Derrick Caracter cleared to play

Derrick Caracter will be eligible to play tomorrow as UTEP takes on New Mexico State.

Caracter was a highly touted recruit from New Jersey, but after two years in Louisville that saw Caracter's weight balloon and grades collapse, Rick Pitino basically forced Caracter out of the program.

Caracter has a season and a half of eligibility left.
(photo credit: UTEP Athletics)

Pitino is not a coach that will put up with a lack of work ethic.

Will Tony Barbee?

You see, after Caracter left Louisville, he entered a period of uncertainty. He flirted with going to the NBA Draft and enrolling an a NAIA school, but eventually UTEP head coach Tony Barbee, who recruited Caracter while an assist at Memphis, decided to take a chance on him.

UTEP has a good team this year. Randy Culpepper is a dynamic, high-flying point guard that has averaged 16.8 ppg in UTEP's 5-0 start. Arnett Moultrie is an athletic and skilled 6'11" big man in the mold of Jason Thompson who has posted averages of 14.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg early on. Throw in a couple of solid role players, and the Miners are a team that has the weapons to compete in an open C-USA.

If there is anything the Miners are missing, however, it is a rugged power forward to play alongside Moultrie.

That fits Caracter to a T.

But the issue with Caracter has never been talent. It has been attitude and work ethic. As Jeff Goodman said today:

I still have yet to talk to any of Caracter's former coaches who have anything positive to say about him and his work ethic.

Hopefully, Caracter has had his wake-up call. And if all goes to plan, Barbee's Miners will be competing for a C-USA title come February.