Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (7-5, 0-0 C-USA) will open up Conference USA play by squaring off at league preseason favorite UAB (10-3, 0-0 C-USA) at 5:30 p.m. MT/6:30 p.m. CT on Thursday (Dec. 30). The Miners are 2-2 on the road while UAB enters with a sparkling mark of 8-1 at home. UTEP is 9-7 in Conference USA openers, including 4-5 when doing so on the road. The Miners won their first six league lid lifters, but are 3-7 since. They have also dropped five straight in the situation. Thursday's contest marks the fourth straight season that the Orange and Blue will have their league opener on the road. UTEP is seeking back-to-back road wins since just before the Pandemic hit hard in  the USA in early March of 2020. Jon Teicher (41st year) will be on the call, which can be followed on "The Home Of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso, the UTEP Miners App and CUSATV.
 
SERIES HISTORY: UAB LEADS, 14-9
UAB leads the all-time series 14-9, aided by picking up victories the past five meetings. UTEP is in search of its first win in the series since Feb. 2, 2017, (W, 63-59, at Haskins Center) and its initial road triumph since Jan. 18, 2014, (W, 63-61, Bartow Arena). The Miners are 2-10 all time at UAB, including 0-2 last year.
 
ALL ABOUT THE FANS
UTEP is averaging 4,854 fans per home game thus far in 2021-22, which trails only the seasonal home average of 5,383 for ODU. Additionally, the Miners have been forced to play in front of an average of 8,537 fans on the road but are 2-2 on the road. That is the second-highest road attendance average of any Conference USA member.
 
GET TO KNOW UAB
Preseason Conference USA favorite UAB is lived up to that billing in nonconferrence play with a mark of 10-3, including a stellar 8-1 at Bartow Arena. It is the only C-USA program with double-digit wins to this point. The lone home setback came by six points to West Virginia. In fact, its  three losses (at South Carolina, vs. San Francisco and against West Virginia) have been by single digits and by a combined 11 points. All 10 Blazer wins have been by double figures. Jordan Walker (15.9 ppg), Quan Jackson (10.8 ppg) lead the high-octane attack that produces 82.2 points per contest (first C-USA/17th NCAA). The Blazers are also among the league and national leaders for steals per game (12.4-first/second), scoring margin (21.2-first/ninth), offensive rebounds per game (13.8-second/18th), field-goal percentage defense (38.2-second/22nd), scoring defense (second/41st), blocks per game (4.7-fifth/60th), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2-third/74th), 3-point percentage (36.0-third/77th) and field-goal percentage (46.3-fifth/86th). UAB returned four starters and seven lettermen from a team that finished 22-7 a year ago. It is under the direction of second-year head coach Andy Kennedy, who is 32-10 in that time frame. Overall he is 298-179 in his 15th season as a college head coach. The university was founded in 1969. Notable alumni include Regina Benjamin (former U.S. Surgeon General), Steve Chiotakis (featured on All Things Considered broadcast), Deidre Downs (2005 Miss America) and Vonetta Flowers (2002 Olympic gold medalist in bobsled).
 
GOING BACK IN TIME (BRADLEY 73, AT UTEP 66, DEC. 22, 2021)
UTEP went toe-to-toe with perennial Missouri Valley Conference contender Bradley before eventually falling, 73-66, in the championship contest of the 60th anniversary edition of the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational on Dec. 22. Keonte Kennedy (16 points, five rebounds, three steals), Jorell Saterfield(11 points) and Souley Boum (11 points) all hit double figures in scoring for the Miners. Bonke Maring was perfect from the floor and the line for six points off the bench. Jamari Sibley netted six points and five rebounds in reserve action as well. UTEP led by 14 (50-36) early in the second half before a big surge put Bradley back ahead with under five minutes to play, and the Miners couldn't recover. The Orange and Blue did pull even at 64 on a trey from Boum but Bradley went back ahead late. Kennedy had a good look at from 3-point to potentially tie the game with 30 seconds left but it didn't go down, and the Braves did enough in the waning seconds to hold on.
 
TIP-INS FROM THE BRADLEY GAME
-  All-tournament honoree Keonte Kennedy and Don Haskins Award Winner Jorell Saterfield both picked up accolades from the event.
-  There were six ties and seven lead changes in a game that featured big scoring runs from both sides.
-  Bradley connected on a Miner opponent season-high 12 three pointers.
-  Jamal Bieniemy led UTEP in rebounding (six) for the first time as a Miner.
 
