Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (11-10, 4-6 C-USA) will look to regain its winning ways while continuing a three-game roadtrip with a nationally-televised (ESPNU) match-up at Middle Tennessee (13-9, 6-5 C-USA) at 7 p.m. MT/8 p.m. CT Thursday. Mattress Firm is the Presenting Sponsor of UTEP Men's Basketball. Both squads are desperate for a win, with each having dropped back-to-back tilts. This is the first of two contests on the year between the programs, with the Blue Raiders making the visit to serve as UTEP's "Senior Day" opponent on March 4.  UTEP is in the midst of playing three straight and five of seven on the road, and it will be in search of its second road triumph this season. The Miners trailed by just one midway through the second half at North Texas before succumbing, 52-42, in Denton last time out on Jan. 28. MT was swept on its trip through the "Sunshine State," including most recently falling at FIU, 82-74, on Jan. 28. The Blue Raiders are 7-2 at home (4-1 C-USA) while the Miners stand at 1-7 (1-4 C-USA) in road tilts. UTEP fell in its first three league road games by a combined nine points, and either led or was within two points in the final minute of regulation in each of those games. The Miners broke through by rallying from 13 down to emerge victorious, 60-58, at Charlotte on Jan. 16 before fading late at North Texas last time out. Jon Teicher (42nd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU, with David Saltzman (PxP) and David Padgett (analyst) on the call.
 
FACING THE TOP TIER OF THE LEAGUE
After challenging league-leading and No. 24 Florida Atlantic (L, 67-58, Jan. 21) and falling at second-place North Texas (L, 52-42, Jan. 28). The Miners now are tasked with playing at Middle Tennessee, which is currently tied for fourth in C-USA.
 
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
UTEP is in the midst of having five of seven games on the road, which includes three straight away from home. It marks the second straight season that the Orange and Blue will have three consecutive league road games. Last year the Miners had three conference contests in the span of five days, something they hadn't done since the 1983-84 campaign.
 
SERIES HISTORY: MIDDLE TENNESSEE LEADS, 9-5
Middle Tennessee holds an 9-5 edge in the series with UTEP, including a 77-59 win in Murfreesboro last year and then taking out the Miners in the 2022 C-USA quarterfinals, 66-59, in OT on March 10. UTEP had won two straight in the series prior to going 0-2 against the Blue Raiders last year.
 
GET TO KNOW MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Middle Tennessee surged out of the gates at 5-2 before settling for a 7-4 mark in nonconference action. It was a bit of a reversal in league play with a 2-3 start before winning four in a row to improve to 6-3 in C-USA and climb up to third place in the league. The streak came to a halt after being swept in the "Sunshine State," including most recently being upended at FIU, 82-74, on Jan. 28. When it comes to the Blue Raiders, the defense sets the tone. MT is allowing 66.7 points per game (fifth C-USA/99th NCAA), aided by fiercely defending the paint with 5.0 blocks per contest (second C-USA/22nd NCAA). It also forces 15.6 turnovers per game (fourth C-USA/37th NCAA), aided by 8.0 steals per game (fifth C-USA/60th NCAA). Teafale Lenard sets the tone down low for the defense with 2.0 bpg (second C-USA/27th NCAA) while DeAndre Dishman (one of seven seventh-year players in the country) adds 0.8 swats per contest (ninth C-USA). Lenard also has quick hands by coming up with 1.8 steals per game (seventh C-USA/92nd NCAA). Camryn Weston adds 1.4 spg (11th C-USA). An area of concern on defense has been grabbing only 22.8 defensive boards per game (10th C-USA/314th NCAA). Offensively, MT accounts for 69.8 points per game (seventh C-USA). The Blue Raiders shoot it well at 45.9 percent (fifth C-USA/112th NCAA). Eli Lawrence (12.4 ppg) and Dishman (11.3 ppg) pace the attack, with Weston (9.6 ppg) just shy of double figures as well. Lenard (8.8 ppg) and Elias King (8.4 ppg) also get after it. The Blue Raiders had a quiet offseason, as they are one of just two teams in the nation (Navy the other) to not add or lose anyone as result of the transfer portal. Overall, they brought back 11 players from last year's squad. Notable alumni include Kelly Holcomb (NFL QB from 1995-2007) and James McGill Buchanan (Nobel Prize Winner).
 
LAST TIME OUT: AT NORTH TEXAS 52, UTEP 42, (1/28/23)
UTEP dominated the glass (37-22) and got double-digit scoring efforts from Shamar Givance (12 points) and Ze'Rik Onyema (11 points) but came up short, 52-42, at second-place North Texas on Jan. 28. The Mean Green led the Miners by just one (35-34) with 10:09 remaining in regulation before going on a 7-0 run to help them eventually pull away down the stretch. There were three ties and a trio of lead changes. Givance (12 points, six rebounds, two steals) and Onyema (11 points) accounted for more than half of the Miners' points on the night. Calvin Solomon (six points, eight rebounds) and Otis Frazier III (five points, three boards) also had their moments. UTEP finished at 37.2 percent shooting (16-43), which was hindered by going 2-15 from 3-point range. The Miners also made 18 turnovers while causing seven. UTEP was forcing 18.0 giveaways per contest prior to the matchup. The Orange and Blue guarded well by limiting UNT to 43.2 percent (19-44) shooting, including 4-15 from distance. Tylor Perry paced a trio of players in double figures for scoring for North Texas with a game-high 18 points.
 
