Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (11-8, 4-4 C-USA) will welcome its first ranked opponent to the Don Haskins Center since 2014 when it plays host to No. 24 and league-leading Florida Atlantic (18-1, 8-0 C-USA) at 7 p.m. MT Saturday. Mattress Firm is the Presenting Sponsor of UTEP Men's Basketball. This will be the first of two contests on the season between the programs, with UTEP traveling to Boca Raton for its final C-USA road tilt of the year on Feb. 25. The Miners have won two straight-for the first time since mid December- and three of the past four to get back to .500 in league action after getting out of the gates at 1-3 in C-USA. Most recently, UTEP cruised past FIU, 81-61, on Jan. 19. The Owls are rolling, having produced the second-longest winning streak this year in the nation at 17 games. Last time out they drilled UTSA, 83-64, on the road on Jan. 19. The match-up against FAU will be the first time UTEP has hosted a ranked opponent since falling to No. 3 Arizona, 60-55, on Dec. 19, 2014. The Miners will be in search of their first win against a top-25 opponent since toppling No. 25 UAB on the road in double overtime, 74-65, on Jan. 30, 2010. It has been 22 years since the Miners took down a ranked foe at the Don Haskins Center. They knocked off No. 20 Fresno State, 80-61, on Feb. 17, 2001. UTEP is a stout 10-2 at home while FAU is 7-1 on the road, including a victory at SEC member Florida. 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 ESPN+ with Erik Elken and former Miner Hooper Vint describing the action.
 
BUSY STRETCH CONCLUDES SATURDAY
UTEP will cap a busy stretch of six games in two weeks with the match-up against No. 24 Florida Atlantic Saturday night. Included in the sequence was having three games in six days. UTEP is 3-2 thus far during the stretch.
 
BACK HOME BRIEFLY
UTEP is in the middle of playing five of seven games away from home, with the lone contests at the Don Haskins Center in the stretch occurring this week. The Miners hit the road again at North Texas on Jan. 28, and they will wrap up the brutal sequence at Middle Tennessee (Feb. 2) and at WKU (Feb. 4).
 
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 6-5
UTEP holds a 6-5 lead in the series against Florida Atlantic, including a thrilling 70-68 win at the buzzer on a tip-in by Alfred Hollins on Jan. 27, 2022, in the most-recent matchup. All 12 of the contests have occurred since the Owls joined Conference USA. The past three games have been decided by a combined nine points, with FAU holding a 2-1 edge in those call calls. Later this year, the Orange and Blue will be making their first trip to Boca Raton since the 2019-20 season. 
 
GET TO KNOW #24 FLORIDA ATLANTIC
#24 Florida Atlantic is ranked in the top-25 poll for the first time in program history, and for good reason. The Owls enter Saturday's contest riding a 17-game winning streak, the second longest in the country this year. They are 18-1 overall (one of four one-loss teams in the nation) and are atop C-USA at 8-0, most recently having blasted UTSA on the road, 83-64. FAU is 7-1 on the road, which includes a 76-74 win in front of 7,000+ fans at Florida on Nov. 14, 2022. Not only is FAU winning, it is winning big with a +14.4 scoring differential (first C-USA/11th NCAA). The Owls have the top scoring bench in the nation (37.8 ppg). They lead C-USA and are high in the NCAA rankings for winning percentage (94.7-second NCAA), rebound margin (+7.4-15th NCAA), 3-pointers per game (9.9-16th NCAA) and 3-pointers attempted per contest (26.6-24th NCAA). FAU has also thrived in scoring defense (63.6-third C-USA/40th NCAA), 3-point percentage (37.5-third C-USA/41st NCAA), scoring offense (78.0-third C-USA/49th NCAA), field-goal percentage defense (40.5-third C-USA/49th NCAA), field-goal percentage (47.0-third C-USA/58th NCAA), fastbreak scoring (12.5-second C-USA/60th NCAA) and fewest fouls per game (15.7-fourth C-USA/89th NCAA). There are few and far weaknesses in between for FAU. It hasn't done a great job at making free throws (69.8-eighth C-USA/222nd NCAA) or getting to the line (16.7 free throws per game-ninth C-USA/246th NCAA). At times the Owls have also struggled to defend the 3-point shot (33.6-sixth C-USA/200th NCAA). 2022 All C-USA honoree Alijah Martin paces the team in scoring (12.8 ppg-11th C-USA) and steals (1.3 spg-17th C-USA), with Johnell Davis (12.3 ppg-15th C-USA) and Vladislav Goldin (10.1 ppg) also in double figures for scoring. Martin is a sharpshooter with 1.9 triples per game (11th C-USA).  Michael Forrest (9.8 ppg) and Nick Boyd (9.4 ppg) have also been effective scorers. Goldin is the top rebounder (6.2 rpg-ninth C-USA), but Martin (5.2 rpg-15th C-USA) and Davis (5.1 rpg-17th C-USA) have also been extremely effective on the glass as well. FAU moves the ball effectively with four different players contributing at least 2.0 assists per game, including co-team leaders Bryan Greenlee and Jalen Gaffney at 2.4 apg. Notable FAU alumni include Don Brewer (drummer and founding member of the band Grand Funk Railroad), Fern "Peachy" Kellymeyer (1999 Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee) and Carrot Top (Prop Comedian with Vegas Show).
 
