Coach encourages support for Men’s team

Dear UTEP students:
Another year of Miner Basketball is here, and I hope you’re as excited about the 2012-13 campaign as I am!  
Last year was a rebuilding year for us after losing eight seniors, but we still posted 16 victories and beat the top three teams in C-USA, as well as New Mexico State, Auburn and Clemson in non-conference play.  
This year we have a solid nucleus of returning players led by sophomore Julian Washburn and four talented newcomers who can provide immediate help.  
We’re not where we want to be just yet, but I’m confident that we can continue to make strides as we build a program that annually contends for conference titles and NCAA Tournament bids.

When I was an assistant coach at UTEP from 1978-86, we never shied away from playing the best teams in the country.  
We’ve taken the same approach this year and have assembled the most challenging non-conference schedule in school history.  
We open the season on Nov. 9 against Oral Roberts-a team that won 27 games a year ago-and the preseason favorite in the Southland Conference.  
We also have NM State, UNLV, Oregon and Nebraska coming to the Don Haskins Center before Christmas.  
Three of the top teams in Conference USA: Memphis, Marshall and UCF will all be coming to El Paso this year, as well as Houston, Rice, SMU, Tulane and Tulsa.

With such a demanding schedule, we need your help in building the nation’s biggest home court advantage at the Haskins Center.  
Student tickets are free. All you need to do is sign up at sportslottery.utep.edu to reserve your spot in the arena, and pick up your ticket the day of the game!  Don’t forget to join our student support group, the Miner Maniacs.  
For only $10, you can receive free football and basketball jerseys and front row access in the student section.  
Miner Maniacs also get great $2 food specials at the concession stand and other privileges.  Call Judge Scott at 747-5387 to sign up.

It’s going to be an action-packed season and I want you to be a part of the excitement.  We need you to be our sixth man in the stands!
Thanks for your support and Go Miners!
Tim Floyd is the head coach of the UTEP men’s basketball team.