Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (9-7, 2-3 C-USA) will shoot for its second straight win and to get back to .500 in league action when it plays at Rice (11-5, 2-3 C-USA) at 1 p.m. MT/2 p.m. CT Saturday. Mattress Firm is the Presenting Sponsor of UTEP Men's Basketball. UTEP is looking to earn a split in the season series, with the Owls posting a 72-67 OT victory in El Paso on Dec. 31 after the Miners rallied back from a 15-point second-half deficit to force OT. The Orange and Blue, who have dropped their past two road contests by a combined eight points, are in search of their first away victory on the year. The Owls stand 8-2 at home (back-to-back losses), including most recently being dispatched by Middle Tennessee, 71-68, on Jan. 11. UTEP snapped a four-game skid, with a 14-point combined margin in those losses the smallest differential since falling by 13 points in four tilts in 1995-96, by rallying past UTSA, 69-57, at home on Jan. 11. The Miners overcame a 14-point first-half deficit to win, their biggest comeback in three years. 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 CUSATV (subscription required).
 
BUSY STRETCH CONTINUES
UTEP is in the midst of playing three times in five day and six times total within two weeks. The stretch continues with the Miners playing at Charlotte (2 p.m. MT/4 p.m. ET, Monday) before hosting FIU (7 p.m.-Jan. 19) and Florida Atlantic (7 p.m., Jan. 21) to wrap up the busy sequence. UTEP opened it after being clipped by two points (60-58) at LA Tech on Jan. 7 before bouncing UTSA last time out, 69-57, on Jan. 11.
 
REGROUPING AND REBOUNDING
The Miners got off to a start of 1-3 in C-USA play for the second straight season, but they took a step in the right direction by overcoming a 14-point deficit on the way to a 69-57 win against UTSA on Jan. 11. UTEP has experience in bouncing back under head coach Joe Golding. After stumbling out at 1-3 in league play last year, the Orange and Blue strung together six straight wins on the way to eventually finishing the season at 11-7 in C-USA to earn a tie for fourth place in the West Division of C-USA.
 
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 30-15
The Miners own a 30-15 mark against the Owls, aided by winning seven of the last 10 meetings and 21 of the last 27. Rice, though, held off the Miners in overtime, 72-67, in the first match-up this year in El Paso on Dec. 31. The past four meetings have been each been by five points or less. UTEP has won three straight and six of seven on the road against Rice. The first contest between the programs occurred in 1997 when both teams were members of the WAC.
 
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 turned it around. The Owls won five straight and 10 of 11 before being dropping the past two games to slip to 11-5, 2-3 in C-USA. Rice, which won its first eight home contests, has lost back-to-back games in Houston by a combined nine points. It was clipped by LA Tech, 88-82, in overtime on Jan. 5 before being edged by Middle Tennessee, 71-68, on Jan. 11. The setback to MT also ended a 12-game streak in which the Owls had tallied at least 70 points. Rice has shown plenty of grit on the year, overcoming a double-digit deficit to win on three different occasions. It has been consistent with its lineup, using the same starting five in all 16 games, with four of the five in double digits for scoring. Rice is led in scoring by preseason All C-USA pick Quincy Olivari at 18.1 ppg (third C-USA/55th NCAA), with Travis Evee (16.2 ppg-seventh C-USA), Max Fielder (11.2 ppg) and Mekhi Mason (10.0 ppg) also in double figures. Fielder, the 6-11 product, has a unique skill set as he leads his squad and Conference USA in both rebounding (8.5 rpg-97th NCAA) and assists per contest (5.2-28th NCAA). The Owls have a high-octane offense that accounts for 81.6 points per game (second C-USA/24th NCAA). Rice leads C-USA in field-goal percentage (48.4-27th NCAA), assists per game (17.8-14th NCAA) and defensive rebounds per game (29.3-14th NCAA). The Owls are also among the leaders for 3-pointers made/game (9.1-second/38th NCAA), free throws made per game (15.0-third C-USA/51st NCAA), rebounding margin (+5.0-fourth C-USA/57th NCAA), free throw attempts per game (20.5-fourth C-USA/62nd NCAA), fewest fouls per game (15.2-second C-USA/62nd NCAA), 3-point percentage (36.0-fourth C-USA/84th NCAA) and free-throw percentage (73.2-third C-USA/102nd NCAA). An area of concern for the Owls has been field-goal percentage defense (45.2 percent-11th C-USA), which has led to foes tallying 73.5 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 UTEP 69, UTSA 57, (1/11/23)
UTEP fought back from a 14-point (19-5) deficit eight minutes into the contest on the way to knocking off UTSA, 69-57, at the Don Haskins Center on Jan. 11. The Miners shot 44.6 percent from the floor, nailed eight 3-pointers (most vs. DI foe this year), connected on 73.3 at the charity stripe (11-15), won the boards (34-26) and forced 21 turnovers that led to a season high (vs. D1 opposition) 35 points off giveaways. All of that allowed them to overcome the Roadrunners connecting on 46.8 percent of their shots, including 40.0 percent (6-15) from distance.  Tae Hardy (15 points) Shamar Givance (12 points) and Jon Dos Anjos (10 points) all hit double figures in scoring for UTEP, which improved to 9-2 at home this season. It marked the sixth consecutive double-digit scoring effort for Givance. Calvin Solomon contributed across the board with six points and game highs in both rebounds (nine) and steals (three). Mario McKinney pitched in six points, four boards and two helpers off the bench. UTEP recorded 14 assists on 25 field goals made and committed just 14 giveaways.
 
