Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (6-3, 0-0) will battle LA Tech (6-4, 0-0) in the Conference USA opener for both teams at 6 p.m. MT Saturday at the Don Haskins Center. Mattress Firm is the Presenting Sponsor of UTEP Men's Basketball. It marks the first time since joining C-USA that the Miners will be christening league play prior to Christmas. UTEP is 9-8 in C-USA openers, including 5-2 when doing so at home. UTEP won its first six C-USA league lid lifters, but it is 3-8 since. The Orange and Blue are vying for their initial triumph in the situation since besting Rice, 61-60, on Jan. 1, 2016. Saturday's contest snaps a four-season skid of starting league action on the road, with UTEP opening up at home for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign. The Miners are looking to stay unbeaten in the Don Haskins Center (6-0) while the Bulldogs sport a mark of 2-3 on the road. UTEP was bested, 91-70, at DePaul on Dec. 10, while LA Tech fell in overtime, 80-79, to Stephen F. Austin at home on Dec. 14. Tickets are available by visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/or by calling (915) 747-UTEP. Any fan that donates a toy can buy a ticket to the game at the special group rate, starting at just $8. Furthermore, for just $32, fans can purchase four tickets to the game to provide vulnerable children and youth of our community with a fun and enriching experience. UTEP Athletics will match every purchase, doubling the impact of each contribution received. Tickets will be donated to the BOOST Network, a division of the United Way of El Paso County that works with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of El Paso, Boy Scouts of America, and Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest. The contest will air on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso with Jon Teicher (42nd year) and Steve Yellen (20th year) on the call. It will also stream on CUSATV (subscription required). 
 
SERIES HISTORY: LA TECH LEADS, 17-13
LA Tech leads the series with UTEP, 17-13, with each team winning on the road last year to split the season series. That bucked historical trends, as UTEP is 10-6 in El Paso and the Bulldogs are 11-2 when playing at home (10-2 in Ruston). UTEP's win in Ruston last year was its first in the city since 2004. The first meeting was 70 years ago with LA Tech defeating the Orange and Blue, 68-56, on Dec. 19, 1952. The two sides have squared off against each other as members in both the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and now Conference USA.
 
GET TO KNOW LA TECH
LA Tech (6-4) got off to a start of at least 6-2 for the fourth straight season before being bashed by Wyoming on the road, 95-62, on Dec. 10. The Bulldogs then had their school-record 31-game nonconference home winning streak snapped in a 80-79 OT loss against Stephen F. Austin on Dec. 14. LA Tech was picked sixth in the C-USA preseason poll while also placing standout two-time C-USA All-Defensive team member Cobe Williams on the C-USA All-Preseason team. Williams has been his usual self defensively by pacing the team in steals (2.6-first C-USA/14th NCAA), but his offensive output has been tremendous as well. He tops the team in scoring (17.9 ppg-third C-USA/72nd NCAA) and assists per game (4.4-fifth C-USA). Keaston Willis (12.0 ppg) and Isaiah Crawford (11.7 ppg) join Williams in double figures for scoring while Jordan Crawford also has been a distributor with 4.2 helpers per contest (sixth C-USA). Overall, LA Tech is putting up 76.8 ppg (sixth C-USA/96th NCAA) on 46.3 percent shooting, including 36.2 percent from distance (fourth C-USA/94th NCAA). It allows 70.6 ppg, aided by opponents making 18.4 turnovers per contest (second C-USA/14th NCAA). The bench provides a huge boost consistently for the Bulldogs, contributing 29.5 ppg (third C-USA/36th NCAA). 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.
 
