I feel that a lot of people are overlooking La Tech. They're being super quiet while working their resume up. I saw Joe Lunardi put them in his First Four Out last night. That's a great accomplishment for the league. UTEP hasn't even been mentioned in the Next Four Out.

I know that UTEP is hosting the tournament, and that will give them a good advantage, but I believe that if La Tech and USM both win out and play each other in the Championship game, both will be going to the tournament no matter who wins.


Sorry La Tech fans, I know you guys have wanted to sneak around the conference quietly and come out of nowhere, but I cannot allow that any longer.

I don't think anyone's overlooking LaTech, but we're probably getting a little more attention in-conference because we already beat them once. I certainly wouldn't want to face them again in the tournament...here's hoping we win-out and get the #1 seed.

Tech is not as good as USM and UTEP. Close, but we are not physical enough to beat them. Any team that can handle our pressure and plays physical inside will beat us 97% of the time.

Lunardi is lazy when it comes to the likes of conferences such as CUSA. The best record and/or tourney host will get the maximum of 2 bids afforded to bracketology. That doesn't mean LT or others aren't worthy.

USM because they're that good and UTEP because they keep winning regardless of how many players they lose.

(02-13-2014 10:15 AM)EagNBran Wrote:  I feel that a lot of people are overlooking La Tech. They're being super quiet while working their resume up. I saw Joe Lunardi put them in his First Four Out last night. That's a great accomplishment for the league. UTEP hasn't even been mentioned in the Next Four Out.

I know that UTEP is hosting the tournament, and that will give them a good advantage, but I believe that if La Tech and USM both win out and play each other in the Championship game, both will be going to the tournament no matter who wins.


Sorry La Tech fans, I know you guys have wanted to sneak around the conference quietly and come out of nowhere, but I cannot allow that any longer.

Simple, UTEP beat La Tech already... and will win the tourney...

(02-13-2014 10:15 AM)EagNBran Wrote:  I feel that a lot of people are overlooking La Tech. They're being super quiet while working their resume up. I saw Joe Lunardi put them in his First Four Out last night. That's a great accomplishment for the league. UTEP hasn't even been mentioned in the Next Four Out.

I know that UTEP is hosting the tournament, and that will give them a good advantage, but I believe that if La Tech and USM both win out and play each other in the Championship game, both will be going to the tournament no matter who wins.


Sorry La Tech fans, I know you guys have wanted to sneak around the conference quietly and come out of nowhere, but I cannot allow that any longer.

They aren't mentioned because they aren't getting an at-large spot with a strength of schedule of 219 and non-conference strength of schedule of 270.

Those will be the 2 to beat in El Paso but someone like LA Tech or Tulsa could get hot out there and win it.

I think a lot of folks are overlooking MTSU too.
Real concerned about our upcoming game, & looking forward to the LaTech-MTSU game. That should be a real barn-burner.

(02-13-2014 10:15 AM)EagNBran Wrote:  I feel that a lot of people are overlooking La Tech. They're being super quiet while working their resume up. I saw Joe Lunardi put them in his First Four Out last night. That's a great accomplishment for the league. UTEP hasn't even been mentioned in the Next Four Out.

I know that UTEP is hosting the tournament, and that will give them a good advantage, but I believe that if La Tech and USM both win out and play each other in the Championship game, both will be going to the tournament no matter who wins.


Sorry La Tech fans, I know you guys have wanted to sneak around the conference quietly and come out of nowhere, but I cannot allow that any longer.

Nope. You're wrong. We are going to lose in El Paso.

Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.

(02-13-2014 05:26 PM)AtlantaEagle Wrote:  I think a lot of folks are overlooking MTSU too.
Real concerned about our upcoming game, & looking forward to the LaTech-MTSU game. That should be a real barn-burner.

...next 3 of 4 will tell the tale of the tape

We have to rely on outside shooting more than UTEP and USM. If we can shoot better than 30% from 3 and 70% from the line we will be tough to beat. Appleby's return is the x factor because he has a solid mid range game and makes us better overall but who knows what kind of shape he will be in. That's why the games are played and we will see.

I would really like our chances in Ruston and imagine USM would do pretty well in Hattiesburg.

(02-13-2014 08:38 PM)winston70 Wrote:  We have to rely on outside shooting more than UTEP and USM. If we can shoot better than 30% from and 70% from the line we will be tough to beat. Appleby's return is the x factor because he has a solid mid range game and makes us better overall but who knows what kind of shape he will be in. That's why the games are played and we will see.

I would really like our chances in Ruston and imagine USM would do pretty well in Hattiesburg.

totally agree....nice macro analysis....somehow you guys have to pop the trey quicker, move the floor, and holy cow, make free throws dammit!

An injury to any of our 3 key players (Cooper-the only point guard, or Bohannon, or Julian Washburn) would change everything.

LA Tech is a good team. I watched them play twice, and they can play with anyone in the conference.

USM's speed at the guard spot, has me concerned.

(02-13-2014 09:08 PM)RUNVSFD MINER Wrote:  An injury to any of our 3 key players (Cooper-the only point guard, or Bohannon, or Julian Washburn) would change everything.

LA Tech is a good team. I watched them play twice, and they can play with anyone in the conference.

USM's speed at the guard spot, has me concerned.

again...totally agree...toss in MT and maybe TU....the tourney is going to be a battle

I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict that someone other the USM , Tech, and UTEP will win the conference tourney.

(02-13-2014 09:22 PM)RonBurgundy Wrote:  I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict that someone other the USM , Tech, and UTEP will win the conference tourney.

After the watching the first half of FAU's domination of UTEP, I might agree

After watching FAU dismantle us in the first half I now think it's anyones title to take. Homefield my foot.

(02-13-2014 09:22 PM)RonBurgundy Wrote:  I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict that someone other the USM , Tech, and UTEP will win the conference tourney.

everybody loses one they shouldn't at some time....this is really more about the conference gaining respect and two bids.....lost all cred tonight in Johnny Q's mind......

Does Tech still have a player injured ?

How vital is he to the team ?

When is he expected back ?

Thanks.