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UTEP Basketball: New head coach Rodney Terry making great early impression

By Tristan Freeman

DENVER, CO - MARCH 17: Head coach Rodney Terry of the Fresno State Bulldogs looks on in the first half against the Utah Utes during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Pepsi Center on March 17, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Sean Haffey/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 17: Head coach Rodney Terry of the Fresno State Bulldogs looks on in the first half against the Utah Utes during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Pepsi Center on March 17, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Sean Haffey/Getty Images) /
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It was thought to be a lateral move when Rodney Terry moved from Fresno State to UTEP. After a couple of months, it looks like a great decision for him.

One of the more surprising coaching decisions from this offseason came in the Mountain West. It was regarding Fresno State and their head coach Rodney Terry, who decided to move on to Texas-El Paso.

It came somewhat out of nowhere, but it does make sense. Potential Conference Player of the Year Deshon Taylor returns, along with several key transfers eligible to play. The problem with the Bulldogs was where they ultimately stood in the Mountain West. Nevada looks to have taken the next level as a program, while UNLV, New Mexico, and San Diego State’s history makes them a better long-term bet than Fresno State.

In the past few seasons, the Miners of UTEP have struggled under Tim Floyd. They started out 1-5 with him before he abruptly retired. The team finished the season 11-20 (6-12) and was near the bottom of Conference USA. UTEP’s recent history of success and recruiting pipeline of Texas still makes them an intriguing program, which was why Terry made the jump.

He’s been at the job for just a couple of months, but the amount of talent at UTEP has increased significantly. So far, Terry and his new coaching staff has brought in seven new players. Four are recruits for the 2018 class, with three-star players Teddy Ochieng and Jacob Eyman the headliners.

*Editor’s note: Ochieng and Eyman are not part of the Miners roster

The other three are transfers who’ll have to sit out for the 2017-18 season. The first was Anthony Tarke, who led New Jersey Insititute of Technology (NJIT) in scoring at 15.7 ppg. Joining him is Souley Boum, who in his freshman year scored 11 ppg in just 20 minutes a night. He’s an explosive guard who needs to put on some bulk, so a redshirt year will do him wonders.

The latest transfer pickup happened this weekend, with the Miners grabbing former Duquesne University big man Tydus Verhoeven. As a freshman starter, the 6’8 forward only scored a few points and rebounds a night. But in just 20 mpg, he still managed to lead the A-10 in blocks a game with 2.2. With three years still left for him in college, he can grow and develop in other aspects of his game.

Next: 10 best coaching hires of the 2018 offseason

Western Kentucky looks to be the juggernaut in Conference USA, but that looks to be for as long as head coach and master recruiter Rick Stansbury is still around. Once he departs for another gig, the league will be wide-open again. Based on the early recruiting success by Rodney Terry, UTEP has as good a shot as the others to reign supreme in future years.