Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (6-5) will square off against Norfolk State (8-5) in its opening-round game of the 62nd-annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational at 7 p.m. MT Wednesday. The Miners have dropped consecutive contests, both on the road, including most recently being edged at Abilene Christian, 88-82, on Dec. 17. The Spartans had sustained back-to-back road setbacks, including a 74-58 loss at Hofstra on Dec. 16, before drilling Division III program Southern Virginia, 108-52, at home on Dec. 18. Wyoming and South Dakota State will lock up at 5 p.m. MT on Wednesday in the first match-up of the event. The third/fourth-place game is set for 5 p.m. Thursday, with the championship contest to follow at 7 p.m. The Orange and Blue are a stout 5-1 at home while Norfolk State is 2-3 on the road, including dropping its past two contests in hostile territory. Jon Teicher (43rd year) and Steve Yellen (21st year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will stream on the Sun Bowl's YouTube Channel and KFOX.com, in addition to being broadcast locally on Spectrum channel 1215, over the air on 4.2 For more information on the 2023 WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational please go to www.sunbowl.org. Fans may call (915) 747-UTEP for ticket information.
 
TALKING TOURNAMENT HISTORY
UTEP is 90-30 in the event (48-12 first round). It has won 32 tourney titles (32-15 in title tilt). There was no championship game played or awarded in 2010, as the match-ups were preset. UTEP is 9-3 in the third-place contest. The Miners' most-recent title at the event was in 2019. Prior to that triumph, the Orange and Blue had a three-year stretch (2012-14) as tournament champions. The Miners have advanced to the title tilt in each of the first two years of the Joe Golding era before being clipped by eventual respective NCAA Tournament teams Bradley (L, 73-66, Dec. 22, 2021) and Kent State (L, 47-46, Dec. 22, 2022)
 
GOLDING TWO SHY OF 200 WINS
Third-year UTEP head coach Joe Golding picked up his 198th career victory between his time with Abilene Christian and the Miners following UTEP's 90-62 thrashing of Division II Western New Mexico on Dec. 4. It was also his 40th career win (40-37) as head coach of the Miners. He is ninth on UTEP's all-time coaching victories list, needing seven victories to surpass Jason Rabedeaux (46-46, 1999-02)
 
TAE ON CUSP OF 1K CAREER POINTS
Tae Hardy enters this week with 984 career points between his time with East Carolina, Southern Miss and UTEP. He has amassed more than half (582) of those in a Miner uniform. Hardy is averaging a team-leading 15.5 points per game this year, putting him on track to reach the milestone during the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational.
 
SOLOMON APPROACHING THE MILESTONE AS WELL
Calvin Solomon is also marching toward 1,000 career points. Following an 11-point effort at Abilene Christian on Dec. 17, Solomon sports 951 career points between his playing career with SFA and UTEP. More than 400 of those points have occurred since he arrived in the Sun City.
 
GET TO KNOW NORFOLK STATE
Norfolk State is 8-5 on the year (most victories thus far by MEAC team), including wins in some hostile environments. The Spartans bested VCU (63-60, Dec. 1) on the road in front of 7,637 fans and took out Illinois State (64-58, Dec. 9) with 3,788 in attendance. Norfolk State, however, lost its last two road games, including falling 74-58 at Hofstra on Dec. 16. It got back on track with a 108-52 drubbing of Division III Southern Virginia at home on Dec. 18. The Spartans, who are in search of their third straight season with at least 20 wins, returned nine letterwinners from last year's team (22-11, 9-5 MEAC), but only one of those was a starter. NSU also added eight newcomers. It opened the year at 7-3, climbing as high to 19th in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major poll before falling into the receiving votes category after sustaining those back-to-back road setbacks. The Spartans account for 75.9 points per game (second MEAC), aided by getting to the free throw line often. They lead the MEAC in both free throws made per game (16.7-first MEAC/46th NCAA) and attempts per game (22.5-64th NCAA). NSU is second in the MEAC and 65th nationally in free throw percentage (74.3). The Spartans also do an outstanding job of taking care of the basketball, committing just 10.5 turnovers per game (first MEAC/52nd NCAA). NSU boasts the top scoring defense in the MEAC (66.8-78th NCAA), which is helped by forcing 16.0 turnovers per game (first MEAC/26th NCAA). That leads to 9.5 steals per contest (second MEAC/25th NCAA). Individually, it all begins with UNC Wilmington transfer Jamarii Thomas. He paces the team in scoring (18.8 ppg-first MEAC/54th NCAA), assists (4.1 apg-third MEAC), steals (2.3-first MEAC/33rd NCAA) and minutes (29.1-ninth MEAC) and is third in rebounding (3.8 rpg). Thomas gets fouled early and often, rating second in the nation for free throws made (86) and third for free throws attempted (100). Allen Betrand (11.3 ppg-12th MEAC) and Christian Ings (8.8 ppg-24th MEAC) also are consistent scorers. Notable university alumni include Pee Wee Kirkland (first-round NBA draft pick, 1969, Chicago Bulls and notable Rucker Park street basketball star) and J.B. Smoove (actor, best known for his role on Curb your Enthusiasm).
 
