Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (8-6, 1-2 C-USA) will look to get back to .500 in league action when it competes at LA Tech (9-6, 2-2 C-USA) at 1 p.m. MT/2 p.m. CT Saturday. Mattress Firm is the Presenting Sponsor of UTEP Men's Basketball. The Miners have fallen in three consecutive contests. That includes back-to-back overtime defeats (in consecutive games) for the first time since the 1994-95 season (L, 66-63, at New Mexico, Jan. 21, 1995; L, 95-89, at BYU, Jan. 26, 1995). UTEP is seeking to avoid its first three-game league losing streak since dropping three in a row in the 2020-21 campaign. It also hasn't endured a skid of longer than three contests since falling in five straight in 2019-20. The Bulldogs have won three of the past four, including an 88-82 overtime triumph at Rice last time out on Jan. 5. They are 5-1 at home while the Miners are 0-4 on the road. It is the second meeting on the season between the programs, with the Orange and Blue besting LA Tech, 60-55, in the C-USA opener for both squads on Dec. 17. UTEP is in search of its first sweep of the season series with the Bulldogs since 2003-04 when both programs were members of the WAC and second overall. Jon Teicher (42nd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will also stream on CUSA.tv (subscription required).
 
THE SKY ISN'T FALLING
The Miners, currently 1-2 in league play, started 2022 C-USA action at 1-3 before ripping off 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. Both losses for UTEP this year in league play have been in overtime and were by a combined 11 points.
 
SERIES HISTORY: LA TECH LEADS, 17-14
LA Tech leads the series with UTEP, 17-14, but the Miners have won back-to-back contests. UTEP is aiming for its first season sweep of the Bulldogs since 2003-04 when both schools were in the WAC and second all time. LA Tech is 11-2 all time when playing at home (10-2 in Ruston), but the Miners did secure a 63-60 road triumph last year on Feb. 17, 2022. That marked UTEP's first win at LA Tech since a 76-65 road vanquishing on Feb. 26, 2004. The first meeting was 70 years ago with LA Tech defeating the Orange and Blue, 68-56, on Dec. 19, 1952. The two sides have squared off against each other as members in both the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and now Conference USA.
 
GET TO KNOW LA TECH
LA Tech (9-6, 2-2 C-USA) got off to a start of at least 6-2 for the fourth straight season before falling in three straight contests, including the setback at UTEP, to slip to 6-5, 0-1 C-USA on the year. They are 3-1 since, including an 88-82 overtime victory last time out at Rice on Jan. 5. It marked their second OT contest of the campaign (1-1 record) while the Miners have played four (2-2), including back-to-back OT affairs. The lone setback in the 3-1 sequence came by two points (68-66) at Charlotte (Dec. 31). In fact, its past three losses have been by a combined eight points. LA Tech has been strong at home, sporting a 5-1 mark. The one setback in Ruston came at the hands of Stephen F. Austin, which stopped a school-record 31-game nonconference home winning streak. LA Tech is paced by two-time C-USA All-Defensive team member and C-USA All-Preseason team honoree Cobe Williams. He tops the team in scoring (18.0-third C-USA/64th NCAA) and steals (2.8-first C-USA/33rd NCAA) while rating second in assists per game (4.4-sixth C-USA/97th NCAA). Isaiah Crawford (13.0 ppg-ninth C-USA) and Keaston Willis (12.3 ppg-12th C-USA) are also in double figures for scoring while Jordan Crawford gets the offense going as well with 4.6 helpers per tilt (fourth C-USA/79th NCAA). LA notches 15.1 apg (fourth C-USA/80th NCAA). Overall, the Bulldogs account for 78.4 ppg (fourth C-USA/60th NCAA) on 46.5 percent shooting (sixth C-USA/84th NCAA), including 35.3 percent on 3-point shots. The Miners, though, did limit the Bulldogs to just 55 points in their five-point victory (60-55) on Dec. 17. They are yielding foes to 69.1 points per game, which is helped by the opposition making 18.0 turnovers per contest (first C-USA/11th NCAA). They come up with 9.3 steals per game (second C-USA/24th NCAA). The bench provides a huge boost, contributing 28.7 ppg (second C-USA/29th NCAA). LA Tech has struggled ot take care of the ball, making 14.5 turnovers per game (ninth C-USA/299th NCAA). It has also allowed opponents to connect on 36.3 percent on 3-pointers (ninth C-USA/304th NCAA). Notable alumni include former NFL star and Super Bowl Champion and now TV personality Terry Bradshaw, former NBA standout Karl Malone and Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson.
 