LAST TIME OUT: AT DEPAUL 91, UTEP 70, (12/10/22)
Tae Hardy (16 points) and Mario McKinney Jr. (12 points) each hit double figures in scoring, but sharp 3-point shooting from homestanding DePaul allowed it to dispatch UTEP, 91-70, at Wintrust Arena on Dec. 10. It was a game of big swings, particularly in the first half. After the Miners led by 11 (20-9, 11:25 1H), the Blue Demons closed out the stanza on a 30-13 push to put Orange and Blue down six (39-33) heading into halftime. DePaul then used a 16-4 spurt over the first four minutes of the second stanza to extend the lead to 18 (55-37, 15:25 2H). A 12-5 response from UTEP trimmed the deficit to 11 (60-49, 12:28), but the home side essentially put the game away by scoring the next nine points in the contest. UTEP connected on 48.1 percent from the floor to top 40 percent for the ninth time in as many tilts this year, but it was done in by a barrage of 3-pointers from the Blue Demons. They finished 14-27 from distance, including five from Javan Johnson (23 points). Former North Texas and Oklahoma member Umoja Gibson (22 points) also surpassed 20 points for DePaul. Kevin Kalu and Calvin Solomon added eight points each to buoy the play of Hardy and McKinney Jr., while Jon Dos Anjos registered seven. Shamar Givance pitched in six points and a game-high five assists.
 
KNOCKING DOWN SHOTS
UTEP has nailed at least 40.0 percent of its shots in all nine games, the longest such stretch to begin a season since the 2010-11 eclipsed 40 percent over the first 15 contests. Overall, the Miners are connecting on 47.0 percent of their shots (fifth C-USA/90th NCAA). UTEP has been particularly accurate with 2-point attempts, making 56.3 percent inside the arc.
 
STARTING TO CONNECT ON 3-POINTERS
UTEP has begun to find some accuracy from 3-point range the past two games. The Miners are 16-38 (42.1 percent) from beyond-the-arc the last two tilts. Over the first seven contests, UTEP was 25-117 (21.3 percent).
 
SHARING THE ROCK
UTEP has piled up 36 assists on 53 field goals made the past two contests, with 19 helpers (27 FGM) against Northern New Mexico (12/3/22) and 17 assists (26 FGM) at DePaul (12/10/22). It's the first time of the Joe Golding era that the Miners have posted 17+ assists in consecutive contests.
 
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
UTEP has a +5.8 scoring margin (35.2-29.4) in the first half of contests this year, but in the second half that figure swings the other way to -3.1 (34.8-37.9). The Miners' offensive output has been pretty similar, but they have not been able to carry over the defense from the opening stanza. Foes are shooting 49.2 in the second half (38.1 in the first half), including 38.1 percent (28.7 in the first half) from 3-point range. That has resulted in opponents averaging 8.5 more ppg (37.9-29.4) in the second half compared to the first half. In spite of those numbers, the Miners still enter Saturday's game at 6-3.
 
PACK THE DON
UTEP is leading Conference USA in both overall attendance (30,643) and average attendance (5,107) in 2022-23, with significant advantages in both categories. UAB (17,813) is the closest team for total attendance while Middle Tennessee (3,996) is the nearest for average attendance. Last year the Miners led in overall attendance and were second in the league in average attendance.
 
WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE
UTEP has shot out to 6-0 at home, equaling the best start inside the Don Haskins Center in three years. The 2019-20 edition opened up at 9-0 in El Paso before finishing with a home mark of 13-4. The Miners haven't trailed by more than five points in any of those six home contests.
 
TAKING DOWN 2022 POSTSEASON TEAMS
Three of the Miners' six wins this year have come against teams that played postseason basketball a year ago, including two that went to the NCAA tournament. UTEP knocked off NM State (2022 NCAA second round) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (2022 NCAA first four), in addition to Alcorn State (2022 NIT). All three of those teams won their conference.
 
WIN CLOSE
Three of the Miners' victories this year have been by five points or less, demonstrating their toughness and grit. UTEP toppled NM State by three (67-64, Nov. 12), CSU Bakersfield by one (68-67, OT, Nov. 23) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi by five (72-67, Nov. 25).
 
D-UP
UTEP has held four of its past six opponents to below 40 percent from the floor. That included three straight foes shooting below that readout for the first time since a six-game stretch to wrap up the 2019-20 campaign. NM State (57.7 percent, Nov. 30) and  then No. 12 Texas (54.8 percent, Nov. 7) are the only Miner opponents this year to hit at least 50 percent from the floor. Overall, foes have been held to 43.2 percent compared to UTEP's readout of 47.0 percent (fifth C-USA/90th NCAA).
 
