Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (6-3) will face its second Pac-12 program this season when it plays at perennial force Oregon (5-2) at 6 p.m. PT/7 p.m. MT Saturday. The Miners have been idle since a 90-62 drubbing of Division II Western New Mexico on Dec. 4. The win snapped a three-game skid. The Ducks have been off for even longer, as Saturday's contest will mark the first since they outlasted Michigan, 86-83, in OT on Dec. 2. That victory for Oregon halted a two-contest slide. The game is the first of two straight on the road for UTEP, which will also play at ACU, the old stomping grounds of head coach Joe Golding, on Dec. 17. That match-up will be the final nonconference road tilt. UTEP is 0-1 on the road this year, having fallen at LMU, 67-47, on Nov. 25. The Ducks are perfect at home (3-0), including the thrilling OT win against the Wolverines when Jackson Shelstad nailed a 3-pointer with less than two seconds remaining. Jon Teicher (43rd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will also be broadcast on the Pac-12 network with Rich Burk (play-by-play) and Ernie Kent (analyst) describing the action.
 
TRYING FOR ANOTHER POWER FIVE WIN
The Miners knocked off Cal, 75-72, on a buzzer beater by Tae Hardy on Nov. 20, for their first win against a Power Five program since defeating Arizona State on the road, 76-63, on Dec. 16, 2020. The last time the Miners defeated multiple Power Five programs in a season was in 2010-11 when they took out Michigan (Big 10) and Texas Tech (Big 12) as part of a six-game winning streak. However, in 2014-15, UTEP downed both Washington State (Pac 12) and Xavier (BIG EAST), with the BIG EAST considered a power conference in basketball.
 
BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN
After enduring a three-game skid, including a pair of losses by four points, the Miners got back in the win column after blasting Division II Western New Mexico, 90-62, on Dec. 4. All 13 Miners who suited up in the contest scored, with UTEP knocking down a season-high tying 10 three-pointers.
 
DOUBLE-DOUBLE FOR OTIS
Otis Frazier III recorded his first career double-double (11 points, career-high 10 rebounds) in the romp past Division II foe Western New Mexico. He knocked down a pair of 3-pointers while also going 3-4 at the charity stripe. Another impact offensively was keeping plays alive, as he pulled down seven of UTEP's 21 offensive rebounds (most since 22 vs. UTRGV on Dec. 29, 2015).
 
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 have a more reasonable pace in December. UTEP has just six games (1-0 thus far) in the month and will have played just twice from Dec. 5 through Dec. 19 (at Oregon, Saturday, Dec. 9 and at ACU, Dec. 17).
 
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 (40-35) 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)
 
MILESTONE SCORING WATCH FOR TAE & CALVIN
Tae Hardy (946 career points) and Calvin Solomon (940) are both closing in on 1,000 career points at the DI level. Hardy has amassed nearly 550 of his points with the Miners while Solomon is six points shy of 400 points in a UTEP uniform.
 
GET TO KNOW OREGON
Oregon is 5-2 on the season, including 3-0 at home, despite having two of its top players (N'Faly Dante, 16.0 ppg, 21.0 rpg-1 GP & Nate Bittle, 13.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg- 3 GP) sidelined due to injuries. The Ducks are coming off a thrilling 86-83 OT win against Michigan, with Jackson Shelstad knocking down a 3-pointer with less than two seconds left for the difference. The triumph snapped a two-game skid for the Ducks. Oregon, which was picked fourth in the Pac-12 preseason poll, has finished fourth or better in the league every year since 2015-16. Dante and Bittle are two of the three returning starters for the Ducks, along with Jermaine Couisinard. He is the active leading scorer this season for Oregon, producing 12.6 ppg while dishing out a team-best 3.1 assists (13th Pac-12). Shelstad, the back-to-back Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year, has stepped up with the injuries with 10.7 ppg, while Keeshawn Barthelemy (10.1 ppg), Jesse Zarzuela (10.0 ppg), Brennan Rigsby and Kario Oquendo (9.9 ppg) are all consistent scoring threats as well. Overall, the Ducks produce 82.1 points per game (fourth Pac-12/52nd NCAA), aided by shooting 47.1 percent (seventh Pac-12/86th NCAA). Oregon is lights out from 3-point range, nailing 39.2 percent (second Pac-12/23rd NCAA), with its 8.3 makes per game rating second in the Pac-12. It also takes great care of the ball, committing only 9.3 turnovers per contest (first Pac-12/16th NCAA). The Ducks average nearly 23 free throws a contest (sixth Pac-12/75th NCAA) but connect on 61.0 percent to place in the bottom 15 of the country. Oregon is one of four DI programs with 20-plus victories in 13 straight seasons, qualifying for postseason play every year it was possible (no postseason in play 2019-20 due to COVID-19). It is under the direction of Dana Altman, who is in his 35th season as a collegiate head coach. It is the third-longest active streak in the nation. He is 21st all time in NCAA history with 736 career wins, putting him 17 victories shy of surpassing Hank Iba. UTEP Hall of Fame Coach Don Haskins played three seasons under Iba at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) and later served as his assistant coach at the 1972 Olympic games.  Notable university alumni include Ty Burrell (Emmy Award-winning Actor, Modern Family), Phil Knight (Co-founder, Nike) and Colin Deaver (KTSM Channel 9 Sports Director in El Paso, Texas).
 