SERIES HISTORY: NORFOLK STATE LEADS, 2-1
Norfolk State holds a 2-1 advantage in the series with UTEP, with all three match-ups occurring in the first round of the Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational. The Miners claimed the initial match-up in a 93-56 rout on Dec. 28, 2009, but the Spartans have made up for that by winning the past two meetings. Norfolk State bested the Orange and Blue, 85-76, on Dec. 21, 2015, before most recently staking a 75-62 victory on Dec. 21, 2018.
 
GOING BACK IN TIME
Tae Hardy tallied a game-high 22 points and Zid Powell (14 points) and Calvin Solomon (11 points) also reached double figures, but UTEP came up short, 88-82, at Abilene Christian on Dec. 17. The Miners harassed the Wildcats into 23 turnovers that resulted in 21 points, but the home side overcame that by shooting 57.1 percent (24-42), including 6-13 (46.2 percent) from distance. Two of those 3-pointers came on back-to-back possessions by Hunter Jack Madden with less than three minutes remaining to stave off the Orange and Blue.
 
FREE THROWS GALORE
UTEP was hit with 33 fouls at ACU, with both Tae Hardy and Kevin Kalu fouling out. Two others finished with four infractions. The result was ACU going 34-48 at the charity stripe. That marked the most attempts by an UTEP opponent since New Mexico was 37-52 from the line in the Lobos' 86-85 OT win on Jan. 8, 2008. It should be noted, however, that UNM was 15-20 on free throws in overtime alone. The last time a Miner foe attempted at least 48 free throws in a regulation contest was when Nevada also took 48 (28-48) in an 80-65 UTEP setback on the road on Feb. 16, 2002.

MINERS TOOK A LOT TOO
UTEP finished 25-36 at the line at ACU, its second-most attempts against a DI opponent this year.
 
NOBODY NEEDS THAT MANY WHISTLES
It was a foul-plagued game at ACU, with 33 fouls on the Miners and 25 infractions by the Wildcats. Both Tae Hardy and Kevin Kalu fouled out for UTEP while one Wildcat was sent packing with five infractions. Two other Miners (Corey Camper Jr. and Calvin Solomon) committed four fouls. UTEP hadn't been whistled for at least 33 fouls since the 2007-08 season, when it was tagged with 36 infractions at both NM State (W, 79-78, Dec. 8, 2007) and vs. New Mexico (L, 86-85, OT, Jan. 2, 2008).
 
BACK AND FORTH GAME
UTEP and ACU traded scoring runs all game long, resulting in 12 ties and 14 lead changes.
 
HEBB GETS GOING
Colorado State transfer Baylor Hebb tallied four points on 2-3 shooting in his Miner debut at ACU.
 
GET THE LEAD AND WE'RE PRETTY, PRETTY GOOD
UTEP is 5-1 on the season when leading at the half and a perfect 6-0 this year when holding an advantage with five minutes remaining in regulation. It's not a recent trend, with the Miners a combined 32-6 under head coach Joe Golding when leading at the break.
 
