I’ve already heard it a thousand times from head coach Tim Floyd, other coaches, players, and pretty much anyone willing to give some kind of explanation as to what to expect from the men’s basketball team this year.

“This is a rebuilding year.”

I know it is and I know there are going to be a bunch of bumps and bruises along the way. Saturday night was no different as the supposed 6,709 fans in attendance watched the Miners drop another game, this time to Stephen F. Austin, and saw their record slip to 1-3.

There were lots of mistakes in the game, to say the least, as I saw missed shots from point blank range, forgotten defensive assignments, a lack of communication and at times, players just standing around watching what was going on. At one point late in the second half, Floyd swapped four players because they failed to hustle on defense and he let them know it when they sat down.

Suffice it to say, it was mindboggling to think that this was a team that just had a week off to work on their game plan for SFA.

But what was more bothersome than anything was the fact that there was a lack of any kind of killer instinct. I’m not talking about the kind of instinct a player should have when trying finish off a game when you’re in the lead, rather the want and desire to finish off a possession with some kind of gusto and fervor.

I’m talking about the killer instinct that a player has on offense to try and make something happen whether it’s driving the lane to draw a foul or kicking it out to an open player for the shot.

I’m talking about the fire that resides in you on defense that makes you want to completely shut down you opponent to the point that they are frustrated to no end and lose focus on the game mentally.

I’m talking about the automatic reaction that when the ball goes up in the air for a shot, you’re sprinting to the hoop to fight for positions and hopefully the rebound.

I didn’t see any of that on Saturday and when I spoke to several people about what I was thinking, every single person agreed that this team is missing that killer instinct. No one has stepped up on this team to show they want to win yet.

In fact, I may have pissed off some players on the team because I bluntly asked if they felt there was this killer instinct on the team. Perhaps it was because they were caught off guard by the question or maybe it was a hard realization that no one had every really asked this, but there was a dumbfounded look and a delay in the response.

No one likes to be asked if they have this, but with the way UTEP has been playing, it’s hard not to wonder if this group of players has this in them. I was told that the players were offended by the question I asked, but quite honestly, I don’t feel bad about it. Right now, this is not a good Miner team; it’s a bad Miner team and everyone knows it. I just don’t know if the players know it yet.

So here’s my suggestion to you, Miner basketball players: everyone knows you aren’t going to win 20 games this season, let a lone 15 and I’m okay with that. But for goodness sake, when you’re out on the court, play with some hustle and fire in your soul. Attack the ball on every defensive position and ask for help if you need it. Move around the court in the most productive manner you can when on offense. Set picks to open teammates up, drive the lane if need be and do whatever you can to get the ball back if you miss.

Set hard picks, dive for balls and when you do score, don’t make it fancy or celebrate a dunk. Get back on defense and get reay to make a stop. More importantly, step up and be a leader on the team.

There is no excuse for a lack of hustle on the court and I’m sure if fans see a constant, concerted effort to give it your all the entire game, there won’t be fans questioning what kind of team this is.

But as of this past weekend, it’s hard not to wonder if this team has any kind of killer instinct at all.