Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (8-5, 1-1 C-USA) will play host to surging Rice (10-3, 1-1 C-USA) at a special 2 p.m. tip-off Saturday as result of the contest occurring on New Year's Eve. Mattress Firm is the Presenting Sponsor of UTEP Men's Basketball. The Miners have dropped back-to-back contests against top-55 NET ranking teams, including most recently falling in double overtime at preseason favorite UAB, 79-73, in double overtime on Dec. 29. The Owls are flying high by winning four straight and nine of 10, with the latest triumph coming at WKU, 81-78, on Dec. 29. Saturday's match-up is the first of two between the foes during the season, with UTEP making the trip to Houston on Jan. 14. The Orange and Blue are a sparkling 8-1 at home, with the lone setback coming at the hands of MAC favorite Kent State, 47-46, on Dec. 22. The Owls are 2-3 on the road but have been playing much better away from home lately. Tickets are available by visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets or by calling (915) 747-UTEP. Jon Teicher (42nd year) and Steve Yellen (20th year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will also stream on CUSA.tv (subscription required).
 
VYING FOR 2-1 C-USA START
A win against Rice would propel the Miners to a 2-1 start in C-USA play for the second time in the past three years (also 2020-21). Prior to 2020-21, it hadn't happened since 2015-16.
 
SHOOTING FOR 2-0 HOME LEAGUE START
UTEP is looking to win its first two league home contests for the initial occasion since 2016-17. The Miners posted five straight victories in C-USA action that year before finishing at 7-2 inside the Haskins Center for league play.
 
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 30-14
The Miners own a 30-14 mark against the Owls, aided by winning seven of the last nine meetings and 21 of the last 26. UTEP has swept Rice in two of the past three seasons, including last year. Both contests were close, though, with the Orange and Blue winning 72-70 at Rice on Feb. 5, 2022, and then knocking off the Owls, 70-67, on March 3, 2022. The Miners are 18-5 at home all time against the Owls. The first meeting occurred in 1997 when both teams were members of the WAC.
 
FACING ANOTHER HIGH-SCORING TEAM
After challenging the top-rated scoring offense (UAB) in C-USA on Dec. 29, the Miners face the second-most potent attack the league has to offer in Rice (83.4 ppg-17th NCAA). UAB entered the match-up with the Miners at 86.9 ppg. It was limited to eight points below its average despite the tilt going to double overtime. UAB had 57 points in regulation and ultimately topped UTEP, 79-73. Rice, meanwhile, has posted 80+ points in six straight games for the third time in program history. It has never done so in seven consecutive contests.
 
GET TO KNOW RICE
After a 1-2 start to the season, including an 81-46 loss at Middle Tennessee (Nov. 15) in its league opener, Rice has turned it around. The Owls have won four straight and nine of the past 10 to enter Saturday's match-up at 10-3 overall (1-1 C-USA). Most recently they overcame a 13-point deficit to rally past WKU, 81-78, on the road on Dec. 29. It marked the third time this season that Rice has overcome a double-digit deficit to pick up a victory. It has been consistent with its lineup, using the same starting five in all 13 games. Rice is paced by preseason All C-USA pick Quincy Olivari at 18.5 ppg (second C-USA/43rd NCAA), with Travis Evee (15.5 ppg-seventh C-USA) and Max Fielder (10.2 ppg) also in double figures. Fielder, the 6-11 product, is an all-around player who tops the team in both rebounding (7.7 rpg-second C-USA) and assists per contest (5.2-first C-USA). Three others contribute at least 7.0 points per game, helping the Owls put up 83.4 ppg (second C-USA/17th NCAA). Rice paces C-USA in field-goal percentage (49.7-21st NCAA), assists per game (18.8-11th NCAA) and defensive rebounds per game (29.1-12th NCAA). The Owls are also among the leaders for free-throw percentage (74.0-second C-USA/63rd NCAA), rebounding margin (+5.8- third C-USA/55th NCAA) and 3-point percentage (36.1-fourth C-USA). An area of concern for the Owls has been field-goal percentage defense (44.7 percent-10th C-USA), which has led to foes tallying 73.1 ppg (tied ninth C-USA). Notable Rice alumni include Lance Berkman (former MLB All-Star), Peggy Whitson (U.S. Astronaut) and Tim League (Founder of Alamo Drafthouse).
 
