Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (3-1) will shoot for its fourth consecutive victory when it squares off against CSU Bakersfield (3-1) in its second game of the Jim Forbes Classic presented by Speaking Rock at 7 p.m. MT Wednesday. Mattress Firm is the Presenting Sponsor of UTEP Men's Basketball. The Miners prevailed in double overtime against Alcorn State, 73-61, in their opening game of the classic while the Roadrunners stifled Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 73-63, to start things off strong as well. UTEP hasn't had a four-game winning streak in the month of November since starting the 2019-20 season 5-0. Both teams find themselves in the top 100 of the RPI according to CBSSports.com, with the Miners rating 54th and the Roadrunners checking in at 87th. UTEP's ranking was aided after taking down then No. 3 Alcorn State (now 18th) on Nov. 22. The game will be broadcast on 600 ESPN El Paso and streamed on CUSA.tv. (subscription required). Tickets, which are per day for the event, are available by visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets or by calling (915) 747-UTEP. Purchasing a ticket for the UTEP contest will afford fans admission into the non-UTEP game for the day. Jon Teicher (42nd year) and Steve Yellen (20th year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso for Wednesday's contest.  
 
SEASON-LONG HOMESTRETCH CONTINUES
The Miners are 3-0 thus far on their season-long five-game homestand, including topping Alcorn State in double overtime in their first game of the Jim Forbes Classic presented by Speaking Rock. The stretch concludes with match-ups against CSU Bakersfield at 7 p.m. MT Wednesday and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 2 p.m. MT  Friday. 
 
SERIES HISTORY: FIRST MEETING
UTEP and CSU Bakersfield will be squaring off for the first time on Wednesday.
 
GET TO KNOW CSU BAKERSFIELD
CSU Bakersfield, a member of the Big West, is 3-1 on the year and riding a two-game win streak. It knocked off Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 73-63, in its first contest of the Jim Forbes Classic presented by Speaking Rock on Nov. 22 The Roadrunners were picked eighth out of 11 in the Big West preseason poll after finishing 8-19 (2-12 Big West) a year ago. It returned 41 percent of its scoring and 32 percent of the rebounding from a year ago. Kaleb Higgins paces the team in scoring (11.8 ppg) and assists (4.3 apg), with Modestas Kancleris (9.5 ppg) and Antavion Colum (9.3 ppg) also being capable scorers. Kancleris has been a force in the post, pacing the squad in rebounds (7.8 rpg) and blocked shots (2.0 bpg-first Big West/36th NCAA). CSUB defends it extremely well, limiting foes to 34.9 percent from the floor (first Big West/13th NCAA), allowing it to give up only 53.2 points per game (first Big West/11th NCAA). The Roadrunners moved to Division I prior to the start of the 2007-08, having previously been a dominant force at the Division II level. CSUB won three NCAA DII levels in the 1990's ('93, '94, '97), including a 33-0 run to the 1993 championship. It won 20+ games 19 times from 1981 through 2004. Rod Barnes is in his 12th season at the helm of the program, having led them to four postseason bids. Notable CSUB alumni include Kevin McCarthy (US Politician) and Stephen Neal (former NFL player, NCAA and World Champion wrestler).
 
LAST TIME OUT: AT UTEP 73,  ALCORN STATE 61, DOUBLE OT (11/22/22)
UTEP held Alcorn State to 30.4 percent from the floor and received scoring contributions across the board in a 73-61 double-overtime victory in its first game at the inaugural Jim Forbes Classic presented by Speaking Rock at home on Nov. 22. The Miners held the lead against the Braves for 36 minutes in a wild game that still managed to feature nine lead changes and 10 ties. UTEP found a way to pull it out, scoring the first five points in double overtime and never relinquishing the advantage en route to its third consecutive victory. Tae Hardy led the charge offensively with 20 points, including going 10-14 at the charity stripe. Calvin Solomon (12 points, nine rebounds), Shamar Givance (10 points), Ze'Rik Onyema (first career double-double, 10 points, career-high 10 rebounds), Kevin Kalu (eight points, three boards) and Jamari Sibley (seven points, six rebounds) also got after it to buoy the play of Hardy. The two sides went a combined 3-40 from 3-point range in a gritty defensive game, with the Braves finishing 2-22 from distance. That included a misfire at the end of the first overtime after outstanding on-ball distance from Solomon. The Miners shot much better (45.5 percent) than Alcorn State (30.4 percent), but the visitors nearly compensated for that by winning the boards, 53-43, and UTEP finishing 22-43 at free-throw line. The Braves also struggled at the charity stripe, going 17-28.
 