LAST TIME OUT: RICE 72, AT UTEP 67, OT (12/31/22)
UTEP overcame a 15-point second-half deficit to force overtime before ultimately falling to Rice, 72-67, at the Don Haskins Center on Dec. 31. The Miners trailed the Owls, 49-34, with 11:35 to play in regulation and were still down 12 (60-48) with 3:23 remaining before mounting a furious rally. The Orange and Blue closed the stanza on a 14-2 run, including Calvin Solomon making 1-2 at the charity stripe with 1.1 seconds left to send the contest to OT. UTEP got on the board first in the extra period, but the Owls tallied five in a row to secure a lead they would never relinquish.  The Miners limited Rice to 38.1 percent shooting, including 29.6 percent from 3-point range. UTEP also forced 18 turnovers that led to 15 points. The Miners hit 40.0 percent from the floor but were 5-26 on 3-pointers and 10-20 at the charity stripe. Mario McKinney Jr. came off the bench to score a team-high 17 points while Shamar Givance added 12 points, a career-high tying eight rebounds and a game-best six assists. Solomon flirted with a double-double (nine points, eight rebounds) while Otis Frazier III and Kevin Kalu both pitched in five points and five boards.
 
OWNING THE GLASS
The Miners have been even or better on the boards in four straight contests, the longest streak under Joe Golding and the most in a row since five consecutive games in 2019-20.
 
ALL OVER THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS
UTEP has pulled down at least 10 offensive rebounds in three straight games, marking the first time in the Joe Golding era it has happened (vs. DI opposition). The last time there was a longer such streak vs. DI foes was in 2015-16 (five consecutive).
 
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, AGAIN
For the second time this season, the Miners have played back-to-back overtime games. That is something that had previously never occurred at the school. Earlier this year, 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 have 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.
 
FORGET ABOUT THE 3-BALL
UTEP stands at 7-3 on the season when attempting 20 or fewer 3-pointers in a game, but recently opponents have forced the Miners to fire away from distance. UTEP has attempted 20+ treys in back-to-back games (both losses) and is now 0-3 the season against DI foes when doing so. 
 
SHARE THAT ROCK
For the second time this season, UTEP has recorded at least 15 assists in back-to-back games. The Miners haven't put together three consecutive such contests since the initial three tilts of the 2016-17 campaign, although the first game in that sequence came against NAIA member Louisiana College. The last occasion the Orange and Blue did so all against DI foes was over the final eight contests of 2015-16.
 
GUARDING THE THREE
Three straight, four of the past five and 10 opponents total have been held to below 30 percent from the floor on 3-point attempts. In the last three games foes are a combined 15-76 (19.7 percent) from distance. UTEP now sports a 3-point percentage defense of 28.5 on the year, which is second in C-USA and 26th in the country.
 
SUB 40 PERCENT
For the first time since the 2016-17 season, UTEP has held five straight Division I opponents to less than 40 percent shooting from the floor. The Miners haven't put together stretch of six consecutive such games vs. DI foes since at least the 1981-82 campaign.
 
TALKING INJURIES
UTEP has battled through some injuries this season, with 18 man games across the board lost to injuries/illness. The breakdown is as follows: Jon Dos Anjos (six games), Malik Zachery (four 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 five games. All five opponents have failed to eclipse 40.0 percent from the floor. Three of the five scored 62 points or less, with the other two being held to that figure through regulation before eclipsing it in OT. UAB (Dec. 29) had 79 points but was at 57 at the end of regulation before tallying 22 total points between a pair of overtime periods. Rice (Dec. 31) tallied 62 points through 40 minutes before notching 10 points in OT.
 
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT IN THE SECOND HALF
During the Miners' first seven contests of the campaign against Division I opposition, they had been outpaced by an average score of 40.1-31.4 (281-220) in the second half of those games. UTEP has started to make progress in the department, outscoring its foes during the second half in four of the past five contests.
 
FREE THROWS WIN BALL GAMES?
The old saying goes that free throws win ball games, but UTEP is 5-3 on the season when shooting 60 percent or less in a contest and 3-3 when eclipsing that figure. Included in the win count when falling short of 60 percent was a 40.5 percent (15-37) effort in a 60-55 triumph against LA Tech on Dec. 17. It marked the first time the Miners had won a game with 20+ misses at the charity stripe since topping UTSA, 81-74, on March 5, 2016 (20-40). It was the lowest FT% in a contest since making 14.3 percent (1-7) in a 58-45 setback to LA Tech on Jan. 18, 2015.
 
KNOCKING DOWN SHOTS
UTEP nailed at least 40.0 percent of its shots in its first 11 contests, the longest stretch to begin a season since the 2010-11 team eclipsed 40 percent over the first 15 contests. After consecutive games below that figure, it was exactly at 40.0 percent last time out against Rice (Dec. 31). Overall, the Miners are connecting on 45.2 percent from the floor compared to 40.3 percent (fifth C-USA/67th NCAA) by the opposition. The Miners have been particularly accurate with 2-point attempts, making 53.7 percent inside the arc.
 