D-UP
For the first time this year and the second occasion under Joe Golding, consecutive opponents have been held to 60 points or less (60 at LA Tech, Jan. 7; 57 vs. UTSA, Jan. 11). Last season UTEP did so against UC Riverside and (52, Nov. 22; Florida A&M 53, Nov. 24). The last time the Miners had a longer stretch was three in a row in nonconference play in 2019-20.
 
COMEBACK KIDS
UTEP was down, 19-5, with 11:57 to play in the opening half against UTSA, but it refused to panic. The Miners countered with a 25-6 surge over the next 11 minutes on the way to leading, 30-25, (00:48, 1H). UTEP would never trail from that point on. It marked the biggest comeback of the Joe Golding era and the largest in three years. The Orange and Blue fought back from 13 down to best UTSA (69-64, Jan. 20, 2022) last year while overcoming a 19-point differential to knock off Rice (68-62, Feb. 22, 2020) in the '19-20 campaign.
 
PROGRESS AT THE LINE
After connecting on 49.0 percent (50-102) from the free-throw line in its first four league games, UTEP took care of business against UTSA on Jan. 11 by nailing 73.3 percent (11-15) of its tosses.
 
BOMBS AWAY
UTEP drained eight 3-pointers in the win against UTSA on Jan. 11, the most vs. a DI foe this year and the second-highest total overall on the campaign (11 against Northern New Mexico on Dec. 3).  The Miners made four treys in each half but were 4-9 after the break after going 4-16 from distance in the first half.
 
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
UTEP was 8-25 from distance against UTSA on Jan. 11, marking the first time this year that it posted a victory against a DI foe when trying 20+ triples in a contest. The Miners are now 1-3 in the situation (when facing DI opposition) this season.
 
TIGHT IN C-USA
Eight of the 11 teams in Conference USA have league records of either 2-3 or 3-3. The lone outliers are FAU (5-0), North Texas (5-1) and UTSA (1-5).
 
SIMPLY THE BEST
UTEP tops Conference USA in four different categories heading into Saturday's game at Rice. The Miners pace the league in turnovers forced per game (18.1-11th NCAA), free throws attempted per game (24.6-14th NCAA), steals per game (9.2-26th NCAA) and 3-point FG% defense (29.3-32nd NCAA).
 
NO QUIT IN THIS GROUP
UTEP has faced double-digit deficits in three straight games, but it has rallied back to either tie or take the lead in all of them. Most recently, the Miners overcame a 14-point deficit (19-5, 11:57 1H) in a 69-57 win against UTSA on Jan. 11. UTEP clawed back from 15 down against Rice (Dec. 31) before succumbing in OT. The Miners erased a 10-point differential at LA Tech (Jan. 7) to pull even, and then after trailing by 10 again with 8:20 left, got within one on three occasions before falling, 60-58.
 
