The road ahead gets prettier for the UTEP women's basketball team, but a lot tougher too.
They tip off the Island Division of the Paradise Jam Thursday against LSU, starting a three-day run against power conference schools. North Carolina State is Friday and Kansas State awaits on Saturday, with all the games in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
For the 1-2 Miners, rebuilding with a young, largely new cast, it's a daunting lineup of opponents that are a combined 10-1, but one that gives them a chance to get better against a high bar.
"It's a chance to bond and grow as a basketball team," coach Keitha Adams said.