SERIES HISTORY: TIED, 1-1
UTEP and Oregon are tied, 1-1, in the series history, with each team successfully having defended its home court. The Ducks took out the Miners, 64-59, on Nov. 29, 2012, in the first meeting between the programs. UTEP avenged that setback the following season, with a 3OT 91-84 triumph on Dec. 19, 2013.
 
GOING BACK IN TIME
Otis Frazier III recorded his first career double-double (11 points, career-high 10 rebounds) as UTEP eased past Division II Western New Mexico, 90-62, at home on Dec. 4. Zid Powell (14 points) Tae Hardy (12 points) and Corey Camper Jr. (10 points) also reached double figures in scoring.  The Miners led for nearly 39 minutes of action. UTEP shot 46.5 percent (33-71) from the floor, including draining a campaign-best tying 10 tries 3-point range. It was also 14-18 (77.8 percent) at the charity stripe.
 
OWNED THE BOARDS
UTEP dominated the rebounding battle with WNMU, holding a 51-29 advantage. The +22 differential was the best in the Joe Golding era and biggest since a +23 advantage (46-23) against Eastern New Mexico on Nov. 15, 2019. The Miners pulled down 21 offensive rebounds, which is also the tops in the Golding era. It was the most offensive caroms since they registered 22 vs. UTRGV on Dec. 29, 2015.
 
CONTROLLED THE SPECIALTY STATS
UTEP had a 19-8 advantage in second-chance scoring vs. WNMU. The Miners also enjoyed cushions in bench scoring (41-25), points in the paint (44-22) and fastbreak scoring (29-7).
 
BOUNCE BACK IN TERMS OF TURNOVERS
After making a season-high 21 turnovers in the setback vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Nov. 29, UTEP reduced that number to just nine against Western New Mexico on Dec. 4. It tied as the second-fewest giveaways by the Orange and Blue on the season.
 
GET THE LEAD AND WE'RE GOOD
UTEP is 5-0 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 32-5 under head coach Joe Golding when leading at the break.
 
TAKING CARE OF THE BALL LEADS TO WINS
The Miners are 5-0 this year when making the same or fewer amount of turnovers in a game against opponents.
 
BOUNCE BACK OVERALL SHOOTING
UTEP has connected on better than 40 percent from the floor in back-to-back contests, including nailing 46.5 percent from the floor against Western New Mexico last time out. It has been a quality response after UTEP was held to a season-low 30.2 percent in the 67-47 setback at LMU on Nov. 25. The Miners are now 5-1 on the year when connecting on at least 40 percent of their shots.
 
GOTTA GET GOING FROM DISTANCE VS. DI
In its six games against Division I opponents, UTEP has been held to 24.7 percent (20-81) from beyond-the-arc. The Miners are 29-76 (38.2 percent) from distance against non DI opposition.
 
KEEP GUARDING THE TREY
UTEP has held its six DI foes to 30.5 percent (32-105) from distance. Overall, the opposition is at 30.3 percent (54-178), putting the Miners sixth in CUSA and 94th nationally for 3-point field-goal percentage defense.