PACK THE DON
UTEP is leading Conference USA in both overall attendance (49,114) and average attendance (4,941) in 2022-23. UAB (36,966) is the closest team for total attendance while Middle Tennessee (3,967) is the nearest for average attendance. Last year the Miners led in overall attendance and were second in the league in average attendance.
 
RARE AIR TO HOME START
UTEP shot out to 8-0 at home, joining the 2019-20 team (9-0 start) and 2003-04 squad (8-0 start) as the only this century to win its first eight home contests. The Miners are now 8-2 in El Paso after falling in the past two tilts (by a combined six points) at the Don Haskins Center. This year, UTEP has a +11.0 (71.4-60.4 ppg) scoring differential in the Sun City. UTEP is shooting 46.5 percent compared to 37.2 by the foes, has a +3.2 turnover margin (15.9-19.1) and has taken nearly 100 more free throws (260-172) in those 10 contests.
 
TAKING DOWN 2022 POSTSEASON TEAMS
Three of the Miners' eight wins this year have come against teams that played postseason basketball a year ago, including two that went to the NCAA tournament. UTEP knocked off NM State (2022 NCAA second round) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (2022 NCAA first four), in addition to Alcorn State (2022 NIT). All three of those teams won their conference. UTEP also has a victory against LA Tech, which was a stellar 24-10 last season.
 
WIN CLOSE
Exactly half (four of eight) of the Miners' victories this year have been by five points or less, demonstrating their toughness and grit. UTEP toppled NM State by three (67-64, Nov. 12), CSU Bakersfield by one (68-67, OT, Nov. 23), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi by five (72-67, Nov. 25) and LA Tech by five (60-55, Dec. 17). UTEP is 4-2 in such contests this season.
 
D-UP
UTEP has held eight of its past 10 opponents to below 40 percent from the floor, including forcing LA Tech into an opponent-season low 29.6 percent (16-54) shooting on Dec. 17. NM State (57.7 percent, Nov. 30) and then No. 12 Texas (54.8 percent, Nov. 7) are the only Miner opponents this year to hit at least 50 percent from the floor. Overall, foes have been limited to 40.3 percent (fourth C-USA/67th NCAA) compared to UTEP's readout of 45.2 percent.
 
LOCK THEM DOWN AT THE DON
UTEP has a scoring defense of 60.4 ppg at the Don Haskins Center this season, with opponents shooting 37.2 overall and just 24.9 percent from 3-point range. None of the 10 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.
 
TIME TO DO THAT ON THE ROAD
The Miners are allowing 84.3 points per game on the road, with the opposition making 48.4 percent overall and 37.1 percent from beyond-the-arc. All four foes have topped 70 points, including a pair above 90. It should be noted that UAB (Dec. 29) was at 57 points at the end of regulation before finishing with 79 points (79-73 final) after a double-overtime contest.
 
CLOSING OUT GAMES
Even though the Miners have had some close calls this year, they are 8-1 on the season when they have a lead with 5:00 to play in the contest. UTEP is nearly perfect on the campaign (8-1) when up at the half.
 
C-USA GOT IT DONE OUT OF CONFERENCE
Conference USA's 11 squads thrived out of conference, with a combined mark of 87-34 between the 11 programs (through Jan. 3). 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 10th nationally with 25.6 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 15.4 free throws made per contest is second in the conference and 42nd 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 (12.8 ppg-10th C-USA) while checking in third for assists per game (2.0), blocks per game (0.4 bpg) and steals per game (1.4). He's also shown endurance, leading the squad at 32.5 minutes per game (second C-USA). He is one of three Miners to start all 14 games (Shamar Givance and Calvin Solomon) are the others. Hardy has been a consistent scorer, tallying at least eight points in 13 of the 14 games on the year, including a trio of 20+ point efforts. He has led or shared the top spot on the team in scoring in eight tilts. Shamar Givance (two) and Mario McKinney Jr. (two) are the only other player on the squad with more than one such efforts. Hardy also has a team-high eight double-digit scoring efforts.
 
