orange & White scrimmage on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1:30 p.m. in the Haskins Center. UTEP Basketball season tickets are on sale now by calling 747-6150.