Game Notes In PDF Format
OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (7-6, 0-1 C-USA) will square off against 2021 C-USA West Division Champion LA Tech (11-3, 2-0 C-USA) in its league home opener at 8 p.m. MT Thursday (Jan. 6). The Miners fell in their first C-USA contest, 75-62, at preseason C-USA favorite UAB on Dec. 30. The Bulldogs went 2-0 on the opening weekend of league action, including rallying past WKU, 74-73, last time out on Jan. 1. UTEP is 11-5 all time in C-USA home openers, aided by winning seven of its first eight. It is a special 8 p.m. MT tip time with the contest being broadcast nationally on the CBS Sports Network. Jon Teicher (41st year) and Steve Yellen (19th year) will also be on the call, which can be followed on 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners App. This is the first of two meetings on the year between the programs, with the Miners making the trip to Ruston on Feb. 17. For tickets, fans may call the Eisenberg Family Ticket Office at (915) 747-UTEP, email tickets@utep.edu, visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or in person (Brumbelow Building on UTEP campus, 201 Glory Road).
SERIES HISTORY: LA TECH LEADS, 16-12
LA Tech leads the all-time series 16-12, with the two sides splitting a pair of games in El Paso last year. The Miners are 10-5 all time when squaring off in the Sun City with the Bulldogs. The series started nearly 70 years ago when LA Tech knocked off the Miners in Ruston, 68-56, on Dec. 19, 1952. The two teams have competed against each other as members both in the Western Athletic Conference and now Conference USA. The Bulldogs are 7-3 against UTEP under head coach Eric Konkol while Joe Golding is facing them for the first time.
GET TO KNOW LA TECH
Defending 2021 C-USA West Division LA Tech has looked the part in 2021-22. The Bulldogs have won three straight-including their first two league games-and are 11-3 overall on the year. They have a scoring margin of +10.3 and have five players (four healthy) putting up at least 9.2 points per game. Seven of their 11 wins have been by double figures. All C-USA performer Kenneth Lofton, Jr., leads the way with 17.5 points per game (third C-USA/88th NCAA) and 9.8 rebounds per contest (first C-USA/88th NCAA) in only 25.2 minutes per game. He is all over the offensive glass with 3.8 offensive boards per game (first C-USA/seventh NCAA). Lofton, Jr., has produced six double-doubles (first C-USA/15th NCAA). The Bulldogs' 80.5 ppg is second in C-USA and 27th nationally. They are also making a dent in the league and national rankings in assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.4-first/37th), fewest fouls per game (14.5-third/49th), fewest turnovers per game (11.3-second/47th) and field-goal percentage (47.3-second/52nd). They were picked second in the league's preseason poll, and join UAB as the lone teams in the league to be 2-0 thus far. Notable alumni include former NFL star and Super Bowl Champion and now TV personality Terry Bradshaw, former NBA standout Karl Malone and Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson.
GOING BACK IN TIME (AT UAB 75, UTEP 62, DEC. 30, 2021)
Souley Boum tallied 20 points (17 in second half), Jorell Saterfield came off the bench to score a career-high 15 points and Jamal Bieniemy notched eight points and a season-high eight assists, but UTEP was dispatched at league preseason favorite UAB 75-62, in the Conference USA opener for both squads on Dec. 30. Tydus Verhoeven buoyed the efforts of the guards with six points and seven boards off the bench. The Miners led 10-8 early six minutes into the game before UAB uncorked a game-altering 21-2 surge over the next seven minutes to vault ahead by 17 (29-12) with 7:33 to play in the frame. To make matters worse, head coach Joe Golding was ejected during the stretch after he was assessed a pair of technical fouls. The margin moved to 20 soon thereafter. UTEP continued to play hard after the surge, but could get no closer than 12 the rest of the way.
TIP-INS FROM THE UAB GAME
- Souley Boum has now had five 20+ point scoring efforts on the season and 22 straight games (dating to last year) with double figures in scoring.
- Jamal Bieniemy's eight assists were the most by any Miner this season.
- UTEP finished the game on a 9-0 run.
CAN'T CATCH A BREAK
Due to injury or illness, the Miners have lost 17 man games already this year (Souley Boum-four, Cam Clardy-three, Tydus Verhoeven-three, Christian Agnew-two, Jamal Bieniemy-two, Alfred Hollins-one, Keonte Kennedy-one). No individual has started in every single contest, and UTEP has used a nation-leading (according to recent NCAA report) 11 different line-up combinations in 13 tilts. At least one starter has missed a game in five straight games and eight contests total this season. Additionally, only Kevin Kalu and Bonke Maring have appeared in all 13 contests this year out of the 15 Miners on the roster.
LOCK DOWN ON DEFENSE
UTEP has kept eight of its past 10 opponents to at least five points below their scoring average entering the contest. Those eight foes have been held to a total of 88 points combined under the expected output, which works out to 11.0 fewer points per game by the opposition across the board.