TAKING CARE OF THE BALL LEADS TO WINS
The Miners are 5-2 this year when making the same or fewer amount of turnovers in a game against opponents. The two setbacks have come in the past two tilts, as both Oregon (18 turnovers, Dec. 9) and ACU (23 turnovers, Dec. 17) shot better than 50.0 percent from the floor to overcome the inability to take care of the ball.
 
GOTTA GET GOING FROM DISTANCE VS. DI
In its eight games against Division I opponents, UTEP has been held to 24.2 percent (31-128) from beyond-the-arc. The Miners are 29-76 (38.2 percent) from distance against non DI opposition.
 
KEEP GUARDING THE TREY
Opponents are making only 30.8 percent (58-195) on 3-pointers, with six foes held to 30.0 percent or worse. That places the Miners 98th in the country at defending the three.
 
STEALS KEEP COMING
UTEP piled up 15 steals (most vs. DI opponent this year) at Abilene Christian on Dec. 17, and it has now produced at least eight thefts in 11 all games this season. The average of 11.7 steals per game rates second in the league and fifth in the country. The Miners tied the school record for steals with 288 last year, but they are on pace to smash that figure with 374 thefts. That average of 11.7 spg is likely to drop, but it's an incredible effort thus far.
 
STREAKING WITH STEALS
UTEP has registered at least 10 steals in three straight contests for the second time this campaign. The Miners had 11 vs. Western New Mexico (Dec. 4), 10 at Oregon (Dec. 9) and a Division I opponent season-high 15 at Abilene Christian (Dec. 17). It also happened in the first three contests of 2023-24 (19 vs. McMurry, Nov. 6, 18 vs. Science & Arts of Oklahoma, Nov. 9 and 11 vs. UC Santa Barbara, Nov. 13). Prior to this season, the Miners hadn't recorded 10+ steals in three consecutive contests since 2007-08, when they also enjoyed two separate three-contest streaks with at least 10 thefts. That year the Miners did so first against Southeastern Louisiana (11, Dec. 19, 2007), USC Upstate (14, Dec. 21, 2007)  and Wyoming (10, Dec. 22, 2007)  and then later on against Tulane (10, Feb. 6, 2008), at UAB (10, Feb. 9, 2008) and at Tulsa (10, Feb. 16, 2008).
 
TIME TO ADJUST AND GUARD
UTEP kept its first nine opponents on the season to below 50 percent from the floor, including four at 40.0 percent or less. However, in the past two games-both on the road- both foes have surpassed 50 percent shooting. Perennial national power Oregon connected on 54.5 percent (24-44) while ACU hit an opponent season-high 57.1 percent (24-42). UTEP's pressure defense did give both teams fits while setting up their offense, as the Ducks tied for their most turnovers (18) since the start of last year. The Wildcats were forced into a Miner Division I opponent season-most 23 giveaways.
 
TAE DOING IT ALL
Senior Tae Hardy has done it all for the Miners thus far in 2023-24, including hitting the buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Cal on Nov. 20. He paces the team in scoring (15.5-second CUSA), minutes per game (31.3-second CUSA), 3-pointers made (24), attempted (58), percentage (41.4) and 3-pointers per game (2.2-seventh CUSA). Hardy is second on the unit for both assists (3.3-eighth CUSA) and steals (2.1-third CUSA/56th NCAA).  Hardy has hit double figures in scoring in all but one game (nine vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Nov. 29), including notching his second 20-point outing (22) at Abilene Christian last time out on Dec. 17.
 
RARE AIR IN CUSA
Tae Hardy (15.5 ppg-second, 3.3 apg-eighth, 2.1 spg-third) and FIU's Arturo Dean are the lone individuals in Conference USA to rate among the top 10 in the league for points per game, assists per game and steals per game.
 
OTIS STEPPING UP
Junior Otis Frazier III connected on 50.3 percent (81-161) from the floor last year while tallying 7.5 points per game in his first season with the Miners after transferring from George Mason. His shooting percentage this year is slightly down (41-84, 48.8 percent), but he has elevated his scoring to rank third on the squad at 10.9 points per game (16th CUSA). Frazier III is also getting after it with 1.5 steals per game (10th CUSA). He is doing a better job at the charity stripe, making 68.1 percent (32-47) after finishing at 40-63 from the line (63.5 percent) a season ago. His 32 makes tie for third on the team while his 47 attempts put him alone for third on the squad.
 