BOX OUT
UTEP did an outstanding job of boxing out at North Texas on Jan. 28, yielding only two offensive boards in the contest. It equaled the fewest by an opponent this year (two by Sul Ross State on Nov. 15) and tied as the lowest total against a DI foe since Tulane also had a pair in a 54-52 UTEP win in OT on Feb. 11, 2012.
 
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).
 
NARROWING THE GAP
After its first three defeats on the season were all by at least 15 points, the Miners' seven setbacks since have been by a total of 33 points. UTEP either led/was tied or within two points inside of one minute of regulation in five of the seven games. Included were two setbacks by one point and another by two points.
 
BEATING UP ON EACH OTHER
For the most part Conference USA team have been beating up on each other in league play. Only No. 19 Florida Atlantic (11-0) is undefeated in C-USA play. North Texas (9-3), Rice (6-4), UAB (6-5) and MT (6-5) are the only other teams above .500 within the league. The other six squads are .500 or worse. UTEP is tied for eighth place with Charlotte F 4-6, but it currently holds the tiebreaker with the 49ers.
 
SIMPLY THE BEST
UTEP tops Conference USA in two different categories. The Miners pace the league in turnovers forced per game (17.4-11th NCAA) and steals per game (9.1-21st NCAA). They also lead the conference in overall (61,947) and average (4,765) 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 10 of the past 11 contests, most recently posting a +15 advantage (37-22) at North Texas on Jan. 28. Included in the stretch was 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 +3.3 rebounding margin (36.3-33.6), which places it fourth in C-USA and 99th nationally. For C-USA only, UTEP is +5.4 (36.9-31.5) to sit second in the league.
 
CRASHING THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS
UTEP has pulled down 10+ offensive rebounds in 10 of the past 11 games, including snagging 11 caroms at that end at North Texas on Jan. 28. 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 11.2 offensive rebounds per game is third in C-USA and 91st in the country. Calvin Solomon is tied for 10th in C-USA with 42 total offensive boards.
 
LOCKING UP ON DEFENSE
The Miners have held five of the past seven opponents to 61 points or less, which has dropped their scoring defense to 65.7 ppg. That figure is fourth in C-USA and 70th 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 11 teams on the year to below 30 percent from the floor on 3-point attempts, most recently limiting North Texas to 26.7 percent (4-15) from distance. The effort has helped the Miners sport a 3-point field-goal percentage defense of 30.9 to rate second in C-USA and 55th in the nation. That figure of 30.9 would be fourth all time at the school.
 
TALKING INJURIES
UTEP has battled through some injuries this season, with 25 man games across the board lost to injuries/illness. The breakdown is as follows: Malik Zachery (11 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 eight of the past 12 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 5-6 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 17 of 21 games on the campaign (sub 40 percent past two contests). 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. The Miners have been particularly accurate with 2-point attempts, drilling 53.1 percent inside the arc.
 
PACK THE DON
UTEP is leading Conference USA in both overall attendance (61,947) and average attendance (4,765) in 2022-23. UAB is the closest team for total attendance (50,443) while WKU is second in average attendance (4,019). 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 10-3 in El Paso, marking their fourth consecutive campaign with 10+ home triumphs. UTEP has a +10.3 (71.0-60.7 ppg) scoring differential in the Sun City. UTEP is shooting 45.8 percent compared to 38.7 by the foes, has a +3.5 turnover margin (15.5-19.1) and has taken nearly 100 more free throws (313-226) in those 13 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 60.7 ppg at the Don Haskins Center this season, with opponents shooting 38.7 percent overall and just 27.3 percent from 3-point range. None of the 13 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 (19), North Texas (63), UAB (73) and Charlotte (96).
 
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 22.4 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 13.6 free throws made per contest is fourth in the league.
 
HARDY DOING IT ALL
Southern Miss transfer Tae Hardy is doing a little bit of everything this year, pacing the Miners in scoring (12.6 ppg-10th C-USA), rating third in assists per game (1.7) and steals per game (1.4-10th C-USA). He's also shown endurance, placing second on squad at 31.7 minutes per game (10th C-USA). He has started 20 of 21 games. Hardy has been a consistent scorer, tallying at least eight points in 17 contests. He has a quartet of 20+ point efforts. He has led or shared the top spot on the team in scoring in 12 tilts, easily by far the most on the team. Hardy also has a team-high 12 double-digit scoring efforts. He 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 (4.6-third C-USA/73rd NCAA) and playing time (32.2-eighth C-USA) while rating second in scoring (10.1 ppg) and steals per game (1.8-eighth C-USA), third for free-throw percentage (min. 10 FTA, 71.4 percent) and tied for third in rebounding (4.0 rpg). He has surpassed double figures in scoring in nine of the past 11 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, especially as a spark off the bench. He has come off the pine in 16 of his 18 appearances, where he is the leading scorer among reserves and third overall (9.3 ppg) on the team. That was aided by a career-high 24 points on the road against his former squad on Nov. 30. Overall, he has posted nine double-digit scoring efforts on the season. McKinney Jr. is also tied for third in rebounding (4.0 rpg) and fourth in steals per game (1.1 spg).
 
