Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (4-3) will face its stiffest nonconference game on the docket when it plays at No. 8 (AP poll)/No. 7 (coaches' poll) Kansas at 6 p.m. MT/ 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday (Dec. 7). The game will be contested in Kansas City, Mo., at T-Mobile Center. The Jayhawks are 6-1 on the season, including a road 95-75 vanquishing of St. John's last time out on Dec. 3. The Miners are coming off a narrow 72-69 defeat to NM State, with the Aggies burying a triple with 1.6 seconds left to pull out the win. UTEP and KU are locking up for the second straight season, both on the road for the Miners. It also continues a difficult stretch for the Miners in which they will have faced NM State at home and played on the road at the Jayhawks and at New Mexico. UTEP is 32-91 all time against ranked opponents, and is in search of its seventh road win in program history when facing an AP top-25 foe. The last time the Miners knocked off a ranked team was a 74-65 double-overtime road win against [25] UAB on Jan.30, 2010.  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. It will also be streamed on ESPN+
 
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 3-2: LAST MEETING: at [4] KANSAS 67, UTEP 62 (3/4/2021)
UTEP leads the series, 3-2, including famously defeating No. 4 KU, 81-80, on the march to the 1966 NCAA Championship. The Miners also beat the Jayhawks, 66-60, to punch a ticket to the Sweet 16 of the 1992 Big Dance. That proved to be the most-recent meeting until No. 4 KU sneaked past the Miners, 67-62, in the regular-season final for the Orange and Blue on March 4, 2021. Joe Golding is 0-1 against Kansas, while Bill Self is 5-0 against the Miners during his overall head coaching career. Four of those triumphs came when he directed Tulsa from 1997-2000)
 
GET TO KNOW KANSAS
No. 8 Kansas is 6-1 on the season, with the lone setback coming on a buzzer beater on a neutral site to Dayton on Nov. 26. All six wins for KU have been by double digits, including most recently dispatching St. John's on the road, 95-75, on Dec. 3. Kansas is under the direction of 19th-year head coach Bill Self, who is 528-119 in that timeframe. He recently signed a lifetime contract with the Jayhawks. Overall, he is 735-224 in his 29th season with prior head coaching stops at Illinois (2000-03), Tulsa (1997-2000) and Oral Roberts (1993-97). It is in his 124th season of basketball (1888-89 first year) and has an all-time record of 2,329-872. The Jayhawks have 62 regular-season titles and 15 league tourney crowns. They have qualified for 31 straight and 49 total NCAA Tournament appearances. KU returned eight lettermen, including four starters, from a team that went 21-9, including 15-1 at home, a year ago.  Ochai Agbaji sets the tone offensive at 22.6 points per game to rate fourth in the country. David McCormack enforces the paint (1.6 blocks-94th). Dajuan Harris runs the point with a +3.4 assist-to-turnover ratio (21st NCAA). KU goes deep, using at least 11 players in all seven games. The Jayhawks are in the top-50 nationally for eight categories, including scoring offense (85.4-13th) and field-goal percentage (51.6-sixth). Notable alumni include Frank Rowland, who was awarded the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, actor Paul Rudd and NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain.
 
GOING BACK IN TIME (NM STATE 72, AT UTEP 69, DEC. 3, 2021)
Souley Boum (19 points), Jamari Sibley (career-high 18 points) and Jamal Bieniemy (11 points) all reached double figures in scoring but the Aggies' Jabari Rice spun home a three pointer with 1.6 left to let NM State slip past UTEP, 72-69, at the Don Haskins Center on Dec. 3 Bieniemy drew iron on a half court heave on the ensuing possession to cap a wild back-and-forth affair that featured seven ties and 10 lead changes. The Miners rallied back from down seven with four minutes to play to pull ahead by one (66-65) with 1:59 left but it proved the last UTEP lead. The Orange and Blue won the boards (32-27) and scored in key sequences, but couldn't get enough stops as the Aggies shot 56.6 percent for the game. UTEP made 41.7 percent from the field and committed only 10 turnovers
 
TIP-INS FROM THE NM STATE GAME
-    There were 10 lead changes in the contest. The first six games of the year the Orange and Blue had a total of nine lead changes.
-    There were seven ties, matching the amount of total ties during the opening six games of the campaign.
-    UTEP won the boards (32-27), outpacing an Aggie squad that had a +5.3 margin entering the contest.
-    Jamari Sibley had career highs in points (18), field goals made (seven) and attempted (9) and minutes played (30). He matched career bests in rebounds (seven) and 3-pointers made (two).
 
ON THIS DATE IN UTEP HISTORY (DEC. 7)
UTEP is 10-10 when playing on Dec. 7, which includes a 65-57 win over Iowa during the 1971-72 season which the Miners finished 20-7
 
SCORING STREAK
Souley Boum (60), Keonte Kennedy (31) and Christian Agnew (11) all have scoring streaks of at least 10 games. Furthermore, Boum is at 17 contests for double-digit scoring efforts while Jamal Bieniemy has done so all seven games this year, eclipsing his prior long surge of four.
 