SOLOMON'S ALL-AROUND GAME
Senior Calvin Solomon is displaying the full arsenal of his abilities in 2023-24, ranking fourth on the team in scoring (8.8 ppg), rebounding (3.7 rpg), assists (2.1 apg-19th CUSA) and tied for third in steals (1.6 spg- eighth CUSA). He also leads the squad in blocks (0.8-13th CUSA). He is doing all this while playing 22.2 minutes per game.
 
ZID'S AS ADVERTISED
Buffalo grad transfer Zid Powell is contributing across the board despite having battled through some injuries and foul issues at times. Powell leads the team in assists (3.4-seventh CUSA) and steals (2.2-second CUSA/45th NCAA) while rating second on the squad for scoring (11.1 ppg-14th CUSA) and rebounding (5.3 rpg-14th CUSA). He's demonstrated the ability to get to the line, going 32 of 46 (tied third on team for makes and rates fourth in attempts). Powell is producing these numbers in 24.5 minutes per game (third on team).
 
KALU CONTROLLING THE BOARDS
Kevin Kalu has been all over the boards for the Miners in 2023-24. The junior is pulling down a team-high 6.0 rebounds per game (seventh CUSA). He is also sixth in CUSA for defensive rebounds per game (3.9) and seventh in offensive rebounds per game (2.1). He has recorded at least four boards in all 11 contests, including seven or more three times. Kalu has been an efficient scorer down low, nailing 26-41 attempts (63.4 percent), which is fourth on the team.
 
KEEPING A FAMILY TRADITION ALIVE
Freshman David Terrell Jr. is following in the footsteps of both his mom and dad by competing with the Miners. His mom (Kiana Taylor) was a standout on the women's basketball team at UTEP (1993-96, 97-98), finishing her career as the then school record holder for double-doubles (20) and the then second-leading scorer (1,134) and rebounder (676) in program history. His father, David, was an all-WAC performer for UTEP and played with the football team from 1994-96. Terrell Jr. has adapted well to the college game, rating third in the squad in assists per game (2.4-18th CUSA) and tied for sixth in steals (0.9 spg).
 
3X CUSA FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
UTEP forward Elijah Jones was voted as the Conference USA Freshman of the Week for each of the first three weeks of the year. He became the first Miner in program history to win three straight CUSA Freshman of the Week honors. Furthermore, he did it out of the gates to start his collegiate career. Jones is producing 6.5 ppg (second on back-ups/sixth on team) and 2.5 rpg (top among reserves). His scoring output trails only Corey Camper Jr. (8.2 ppg) for highest average among back-ups, although Camper Jr. did earn his second start of the season last time out at ACU on Dec. 17. He is the most accurate free-throw shooter (min. 10 attempts) on the team by going 9-11 (81.8 percent). Jones also is second on the squad in 3-point percentage (5-13, 38.5 percent).
 
GETTING TO THE LINE
The Miners' relentless drive toward to the paint (40.0 points in paint per game) and attacking the offensive glass (12.4 offensive rebounds per game-third CUSA/86th) has led to them rating ninth in the country for free-throw attempts per game (26.7) and 24th nationally for free-throw makes per game (17.8). UTEP tops CUSA in both categories. The Miners have attempted at least 30 free throws in five contests, something that happened a total of six times last season.  Most recently, UTEP had 36 attempts at Abilene Christian on Dec. 17.

POUNDING THE PAINT
UTEP has demonstrated the ability to get points in the paint in 2023-24. More than half (440-868, 50.7 percent) of the Miners' points on the season have come in the paint. Through 11 games, the Orange and Blue have a 440-320 advantage for points in the paint. That works out to 40.0 ppg in the paint for UTEP compared to 29.1 by foes.
 
LET'S GET OUT AND RUN
The Miners are accounting for 19.7 fastbreak points per game, which is first in CUSA and third in the country. The Miners have tallied at least 12 points on the break in 10 of 11 contests this year, including a campaign-best 47 against USAO on Nov. 9. UTEP has a remarkable 217-119 cushion against opponents this season in the category, with the 19.7-10.8 ppg differential on average.
 
