Breaking Down UTEP WBB latest commitments

Article by UTEPZay 

     In what has been a rather quiet and underwhelming offseason for UTEP fans, Miner Nation finally received some good news. And how fitting that it comes from Keitha Adams, one of only two coaches to win an NCAA Tournament/NIT game at UTEP in the last 15 years. Adams, who replaced Kevin Baker after his resignation this year, picked up her first commits of her second tenure in the Sun City this week.

   And she came out swinging.

  Replacing a 20-win team that went to the WNIT last year is not easy, at all. And despite her legacy at UTEP, replacing a coach like Baker won't be easy, either. Baker brought in some elite talent while at UTEP, and it showed this year. Getting players like N'Yah Boyd, Jazion Jackson, Avery Crouse, and Elina Arike is no joke. All of those players can play at the highest levels of college basketball. Thanks to Baker, the bar has somehow risen since Adams left. I was very interested in how Adams would play building this roster, after losing the top 4 scorers from last year's team. To be quite frank, I was nervous. It felt like an all-out rebuild was imminent and all the momentum Baker had built over the last 7 years was going to be wiped away. But the recent signees have reminded me of something. Don't. Doubt. Keitha. 

    The first commitment Adams received was from her star player at Wichita State, Jane Asinde. The 6-1 forward from Uganda began her college career at Grayson College, a JUCO in Texas. Her dominant sophomore campaign there saw her score double-figures in every single game she played in, and averaged 18.9 PPG and 12.5 RPG. She had 21 double-doubles and was named conference freshman of the year, while also earning WBCA NJCAA All-American honors. 

   After committing to WSU and Adams in 2021, Asinde continued to shine and averaged 8 PPG in 29 games during her first season. She also notched nine double-doubles and averaged 8 RPG. However, last season was Asinde's breakout year. She would receive All-AAC third-team honors while averaging a team-high 13 PPG. She also led the Shockers in rebounding (10 RPG), blocks (26), and field goal percentage (49%). She had 11 double-doubles and scored double-figures in 21 games (out of 31).  

  Asinde is a lengthy 6-1 and has steadily developed her post moves at the division 1 level. She has a smooth offensive game and has a knack for finding the basketball after it hits the rim. She even has a bit of a jump shot to her game, and if she continues to develop, she can easily be an All-CUSA type player. Asinde probably had tons of high-level offers, so this is a huge get from Adams and company. 

   The second commitment Adams received was from Penn State guard Ivane Tensaie. Tensaie only played in 8 games for the Lady Lions, where she averaged 0.9 PPG, but dominated at the JUCO level in her freshman year. The 5-7 Minnesota native was the NJCAA Freshman of the Year at North Dakota State School of Science. She averaged 20.8 PPG and 4.7 APG during her fabulous freshman campaign. She scored over 10+ points in 31 games that year and led NDSCS to a district championship. She was also very efficient, having 42/42/89 splits. 

   Tensaie is an all-around scoring guard that was at Penn State for a reason. The biggest question surrounding Tensaie is, can she take the bulk of the scoring at the guard position with little D1 experience? Luckily, if the roster stays the way it is, Mahri Petree and Erin Wilson will return as two guards who have shown they can score 10+ in any game. Veonce Powell and Zhane Thompson had great JUCO stints, and it looks like their rehab went well. With all the help around her in that position, she can focus and play and get accustomed to this level. And if she does, she is another player that can easily be a 10+ PPG scorer.

   Keitha Adams picked up two high-quality players that, in all honesty, can be playing at a P6 school. This weekend changed the way I view this upcoming season for UTEP women's basketball. They can compete, in year one. Keitha Adams has come in and shown that she wants to hang banners in the Don, again. As I said earlier, I've learned my lesson. 

Don't. Doubt. Keitha.