TALKING DOUBLE OVERTIME
The Miners played their first double-overtime contest in the win against Alcorn State since they fell to Rice, 85-81, on Feb. 23, 2019. Overall, UTEP is now 68-46 all time in overtime contests, including 2-1 under head coach Joe Golding.
 
GETTING TO THE LINE
Even though the Orange and Blue are struggling to knock down free throws (57.1 percent), they have done well to pile up the attempts. The latest effort came in the win against Alcorn State, with the Miners finishing 22-43 at the charity stripe. It was the most free throw attempts by UTEP since taking 47 in a season-opening victory against Loyola on Nov. 14, 2016. The Miners' 28.0 free throws per game paces Conference USA and is sixth in the country while their 16.0 makes per game is second in the league and 54th nationally. Overall, UTEP has attempted 112 free throws compared to 86 by the opposition. Tae Hardy (15-23), Calvin Solomon (8-19), Ze'Rik Onyema (11-18), Otis Frazier III (11-14), Kevin Kalu (6-13) and Shamar Givance (8-11) all have 10+ attempts thus far.
PROGRESS ON THE BOARDS
A year ago, the Miners had a -7.2 rebounding margin (30.1-37.2), but through four games this season UTEP has appeared to have made some strides. The Orange and Blue are +1.8 (36.8-35.0), having outrebounded their foes in three of the four contests.  That includes winning the rebounding battle at No. 12 Texas, 32-27, in the season opener on Nov. 7.
 
ONYEMA STEPPING UP
After failing to reach double figures in scoring over his first two seasons with the Orange and Blue, forward Ze'Rik Onyema has done so in all four games this year. That includes recording his first career double-double (10 points, career-high 10 rebounds in the win vs. Alcorn State on Nov. 22. He tops the squad in rebounding (6.5 rpg), is second in field-goal percentage (69.6) and tied for second in scoring (11.0 ppg). He put up 2.0 ppg and 1.6 rpg in 2021-22.
 
KALU FINISHING AT THE RIM
Kevin Kalu has done good work inside, making 11-of-14 for a team-leading 78.6 field-goal percentage on the season. Overall, he is putting up 7.0 ppg (1.5 ppg as a freshman last year).
 
DISHING OUT DIMES
Point guard Shamar Givance has distributed a team-best 3.0 assists per game through four contests, aided by recording eight helpers in the season opener at No. 12 Texas on Nov. 7.
 
POINTS ACROSS THE BOARD
Seven different players are scoring between 7.0 and 12.8 points per game thus far, with Tae Hardy (12.0 ppg), Otis Frazier III (11.0 ppg) and Ze'Rik Onyema (11.0 ppg) all in double figures to lead the way. Calvin Solomon (7.5 ppg), Jamari Sibley (7.5 ppg), Kevin Kalu (7.0 ppg) and Mario McKinney Jr. (7.0 ppg), have also shown off their offensive prowess thus far. It's very early in the year, but the last time the Orange and Blue had at least seven plays contribute 7.0 or more ppg in a season was in 2017-18 when seven players pitched in at least 7.0 ppg.
   
 VAULTING UP THE RANKINGS IN STEALS
UTEP's pressure defense has resulted in 10.2 steals per game to lead Conference USA and rate 30th in the country. Aiding that figure was a school-record 24 steals in the victory against Sul Ross State on Nov. 15. Six different Miners had at least three steals in the contest to help them surge past the prior school standard of 21 which had stood since 1994 (against Cardinal Stich on Dec. 20, 1994). Several of those thefts were the result of UTEP players hitting the deck in pursuit of loose balls, even with the game well in hand
 
THE BENCH BUNCH
The Miners' bench has provided at least 15 points in all four games this year, including going off for a season-high 51 against Sul Ross State on Nov. 15. Overall, UTEP reserves are contributing 27.3 points per game to place fifth in Conference USA and 99th nationally.
 