CAN'T CATCH A BREAK
Due to injury or illness, the Miners have lost 16 man games already this year. No individual has started in every single contest, and UTEP has used a nation-leading (according to recent NCAA report) 10 different line-up combinations in 12 tilts. At least one starter has missed a game in four straight games and seven contests total this season. Additionally, only Kevin Kalu, Keonte Kennedy and Bonke Maring have appeared in all 12 contests this year out of the 15 Miners on the roster.
 
LOCK DOWN ON DEFENSE
UTEP has kept seven of its past nine opponents to at least five points below their scoring average entering the contest. Those seven foes have been held to a total of 81 points combined under the expected output, which works out to 11.6 fewer points per game by the opposition across the board. The defensive lock down started at Pacific (64 points scored, 69 ppg), followed by UCR (52 points scored, 70 ppg), FAMU (53 points scored, 70 ppg), NM State (72 points scored, 77 ppg), at No. 8 Kansas (78 points scored, 85 ppg), at New Mexico (69 points, 83 ppg) and most recently NCCU (61 points, 75 ppg). Overall UTEP's scoring defense is 65.1 (fourth C-USA/101st NCAA).
 
ON THIS DATE IN UTEP HISTORY
TWC (renamed UTEP the next season) rolled over No. 4 Iowa, 86-68, on Dec. 30, 1965, an indication of things to come as the Miners went on to win the 1966 NCAA Championship while starting five African Americans. The historic run eventually inspired the Disney hit movie Glory Road.
 
SCORING STREAK
Souley Boum (64), Keonte Kennedy (36), Christian Agnew (16) and Jamal Bieniemy (12) all have scoring streaks of at least 10 games. Furthermore, Boum is at 21 contests for double-digit scoring effort while Kennedy is at a career-long five for double-digit streaks
 
MIX AND MATCH
UTEP has used 10 starting line-ups in 12 game, the most combinations nationally according to a report compiled by the NCAA. Overall 11 different Miners have started. Injuries, illnesses and Covid-19 protocols have played a big factor in the mix and match this season. It's a huge change from a year ago when the Miners utilized two starting line-ups with a total of six different players starting on the season. 
 
CRASH THAT GLASS
UTEP has been getting to the offensive boards, pulling down 10.6 offensive rebounds per contest. That figure is good enough for seventh in the league and 160th in the country. Keonte Kennedy (19 total) and Tydus Verhoeven (16 total) lead the way.
 
ALL ABOUT THOSE POINTS
UTEP  eclipsed 70 in each of the first four contests for the first time in six years. It also has a trio of 80+ point efforts, helping it put up 70.0 points per game. Guards Souley Boum (19.9 ppg), Keonte Kennedy (13.3 ppg) and Jamal Bieniemy (12.9 ppg) are all in double figures for scoring average. The last time UTEP had a player account for at least 20.0 ppg was in 2008-19 (Stephon Jackson), something Boum is 0.1 ppg shy of currently doing. Jorell Saterfield (7.1 ppg), Jamari Sibley (6.3 ppg) and Christian Agnew (6.7 ppg) are all above 5.0 ppg. 
 
TURN IT OVER
UTEP is  third in Conference USA and 32nd in the country by forcing 16.8 turnovers per game, which is aided by coming up with 8.6 steals per game (fourth C-USA/50th NCAA). Keonte Kennedy (2.1 spg-fifth C-USA/46th NCAA) and Jamal Bieniemy (1.8 spg-eighth C-USA) have been the catalysts.
 
THAT'S A GOOD MARGIN
UTEP has caused 16+ turnovers seven times on the year while committing 14 or less eight occasions. Furthermore, the Miners have made the same or fewer amount of turnovers compared to the opposition in 10 of the 12 games this year. The result is a +4.4 turnover margin (second C-USA/28th NCAA). UTEP is making 12.3 turnovers per game while forcing 16.8.
 
THEY ARE CALLED FREE THROWS FOR A REASON
UTEP is taking care of business at the charity stripe, connecting on 75.4 percentage at the line (second C-USA/44th NCAA). Six different Miners have hit at least 75 percent from the charity stripe this year, with Souley Boum setting the tone at 86.4 percent.
 
KNOCK THINGS DOWN
The Miners have shot better than 40 percent seven times thus far in 2021-22. They head into Thursday's outing at 41.2 percent from the floor. Freshman Kevin Kalu tops the team at 58.8 percent. (min. 15 FGA).
 