GIVANCE THE LEADER
Evansville transfer Shamar Givance, the only senior on the roster, has contributed in multiple ways this season while running the point for the Orange and Blue. He tops the team in assists per game (4.4-sixth C-USA/89th NCAA) and steals per game (2.0-fourth C-USA/60th NCAA). He is also second in playing time (32.2 mpg-third C-USA) and third for free-throw percentage (min. 10 FTA, 72.6 percent) and scoring (9.8 ppg). He has dished out at least five assists in seven of the past nine contests, including a season-best 10 as part of a double-double (17 points, 10 assists) at UAB (Dec. 29). He has also produced four straight double-digit scoring games, averaging 14.3 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 second on the team in scoring (10.2 ppg), aided by a career-high 24 points on the road against his former squad on Nov. 30. He is tied for second on the squad for double-figure scoring efforts (six) and tied for fourth in rebounding (3.9 rpg).
 
FRAZIER'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 eight of 11 games played, rating fourth on the team in scoring at 8.1 ppg and sixth in rebounding (3.7 rpg). He has done that while playing only 18.7 minutes per game. Frazier III is also connecting on 53.3 percent of his shots. 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 (4.8 rpg), third in offensive boards (18) and field-goal percentage (61.0) and sixth for scoring (6.4 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 14 contests on the season. Solomon leads the team in rebounding (5.6 rpg-14th C-USA), is second in steals per game (1.9-sixth C-USA), offensive rebounds (21) and assists per game (2.1) and fifth in scoring (7.2). He recently posted a double-double (16 points, 11 boards) at UAB (Dec. 29), which was his first as a Miner.
 
KALU GETTING IT DONE
Kevin Kalu has done good work inside, ranking second on the team for field-goal percentage (66.7). Overall, he is putting up 5.2 ppg (1.5 ppg as a freshman last year). He's also gotten after it on the glass recently, with 47 rebounds the past six games (7.8 rpg). That includes a career-high 10 rebounds at UAB (Dec. 29). He paces the team in offensive boards (26) 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 tremendous potential in his 10 appearances off the bench this year. He is accounting for 3.8 points per game despite playing only 4.9 minutes per contest. Hamilton has missed only four field goals (15-19) all season, for a team-leading 78.9 percent from the floor. He also tops the team in free-throw percentage (min. 10 attempts) by going 8-10 (80.0 percent).
 
POINTS ACROSS THE BOARD
Six different players are scoring between 6.0 and 13.0 points per game. Tae Hardy (12.8 ppg-10th C-USA) and Mario McKinney Jr. (10.2 ppg) lead the way in double figures followed by Shamar Givance (9.8 ppg), who is just shy of joining them in double digits. Otis Frazier III (8.1 ppg), Calvin Solomon (7.2 ppg) and Ze'Rik Onyema (6.4 ppg) round out the group. There have been 11 players (out of 13) to register at least one double-digit scoring contests.
 
TURNOVER MACHINES
UTEP is forcing the opposition into 18.0 turnovers per game to rank second in Conference USA and place 15th nationally. The Miners harassed the first eight foes to commit at least 15 turnovers, the longest stretch to begin a season since the initial 12 opponents did so in 1974-75. Four opponents have made at least 20 giveaways, including 32 by Sul Ross (Nov. 15), which was the most in nine years by a UTEP opponent. Thirteen of 14 foes have committed at least 14 turnovers.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP's pressure defense has resulted in 9.1 steals per game to place third in Conference USA and rank 31st 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 291 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 three games of 10+steals on the season.
 
THE BENCH BUNCH
The Miners' bench has provided at least 15 points in 12 of 14 games this year (10 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 26.4 points per game to rank fourth in Conference USA and 60th nationally. Super sub Mario McKinney Jr. has been vital in this category, tallying 10.2 ppg while coming off the pine in 10 of his 11 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 8-2), 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 (1-1 thus far). The Miners have eight home tilts remaining (all in C-USA) and are well on their way to a fourth straight season with 10+ home wins.  
 
LIFE ON THE ROAD
UTEP is 0-4 on the road, including falling at No. 12 Texas, 72-57, in its season opener on Nov. 7. It marked the first time to begin the season with a true road game since a 73-61 victory at Pac-12 foe Washington on Nov. 21, 2000. Overall, the Miners will have 13 road games (0-4 thus far) on the year, with three nonconference (finished 0-3) and 10 in C-USA (0-1 thus far). UTEP went 7-6 in 2021-22 on the road, its first winning road record since forging a mark of 8-2 in 2013-14. Saturday provides the Miners a chance to secure their first road triumph this year.
 
NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
The Miners will have 17 contests (0-5 thus far in situation) to be broadcast/streamed on nationwide platforms, with 13 on ESPN+ (0-3), 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 186-164 in his 12th season as a collegiate head coach, including 28-20 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 returns home to play host to UTSA for "Military Appreciation Night" at 7 p.m. MT on Wednesday (Jan. 11). The game will be streamed on ESPN+. Jon Teicher (42nd year) and Steve Yellen (20th year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. Tickets are available by visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets or by calling (915) 747-UTEP.
 
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