Supposedly, UTEP coach Tony Barbee is a major conference rival for the University of Memphis. But it didn’t seem that way Tuesday afternoon, as the former Tiger assistant got a warm welcome when he stopped by practice. Barbee was in town checking on his two Memphis signees, Ridgeway guard Jason Jones and Raleigh-Egypt center Arnett Moultrie.
Certainly, Barbee is more friend than enemy of the Tigers. But it’s not crazy to think that UTEP could be the second-best team in Conference USA this season, hopefully giving Memphis a true rival in the league it can attach to for the next few years. Tony is very pleased with the way his team has played to this point, nearly knocking off Texas A&M and sweeping the all-important home-and-home series with New Mexico State. If UTEP can beat New Mexico at home and somehow sneak out a win at Texas Tech, then finish a strong second to Memphis in the league, the Miners will certainly be in the discussion come Selection Sunday.
Also, Tony is working with former Tigers center Kareem Cooper, who left the program this past summer and is paying his own way at UTEP this year in hopes of earning a scholarship when he becomes eligible next season. Barbee said Cooper came in at 330 pounds but is down to 295 and “is the best player on the floor” during practices. “He’s going to have to earn his way, but it will be hard to keep him off the floor,” Barbee said.
Hopefully Kareem continues to do well at UTEP and can salvage his basketball career. At Memphis, he was lazy and surly and had pretty much worn the patience of everybody who tried to help him. Though Kareem has talent, believe me when I tell you the Tigers are better off without him. And he’s better off at UTEP. “He needed a second chance somewhere else,” Barbee said. “A change of scenery.”
Meanwhile, the Tigers have had a couple really good practices in a row. Sophomore Pierre Niles is struggling with a back issue, while Shawn Taggart had to sit out Tuesday with a left ankle injury. He hurt himself at the end of Sunday’s practice (the Tigers were off Monday), but it isn’t serious and he should be ready for Saturday’s game at Middle Tennessee State.
in Tiger Basketball
Responses to “Know thy enemy”
December 11th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
I’ve got to ask … think it’s been done before. Why is Niles getting more minutes than Bailey? Despite the weight issues, is he that much better? I’m glad he’s that good as to earn minutes despite having a non-existent summer work-out plan evidently. But what gives? It seems we are rewarding his non-work ethic.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Niles has the “it” factor, however he doesn’t know how to hone “it” at this level. I watched him play in high school and he can play. Minutes that he does play gives the team fresh legs for a few trips down the floor and a wide body. Niles get minutes because of size and what he can do for those limited minutes. Problem is he created these limits.
Having said that, he could be out if the right recuit comes around. Niles got his wake up call when Baily walked on the court down 30 lbs. Next year could be his for the taking “if”. I beleive if he does not get the weight off and get into shape Cal will replace him. If he gets the weight off and in shape his game will be outstanding. Either way I am peeved at him for wasting his talent and wasting my time waiting to see what he is capable of doing on the court.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:17 am
“Why is Niles getting more minutes than Bailey”……….Who cares? They both get less than 10 minutes per game and don’t bring much to the table. It’s not even worth discussing.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:50 am
Interesting.
While time is insignificant I guess on a grander scale, a minute here or there is significant to a bench guy playing on a team of this caliber.
Seems to me that Niles has been rewarded … for what I don’t know. Maybe Bailey sucks … not sure.
Hence the question asswhipe.
December 17th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Nice rebuttal Michael…very profound usage of adolescent name calling.
If you want Dan to analyze the 2 minutes per game that Pierre Niles and Hashim Bailey get, why don’t you e-mail him and request it. Otherwise, stick to the subject of the story. I will refrain from name calling only because we root for the same team.
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