TURNOVER MACHINES
The opposition has had a hard time of taking care of the ball against UTEP, with foes averaging 21.0 turnovers per game (first Conference USA/seventh NCAA). That figure was aided by forcing the most turnovers (32) by a Miner opponent in nine years in the win against Sul Ross State on Nov. 15. All four foes have recorded at least 15 giveaways, with a pair making 20+.
 
KNOCKING DOWN SHOTS
UTEP has connected on 48.0 percent from the floor, which is third in Conference USA and 69th nationally. Making that feat even more impressive is the fact that the Miners thus far are shooting 18.8 percent (12-64) from beyond-the-arc.
 
THERE WAS PLENTY OF PRODUCTION TO REPLACE
Between Jamari Sibley, Kevin Kalu and Ze'Rik Onyema, the Miners returned just 20.8 percent of their rebounding, 11.1 percent of their scoring and 9.0 percent of their assists from the 2021-22 squad. In total, the Miners lost four starters and 12 letter winners from last year's squad, including a pair of All-Conference USA performers in Souley Boum (second team) and Jamal Bieniemy (third team).
 
WHAT A CROWD
UTEP played in front of an almost capacity crowd of 11,315 fans in the win against NM State on Nov. 12. It marked the largest home attendance for the Miners since an actual sellout (12,000) of the Don Haskins Center when they beat WKU, 93-89, in a game commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Texas Western NCAA Champions.
 
NEW-LOOK TEAM
UTEP lost four starters and 12 letter winners from last year's team, giving the Miners a new look in year two under head coach Joe Golding. UTEP brought in six Division I transfers (Otis Frazier III, George Mason, Shamar Givance, Evansville, Tae Hardy, Southern Miss, Garrett Levesque, Tarleton State, Mario McKinney Jr., NM State and Calvin Solomon, Stephen F. Austin) while adding four junior-college transfers (Jon Dos Anjos, Florida SouthWestern College), Derick Hamilton, Bossier Parish CC, Carlos Lemus, Chipola College and Malik Zachery, South Plains) and two true freshmen (Antwonne Holmes, Chapin HS, El Paso, Texas, and Jamal Sumlin, Rhodes HS, Cleveland, Ohio). It should be noted that Dos Anjos spent his freshman campaign at Loyola Marymount (Calif.) before going the junior-college route.
 
EXPERIENCED D1 TRANSFERS
The Miners' six DI transfers combined to play in 312 contests, including making 150 starts, prior to their arrival in the Sun City. Shamar Givance (Evansville, 118 GP, 63 GS) and Calvin Solomon (Stephen F. Austin, 82 GP, 56 GS) are the most experienced of the bunch, but Otis Frazier III, George Mason, 35 GP), Mario McKinney Jr. (NM State, 38 GP, 5 GS) and Tae Hardy (Southern Miss, 30 GP, 26 GS) also have 30+ appearances.
 
HOME COOKING
Wednesday's contest is the fourth of 18 at home (3-0 thus far) for the Orange and Blue this year. They will have 10 Conference USA tilts. UTEP is in the midst of playing three home tilts in four days this week as part of the inaugural Jim Forbes Classic Presented by Speaking Rock (a multi-teams event). It will also have the 61st-annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational (Dec. 21-22). The Miners entered the 2022-23 campaign having registered three straight seasons with 10+ wins at home, including compiling 12 victories inside the Don Haskins a year ago. Aiding in that effort was UTEP leading C-USA in total attendance (88,125) with nearly 90,000 fans passing through the turnstiles.
 
LIFE ON THE ROAD
UTEP fell at No. 12 Texas, 72-57, in its season opener on Nov. 7. It marked the first time to begin the season with a true road game since a 73-61 victory at Pac-12 foe Washington on Nov. 21, 2000. Overall, the Miners will have 13 road games (0-1 thus far) on the year (three nonconference, 10 C-USA). UTEP went 7-6 in 2021-22 on the road, its first winning road record since forging a mark of 8-2 in 2013-14.
 
NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
The Nov. 7 opener at No. 12/12 Texas was broadcast nationally on the Longhorn Network. It marked the first of 17 contests to be broadcast/streamed on nationwide platforms, with 13 on ESPN+, and one each on ESPNU, FS1, the Longhorn Network and Stadium.
 
A YEAR IN REVIEW
-    UTEP (20-14) posted its first 20+ win season since going 22-11 in 2014-15. It marked the 27th 20+ win campaign in program history.
-    The Miners notched their first postseason appearance since 2015 and first postseason win since 2009.
-    The Miners finished 11-7 in league play to secure their first winning conference record since forging a mark of 12-6 in 2016-17. That was aided by winning 10 of 14 down the stretch, including halting back-to-back C-USA West Division Champion North Texas' 15-game winning streak, 70-68, on "Senior Day" on March 5.
-    UTEP downed Old Dominion, 74-64, on March 9 for its first victory at the C-USA Championships in five years.
-    UTEP's seven road wins were the most since going 8-2 in 2013-14.
-    The Miners had their first winning road record (5-4) in league play since 2016-17.
-    UTEP's five league road wins surpassed its total (four) of such games from the prior three seasons combined.
-    UTEP had a six-game conference USA winning streak (Jan. 15 to Feb. 5), which was its longest since also posting six straight wins  in 2016 (2/4-20/16). It marked the fifth winning streak of at least six C-USA games since the Miners joined the league in 2005-06.
 
THE BASIC FACTS ON UTEP
-    This is the 102nd season of UTEP men's basketball. The Miners made history by starting five African-Americans to defeat Kentucky, 72-65, and win the 1966 NCAA Championship on the way to inspiring the Disney hit movie Glory Road. Overall, UTEP has 17 NCAA Tournament appearances (last in 2010), 11 NIT bids (last in 2015), 12 conference championships (last in 2010) and 27 seasons with at least 20+ victories (last in 2022). The Miners have won five league tournaments (last in 2005).
-    The Miners have a strong presence in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with Don Haskins, Nate Archibald, Nolan Richardson, the 1966 team and Tim Hardaway all representing UTEP.
-    UTEP finished 20-14 in 2021-22, which was its most wins since going 22-11 in 2014-15.
-    The Miners returned one starter (Jamari Sibley), and eight letter winners overall. The two other returning letter winners are Kevin Kalu and Ze'Rik Onyema.
-    UTEP has 12 newcomers: Jon Dos Anjos, Otis Frazier III, Shamar Givance, Derick Hamilton, Tae Hardy, Antwonne Holmes, Carlos Lemus, Garrett Levesque, Mario McKinney Jr., Calvin Solomon, Jamal Sumlin and Malik Zachery.
 
GET TO KNOW COACH GOLDING
Joe Golding is in his second year at UTEP, and is 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 181-159 in his 12th season as a collegiate head coach, including 23-15 at UTEP. Last year he became the fourth head coach (20 total) in program history to have a winning season in their first year on the sideline. Don Haskins was 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 combined to forge an average record of 9-13 in their first year with UTEP. Previously Golding  spent 10 years at Abilene Christian (158-144), helping it transition from a Division II to a Division I program. Golding led the Wildcats to the 2019 and 2021 NCAA Tournaments, including a stunning upset as a 14-seed of third-seeded Texas in the first round of the 2021 Big Dance.
 
PRESEASON PREMONITIONS
UTEP was predicted to finish eighth out of 11 teams in Conference USA for the 2022-23 season, but keep in mind that last year's edition of the Miners was underestimated. The Orange and Blue were tabbed to finish in 10th place a year ago before tying for the fifth-most wins in league play by forging a mark of 11-7 in 18 C-USA tilts. Overall UAB was predicted to finish first, followed by WKU and North Texas at second and third, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
UTEP will wrap up the Jim Forbes Classic presented by Speaking Rock by facing Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on 2 p.m. Friday. The games will be broadcast on 600 ESPN El Paso and streamed on CUSA.tv. Tickets are available by visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/or by calling (915) 747-UTEP.  As part of a special "Black Friday" promotion, fans can purchase any available seat in the Don Haskins Center for $9.15.
 
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Mattress Firm is the Presenting Sponsor of UTEP Men's Basketball.
 
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