STEALS KEEP COMING
UTEP ripped off 11 steals against Western New Mexico on Dec. 4. The Miners have had at least eight steals in all nine games this season. The average of 11.6 spg rates second in the league and sixth in the country. UTEP tied the school record for steals with 288 last year, but it is on pace to smash that figure with 371 thefts. That average is likely to drop, but it's an incredible beginning to the year.
 
HOLDING THE OPPOSITION DOWN
After allowing 70+ points in the first three contests of the campaign, the Miners have kept four straight and five of the past six foes to 67 points or less (two at 63, one at 62). They will be tested at Oregon, with the Ducks accounting for 82. 1 points per game, including 84.3 ppg at home (3-0). Oregon has tallied at least 80 points in all three of their match-ups against fellow Power Five programs (2-1 record).
 
UTEP'S TOP SCORERS ACCURATE AT THE LINE
Four of UTEP's top six scorers are making at least 70 percent from the free-throw line. Elijah Jones (81.8) leads the way, followed by Tae Hardy (73.5), Otis Frazier III (72.5) and Calvin Solomon (72.3). Zid Powell (69.2) is just shy. Overall, there are six players across the roster better than 70 percent. Last year, UTEP had just three such individuals.
 
SOLOMON FEASTING AT THE LINE
Calvin Solomon is 34-47 at the charity stripe on the year for a readout of 72.3 percent. The senior is third in the league for makes and tied for second in CUSA for attempts.
 
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 (14.8-fourth CUSA), assists per game (3.7-sixth CUSA) and steals (2.0-seventh CUSA/71st NCAA). He has also been the top 3-point shooter on the squad, leading the team in makes (18) and attempts (45) while placing second in percentage (40.0) behind Elijah Jones (5-12, 41.7 percent). Hardy has hit double figures in scoring in seven games, while tallying nine against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Nov. 29. The Ellenwood, Ga., native is playing a team-best 30.2 minutes per game (eighth CUSA).
 
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 (32-69, 46.4 percent), but he has elevated his scoring to 11.0 ppg (third on team/17th CUSA). Frazier III is also getting after it with 1.7 steals per game (eighth CUSA). He is doing a better job at the charity stripe, making 72.2 percent (29-40) after finishing at 40-63 from the line (63.5 percent) a season ago. Frazier III was especially aggressive at getting to the rim against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Nov. 29, setting career highs for both free throws made (nine) and attempted (14).
 
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 (9.6 ppg-25th CUSA), rebounding (4.0 rpg), assists (2.6 apg-17th CUSA) and steals (1.6 spg-11th CUSA). He also leads the squad in blocks (0.9-eighth CUSA). He is doing all over this despite playing only 22.9 minutes per game.
 
ZID'S AS ADVERTISED
Buffalo grad transfer Zid Powell has brought a toughness to the squad and is contributing across the board despite having battled through some injuries and a game with foul issues. Powell is second on the team in points (11.3 ppg-16th CUSA), rebounding (5.2 rpg), assists (3.3 apg-ninth CUSA) and steals (1.9 spg-third fourth CUSA/96th NCAA). He's demonstrated the ability to get to the line, going 27 of 40 (third on team for makes and attempts). Powell is producing these numbers in 24.0 minutes per game.
 
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 6.3 rebounds per game (fifth CUSA). He is also sixth in CUSA for offensive rpg (2.2) and seventh in defensive rpg (4.1 rpg.) He has recorded at least four boards in all nine contests, including seven or more three times. Kalu has been an efficient scorer down low, nailing 20-30 attempts (66.7 percent), which is third 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 (2.7-15th CUSA) and fifth in steals (1.1 spg). Both of those efforts pace Miner reserves.
 
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 8.0 ppg (second on back-ups/sixth on team) and 2.8 rpg (top among reserves). His scoring output trails only Corey Camper Jr. for highest average among back-ups. He is the most accurate free-throw shooter (min. 10 attempts) on the team by going 9-11 (81.8 percent). Jones also leads the squad in 3-point percentage (5-12, 41.7 percent).
 
GETTING TO THE LINE
The Miners' relentless drive toward to the paint and attacking the offensive glass (12.4 offensive rebounds per game-fourth CUSA/83rd NCAA) has led to them rating 17th in the country for free-throw attempts per game (26.7) and 29th nationally for free-throw makes per game (18.0). UTEP tops CUSA in each of those categories.
 