SHARING IS CARING
UTEP is dishing out 16.3 assists per contest to rate second in CUSA and 54th in the country. The Miners have surpassed 20 assists three times, including setting a school record with 33 in the opener vs. Division III opponent McMurry on Nov. 6. Zid Powell (3.4 apg-seventh CUSA) and Tae Hardy (3.3 apg-eighth CUSA) lead the charge. Freshman David Terrell Jr. (2.4 apg-18th CUSA) and senior Calvin Solomon (2.1-19th CUSA) have also been good at setting up teammates.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP has notched at least eight steals in all 11 games, with double-digit totals seven times. That effort has led to it rating second in CUSA and eighth nationally at 11.4 thefts per game. Foes have committed 17 or more turnovers seven times, including ACU being forced into 23 giveaways (most by DI Miner opponent this year) last time out on Dec. 17. The Miners' 18.8 turnovers forced per game is second in CUSA and fourth in the country.
 
LOTS ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR OPPOSITION
UTEP has four players in the top 10 of Conference USA for steals per game, with each of those individuals also comprise the top-four scorers for the Miners as well. Zid Powell leads the way (2.2-second CUSA/45th NCAA), followed by Tae Hardy (2.1-third CUSA/56th NCAA). Calvin Solomon (1.6-eighth CUSA) and Otis Frazier III (1.5-10th CUSA) round out the list. FIU (two) is the only other league member with multiple players among the top 10 in the conference for thefts. Last season, Solomon joined Randy Culpepper and Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway as the lone Miners in program history to average at least 2.0 steals per game.
 
HIGH-OCTANE BENCH
UTEP's reserves have helped the Miners put up 78.9 points per game (third CUSA/91st NCAA), with the bench accounting for 27.6 ppg (fourth CUSA/59th NCAA). Overall, the Miners hold a 304-248 differential in reserve scoring. That works out to a 27.6-22.5 advantage per contest.
 
BALANCED ATTACK
Heading into Wednesday's contest vs. Norfolk State, three Miners are accounting for double figures in scoring on average while three others are between 6.5 ppg and 9.0 ppg. Senior Tae Hardy (15.5 ppg-second CUSA) leads the way. Buffalo transfer Zid Powell (11.1 ppg-14th CUSA) and junior Otis Frazier III (10.9 ppg-tied 15th CUSA) join him in double digits on average. Senior Calvin Solomon (8.8 ppg), JUCO Honorable-Mention All-American (Tyler JC) Corey Camper Jr. (8.0 ppg) and three time CUSA Freshman of the Week Elijah Jones (6.5 ppg) have also been consistent threats. Kevin Kalu (5.3 ppg) is the only other Miner to be above 5.0 ppg. Aiding the balanced approach were eight different Miners (most on record) hitting double figures in scoring in the 120-71 season-opening win against McMurry on Nov. 6.
 
SAME GOES FOR PLAYING TIME
Ten different Miners have earned double figures in playing time on average, including eight who have played in all 11 contests. Tae Hardy (31.4 mpg-second CUSA) is the only one on the squad to be earning more than 30.0 minutes per contest. In fact, no one other than Hardy is even above 25.0 mpg. Otis Frazier III (24.8 mpg) and Zid Powell (24.5 mpg) and are just shy of 25.0 mpg.
 
UTEP IN THE RANKINGS
UTEP leads Conference USA in four major stat categories while placing second in the league in five others. The Miners top the league in fastbreak scoring (19.8-third NCAA), free throw attempts per game (26.7-1ninth NCAA), free throws made per game (17.8-24th NCAA) and turnover margin (4.1-25th NCAA). The Orange and Blue are second in CUSA for assists per game (16.3-54th NCAA), field-goal percentage (46.6-106th NCAA), offensive rebounds per game (12.4-86th NCAA), steals per game (11.7-seventh NCAA) and turnovers forced per game (18.8-fourth NCAA).
 
DERICK HARDLY MISSES
Derick Hamilton hasn't attempted enough field goals per game to qualify nationally for field-goal percentage, but he has done enough to show off his talents thus far in 2023-24. Hamilton is 14-21 from the floor in 53 total minutes of action. That was aided by starting the season 12-12. The high-percentage shooting shouldn't come as a surprise given he was 22-33 last year (66.7 percent) in 20 appearances.
 