WIN BIG
All seven victories for UTEP have been by at least eight points, including five by double figures. Its four setbacks to unranked teams have been by a combined 27 points. The Miners lost by 26 at No. 8 Kansas.
 
NOTHING STOPS SOULEY
Souley Boum has dealt with both a broken finger on his non-shooting hand (missed one game), Covid-19 protocols (missed two games) and illness (missed one game) but he continues to produce. He is pouring in 19.9 ppg, which would be second in C-USA if he had played in at least 75 percent of the contests. Boum also paces the Miners and is among the C-USA and NCAA leaders for free throws made (57-second/18th) and attempted (66 (second/45th).
 
JB'S WORLD
Jamal Bieniemy reached double figures in scoring in the first seven games of the season, eclipsing his prior effort of four that he achieved in nonconference play last year. That streak was halted when he had just 11 minutes of action at No. 8 Kansas due to an injury. Bieniemy missed the ensuing two games with injuries before returning to play at the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational. He has led UTEP in scoring four times this year after doing so a trio of occasions in 2020-21, and paces the squad in assists.
 
KEONTE DOES IT ALL
Keonte Kennedy is having a career year, leading the team in rebounding (5.9 rebounds per game) and steals (2.1 steals per game while rating second on the squad in scoring (13.3 points per game). He has started all but one game (11 of 12) and is logging a team-best 34.0 minutes per game.
 
SATERFIELD FROM DOWNTOWN
Jorell Saterfield is proving to be a big-time threat whether he's starting (past two games) or is coming off the bench (first nine). That is especially true from 3-point range. The Ranger College transfer is leading the team in 3-point percentage (min. 30 3FGA), nailing 45.0 percent (18-40). He has made 18 three-point shots and 10 two-point field goals.
 
KALU NETS FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
UTEP forward Kevin Kalu was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Week, the league office announced Dec. 20. He became the first Miner to claim the honor since Jordan Lathon did during the 2018-19 season (Feb. 25, 2019). The Baltimore, Md., product came alive with career highs in points (eight) and assists (two) while adding four rebounds to help hold off upset-minded McNeese, 82-72, on Dec. 16. Kalu played 25 minutes, didn't miss a shot from the field (2-2) or at the charity stripe (4-4).
 
TALKING 20+ POINT GAMES
Souley Boum has a quartet of 20+ point games this season and 30 in his career between San Fransisco and UTEP. Jamal Bieniemy surpassed 20 points three times in 24 contests a year ago. He has a pair of such efforts in 2021-22.
 
MILESTONE TRACKER
Souley Boum (started at San Francisco) recently surpassed 1,000 points in a UTEP uniform (1,021), becoming the first Miner to join the club in five years and 35th overall. For his career he now has a total of 1,415 points while appearing in 100 games (64 at UTEP). Christian Agnew (started at North Alabama) is on the verge of 900 points for his collegiate career (895). Jamal Bieniemy (started at Oklahoma) is moving toward 700 career points (656) for his college career, including 327 at UTEP. He's also eclipsed 300 assists (326) for his college career, including 120 helpers at UTEP. Alfred Hollins (started at Oregon State) has moved beyond 500 career points (545) and surpassed 100 career games played (107). Tydus Verhoeven(started at Duquesne) has more than 300 rebounds (321) for his collegiate career, with most at UTEP (213) while also surpassing 100 career blocks (116).
 
THE BASIC FACTS ON THE 2021-22 SEASON
-  This is the 101st season of UTEP men's basketball, with the Miners standing 7-5 in 2021-22. There are 17 home games (5-3 thus far) and 13 road contests (2-2 thus far) prior to the C-USA Championships (March 8-12, 2022).
-  The Miners returned four starters (Jamal Bieniemy,Souley Boum, Keonte Kennedy and Tydus Verhoeven) and eight lettermen overall. Other returning lettermen are Christian Agnew, Cam Clardy, Gilles Dekoninck and Ze'Rik Onyema.Emmanuel White, who redshirted, also came back.
-  UTEP has six newcomers: Kezza Giffa, Alfred Hollins, Kevin Kalu, Bonke Maring, Jorell Saterfieldand Jamari Sibley.
- The Miners brought back four of their five leading scorers from 2020-21 in the form of Souley Boum(18.8 ppg), Keonte Kennedy (8.6 ppg), Jamal Bieniemy (8.6 ppg) and Christian Agnew (6.1 ppg).
 