QUITE A RUN ON THE BOARDS
The Miners have been even or better on the boards in six straight contests, which is the longest streak since doing so in nine straight games during the 2009-10 campaign. Overall, UTEP has a +2.3 rebounding margin (37.0-34.7).
 
ALL OVER THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS
For the second time this year, UTEP has pulled down at least 10 offensive rebounds in six straight games. The last time there was a longer such streak was 2008-09 (eight in a row), which happened twice that year. UTEP's 11.1 offensive boards per contest is fourth in C-USA.
 
TIED FOR MOST OT GAMES IN REGULAR SEASON
UTEP's four overtime contests this year tie the 1994-95 and 2011-12 Miners for the most such games in a regular season in program history.
 
ONE OT GAME SHY OF TYING SCHOOL RECORD
With one more overtime contest, this year's team will match the 1994-95 and 2011-12 teams for the single-season school record for overtime games at five. Both the '94-95 and '11-12 squads had four regular-season OT contests and one postseason OT tilt.
 
BACK-TO-BACK OT
The Miners played back-to-back OT games at two different points this year, which is something that had never previously occurred at the school. Earlier this season, UTEP won consecutive OT games for the first time since the 2016-17 season (W, 88-87, FIU, 2OT, Jan. 14, 2017; W, 66-65, FAU, Jan. 16, 2017) with a double-overtime win against Alcorn State, (73-61, Nov. 22) and a 68-67 OT vanquishing of CSUB (Nov. 23). More recently the Orange and Blue dropped consecutive contests that both went to OT (L, 79-73, 2OT, at UAB, Dec. 23; L, 72-67, OT, Rice, Dec. 31).
 
TALKING DOUBLE OVERTIME
UTEP has had two games (1-1 record) go to double overtime this year, marking the first time in program history that the Miners have had multiple double-overtime games in the same season.
 
LOTS OF OT UNDER GOLDING
Overall, UTEP is now 69-49 all time in overtime contests, including 3-3 under head coach Joe Golding. The six OT contests under Golding tie with former head coach Tim Floyd as the most during the first two seasons on the sideline for a Miner head coach
 
GUARDING THE THREE
Four of the past seven and 10 opponents total have been held to below 30 percent from the floor on 3-point attempts. The effort has helped the Miners sport a 3-point field-goal percentage defense of 29.3 to lead C-USA and check in 32nd in the country.
 
SUB 40 PERCENT
UTEP has held five of the past seven opponents to less than 40 percent shooting from the floor, which has lowered the opposition's overall field-goal percentage of 40.8. That is good enough for fourth in C-USA and 71st nationally.
 
TALKING INJURIES
UTEP has battled through some injuries this season, with 20 man games across the board lost to injuries/illness. The breakdown is as follows: Jon Dos Anjos (six games), Malik Zachery (six games), Otis Frazier III (three games), Mario McKinney Jr. (three games) and Carlos Lemus (two games) have all missed time this year.
 
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 seven games. Five of the past seven opponents have been held to less than 40 percent from the floor. Five of the seven have tallied 62 points or less, with the other two being held to that figure through regulation before eclipsing it in OT. UTEP's scoring defense has now dropped to 66.1 ppg, which places it fifth in C-USA and 98th nationally.
 
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 seemingly turned the corner, outscoring its foes during the second half in six of the past seven contests, including a +9 differential (39-30) vs. UTSA last time out on Jan. 11.
 
FREE THROWS WIN BALL GAMES?
The old saying goes that free throws win ball games, but UTEP is 5-4 (had been 5-1 before losing three straight) on the season when shooting 60 percent or less in a contest and 4-3 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. The Miners were more conventional last time out, knocking down 73.3 percent (11-15) in the victory against UTSA on Jan. 11.
 
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. After consecutive contests below that figure, the Miners have been 40 percent or better in each of the last three tilts. Overall, the Orange and Blue are making 45.1 percent from the floor compared to 40.8 percent (fourth C-USA/71st NCAA) by the opposition. The Miners have been particularly accurate with 2-point attempts, nailing 53.5 percent inside the arc.
 