POUNDING THE PAINT
UTEP has demonstrated the ability to get points in the paint in 2023-24. More than half (376-737, 51.0 percent) of the Miners' points on the season have come in the paint. Through nine games, the Orange and Blue have a 376-258 advantage for points in the paint. That works out to 41.7 ppg in the paint for UTEP compared to 28.7 by foes.
 
LET'S GET OUT AND RUN
The Miners are accounting for 21.2 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 all nine contests this year, including a campaign-best 47 against USAO on Nov. 9. UTEP has a remarkable 191-83 cushion against opponents this season in the category, with the 20.3-9.2 ppg differential on average.
 
SHARING IS CARING
UTEP is dishing out 17.6 assists per contest to lead CUSA and rate 26th 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. Tae Hardy (3.7 apg-sixth CUSA) and Zid Powell (3.3 apg-ninth CUSA) lead the charge. Freshman David Terrell Jr. (2.7 apg- 15th CUSA) and senior Calvin Solomon (2.6-17th CUSA) have also been good at setting up teammates.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP has notched at least eight steals in all nine games, with double-digit totals five times. That effort has led to it rating second in CUSA and sixth nationally at 11.4 thefts per game. Foes have committed 17 or more turnovers five times. The Miners' 18.4 turnovers forced per game is second in CUSA and third in the country.
 
LOTS ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR OPPOSITION
The Miners' top four scorers have also gotten after it defensively, with each contributing at least 1.5 steals per game. Tae Hardy paces the squad at 2.0 spg (third CUSA/71st NCAA), followed by Zid Powell (1.9 spg-fourth CUSA/96th NCAA), Otis Frazier III (1.7 spg-eighth CUSA) and Calvin Solomon at 1.6 spg (10th CUSA). David Terrell Jr. (1.1 spg-25th CUSA) is also a nuisance for the opposition. 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 it forge a mark of 6-3 on the year, with the bench accounting for 30.2 ppg (first CUSA/33rd NCAA). Overall, the Miners hold a 272-188 differential in reserve scoring. That works out to a 28.9-20.9 advantage per contest.
 
BALANCED ATTACK
Heading into Saturday's game at Oregon, three Miners are accounting for double figures in scoring on average while three others are between 8.0 ppg and 9.6 ppg. Senior Tae Hardy (14.8 ppg-fourth CUSA) leads the way. Buffalo transfer Zid Powell (11.6 ppg-13th CUSA) and junior Otis Frazier III (11.0 ppg-17th CUSA) join him in double digits on average. Senior Calvin Solomon (9.6 ppg-25th CUSA), JUCO Honorable-Mention All-American (Tyler JC) Corey Camper Jr. (8.3 ppg) and three time CUSA Freshman of the Week Elijah Jones (8.0 ppg) have also been consistent threats. No other Miner is 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
Nine different Miners have earned double figures in playing time on average, including eight who have played in all nine contests. Tae Hardy (30.2 mpg-eighth 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. Zid Powell (24.0 mpg) and Otis Frazier III (23.8 mpg) are just shy of 25.0 mpg.
 
UTEP IN THE RANKINGS
UTEP leads Conference USA in seven major stat categories while placing second in the league in six others. The Miners top the league in assists per game (17.6-26th NCAA), bench scoring (30.2-33rd NCAA), fastbreak scoring (21.2-third NCAA), free throw attempts per game (26.7-17th NCAA), free throws made per game (18.0-29th NCAA), scoring offense (81.9-57th NCAA) and turnover margin (4.1-32nd NCAA). The Orange and Blue are second in CUSA for assist-to-turnover ratio (1.22), blocks per game (4.1), field-goal percentage (48.1-51st NCAA), offensive rebounds per game (12.4-83rd NCAA), steals per game (11.6-sixth NCAA) and turnovers forced per game (18.4-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 13-17 from the floor in 46 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.
 
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, topping the league in total fans (27,615) while rating second for 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.
 
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 198-179 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach, including 40-35 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 will be off until it plays at Abilene Christian at 2 p.m. MT/3 p.m. CT on Dec. 17. The game will be broadcast on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso and streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required).