LAST TIME OUT: AT UTEP 81, FIU 61, (1/19/23)
UTEP shot 57.1 percent from the floor (second highest on the season), dominated the boards (35-19) and used big scoring runs throughout the game on the way to a resounding 81-61 victory against FIU on Jan. 19. Shamar Givance notched his third double-double of the season (all via points and assists) with 15 points and 10 helpers to set the tone for UTEP's offense. Otis Frazier III (15 points, six boards, four steals), Calvin Solomon (10 points, five rebounds, two assists) and Jamari Sibley (10 points, five caroms) also turned in big nights. UTEP had a big advantage for points in the paint (40-22), points off turnovers (26-12) and second-chance points (17-5). The Orange and Blue forced 16 giveaways and came away with 12 offensive rebounds, with three by Frazier III. The Miners' bench also outpaced FIU, 28-19.
 
WIN 600 AT THE DON
The 81-61 victory against FIU on Jan. 19 was the Miner's 600th all time at the Don Haskins Center, which opened for the final five home games of the 1976-77 season. Ironically, the first triumph for UTEP in the building came against head coach Joe Golding's alma mater Abilene Christian, 78-64, on Nov. 25, 1977.
 
WIN BIG
The 20-point victory (81-61) against FIU on Jan. 19 was the largest on the season for the Miners against a DI opponent, surpassing a 13-point triumph against NC A&T (75-62, Dec. 21). UTEP led by as many as 25, marking its second cushion of at least 20 points in a game this year (up 20 vs. Texas A&M-CC, Nov. 25).
 
BALANCED SCORING
Nine different players scored at least five points in the win against FIU on Jan. 19, with Shamar Givance (15 points), Otis Frazier III (15 points), Jamari Sibley (10 points) Calvin Solomon (10 points) all in double figures while Tae Hardy (seven points), Mario McKinney Jr. (seven points), Ze'Rik Onyema (six points), Jon Dos Anjos (six points) and Carlos Lemus (five points) joined in on the fun. It marked the second time this season that UTEP had nine players with at least five points, as 10 individuals did so against NAIA member Northern New Mexico on Dec. 3.
 
TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
UTEP has posted consecutive wins for the first time since beating LA Tech (60-55, Dec. 17) and NC A&T (75-62, Dec. 21) earlier this year. The Miners are now in search of their first three-game winning streak since a five-contest surge earlier this year.
 
TAKE CARE OF THAT BALL
After four straight games with at least 18 turnovers, including a pair of 22+, UTEP has valued the basketball the past four contests (3-1 record). The Miners had 14 giveaways in the win against UTSA (Jan. 11), 12 in a buzzer-beating loss at Rice (Jan. 14), a season-low nine in the triumph at Charlotte (Jan. 16) and 14 in the victory against FIU (Jan. 19).
 
