UTEP set to host NMSU in season’s first Battle of I10
After a tough 1 point loss to rival UNM on Dec. 3, the Utep Miners will play their second straight rivalry game when the team hosts NMSU (8-2) in the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Battle of I-10 on Tuesday.
The Miners are trying to stamp out a four-game losing skid, and a three-game skid at the hands of their I-10 rivals. While the Aggies are riding a six-game win streak and haven’t lost since Nov. 18.
UTEP Head Coach Tim Floyd, is well aware of the challenge ahead.
“We’re going to have to have great games from all those guys, to have a chance against the Aggies,” Floyd said. “We were able to experiment with 2 bigs at one time and that seemed to be beneficial to our team. But this will be a real test for us, because the Aggies seem to be a NCAA tournament team.”
While NMSU Head Coach Paul Weir said he can’t take this Miner team lightly, despite their 4 game losing skid.
“This is as tough a road opponent that we’re going to have this year,” Weir said. “Obviously a team that’s had a week off to prepare and is right now probably up against it a little bit, so they are going to be playing hard and ready to roll. So we know we are going to get their best effort and we need to make sure to give ours as well.”
The Aggies have won six of the last seven games between the long-time rivals, but UTEP hopes to change that as they are opening a four-game homestand, which ties their longest of the season.
