Jeremy Williams during practice earlier this season. (Image: Brian Kanof)

Miner Illustrated was on hand as the Miners stepped on the court to prepare for this week’s Conference USA Tournament. As we walked into practice this evening, Miners were conducting a shooting drill in which they shoot for 3 minutes straight.  We caught the tail end of that drill but witnessed Christian Polk and Isaac Gordon trade swish after swish.  On the other end of the court, Derrick Caracter was putting on a display from all angles of the court and from 3-point land.

Coach Barbee closed out practice with his 5-on-5, no holds barred, scrimmaging and intensity was not in short supply.  It was nice to see the hard nosed and passion back on the court but Barbee and his band of coaches continued to iron out loose ends.

Claude Britten looked good in the paint and Barbee complimented him on his hustle down court.  After the compliment, Barbee asked why he hadn’t performed that kind of hustle in the game, and Britten acknowledged the not so subtle hint.

UTEP’s starting five continued to look good pushing the ball up the court finding teammates in various lanes.  Arnett Moultrie and Christian Polk made mistakes on dribble drives but quickly corrected their errors.  Polk still struggles on both ends of the court and looks to get out of this slump this week in Tulsa.

UTEP will play against the UCF/SMU winner on Thursday night.  Games will be telvised on CBS College Sports with Saturday’s championship game televised on CBS.