MIX AND MATCH
Last year the Miners used two starting line-ups with a total of six different players starting on the season. It's been quite the difference this year with six line-ups in seven games, and 10 different individuals earning a starting nod.
 
CRASH THAT GLASS
UTEP has been flying to the offensive boards, pulling down 12.0 offensive rebounds per contest. That figure is good enough for third in the league and 84th nationally. Keonte Kennedy (14 total) and Tydus Verhoeven (13 total) and lead the charge in the department for the Miners.
 
ALL ABOUT THOSE POINTS
UTEP  eclipsed 70 in each of the first four contests for the first time in six years, which has helped it put up 70.4 points per game.  Guards Souley Boum (20.3 ppg) Jamal Bieniemy (16.0 ppg), and Keonte Kennedy (9.4 ppg) lead the way followed by swingman Jamari Sibley (8.3 ppg). The last time UTEP had a player account for at least 20.0 ppg was in 2008-19 (Stephon Jackson), something Boum is currently doing.
 
TURN IT OVER
UTEP is one of 19 teams in the nation to be forcing at least 18.3 turnovers per game, which is aided by coming up with 9.1 steals per game (fourth C-USA/44th NCAA). Keonte Kennedy (2.3 spg-fourth C-USA/33rd NCAA) and Jamal Bieniemy (1.9 spg ninth/C-USA/87th NCAA) have been the catalysts.
 
THAT'S A GOOD MARGIN
UTEP has caused 25+ turnovers twice on the year while committing 14 or less four times. The result is a +4.6 turnover margin (third C-USA/32nd NCAA). UTEP is making 13.7 turnovers per game while forcing 18.3.
 
KNOCK THINGS DOWN
The Miners have shot better than 40 percent five times thus far in 2021-22. They head into Tuesday's outing at 41.8 percent on the floor. Jamari Sibley tops the team at 54.5 percent. (min. 15 FGA).
 
WIN BIG
All four victories for UTEP have been by double figures while its three setbacks have been by a combined 21 points. The result has been a scoring margin of +9.3
 
NOTHING STOPS SOULEY
Souley Boum has dealt with both a broken finger on his non shooting hand (missed one game) and Covid-19 protocols (missed two games), but he continues to produce. He is pouring in 20.3 ppg and leads the Miners in free throws made (24) and attempted (28) despite playing just four games thus far.
 
JB'S WORLD
Jamal Bieniemy has reached double figures in scoring in all seven games this season, eclipsing his prior effort of four that he achieved in nonconference play last year. The guard has led UTEP in scoring four times already this year after doing so a trio of occasions in 2020-21.
 
SIBLEY STEPPING UP
Jamari Sibley has scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the first time of his career. He has averaged 15.5 points per game and 7.0 rebounds the past two tilts, after accounting for 4.8 ppg and 3.0 during the season's first five contests.
 
KEONTE ON THE GLASS
Keonte Kennedy is pulling down a team-best 6.7 rebounds per game, aided by pacing the team in rebounding in four of the seven games this season. He's done most of it at the defensive end, with 33 of his 47 boards serving as defensive rebounds.
 
TALKING 20+ POINT GAMES
Jamal Bieniemy surpassed 20 points three times in 24 contests a year ago, but he's upped his game this year. He already has a pair of such efforts in 2021-22, including going off for 21 points in the 67-53 victory against FAMU on Nov. 24. Souley Boum has a pair this season and 28 in his career between San Fransisco and UTEP.
 
MILESTONE TRACKER
Souley Boum (started at San Francisco) is marching toward 1,000 points (943 points) in a UTEP uniform while Christian Agnew (started at North Alabama) is inching closer for his collegiate career (854). Jamal Bieniemy (started at Oklahoma) is past 300 assists (319) for his college career, including 113 helpers at UTEP. With 20 points this year, Alfred Hollins (started at Oregon State) has moved past career points (535) and surpassed 100 career games played (103). Tydus Verhoeven (started at Duquesne) is beyond 300 rebounds (315) for his collegiate career, with the majority (209) at UTEP.
 
THE BASIC FACTS ON The 2021-22 SEASON
-    This is the 101st season of UTEP men's basketball, with the Miners sporting an all time record of 1426-1097 (4-3 in 2021-22). There are 17 home games (3-2 thus far) and 13 road contests (1-1 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 in the fold in the form of Kezza Giffa, Alfred Hollins, Kevin Kalu, Bonke Maring, Jorell Saterfield and 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 162-147 in his 11th season as a collegiate head coach, including 4-3 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 (4-3 thus far) is looking 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
Thirteen of the 14 schools in the league are .500 or better, including UTEP at 4-3. Only Southern Miss (3-6) falls below the threshold.
 
LOOKING TO REGAIN WINNING WAYS IN C-USA
UTEP entered the 2021-22 season 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 plays its second straight road game when it takes on New Mexico in the Pit at 1 p.m. MT on Sunday (Dec. 12). 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.
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