PACK THE DON
UTEP is leading Conference USA in both overall attendance (52,878) and average attendance (4,807) in 2022-23. UAB (41,319) is the closest team for total attendance while Middle Tennessee (3,850) is the nearest for average attendance. Last year the Miners led in overall attendance and were second in the league in average attendance.
 
WAS 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 are now 9-2 in El Paso after toppling UTSA, 69-57, on Jan. 11, to halt a two-game skid in El Paso. This year, UTEP has a +11.1 (71.2-60.1 ppg) scoring differential in the Sun City. UTEP is shooting 46.3 percent compared to 38.0 by the foes, has a +3.5 turnover margin (15.7-19.3) and has taken nearly 100 more free throws (275-181) in those 11 contests.
 
TAKING DOWN 2022 POSTSEASON TEAMS
Three of the Miners' nine 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
Almost half (four of nine) 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 4-3 in such contests this season (had started 4-0).
 
D-UP
UTEP has held eight of its past 12 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 40.8 percent (fourth C-USA/71st NCAA) compared to UTEP's readout of 45.1 percent.
 
LOCK THEM DOWN AT THE DON
UTEP has a scoring defense of 60.1 ppg at the Don Haskins Center this season, with opponents shooting 38.0 percent overall and just 25.9 percent from 3-point range. None of the 11 opponents have tallied more than 67 points (in regulation) in El Paso, with three held in the 50's and one in the 40's.
 
MAKING PROGRESS ON THE ROAD
UTEP is still in search of its first road win, but it has been making progress, particularly the past two tilts. The Miners lost their first three road games by at least 15 points, with each of those teams tallying at least 70 points. Those three foes combined to shoot 54.5 percent from the floor, including 46.2 percent from 3-point range. UTEP has lost the past two contests by a combined eight points and held a lead or was within one point during the final minute of regulation. UAB (Dec. 29) and LA Tech (Jan. 7) combined to shoot 39.3 percent from the floor, including 22.0 percent from 3-point range. The Blazers finished with 79 points but were at 57 before tallying 22 while spanning two OT periods. The Bulldogs were limited to 60 points.
 
FINISHING GAMES WITH THE LEAD
Even though the Miners have had some close calls this year, they are 9-1 on the season when they have a lead with 5:00 to play in the contest. UTEP is also nearly perfect on the campaign (9-1) 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. The league features four programs with top-100 NET rankings, in the form of FAU (11), North Texas (53), UAB (62) and Charlotte (76).
 
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 14th nationally with 24.6 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 14.8 free throws made per contest is fourth in the conference and 57th in the nation.
 
HARDY DOING IT ALL
Southern Miss transfer Tae Hardy is doing a little bit of everything this year, pacing the Miners in scoring (12.4 ppg-11th C-USA), tying for second in assists per game (2.1), rating third in steals per game (1.3-18th C-USA) and fifth for blocks per contest (0.4). He's also shown endurance, rating second on squad at 31.9 minutes per game (eighth C-USA). He is one of three Miners to start all 16 games (Shamar Givance and Calvin Solomon) are the others. Hardy has been a consistent scorer, tallying at least eight points in 14 of the 16 games on the year. After being held to nine combined points in a two-game stretch, he reverted to form with a team-high 15 points in the win vs. UTSA on Jan. 11. He has a trio of 20+ point efforts. He has led or shared the top spot on the team in scoring in nine tilts. Hardy also has a team-high nine 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 (4.4-third C-USA/86th NCAA) and playing time (32.1-seventh C-USA) while rating second in scoring (10.0 ppg) and steals per game (1.8-seventh C-USA) and third for free-throw percentage (min. 10 FTA, 71.0 percent). He has dished out at least five assists in eight of the past 11 contests, including a season-best 10 as part of a double-double (17 points, 10 assists) at UAB (Dec. 29). He has also produced six straight double-digit scoring games, averaging 13.3 points in the sequence. 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 for UTEP. 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 where he can provide an instant spark for the Orange and Blue. Overall, McKinney Jr. is the leading scorer among reserves and third overall (9.8 ppg), aided by a career-high 24 points on the road against his former squad on Nov. 30. He is third on the squad for double-figure scoring efforts (seven) and is fifth in rebounding (3.7 rpg).
 
