"Same Old Madness," NCAA Ditches 25-9 UTEP

EL PASO, Texas -- You could forgive the UTEP Miners if they start quoting Bugs Bunny's old line about taking that left turn at Albuquerque. Albuquerque is almost becoming UTEP sports teams' second home. Just as with the Miners football team, the men's basketball team's post-season will take them to Albuquerque but not in the tournament they had wanted. The Miners (25-9, 11-5 C-USA), who made it to the NCAA Tournament last season, were left out of the big dance Sunday afternoon after losing to Memphis in the C-USA championship game Saturday and will play old WAC rival New Mexico (22-12, 8-8 WAC). Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

Tuesday at The Pit in the National Invitational Tournament. UTEP is a five seed in the tournament, while UNM is a four seed. Tickets can be bought through the UNM ticket office at www.unmtickets.com or by calling 1-877-664-8661 Toll Free or 505-925-5858, 10 AM to 4PM MST, Monday through Friday. Prices and onsale times have not been announced yet. UTEP coach Tim Floyd will be leading a team into the NIT for the fourth time in his career after taking New Orleans to the NIT in 1989, 1990 and 1994. There are 32 teams in the NIT. UTEP is 6-9 all-time in nine NIT appearances since 1965.

"Same Old Madness," NCAA Ditches 25-9 UTEP