ON THIS DATE IN UTEP HISTORY
UTEP beat Rice, 96-67, in its conference home opener on Jan. 6, 2005. The Miners went on to finish at 14-4 in the WAC.
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 among C-USA programs. Additionally, the Miners have been forced to play in front of an average of 7,388 fans on the road but are 2-3 on the road. That is the fourth-highest road attendance average of any Conference USA member.
SCORING STREAK
Souley Boum (65), Keonte Kennedy (36) and Jamal Bieniemy (13) all with streaks of at least 10 games. Furthermore, Boum is at 22 contests with a double-digit scoring effort while Kennedy is at a career-long five for double-digit streaks.
MIX AND MATCH
UTEP has used 11 starting line-ups in 13 games, 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. In 2019-20 there were eight, seven in 2018-19, 17 in 2017-18, eight in 2016-17 and 14 in 2015-16.
CRASH THAT GLASS
UTEP has been getting to the offensive boards, pulling down 10.4 offensive rebounds per contest, with Tydus Verhoeven (2.0 orpg-14th C-USA) leading the way. Keonte Kennedy (1.5 orpg), Jamari Sibley (1.3 orpg) and Kevin Kalu (1.0 orpg) also account for at least 1.0 offensive board per game.
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 (12.5 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 2008-09 (Stephon Jackson), something Boum is 0.1 ppg shy of currently doing. Jorell Saterfield (7.8 ppg), Christian Agnew (5.7 ppg) and Jamari Sibley (5.6 ppg) are also above 5.0 ppg.
THE BENCH BUNCH
UTEP's reserves have outscored the opposition in 10 of the 13 contests on the season, with the Miners sporting a +62 (296-234) differential in the area.
TURN IT OVER
UTEP is fourth in Conference USA and 43rd in the country by forcing 16.3 turnovers per game, which is aided by coming up with 8.3 steals per game (fourth C-USA/63rd NCAA). Keonte Kennedy (2.1 spg-fourth C-USA/48th NCAA) and Jamal Bieniemy(1.9 spg-sixth C-USA/82nd NCAA) have been the catalysts.
THAT'S A GOOD MARGIN
UTEP has caused 16+ turnovers seven times on the year while committing 14 or less on nine occasions. Furthermore, the Miners have made the same or fewer amount of turnovers compared to the opposition in 10 of the 13 games this year. The result is a +3.9 turnover margin (second C-USA/32nd NCAA). UTEP is making 12.3 turnovers per game while forcing 16.3. Overall, the Orange and Blue have outscored the opponents by 54 points (210-156) for points off turnover this season.
THEY ARE CALLED FREE THROWS FOR A REASON
UTEP is taking care of business at the charity stripe, connecting on 76.1 percentage at the line (second C-USA/37th NCAA). Six different Miners have hit at least 75 percent from the charity stripe this year, with Souley Boum setting the tone at 87.3 percent. He is 62 (second C-USA/17th NCAA) for 71 (second C-USA/42nd NCAA) overall.
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 41.0 percent from the floor. Freshmen Jamari Sibley and Kevin Kalu top the team at 55.6 percent. (min. 15 FGA).
WIN BIG
All seven victories for UTEP have been by at least eight points, including five by double figures.
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 (62-second C-USA/17th NCAA) and attempted (71-second C-USA/42nd NCAA).
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 he has appeared in (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 or is coming off the bench. That is especially true from 3-point range. The Ranger College transfer is leading the team in 3-point percentage (min. 30 3FGA), nailing 47.7 percent (21-44). He has made 21 three-point shots and 12 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 and didn't miss a shot from the field (2-2) or at the charity stripe (4-4).
TALKING 20+ POINT GAMES
Souley Boum has five 20+ point games this season and 31 in his career between San Fransisco and UTEP. Jamal Bieniemysurpassed 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 (1,041), becoming the first Miner to join the club in five years and 35th overall. For his career he now has a total of 1,435 points while appearing in 101 games (65 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 (664) for his college career, including 335 at UTEP. He's also eclipsed 300 assists (334) for his college career, including 128 helpers at UTEP. Alfred Hollins (started at Oregon State) has moved beyond 500 career points (547) and surpassed 100 career games played (108). Tydus Verhoeven (started at Duquesne) has more than 300 rebounds (328) for his collegiate career, with the most at UTEP (222) 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 7-6 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 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 165-150 in his 11th season as a collegiate head coach, including 7-6 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 (7-6 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 way 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).
LOOKING TO REGAIN WINNING WAYS IN C-USA
UTEP (0-1 thus far in C-USA play) entered 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 will welcome Southern Miss to town for a 7 p.m. tip-off on Saturday (Jan. 8). For tickets, fans may call the Eisenberg Family Ticket Office at (915) 747-UTEP, email tickets@utep.edu,visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or in person (Brumbelow Building on UTEP campus, 201 Glory Road).