COMEBACK KIDS
UTEP has had to overcome big first-half deficits to pull out the win in two of its four league triumphs this year. The Miners dug themselves a 19-6 deficit eight minutes into the contest at Charlotte (Jan. 16). UTEP recovered and closed the half on a 27-8 surge to take a lead it would never relinquish to match the second-biggest comeback under head coach Joe Golding. That rally for the win came on the heels from fighting back from a 14-point deficit (19-5, 11:57 1H) against UTSA. Similar to the game at Charlotte, UTEP countered with a 25-6 surge to take the lead for good in the biggest comeback under Golding and largest in three years. In the 2019-20 campaign, the Miners overcame a 19-point differential to knock off Rice (68-62, Feb. 22, 2020).
 
WHO NEEDS FAST STARTS ANYWAY
Charlotte scored the first six points of the game on the way to building a 19-6 lead eight minutes into the contest on Jan. 14. UTEP fought back to go ahead at the break and maintained it over the final 20 minutes to improve to 4-1 on the season when the opponent scores first.
 
NARROWING THE GAP
After its first three defeats on the season were all by at least 15 points, the Miners' five setbacks since have been by a combined 15 points. UTEP either led/was tied or within two points inside of one minute of regulation in each of those games, with all of them being decided by six points or less.
 
BEATING UP ON EACH OTHER
For the most part Conference USA team have been beating up on each other since the onset of league action. Only No. 24 Florida Atlantic (8-0) is undefeated in C-USA play. North Texas (6-3), Rice (5-3) and Middle Tennessee (5-3) are the only other teams above .500 within the league. The other seven squads are .500 or worse. UTEP is in a three-way tie for fifth place at 4-4.
 
SIMPLY THE BEST
UTEP tops Conference USA in three different categories. The Miners pace the league in turnovers forced per game (17.8-11th NCAA), steals per game (9.3-23rd NCAA) and 3-point FG% defense (30.8-63rd NCAA). It also leads the conference in overall (56,626) and average (4,711) attendance.
 
NO QUIT IN THIS GROUP
UTEP has three wins on the season when trailing by at least eight points, including coming back from 13+ points in two of them. The Miners posted a 14-point come-from-behind win against UTSA (Jan. 11), their largest rally in three years. They fought back from down 13 in a triumph at Charlotte (Jan. 16) and overcame an eight-point differential in a win against NC A&T (Dec. 21). UTEP also showed tremendous heart by erasing a 15-point deficit before succumbing in OT to Rice (Dec. 31), while twice fighting back from 10 down with under 10 minutes left in a 60-58 setback at LA Tech. It also wiped out a nine-point differential to lead by one with six seconds left before falling, 83-82, on a buzzer beater at Rice on Jan. 14.
 
GETTING AFTER IT ON THE GLASS
UTEP has won the battle of the boards in eight of the past nine contests, including a commanding 35-19 advantage in the win vs. FIU on Jan. 19. There was also a seven-game streak in which they were even or better on the glass, which was the longest surge since doing so in nine consecutive contests during the 2009-10 campaign. Overall, UTEP has a +2.7 rebounding margin (35.9-33.2), good enough for sixth in C-USA
 
CRASHING THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS
UTEP has pulled down 10+ offensive rebounds in eight of the past nine games, including securing 12 offensive boards in the 20-point triumph against FIU on Jan. 16. There was also a streak of seven streak, which was the longest such run since posting eight in a row (twice) in 2008-09. UTEP's 11.0 offensive rebounds per game is fourth in C-USA.
 
LOCKING UP ON DEFENSE
The Miners have held four of the past five opponents to 61 points or less, which has dropped UTEP's scoring defense to 66.3 ppg. That figure is fifth in C-USA and 98th nationally.
 
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
UTEP has kept 10 teams on the year 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 30.8 to lead C-USA and check in 65th in the country.
 
TALKING INJURIES
UTEP has battled through some injuries this season, with 23 man games across the board lost to injuries/illness. The breakdown is as follows: Malik Zachery (nine games), Jon Dos Anjos (six games), Otis Frazier III (three games), Mario McKinney Jr. (three games) and Carlos Lemus (two games) have all missed time this year.
 