COMING SOON TO EL PASO
JUCO standout Jon Dos Anjos (nationally-ranked Florida SouthWestern State) has signed a national letter of intent to enroll at UTEP and play for the men's basketball team beginning in 2022-23. Dos Anjos will have two years of eligibility for the Miners. He was a first-team all-league performer for the Bucs in 2020-21, helping them go 18-5 and advance to the semifinals of the FCSAA State Tournament. He averaged 10.3 points and 5.7 rebounds while playing in all 23 games, including 20 starts.
 
GOLDING ERA UNDERWAY
Joe Golding has embarked on his first season with UTEP, and as the 20th head coach in program history. He is the eighth head coach for the Miners since legendary Hall of Fame Coach Don Haskins retired following the 1998-99 season. Golding is 165-149 in his 11th season as a collegiate head coach, including 7-5 at UTEP. He spent 10 years at ACU (158-144), helping it transition from a Division II to a Division I program. Golding led the Wildcats to the past two NCAA Tournaments played, including a stunning upset as a 14-seed of third-seeded Texas in the first round of the 2021 Big Dance.
 
LOOKING TO JOIN AN EXCLUSIVE GROUP
First-year head coach Joe Golding (7-5 thus far) is hoping to be part of an exclusive group at UTEP. Of the previous 19 head coaches at UTEP, only three have put together a winning season in their first year on the sidelines in the Sun City. Don Haskins became the first when he directed the Miners to a mark of 18-6 in 1961-62. Doc Sadler (27-8, 2004-05) and Tim Floyd (25-10, 2010-11) also achieved the feat. Overall the prior 19 head coaches have combined to forge an average record of 9-13 in their first year with UTEP.
 
EXPERIENCED STAFF
The Miners have an experienced staff on the sidelines for the 2021-22 season, each of whom are in their first year in the Sun City. Between head coach Joe Golding(22 years), associate head coach Jeremy Cox (30 years) and assistant coaches Butch Pierre (37 years) and Earl Boykins (eight years), the Miner coaching staff has a combined 97 years of experience at coaches at 26 different stops along the ways at varying levels of competition. Boykins is the least experienced in terms of coaching, but he's the most accomplished on the court after playing 12 seasons in the NBA.
 
PRESEASON HONORS
Souley Boum was tabbed a Preseason All-Conference honoree, it was announced before the season by the Conference USA office. A 2021 All C-USA third team member, Boum ranked third in C-USA in scoring (18.8 ppg) and fifth in the league in total points (450). He also paced the conference and was 15th in the country with 130 made free throws. Boum knocked down his free throws at a rate of 81.2 percent, which was good enough for eighth in C-USA. He also led UTEP in steals (34) and dished out 60 assists.
 
PRESEASON PREMONITIONS
UTEP was predicted to finish 10th in Conference USA, according to the preseason poll that was announced prior to the season by the league office. UAB (190 points) was slated first, followed by LA Tech (second-184 points), WKU (third-162 points), Marshall (fourth-147 points), Old Dominion (fifth-130 points), North Texas (sixth-124 points), Charlotte (seventh-110 points), Rice (eighth-104 points), Florida Atlantic (ninth-84 points), UTEP (10th-82 points), UTSA (11th-48 points), Southern Miss (12th-42 points), FIU (13th-36 points) and Middle Tennessee (14th-28 points).
 
C-USA UPDATE
Twelve of the 14 schools in the league finished nonconference play with a record of .500 or better, including the Miners at 7-5. Thursday's opponent UAB was the only squad in the league to reach double digits in wins in nonconference action, standing 10-3.
 
LOOKING TO REGAIN WINNING WAYS IN C-USA
UTEP enters the 2022 league slate in search of its first winning record in Conference USA play since 2017 when the Miners went 12-6 in the league to finish tied for third. That year capped a run of five straight seasons with winning marks in conference action, the longest since 11 straight such efforts under Don Haskins from 1980-90.
 
UP NEXT
UTEP was slated to play at Middle Tennessee, but the game was postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests within the Blue Raiders' program. The Miners will now be idle until playing host to LA Tech in their C-USA home opener at 8 p.m. MT on Jan. 6. For tickets, fans may call the Eisenberg Family Ticket Office at (915) 747-UTEP, email tickets@utep.edu, or visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or in person (Brumbelow Building on UTEP campus, 201 Glory Road).