LAST TIME OUT: AT UAB 79,  UTEP 73, 2OT (12/29/22)
Tae Hardy (22 points), Shamar Givance (17 points, season-most 10 assists), Calvin Solomon (campaign-best 16 points, season-high 11 rebounds) and Otis Frazier III (14 points) all hit double figures in scoring and UTEP held UAB to 36.4 percent shooting, but it wasn't enough as the Miners fell in double overtime, 79-73, inside Bartow Arena on Dec. 29. The Orange and Blue led for 41 minutes of the contest, including being up late in both regulation and overtime, but to their credit the Blazers found a way to pull it out and remain undefeated at home (9-0) on the season. UTEP was up by one (57-56) in regulation after Givance buried a corner triple with four seconds left. UAB was fouled with just 0.4 seconds to play where Eric Gaines made 1-3 to send the contest to overtime tied at 57. UAB led, 63-61, with three minutes left in OT before UTEP scored seven in a row to vault ahead by five (68-63) with 52 seconds left. Some missed free throws left the window open for UAB, which took advantage by tallying the final five points in the frame to force double OT. The Blazers notched the first four points of double OT, and despite the Miners' best efforts, they could never get closer than two from that point on.
 
OWNING THE GLASS
UTEP won the battle of the boards (55-39) against UAB (C-USA leader in category), aided by a season-high 20 offensive rebounds. The Miners have now outrebounded the opposition in three consecutive contests, the longest streak of the season. UTEP has been particularly dominant the past two tilts, with at +18 margin against Kent State (Dec. 22) and a +14 differential at UAB (Dec. 19). The Miners haven't recorded consecutive contests with at least a +14 advantage on the boards since at least the 1997-98 season.
 
ALL OVER THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS
UTEP has notched back-to-back games with 14+ offensive rebounds (14 vs. Kent State, Dec. 22; 20 at UAB, Dec. 29) , something it hasn't done against DI opposition since the 2013-14 campaign. That year the Miners pulled down 16 against Western Illinois (Dec. 28, 2013) and 14 vs. Denver (Dec. 29, 2013).
 
STEALING THE SHOW
Shamar Givance piled up a career-high seven steals at UAB on Dec. 29, which ties as the most in program history against D1 opposition and rates tied for second overall at the school against opponents of all levels. His efforts helped the Miners post 12 steals, their third contest this year with 10+ thefts.
 
DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE
The double-doubles by Shamar Givance and Calvin Solomon were the first of their careers while wearing the Orange and Blue. It marked the fourth overall for Solomon (SFA transfer) and the second for Givance (Evansville transfer).
 
GO AWAY TURNOVERS
After averaging 15.2 turnovers per game through their first 11 contests of the year, the Miners have committed a total of 47 the past two games (22 vs. Kent State, Dec. 22; season-high 25 at UAB, Dec. 29).
 
CAREER NIGHT ON GLASS FOR KALU
Kevin Kalu pulled down a career-high 10 boards at UAB on Dec. 29 to aid the efforts of the Miners winning the glass for the third straight game. He now has 42 total rebounds the past five tilts (8.4 rpg) to lift his seasonal average to 4.3 rpg (third on team).
 
TALKING OVERTIME
UTEP has already played three overtime contests this year (2-1 record), including a pair of double-overtime affairs (1-1 record). It's the first time in program history that the Miners have had multiple double-overtime games in the same season. The three OT contests are the most since the 2016-17 campaign. The last time the Orange and Blue had more than three OT tilts was 2011-12 (five). Most recently the Miners fell at UAB, 79-73, in double OT on Dec. 29. Earlier in the year the Miners went to OT in back-to-back match-ups, winning both, at the Jim Forbes Classic presented by Speaking Rock. They defeated 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 69-47 all time in overtime contests, including 3-2 under head coach Joe Golding.
 
GUARDING THE THREE
Three of the past four and nine opponents total have been held to below 30 percent from the floor on 3-point attempts. The past two games foes are a combined 7-49 (14.3 percent), with Kent State going 4-25 (16.0 percent) and UAB finishing 3-24 (12.5 percent). UTEP now sports a 3-point percentage defense of 28.3 on the year, which is second in C-USA and 28th in the country.
 