DIFFERENT MONTH, DIFFERENT PACE
After playing a total of eight games in November (most since 2013-14) in a 24-day span (average one contest every three days), the Miners are in the midst of a more reasonable pace in December. UTEP has just six games (1-2 thus far) in the month, including playing just twice from Dec. 5 through Dec. 19.
 
FIVE TIMES THIS CENTURY
The Miners got out of the gates at 5-0 this year before dropping their last two games, including most-recently, 67-47, at LMU on Nov. 25. It marked the fifth time since 2000 that the Orange and Blue had posted a start of least 5-0. It happened previously in 2019-20 (5-0), 2015-16 (6-0), 2009-10 (5-0) and 2000-01 (6-0).
 
TAE CALLED GAME AGAINST CAL
UTEP defeated Cal, 75-72, on Nov. 20, in a wild and memorable finish. After a couple of missed free throws by Tae Hardy (was 7-7 to that point), the Bears tied the game at 72 with a 3-pointer from Jalen Cone with six seconds left. Rather than sulk, Otis Frazier III inbounded the ball to Zid Powell, who raced up the court. He then dished it to Hardy, whose 3-point attempt spun around the rim before dropping through for the buzzer-beating victory. It was his lone 3-point try of the night.
 
FIRST BUZZER BEATER SINCE 2021-22
When Tae Hardy beat the clock, it marked the Miner's first buzzer beater since Alfred Hollins's tip-in as the horn sounded in a 70-68 triumph against Florida Atlantic on Jan. 27, 2022.
 
GOT IT DONE VS. POWER PROGRAM
UTEP took down Pac-12 member Cal, 75-72, on Nov. 20, thanks to the heroics of Tae Hardy's buzzer beater. It marked the initial win against a Power Five program under head coach Joe Golding and first since knocking off Arizona State on the road, 76-63, on Dec. 16, 2020.
 
BESTING A POWER PROGRAM ON A NEUTRAL COURT
UTEP's win against Cal marked the first time that it bested a Power Six program (Power Five + Big East) at a neutral site since taking out Xavier (Big East) on Nov. 28, 2014. It was also the initial occasion to defeat a Power Five foe in a neutral match-up since toppling SEC foe Tennessee, 78-70, on Nov. 28, 2013, in the Battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island, Bahamas.
 
TAKING OUT A PRESEASON FAVORITE
UC Santa Barbara has been to two of the past three NCAA Tournaments and set a school record for wins (27) last year, but the Miners weren't intimidated. UTEP led for 25 minutes, including never trailing in the second half, on the way to taking out the in the 2023-24 preseason favorites in the Big West, 89-76, on Nov. 13.
 
COMING OUT PARTY FOR ZID
Zid Powell record a season-high 23 points, including 17 in the first half, to produce his first 20-point game as a Miner and seventh overall at the DI level in the 89-76 win against UC Santa Barbara on Nov. 13. The Buffalo transfer eclipsed 20 points six times in his lone season with the Bulls, including torching the mighty Falcons of Bowling Green for a career-high 27 points on Jan. 17, 2023.
 
FIVE TIMES THIS CENTURY
The Miners got out of the gates at 5-0 this year dropping consecutive contests. It marked the fifth time since 2000 that the Orange and Blue had posted a start of least 5-0. It happened previously in 2019-20 (5-0), 2015-16 (6-0), 2009-10 (5-0) and 2000-01 (6-0).
 
TALKING 100-POINT GAMES
UTEP finished with the second-most points (120, now third) in program history in the win vs. McMurry on Nov. 6. The Miners followed that up with a school-record 123 points in routing USAO. It was the first time UTEP started a season with consecutive 100+ point showings. In fact, the only other time the Orange and Blue ever posted back-to-back 100-point games came during the 1968-69 season when they blasted Montana (103-90, 12/28/68) and then drilled Tahoe Paradise (109-63, 1/2/69). Prior to the outbursts this year, the Miners hadn't topped 100 since besting Rice, 101-89, on Jan. 8, 2021. UTEP now stands at 33-2 all time when surpassing 100 points in a contest, including 31-0 in El Paso (22-0 at the Haskins Center). UTEP has won 18 straight games when hitting the century mark.
 