LOCK THEM DOWN AT THE DON
UTEP has a scoring defense of 61.3 ppg at the Don Haskins Center this season, with opponents shooting 38.7 overall and just 25.0 percent from 3-point range. None of the six opponents have tallied more than 67 points in El Paso.
 
TIME TO DO THAT ON THE ROAD
The Miners are allowing 86.0 points per game on the road, with the opposition making 53.5 percent overall and 46.2 percent from beyond-the-arc. All three foes have topped 70 points, including a pair above 90.
 
CLOSING OUT GAMES
Even though the Miners have had some close calls this year, they are 6-0 on the season when they have a lead with 5:00 to play in the contest. UTEP is also perfect on the season (6-0) when up at the half.
 
C-USA GETTING IT DONE OUT OF CONFERENCE
Conference USA's 11 squads have been thriving out of conference, with a combined mark of 75-32 between the 11 programs (through Dec. 14). Florida Atlantic (9-1) has one loss while Charlotte, North Texas, UAB and WKU all have just two setbacks at 8-2.
 
GETTING TO THE LINE
UTEP has been aggressive offensively, which has resulted in it going to the line early and often. The Miners are attempting 27.6 tosses per contest (first C-USA/fourth NCAA), aiding by piling up 43 attempts against Alcorn State on Nov. 22. It marked the most free throw attempts by UTEP since taking 47 in a season-opening victory against Loyola on Nov. 14, 2016. UTEP's 17.3 free throws made per contest is second in the conference and 17th in the nation. Overall, UTEP has attempted 248 free throws compared to 174 by the opposition. Tae Hardy (32-46), Calvin Solomon (19-37) and Shamar Givance (27-35) all have 30+ attempts.
 
HARDY DOING IT ALL
Southern Miss transfer Tae Hardy is doing a little bit of everything this year, pacing the Miners in scoring (13.2 ppg) while rating second in blocks per game (0.7 bpg) and assists per game (2.2). He's also shown endurance, leading the squad at 32.5 minutes per game. Hardy has been a consistent scorer, tallying at least eight points in all nine contests of the season, including a pair of 20+ point efforts. He has led or shared the top spot on the team in scoring in five tilts while recording a team-high tying five double-digit scoring efforts.
 
GIVANCE GETTING GOING
Evansville transfer Shamar Givance has been finding his groove, particularly with putting up points. Over the last six games the Toronto, Canada, native is accounting for 10.2 ppg (43.6 shooting), aided by going 23-30 (76.7 percent) at the charity stripe during the stretch. That includes a trio of double-digit scoring efforts. He has come up clutch as well, making two free throws with 3.0 seconds left to help lift UTEP to a 68-67 OT win against CSUB on Nov. 23. The first three tilts of the campaign, Givance produced 4.3 ppg (23.5 percent shooting). Throughout the entire season, he has gotten his teammates involved with a squad-leading 4.0 assists per game (seventh C-USA). Overall, the recent scoring burst has elevated his season average to 8.2 ppg (fourth on team).
 
SUPER MARIO
NM State transfer Mario McKinney Jr. has been a big key to UTEP's early success. He has come off the bench in all seven appearances, reaching double figures in scoring in five of them to tie for the team lead in that category. He rates second on the team in scoring (11.9 ppg), aided by a career-high 24 points on the road against his former squad on Nov. 30. He has also gotten after it on the glass, checking in third on the unit for rebounding (4.4 rpg).
 
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 a team-high tying five contests this year (five straight to being season). He has also recorded 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 (5.7 rpg), is third in field-goal percentage (65.9) and fifth for scoring (8.0 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 20-of-27 for a team-leading 74.1 field-goal percentage on the season. Overall, he is putting up 5.4 ppg (1.5 ppg as a freshman last year). He's also taken care of the ball, with only two turnovers (both at DePaul).
 
