Bill Knight, El Paso Times Wrote:The Don Haskins Center was roaring, expanding with noise like a balloon blown too full.

And then the air slipped out of the old building.

No. 25-ranked Memphis, its undefeated Conference USA season dangling precariously inside that balloon, made the plays at the end ... a deep and talented and athletic team that fought and scrambled and defended its way narrowly past UTEP 56-54 in front of 11,581 Miner faithful Tuesday night inside that Don Haskins balloon.

It was back and forth, nip and tuck all evening. UTEP, a team that defends with an exclamation point, had the Tigers right where they wanted them -- locked into an eyeball-to-eyeball defensive slobber-knocker.

But the Tigers survived.

UTEP men's basketball: Miners fall in final seconds to No. 25-ranked Memphis

That was certainly the loudest arena I've heard all year on TV. Very tough place to sneak out a win.

Washburn said. "We'll play them again. I thought we defended them pretty well. We rebounded OK. I just want to see them again in the (conference) tournament."

Bring it!

This is the type road atmosphere Memphis has needed a lot more of in recent years to prepare our guys for some tournament success. This tough atmosphere is what has been lacking since UL & Cincy left for the BE. And it is what separates the BE, ACC & B1G from other conferences in tourney success. Of course the BE, ACC & B1G have more talent across their leagues too but even a very talented team in many leagues is lacking tourney toughness without a consistent diet of tough road games in hostile environments - and our team has been a prime example in recent years.

The miners are good at home, not so much on the road. It will be interesting to see how they play in the tournament without their home crowd. I doubt they play as well.

Slobber-knocker

(03-06-2013 11:36 AM)MM4Memphis Wrote:  Washburn said. "We'll play them again. I thought we defended them pretty well. We rebounded OK. I just want to see them again in the (conference) tournament."

Bring it!

...and last I heard, Tulsa isn't 4000 ft. above sea level.

And a neutral court with more Memphis fans than any other team except "maybe" Tulsa.

Beat'em without DJ

(03-06-2013 12:15 PM)Atlanta Wrote:  This is the type road atmosphere Memphis has needed a lot more of in recent years to prepare our guys for some tournament success. This tough atmosphere is what has been lacking since UL & Cincy left for the BE. And it is what separates the BE, ACC & B1G from other conferences in tourney success. Of course the BE, ACC & B1G have more talent across their leagues too but even a very talented team in many leagues is lacking tourney toughness without a consistent diet of tough road games in hostile environments - and our team has been a prime example in recent years.

I agree with this if you mean it creates mental toughness but all NCAA games are played on neutral courts which is why so many upsets happen, just my opinion.

(03-06-2013 11:36 AM)MM4Memphis Wrote:  Washburn said. "We'll play them again. I thought we defended them pretty well. We rebounded OK. I just want to see them again in the (conference) tournament."

Bring it!

Only if UTEP makes the finals and beats USM.

"I fell in love with a Mexican girl"
wicked Felina

I just wish our students would create all the mayhem behind the basket as those students did. Geesh!

(03-06-2013 03:08 PM)21-17 Best Time I Ever Ha Wrote:  I just wish our students would create all the mayhem behind the basket as those students did. Geesh!

'One little kiss, and Felina.....goodbye.'

(03-06-2013 11:36 AM)MM4Memphis Wrote:  Washburn said. "We'll play them again. I thought we defended them pretty well. We rebounded OK. I just want to see them again in the (conference) tournament."

Careful what you wish for.

(03-06-2013 11:36 AM)MM4Memphis Wrote:  Washburn said. "We'll play them again. I thought we defended them pretty well. We rebounded OK. I just want to see them again in the (conference) tournament."

Bring it!

I think Marshall is a scarier team than either UTEP or Southern in the tournament. Marshall has more talent. It just depends on whether they decide they want to play or not, and I'm sure they would decide to play against us.

(03-06-2013 03:08 PM)21-17 Best Time I Ever Ha Wrote:  I just wish our students would create all the mayhem behind the basket as those students did. Geesh!

OC facility.............and the only thing happening in El Paso.

The El Paso writer recognized a gutty road win.

And was correct.

And most accurate.