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 made some progress, outscoring its foes during the second half in seven of the past 10 contests.
 
FREE THROWS WIN BALL GAMES?
The old saying goes that free throws win ball games, but UTEP is 6-4 (had been 5-1) on the season when shooting 60 percent or less in a contest and 5-4 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 six straight contests and 17 of 19 times total this season. That includes surpassing 40 percent in the first 11 tilts of the year, the longest stretch to begin a season since the 2010-11 team did so over the initial 15 contests. UTEP has been especially hot of late, connecting on 91-175 (52.0 percent) the past three games (2-1 record). Overall, UTEP is now up to 46.2 percent (sixth C-USA/94th NCAA). The Miners have been particularly accurate with 2-point attempts, drilling 54.5 percent inside the arc.
 
PACK THE DON
UTEP is leading Conference USA in both overall attendance (56,526) and average attendance (4,711) in 2022-23. UAB is the closest team for total attendance (41,319) while WKU is second in average attendance (3,923). 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 10-2 in El Paso after winning their past two games by 10+ points. This year, UTEP has a +11.8 (72.0-60.2 ppg) scoring differential in the Sun City. UTEP is shooting 47.2 percent compared to 38.4 by the foes, has a +3.4 turnover margin (15.6-19.0) and has taken nearly 100 more free throws (292-195) in those 12 contests.
 
TAKING DOWN 2022 POSTSEASON TEAMS
Three of the Miners' 11 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
Nearly half (five of 11) 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), LA Tech by five (60-55, Dec. 17) and at Charlotte by two (60-58, Jan. 16).
 
LOCK THEM DOWN AT THE DON
UTEP has a scoring defense of 60.2 ppg at the Don Haskins Center this season, with opponents shooting 38.4 percent overall and just 26.7 percent from 3-point range. None of the 12 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.
 
FINISHING GAMES WITH THE LEAD
Even though the Miners have had some close calls this year, they are 11-1 on the season when they have a lead with 5:00 to play in the contest. UTEP is also strong on the campaign (11-2) 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 often. The Miners are second in C-USA and 22nd nationally with 22.9 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 13.8 free throws made per contest is fourth in the conference.
 
HARDY DOING IT ALL
Southern Miss transfer Tae Hardy is doing a little bit of everything this year, pacing the Miners in scoring (12.9 ppg-ninth C-USA), rating third in assists per game (1.8) and steals per game (1.5-11th C-USA) and tied for fourth in total blocks (six). He's also shown endurance, placing second on squad at 31.6 minutes per game (11th C-USA). He is one of three Miners to start all 19 games (Shamar Givance and Calvin Solomon) are the others. Hardy has been a consistent scorer, tallying at least eight points in 16 of the 19 games on the year. He has a quartet of 20+ point efforts. He has led or shared the top spot on the team in scoring in 11 tilts. Hardy also has a team-high 11 double-digit scoring efforts. He also has shown ice in his veins, nailing two free throws of the one-and-one variety with six seconds left to give UTEP a one-point lead at Rice (Jan. 14) before the Owls emerged victorious, 83-82, on a buzzer beater.
 