SUB 40 PERCENT
For the first time this season, four consecutive opponents have been held to below 40 percent from the floor. The last time UTEP posted a longer stretch against DI opposition came during a five-game streak in C-USA play during the 2016-17 campaign.
 
BACK TO OUR IDENTITY
After yielding 90+ points in back-to-back games against Division I opposition (L, 95-70, at NM State- Nov. 30; L, 91-70, at DePaul- Dec. 10), the Miners have returned to form the past four games. All four opponents have failed to eclipse 40.0 percent from the floor. Three of the four scored 62 points or less. UAB (Dec. 29) had 79 points, but it should be noted the Blazers were at 57 at the end of regulation before tallying 22 total points between a pair of overtime periods. 
 
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT IN THE SECOND HALF
During the Miners' first seven contests of the campaign against Division I opposition, they had been outpaced by an average score of 40.1-31.4 (281-220) in the second half of those games. UTEP has started to make progress in the department, outscoring its foes during the second half in three of the past four contests.
 
FREE THROWS WIN BALL GAMES?
The old saying goes that free throws win ball games, but UTEP is 8-5 despite struggling at the charity stripe (205-338, 60.7 percent). It is 5-2 on the season when shooting 60 percent or less in a contest and 3-3 when eclipsing that figure. Included in the win count when falling short of 60 percent was a 40.5 percent (15-37) effort in a 60-55 triumph against LA Tech on Dec. 17. It marked the first time the Miners had won a game with 20+ misses at the charity stripe since topping UTSA, 81-74, on March 5, 2016 (20-40). It was the lowest FT% in a contest since making 14.3 percent (1-7) in a 58-45 setback to LA Tech on Jan. 18, 2015.
 
KNOCKING DOWN SHOTS
UTEP nailed at least 40.0 percent of its shots in its first 11 contests, the longest stretch to begin a season since the 2010-11 team eclipsed 40 percent over the first 15 contests. It has fallen shy of that figure the past two tilts, but it is still connecting on 45.7 percent from the floor compared to 40.5 percent (fourth C-USA/74th NCAA) by the opposition. The Miners have been particularly accurate with 2-point attempts, making 53.7 percent inside the arc.
 
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
UTEP has a +4.6 scoring margin (33.1-28.5) in the first half of contests this year, but in the second half that figure swings the other way to -1.5 (33.7-35.2). The Miners' offensive output has been similar, but they have not been able to carry over the defense from the opening stanza. Foes are shooting 44.9 in the second half (36.8 in the first half), including 32.4 percent (25.0 in the first half) from 3-point range. That has resulted in opponents averaging 6.7 more ppg (35.2-28.5) in the second half compared to the first half.
 
PACK THE DON
UTEP is leading Conference USA in both overall attendance (45,371) and average attendance (5,041) in 2022-23. UAB (33,640) is the closest team for total attendance while Middle Tennessee (4,135) is the nearest for average attendance. Last year the Miners led in overall attendance and were second in the league in average attendance.
 
RARE AIR TO HOME START
UTEP shot out to 8-0 at home, joining the 2019-20 team (9-0 start) and 2003-04 squad (8-0 start) as the only this century to win its first eight home contests. The Miners' bid for a 9-0 home opening was denied in a one-point setback (47-46) against Kent State on Dec. 22. This year, UTEP has a +12.8 (71.9-59.1 ppg) scoring differential in the Sun City. UTEP is shooting 47.4 percent compared to 37.1 by the foes, has a +3.6 turnover margin (15.7-19.2) and has taken nearly 100 more free throws (240-149) in those nine contests.
 
TAKING DOWN 2022 POSTSEASON TEAMS
Three of the Miners' eight 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. UTEP also has a victory against LA Tech, which was a stellar 24-10 last season.
 
WIN CLOSE
Exactly half (four of eight) 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), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi by five (72-67, Nov. 25) and LA Tech by five (60-55, Dec. 17). UTEP is 4-1 in such contests this season.
 
D-UP
UTEP has held eight of its past 10 opponents to below 40 percent from the floor, including forcing LA Tech into an opponent-season low 29.6 percent (16-54) shooting on Dec. 17. 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 limited to 40.5 percent (fourth C-USA/74th NCAA) compared to UTEP's readout of 45.7 percent.
 