AN OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION TO BEGIN THE YEAR
The Miners enjoyed a three-game scoring stretch with at least 89 points to begin the year. The last time UTEP did so at any point in the season was 14 years ago. That year, the Orange and Blue also had a three-contest span (12/19/09-12/28/09). Making this season's effort stand out a bit is that the Miners had back-to-back 100-point outings for just the second time in school history. It also happened in 1968-69.
 
DUST OFF THE RECORD BOOKS
UTEP dented the record book in the first two games of the season.
-School-record 123 points vs. USAO (11/9) and third-most points (120) vs. McMurry (11/6). The 243 points are the most in a two-contest span in program history.
- Dished out a program-best 33 assists vs. McMurry, smashing the prior standard of 29.
- School-record 50 field goals vs. McMurry, crushing the previous mark (46) that had happened in both 1979 (vs. Illinois Tech, 12/22/79) and in 1966 (vs. NM State, 2/1/66).
- Second-most second-half points (71) at the school vs. USAO and tied for seventh-highest total (61) after the break against McMurry.
- Tied for fourth-most first-half points (59) against McMurry.
- Won back-to-back games by at least 49 points for first time ever, including tying for the seventh-biggest margin of victory (51) vs. USAO (W, 123-71).
- Posted 19 steals vs. McMurry, tying as the third most at the school, while the 18 thefts against USAO earned a share of fifth place.
 
STAYED HOME EARLY
UTEP played four straight (4-0) to start the season at home, something that hadn't happened since the 2019-20 campaign when it had five consecutive home games out of the gate (5-0 record). That included knocking off rivals NM State and New Mexico within the span of a week that year.
 
THE BEST FANS IN CONFERENCE USA
UTEP led Conference USA in attendance last year in both total number of fans (81,941) and average attendance (4,552). It marked the second straight season that the Miners have paced CUSA in at least one of those categories. Last year, UTEP's advantage for per-game average was noticeable, with WKU more than 500 fans behind on average at 4,026. The Miners are off to a good start in the area in 2023-24, rating second in the league for both total fans (27,615) and average attendance (4,603).
 
MORE THAN A MILLION FANS
UTEP has attracted more than one million fans to the Don Haskins Center over the past decade. A total of 1,116,176 individuals have passed through the turnstiles from the beginning of the 2012-13 campaign to the end of the 2022-23 season. That figure makes the Miners the only school out of the nine members in Conference USA to have topped one million fans in that timeframe.
 
HOME COOKING
UTEP is in search of its fifth straight season with at least 10 wins at home. The Miners compiled 11 victories at the Haskins Center last year, including going 3-0 at the inaugural Jim Forbes Classic Presented by Speaking Rock to claim the crown. The Orange and Blue are 5-1 on the year at home this season, with the lone setback coming against back-to-back Southland Conference Tournament Champions Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Nov. 29. UTEP has a chance to regain that winning feeling with its next three match-ups, including two this week, occurring in the Sun City.
 
ROSTER RUNDOWN
UTEP returned its leading scorer (Tae Hardy-12.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.2 spg) and rebounder (Calvin Solomon-6.0 rpg, 9.6 ppg, 2.0 apg, 2.0 spg) from last year's team. Overall, the Miners brought back 54.3 percent of their scoring and 50.5 percent of their rebounding. It is a stark difference from the situation the Orange and Blue faced going into the 2022-23 campaign, when they had just 20.8 percent of the rebounding and 11.1 percent of the scoring back. UTEP has seven lettermen in the fold, including three starters (Hardy, Solomon and Otis Frazier III; 7.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg). Jon Dos Anjos (4.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg) , Derick Hamilton (2.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg), Antwonne Holmes and Kevin Kalu are the other returning lettermen. The Miners landed six newcomers, including junior-college All-American Corey Camper Jr. (19.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg at Tyler JC) and DI transfers Zid Powell (13.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.9 spg at Buffalo) and Baylor Hebb (Colorado State). UTEP also has a pair of true freshmen (Trey Horton III, David Terrell Jr.) and another JUCO transfer (Sebastian Cole). Garrett Levesque (Tarleton State) and Elijah Jones (ECU) have also made their respective Miner debuts after redshirting the 2022-23 campaign.
 