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 (4.9-second C-USA/37th NCAA) and playing time (32.5-eighth C-USA) while rating second in scoring (10.4 ppg) and steals per game (1.7-ninth C-USA) and third for free-throw percentage (min. 10 FTA, 70.5 percent) and rebounding (3.9 rpg). He has dished out at least five assists in 10 of the past 14 contests while surpassing double figures in scoring in eight of the past nine outings. He has three double-doubles-all on assists and points-, doing so at UAB (17 points, 10 assists, Dec. 29), at Rice (16 points, 10 assists, Jan. 14) and against FIU (15 points, 10 assists, Jan. 19). That's the most double-doubles of that variety in six years since Dominic Artis had four during the 2016-17 season. 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) on the team, aided by a career-high 24 points on the road against his former squad on Nov. 30. He is also third on the team for double-figure scoring efforts (eight), fourth in steals per game (1.0 spg) and tied for fourth in rebounding (3.8 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 13 of 16 games played, rating fourth on the squad in scoring (7.9 ppg) and tied for fourth in rebounding (3.8 rpg). Frazier III is also tied for fourth in total blocks (six). He has done that while playing only 20.1 minutes per game. Frazier III is also connecting on 53.4 percent of his shots (fourth on team). 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 (4.2 rpg), third in offensive boards (22) and field-goal percentage (59.2) and sixth for scoring (5.6 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 19 contests on the season. Solomon leads the team in rebounding (5.9 rpg-10th C-USA), steals per game (2.1-fourth C-USA/44th NCAA) and offensive rebounds (35) while placing second in assists per game (2.0) and checking in fifth in scoring (7.6). He has been on a tear in several categories of late, having produced double figures in scoring in three straight games. Over the past seven contests, he is averaging 7.6 rebounds the past seven games. He's the lone Miner to have at least one steal in every tilt of the year and has 26 total thefts over the past 10 contests. Solomon 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, tying for the team lead in field-goal percentage (66.7). Overall, he is putting up 4.6 ppg (1.5 ppg as a freshman last year).  He is second on the team in offensive boards (29) and tied for fourth in rebounding (3.8 rpg), which was aided by a career-high 10 boards at UAB (Dec. 29).
 
MAKING THE MOST OF HIS MINUTES
Sophomore junior-college transfer Derek Hamilton has shown some potential in his 13 appearances off the bench this year. He is chipping in 3.1 points per game despite playing only 4.4 minutes per contest. Hamilton tops the team in free-throw percentage (min. 10 attempts) by going 8-10 (80.0 percent) and is second in field-goal percentage (66.7).
 
POINTS ACROSS THE BOARD
Six different players are scoring between 5.5 and 13.0 points per game. Tae Hardy (12.9 ppg-ninth C-USA), Shamar Givance (10.4 ppg) and Mario McKinney Jr. (9.8 ppg) lead the way. Otis Frazier III (7.9 ppg), Calvin Solomon (7.6 ppg) and Ze'Rik Onyema (5.6 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 17.8 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. Sul Ross State (Nov. 15) had 32, which was the most in nine years by a UTEP opponent. All but one team (Kent State-10, Dec. 22) has committed at least 14 giveaways.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP's pressure defense has resulted in 9.3 steals per game to lead the league and rank 23rd 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). The Orange and Blue are currently on pace for 298 steals this season, which would break the school record (288, 2009-10). The charge has been led by Calvin Solomon (2.1 spg-fourth C-USA/44th NCAA), Shamar Givance (1.7 spg-ninth C-USA) and Tae Hardy (1.5 spg-11th C-USA).
 
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 heads into Saturday's tilt with five contests of 10+ steals on the season.
 
THE BENCH BUNCH
The Miners' bench has provided at least 15 points in 17 of 19 games this year (13 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 49th nationally. Super sub Mario McKinney Jr. has been vital in this category, tallying 9.8 ppg while coming off the pine in 15 of his 16 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 10-2), 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 (3-1 thus far). The Miners have six home tilts remaining (all in C-USA) and have already secured a fourth straight season with 10+ home triumphs.
 
LIFE ON THE ROAD
UTEP started off 0-6 on the road, including dropping its first three C-USA contests by a combined nine points. The Miners either were leading/tied or within two points in the final minute of regulation in each of those tilts. The nine points was the smallest differential when starting 0-3 on the road in conference action in program history (happened 18 times previously). The Orange and Blue had a breakthrough last time out, rallying from 13 down to defeat Charlotte, 60-58, on Jan. 16. 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 (1-6 thus far) on the year, with three nonconference (finished 0-3) and 10 in C-USA (1-3 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 (3-5 thus far in situation) broadcast/streamed on nationwide platforms, with 13 on ESPN+ (3-3), 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 189-166 in his 12th season as a collegiate head coach, including 31-22 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 be idle for a week before playing the first of eventually three in a row on the road when it takes on second-place North Texas in Denton at 4 p.m. MT/5 p.m. CT on Jan. 28.  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 be streamed nationally on ESPN+.
 
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