POINTS ACROSS THE BOARD
Six different players are scoring between 7.0 and 14.0 points per game. Tae Hardy (13.2 ppg) and Mario McKinney Jr. (11.9 ppg) are in double figures to lead the way while Otis Frazier III (8.5 ppg), Shamar Givance (8.2 ppg), Ze'Rik Onyema (8.0 ppg) and Calvin Solomon (7.1 ppg) round out the group. Jamari Sibley (6.6 ppg) is just shy of the figure, which would give the Miners seven players with at least 7.0 ppg. The last time the Orange and Blue had at least seven players contribute 7.0 or more ppg in a season was in 2017-18. Furthermore, there have already been 11 players (out of 13) to register at least one double-digit scoring contests.
 
TURNOVER MACHINES
UTEP is forcing the opposition into 19.3 turnovers per game to lead Conference USA and rank 10th nationally. The Miners harassed the first eight foes to commit at least turnovers, the longest stretch to begin a season since the initial 12 opponents did so in 1974-75. That streak ended at DePaul (12/10/22), with the Blue Demons falling just shy at 14 giveaways. UTEP forced the most turnovers (32) by a Miner opponent in nine years in the win against Sul Ross State on Nov. 15.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP's pressure defense has resulted in 9.8 steals per game to lead Conference USA and place 24th 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 Orange and Blue are currently on pace for 314 steals this season, which would break the school record (288, 2009-10).
 
THE BENCH BUNCH
The Miners' bench has provided at least 15 points in all nine games this year (seven with 24+ points), including going off for a season-high 51 against Sul Ross State on Nov. 15. Overall, UTEP reserves are contributing 29.4 points per game to rank fourth in Conference USA and 38th nationally. Super sub Mario McKinney Jr. has been vital in this category, tallying 11.9 ppg while coming off the pine in all seven of his appearances.
 
GET OUT AND RUN
The Miners have used the opponent's 19.3 turnovers per game to help them get out into transition for easy baskets. The Orange and Blue are accounting for 12.2 fastbreak points per game, which is fourth in Conference USA and 83rd in the country.
 
TALKING OVERTIME
UTEP went to overtime in back-to-back contests at the Jim Forbes Classic presented by Speaking Rock, defeating Alcorn State, 73-61, in double OT on Nov. 22 before besting CSUB, 68-67, in OT on Nov. 23. It marked the first time since the 2016-17 season that the Miners posted consecutive wins in OT. That year UTEP knocked off FIU (88-87, 2OT, 1/14/17) and Florida Atlantic (66-65, OT, 1/16/17) in back-to-back contests during the 2016-17 season. Overall, UTEP is now 69-46 all time in overtime contests, including 3-1 under head coach Joe Golding.
 
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.
 
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).
 
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 379 contests, including making 165 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
UTEP is 6-0 at home thus far, matching the best start in three years. The 2019-20 edition shot out to a 9-0 start in El Paso before ultimately concluding the season with a mark of 13-4 at the Don Haskins Center. The Miners are scheduled ot play 18 total times in the Don Haskins Center, including 10 Conference USA tilts. UTEP will also play host to the 61st-annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational (Dec. 21-22). The Miners are well on their way to a fourth straight season with 10+ wins. 
 
LIFE ON THE ROAD
UTEP is 0-3 on the road, including falling 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 (0-3 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. The Miners' next road game will come at UAB on Dec. 29.
 
NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
The Miners will have 17 contests (0-3 thus far in situation) to be broadcast/streamed on nationwide platforms, with 13 on ESPN+ (0-1), and one each on ESPNU, FS1 (0-1), the Longhorn Network (0-1) 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 184-161 in his 12th season as a collegiate head coach, including 26-17 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 partake in the 61st-annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational from Dec. 21-22. The Miners open the event against North Carolina A&T at 7:30 p.m. MT on Dec. 21. Kent State and NM State will commence the tournament at 5:30 p.m. MT.
 
Help support UTEP student-athletes by making a gift to the Miner Athletic Club.
 
Visit givingto.utep.edu/mac today!
 
Mattress Firm is the Presenting Sponsor of UTEP Men's Basketball.
 
For complete coverage of UTEP men's basketball, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPMBB (Twitter), @utepmbb (Instagram) and on Facebook @UTEPMensBasketball  or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at www.UTEPMiners.com