By SteveKaplowitz on 5/5/2008 9:59 AM

UTEP Men's basketball coach Tony Barbee  has developed a rocky relationship with many members of the media.  He has not spoken to me since last October, when I broke a story that Stefan Jackson was seeking a transfer to Temple University.  The story was confirmed by more than one source, but Barbee was upset that I leaked it out and threatened to have me fired.  Nice threat,  Tony.  Now, Barbee's unleashed his wrath on members of the TV media because of the way they treated DJ after his arrest last month.  The Miners coach told TV media members that he would not cooperate with them as to whether or not Jackson would turn pro and declare for the NBA Draft.  Instead, they would need to get that information from the NBA.

I can't figure out why Bob Stull doesn't sit down with Barbee and explai ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 5/5/2008 9:47 AM

After hearing the news that former champion Johnny Tapia pulled out of his comeback fight Friday night, I wasn't too surprised.  Over the years, many great past, current, and future champions have fought here, helping to make El Paso a great fight town.  I was never excited about Tapia's return to the ring, primarily because I know he is an over-the-hill fighter who's best days in the ring are long gone.  As usual, the disagreement was all about money, even though Tapia told the media earlier in the week that his comeback was not about money.  It's a shame that Tapia's last minute no-show screwed the fans, many of whom paid good money to see the one-time legend.  I'm sure few fans who attended Friday's fight card at the Coliseum took the refund, because many of them are diehard boxing fans.    

By SteveKaplowitz on 4/29/2008 10:17 AM

Poor Roger Clemens.  This time last year, he was contemplating another comeback with the New York Yankees.  The Rocket did return to the Bronx, but nagging injuries grounded his launch with the Yankees.   Clemens did pitch for the Yanks, but was much less effective than he had been in recentt years.  In the last six months, Clemens has been mentioned in the Mitchell Report, denied taking steroids, and waged a public and now legal battle with his former trainer.  The latest incident involves an alleged 10-year affair with country singer Mindy McCready.  The relationship began when Clemens was a 28-year old pitcher with the Red Sox and McCready was a 15-year old aspiring singer.  As disturning as this sounds, the New York Daily News reported that the two weren't intimately involved until McCready moved to Nashville and became a country music star.  Clemens, of course ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 4/19/2008 9:45 AM

Now that Tony Barbee has withdrawn his name from consideration for the UMass opening, will Miner fans start to warm up to him more?  I don't know the answer to this question, but I do know that it's a great start for UTEP to capitalize on.  The Athletic Department should build on this, by making Barbee attend more community functions and cooperate more with local media.   This will help him get more fan support and it could only help attendance. 

Since nobody knows for sure what led to Barbee's decision, here's my guess on what went down.  John Calipari, who Barbee played and coached for, told the UTEP head coach that he wanted to push Memphis assistant Derek ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 4/18/2008 9:36 AM

"I have not been contacted by UMass, and I am not a candidate for their opening.  I am extremely excited about our team returning for next season and the future of the UTEP basketball program."

Those comments were made by UTEP head coach Tony Barbee this morning.  Unconfirmed internet reports suggest that Barbee will interview for the UMass job opnening next Tuesday.  Believe who you want to, but I won't be convinced Barbee is staying until UMass hires it's next head coach and his name is not Tony Barbee.

By SteveKaplowitz on 4/10/2008 9:01 PM

First, my apologies about not blogging the last few weeks.  As you can imagine, we've been very busy with the Sports Expo, NCAA Tourny, and so many live shows.  So here are a few things to get off my chest.

Good for Bill Self passing up huge money and his alma matter to stay at Kansas.  Oklahoma State might have been tempting for a few minutes, but Kansas is one of college basketball's best jobs.  Self is already a god in Lawrence after winning the National Championship in dramatic fashion, and has lots of job security.  Actually, I'm a little sursprised he stayed put at Kansas, given his past history at Tulsa and Illinois.  Don't expect former Self assistant Billy Gillispie to leave Kentucky for Oklahoma State.  The former UTEP head coach has a great situation in Lexington, and isn't about to giv ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 3/16/2008 3:31 PM

I'm watching the Tourny Selection Show and immediately, some great match-ups come to mind. Kentucky gets Marquette in the first round of the Tourny.  That means Billy Gillispie will play the man he replaced as head coach at UTEP. Despite being the Director of Basketball Operations  for Marquette and weighing in at well over 300 lbs, Jason Rabedeaux will be roaming the sidelines in Anaheim as the two teams meet.  Remember, Rabedeaux resigned at UTEP just prior to the start of the 2002-03 season.  Gillisipie took over the Miners and won just six games his first season.  After that, the rest is history.

Another great opening round match-up is USC and Kansas State.  The of the best freshmen in the nation will collide when USC's OJ Mayo meets K-State's Michael Beasley.  Can't wa ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 3/13/2008 11:41 AM

I'm sitting in the media room at The Mandalay Bay Hotel gearing up for my live broadcast.  This fight is much smaller than the De La Hoya and Mayweather bouts I've covered in past years, but many of the same boxing personalities are here: Tony Walker from HBO Sports, Bert Sugar, Bob Arum, and many boxing writers and columnists.  Today's show should be fun. Scheduled to appear are Juan Marquez, Manny Pacquiao, Shane, Mosley, Winky Wright, and Marco Antonio Barrera.  Some interviews will air live on today's show, while others could air tomorrow when I return to El Paso and broadcast live from Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.

I'm also anxious to follow the UTEP-Houston game on Gametracker and see if the Miners can make it two in a row in the C-USA Tourny.  I spoke with The Bear last night and we agree that McKiver can get his ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 3/2/2008 1:03 PM

Forget any thoughts of the UTEP Men's basketball team making the postseason.  That ended last night in Dallas with a double OT loss to the Mustangs.  I don't know what's worse, losing to a horrible SMU team or freshman sensation Randy Culpepper getting into it with Tony Barbee.  Both are signs of frustration for this young Miners team.  Since Barbee has repeatedly questioned his team's toughness, how does the coaching staff make this team any stronger?

By SteveKaplowitz on 2/24/2008 2:33 PM

It's hard to imagine any UTEP basketball team, men or women performing better than Keitha Adans' bunch this season.  The Miners finished their C-USA road schedule undefeated, after an 89-74 win at UCF today.  That's now 19 wins in a row for the Miners, who haven't lost a gme since December 1st.  The win also gave UTEP their first ever outright regular season conference championship, and the first banner that will be hung inside the Don Haskins Center next season.  Let's hope this team will get their first ever sellout when they host SMU on Thursday at 6pm.