LOCK THEM DOWN AT THE DON
UTEP has a scoring defense of 59.1 ppg at the Don Haskins Center this season, with opponents shooting 37.1 overall and just 24.2 percent from 3-point range. None of the nine opponents have tallied more than 67 points in El Paso, with three held in the 50's and one in the 40's.
 
TIME TO DO THAT ON THE ROAD
The Miners are allowing 84.3 points per game on the road, with the opposition making 48.4 percent overall and 37.1 percent from beyond-the-arc. All four foes have topped 70 points, including a pair above 90. It should be noted that UAB (Dec. 29) was at 57 points at the end of regulation before finishing with 79 points (79-73 final) after a double-overtime contest.
 
CLOSING OUT GAMES
Even though the Miners have had some close calls this year, they are 8-1 on the season when they have a lead with 5:00 to play in the contest. UTEP is nearly perfect on the campaign (8-1) when up at the half.
 
C-USA GOT IT DONE OUT OF CONFERENCE
Conference USA's 11 squads thrived out of conference, with a combined mark of 87-34 between the 11 programs (through Dec. 29). The league features four programs with top-100 NET rankings, in the form of FAU (10), North Texas (51), UAB (62) and Charlotte (67).
 
GETTING TO THE LINE
UTEP has been aggressive offensively, which has resulted in it going to the line early and often. The Miners are first in C-USA and eighth nationally with 26.0 free throw tosses per game, 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 15.8 free throws made per contest is second in the conference and 36th in the nation. Overall, UTEP has attempted significantly more tosses at the charity stripe than opponents 338-264). Tae Hardy (40-61), Shamar Givance 41-54), Calvin Solomon (24-48), Ze'Rik Onyema (16-35), Mario McKinney Jr. (17-31) and Kevin Kalu (15-31) 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 (13.5 ppg-ninth C-USA) while tying second in blocks per game (0.6 bpg) and assists per game (2.1). He's also shown endurance, leading the squad at 32.7 minutes per game (second C-USA). He is one of three Miners to start all 13 games (Shamar Givance and Calvin Solomon) are the others. Hardy has been a consistent scorer, tallying at least eight points in all 13 contests of the season, including a trio of 20+ point efforts. He has led or shared the top spot on the team in scoring in eight tilts. Shamar Givance (two) is the only other player on the squad with more than one such efforts. Hardy also has a team-high eight double-digit scoring efforts.
 
GIVANCE THE LEADER
Evansville transfer Shamar Givance, the only senior on the roster, has contributed in multiple ways this season while running the point for the Orange and Blue. He tops the team in assists per game (4.3-sixth C-USA) and steals per game (2.1-fifth C-USA/54th NCAA). He is also second in playing time (31.2 mpg-fourth C-USA), free-throw percentage (min. 10 FTA, 75.9 percent) and scoring (9.6 ppg). He has dished out at least five assists in six of the past eight contests, including a season-best 10 as part of a double-double (17 points, 10 assists) at UAB (Dec. 29). Givance has shown the ability for clutch play, making two free throws with 3.0 seconds left to help lift UTEP to a 68-67 OT win against CSUB on Nov. 23. He also nailed a go-ahead 3-pointer with four seconds left in regulation at UAB before the Miners eventually fell in double overtime.
 
SUPER MARIO
NM State transfer Mario McKinney Jr. has been a big key to UTEP's early success. After reaching double digits in scoring in five of his first seven appearances (all off the bench), he earned his initial start of the year against LA Tech on Dec. 17. He has since returned to coming off the pine due to injuries. Overall, McKinney Jr. is third on the team in scoring (9.5 ppg), aided by a career-high 24 points on the road against his former squad on Nov. 30. He is tied for second on the squad for double-figure scoring efforts (five) and places fourth in rebounding (3.8 rpg).
 
ONYEMA MAKING A LEAP
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 five contests this year (five straight to begin the 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 is second on the team in rebounding (5.1 rpg), third in offensive boards (18) and field-goal percentage (60.7) and sixth for scoring (6.5 ppg). He put up 2.0 ppg and 1.6 rpg in 2021-22.
 