DI EXPERIENCE
UTEP has ample DI experience across its roster, with a combined 454 games played (210 starts) among the Miners as of the beginning of the 2023-24 season. Calvin Solomon leads with way with 114 appearances (88 starts).
 
PRESEASON HONORS
UTEP seniors Tae Hardy and Calvin Solomon were tabbed to the 2023-24 CUSA All-Preseason Team in a vote by the league's nine head coaches. The Miners joined Middle Tennessee and WKU as the only programs in the conference to have a pair of members on the squad.

NEW-LOOK LEAGUE
UTEP joined Conference USA as the newest school in the league for the 2005-06 campaign. It entered the 2023-24 season as the most-tenured member. The 11 programs who were part of CUSA when the Miners moved to it have since departed to other conferences. Joining UTEP as returning league members are FIU, LA Tech, Middle Tennessee and WKU while Jax State, Liberty, NM State and Sam Houston are all in their first year.
 
CUSA IS UP FOR GRABS
UTEP was predicted to finish fifth in Conference USA in 2023-24, but it's anyone's guess as to who will take home the regular season crown this season with so much turnover in the league. Five of the top six teams from the standings a year ago have departed for other conferences, including regular season and tournament champion Florida Atlantic. FAU made waves nationally by making a run to the Final Four in the NCAA. The second (North Texas) and third-place (UAB) teams squared off in the NIT finale, and fifth-place Charlotte won the CBI. In fact, only one team (Middle Tennessee) that finished among the top six in the regular season last year is back. Incidentally, the Blue Raiders and newcomer Liberty were picked to win the league, followed by WKU (third), LA Tech (fourth), the Miners (fifth), Sam Houston (sixth), FIU (seventh), NM State (eighth) and Jax State (ninth).
 
A YEAR IN REVIEW
-    UTEP had a new-look squad in 2022-23 with head coach Joe Golding having to overhaul the roster after the Miners returned just one starter and three letterwinners total from a 20-win team a year prior.
-    The Orange and Blue managed a 14-18 record, including a 67-64 victory against NM State on Nov. 12, 2022, for their first win against the Aggies in three years. That was the start of a five-game winning streak, which was aided by back-to-back OT triumphs.
-    The five straight victories in November were the longest in the month in four years, which was aided by a mark of 3-0 in the inaugural Jim Forbes Classic Presented by Speaking Rock.
-    The Miners came within a point of winning the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, falling 47-46 to eventual NCAA Tournament participant Kent State on Dec. 22, 2022. UTEP experienced a tough 1-4 stretch early in league play, with those four setbacks by a combined 14 points.
-    UTEP remained resilient on the way to forging seven league triumphs, capped by a 77-65 "Senior Day" triumph against Middle Tennessee on March 4, 2023.
-    The Orange and Blue tied the single-season school record for overtime games at five, matching the 1994-95 and 2011-12 teams. All five of the OT games were in the regular season, which are the most ever at the school. Both the 1994-95 and 2011-12 Miners had in four OT games during the regular season and one postseason OT tilt.
 
THE BASIC FACTS ON UTEP
-    This is the 103rd 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.
-    UTEP has 17 NCAA Tournament appearances (last in 2010), 11 NIT bids (last in 2015), 12 conference championships (last in 2010) and 26 seasons with at least 20+ victories (last in 2015). 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.

GET TO KNOW COACH GOLDING
Joe Golding is in his third 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 198-181 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach, including 40-37 at UTEP. Those 40 wins already place him ninth at the school, having passed current Texas head coach Rodney Terry (37) with the triumph vs. Austin Peay on Nov. 17. Jason Rabedeaux (46 wins, 1999-02) is Golding's next target. Golding could possibly climb to sixth place by year's end. In 2021-22, Golding 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.
 
UP NEXT
UTEP, depending upon its outcome against Norfolk State, will either play in the consolation or championship contest of the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational on Thursday. The Miners will face either Wyoming or South Dakota State.