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 15 of 18 games played, rating fourth in offensive boards (26) and fifth in rebounding (3.9 rpg) and scoring (7.7 ppg). He has done that while playing only 20.6 minutes per game. Frazier III is also connecting on 53.1 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'S PROGRESS
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 six contests this year. That includes five straight to begin the season and most recently at North Texas on Jan. 28. 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 field-goal percentage (58.3) and offensive boards (27) and sixth for scoring (5.7 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 the lone player on the roster to have started all 21 contests. Solomon leads the team in rebounding (6.2 rpg-eighth C-USA), steals per game (2.1-third C-USA/36th NCAA) and offensive rebounds (42, 2.0/game-ninth C-USA) while placing second in assists per game (2.0) and checking in fourth in scoring (8.0). He has been on a tear in several categories of late, having produced double figures in scoring in four of the past five games (two over the first 16 contests). Over the past nine games, he is averaging 10.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg and 2.7 spg. He's the lone Miner to have at least one steal in every tilt of the year and has 30 total thefts over the past 12 contests. Solomon has a pair of double-doubles on the year, with 16 points and 10 boards vs. No. 24 Florida Atlantic (Jan. 21) and 16 points and 11 rebounds at UAB (Dec. 29).
 
KALU'S IMPROVEMENT
Kevin Kalu has done good work inside, tying for the team lead in field-goal percentage (66.7). Overall, he is putting up 4.1 ppg (1.5 ppg as a freshman last year).  He is second on the team in offensive boards (31) and sixth in rebounding (3.6 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 tied for the team lead 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 (12.6 ppg-10th C-USA), Shamar Givance (10.1 ppg) and Mario McKinney Jr. (9.5 ppg) lead the way. Calvin Solomon (8.0 ppg), Otis Frazier III (7.7 ppg) and Ze'Rik Onyema (5.7 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 17.4 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. Six opponents have made at least 20 giveaways, including No. 24 Florida Atlantic (20 giveaways) on Jan. 21. Sul Ross State (Nov. 15) had 32, which was the most in nine years by a UTEP opponent. All but two teams (Kent State-10, Dec. 22; at North Texas-seven, Jan. 28) have committed at least 14 giveaways.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP's pressure defense has resulted in 9.1 steals per game to lead the league and rank 21st 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 291 steals this season, which would break the school record (288, 2009-10). The charge has been led by Calvin Solomon (2.1 spg-third C-USA/36th NCAA), Shamar Givance (1.8 spg-eighth C-USA/99th NCAA) and Tae Hardy (1.4 spg-10th C-USA), making the Miners the lone team in the league with three in the top 10 of the category.
 
STEALING THE SHOW
Shamar Givance piled up a career-high seven steals at UAB on Dec. 29, which tied 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 Thursday's tilt with six contests of 10+ steals on the season, with the last time it's accomplished it coming against then No. 24 Florida Atlantic (Jan. 21).
 
THE BENCH BUNCH
The Miners' bench has provided at least 15 points in 18 of 21 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 25.0 points per game to rank second in Conference USA and 53rd nationally. Super sub Mario McKinney Jr. has been vital in this category, tallying 9.3 ppg while coming off the pine in 16 of his 18 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 10-3), 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 (3-2 thus far). The Miners have five 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 by rallying from 13 down to defeat Charlotte, 60-58, on Jan. 16. Most recently UTEP trailed by just one (35-34) with 10:04 left in regulation before fading down the stretch in a 52-42 setback at North Texas on Jan. 28, to slip to 1-7 on the road (1-4 C-USA). 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 (1-7 thus far) on the year, with three nonconference (finished 0-3) and 10 in C-USA (1-4 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 18 contests (3-6 thus far in situation) broadcast/streamed on nationwide platforms, with 13 on ESPN+ (3-4), and one each on ESPNU (0-0), FS1 (0-1), the Longhorn Network (0-1) and Stadium (0-0).
 
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 189-168 in his 12th season as a collegiate head coach, including 31-24 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 the three-game roadswing by playing at WKU (2 p.m. MT/3 p.m. MT-Saturday). The match-up with the Toppers will be carried by Stadium. Jon Teicher (42nd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso.
 
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
 
For complete coverage of UTEP women's basketball, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPWBB (Twitter), @utepwbb (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.
 
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