CALVIN'S CORNER
Stephen F. Austin transfer Calvin Solomon has been an impact player for UTEP in his first year with the Miners. He is one of three players (Shamar Givance and Tae Hardy are the others) to have started all 13 contests on the season. Solomon leads the team in rebounding (5.4 rpg-15th C-USA), is second in steals per game (1.8-seventh C-USA) and offensive rebounds (20), tied for second in assists per game (2.1) and fifth in scoring (7.1). He is coming off his best performance of the season with his first double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds) as a Miner at UAB (Dec. 29). Solomon has been assertive at attacking the defense with his 48 free-throw attempts rating third on the unit.
 
KALU GETTING IT DONE
Kevin Kalu has done good work inside, making 26-of-39 for the second-best field-goal percentage at 66.7 percent. Overall, he is putting up 5.2 ppg (1.5 ppg as a freshman last year). He's also gotten after it on the glass recently, with 42 rebounds the past four games (8.4 rpg). That includes a career-high 10 rebounds at UAB (Dec. 29). He paces the team in offensive boards (24) and is accounting for 4.3 rpg overall (third on team). He had 2.2 rpg last year.
 
MAKING THE MOST OF HIS MINUTES
Sophomore junior-college transfer Derek Hamilton has shown tremendous potential in his nine appearances off the bench this year. He is accounting for 3.8 points per game despite playing only 5.0 minutes per contest. Hamilton has missed only four field goals (13-17) all season, for a team-leading 76.5 percent from the floor. He also tops the team in free-throw percentage (min. 10 attempts) by going 8-10 (80.0 percent).
 
POINTS ACROSS THE BOARD
Six different players are scoring between 6.0 and 14.0 points per game. Tae Hardy (13.5 ppg) leads the way in double figures followed by Shamar Givance (9.6 ppg) and Mario McKinney Jr. (9.5 ppg) just shy of that average. Otis Frazier III (8.4 ppg), Calvin Solomon (6.5 ppg) and Ze'Rik Onyema (6.5 ppg) round out the group. There have been 11 players (out of 13) to register at least one double-digit scoring contests.
 
TURNOVER MACHINES
UTEP is forcing the opposition into 18.0 turnovers per game to rank second in Conference USA and place 16th nationally. The Miners harassed the first eight foes to commit at least 15 turnovers, the longest stretch to begin a season since the initial 12 opponents did so in 1974-75. Four opponents have made at least 20 giveaways, including 32 by Sul Ross (Nov. 15), which was the most in nine years by a UTEP opponent. Twelve of 13 foes have committed at least 14 turnovers.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP's pressure defense has resulted in 9.2 steals per game to place third in Conference USA and rank 34th 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 294 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 11 of 13 games this year (nine with 24+ points), including going off for a season-high 51 against Sul Ross State on Nov. 15. UTEP's campaign best vs. DI foes is 34, which happened both at DePaul (Dec. 10) and against NC A&T (Dec. 21). Overall, UTEP reserves are contributing 25.9 points per game to rank fifth in Conference USA and 71st nationally. Super sub Mario McKinney Jr. has been vital in this category, tallying 9.5 ppg while coming off the pine in nine of his 10 total appearances.
 
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 8-1 at home thus far, (8-0 start), which allowed it to join the 2019-20 team (9-0) and the 2003-04 unit (8-0) as the only this century to start at least 8-0. The Miners are scheduled to play 18 total times in the Don Haskins Center, with eight nonconference (finished 7-1) and 10 Conference USA tilts (1-0 thus far). The Miners have nine home tilts remaining (all in C-USA) and are well on their way to a fourth straight season with 10+ home wins.  
 
LIFE ON THE ROAD
UTEP is 0-4 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, with three nonconference (finished 0-3) and 10 in C-USA (0-1 thus far). 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 next road tilt is at LA Tech on Jan. 7.
 
NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
The Miners will have 17 contests (0-4 thus far in situation) to be broadcast/streamed on nationwide platforms, with 13 on ESPN+ (0-2), and one each on ESPNU, FS1 (0-1), the Longhorn Network (0-1) and Stadium. Thursday's game at UAB provides another chance to shine in front of the country.
 
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 three 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 186-163 in his 12th season as a collegiate head coach, including 28-19 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 is idle for a week before playing at LA Tech at 1 p.m. MT/2 p.m. CT on Jan. 7. The game will be broadcast on 600 ESPN El Paso and streamed on CUSA.tv (subscription required). The Miners will be vying for a season sweep.
 
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Mattress Firm is the Presenting Sponsor of UTEP Men's Basketball.
 
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