FRAZIER III'S IMPACT FELT
George Mason transfer Otis Frazier III has been a valuable piece for the Miners in 2022-23 despite having to battle through some injuries that cost him three games. He has started nine of 12 games played, rating fourth on the team in scoring at 8.5 ppg and sixth in rebounding (3.6 rpg). He has done that while playing only 19.8 minutes per game. Frazier III is also connecting on 52.6 percent of his shots. He has back-to-back games with two blocked shots while playing all over the court. His numbers are a stark improvement from his two years at George Mason, where he averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 35 games played.
 
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 (4.5 rpg-23rd C-USA), third in offensive boards (20) and field-goal percentage (60.0) and sixth for scoring (5.9 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 16 contests on the season. Solomon leads the team in rebounding (6.1 rpg-ninth C-USA), steals per game (2.1-fourth C-USA/50th NCAA) and offensive rebounds (29) while tying for second in assists per game (2.1) and checking in fifth in scoring (7.1). He has been particularly strong on the glass of late, averaging 9.8 rebounds the past four contests. He has one double-double (16 points, 11 boards) on the year, which came at UAB (Dec. 29).
 
KALU GETTING IT DONE
Kevin Kalu has done good work inside, ranking second on the team for field-goal percentage (68.9). Overall, he is putting up 5.1 ppg (1.5 ppg as a freshman last year). He's also gotten after it on the glass recently, with 56 rebounds the past eight games (7.0 rpg). That includes a career-high 10 rebounds at UAB (Dec. 29). He is second on the team in offensive boards (28) and is accounting for 4.4 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 some potential in his 12 appearances off the bench this year. He is chipping in 3.2 points per game despite playing only 4.5 minutes per contest. Hamilton has missed only six field goals (15-21) all season, for a team-leading 71.4 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 5.5 and 13.0 points per game. Tae Hardy (12.4 ppg-11th C-USA) and Shamar Givance (10.0 ppg) lead the way in double figures followed by Mario McKinney Jr. (9.8 ppg), who is just shy of joining them in double digits. Otis Frazier III (8.5 ppg), Calvin Solomon (7.1 ppg) and Ze'Rik Onyema (5.9 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 18.1 turnovers per game to lead Conference USA and place 11th 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. Five opponents have made at least 20 giveaways, with UTSA topping that figure (21) last time out on Jan. 11. Sul Ross State (Nov. 15) had 32, which was the most in nine years by a UTEP opponent. Fifteen of 16 foes have committed at least 14 turnovers.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP's pressure defense has resulted in 9.2 steals per game to lead the league and rank 26th 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 edge out the school record (288, 2009-10).
 
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. UTEP enters Saturday's match-up with four games of 10+steals on the season, including 10 last time out vs. UTSA on Jan. 11.
 
THE BENCH BUNCH
The Miners' bench has provided at least 15 points in 14 of 16 games this year (11 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 third in Conference USA and 53rd nationally. Super sub Mario McKinney Jr. has been vital in this category, tallying 9.8 ppg while coming off the pine in 12 of his 13 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 got off to an 8-0 start at home (now 9-2), allowing 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 (2-1 thus far). The Miners have seven 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 0-5 on the road, but the Miners have dropped the past two away games by a combined eight points. UTEP began the year at No. 12 Texas (L, 72-57, Nov. 7), its first true road game to start a year since a 73-61 victory at Pac-12 foe Washington on Nov. 21, 2000. Overall, the Miners will have 13 road games (0-5 thus far) on the year, with three nonconference (finished 0-3) and 10 in C-USA (0-2 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.
 
NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
The Miners will have 17 contests (1-5 thus far in situation) broadcast/streamed on nationwide platforms, with 13 on ESPN+ (1-3), 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 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 187-165 in his 12th season as a collegiate head coach, including 29-21 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 concludes its two-game road trip by playing at Charlotte at 2 p.m. MT/4 p.m. ET on Monday. Jon Teicher (42nd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will also be streamed nationwide on ESPN+
 
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