Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (13-15, 6-11 C-USA) will take its shot at knocking off league-leading (RV) Florida Atlantic (25-3, 15-2 C-USA) at 12 p.m. MT/2 p.m. ET Saturday. Mattress Firm is the Presenting Sponsor of UTEP Men's Basketball. The Miners are coming off an 87-82 wire-to-wire win at FIU to complete a season sweep of the Panthers. The Owls absolutely destroyed UTSA, 106-66, on Feb. 23, aided by a 61-point second half. It is the second meeting on the season between the programs, with then No. 24 FAU emerging victorious in the Don Haskins Center, 67-59, on Jan. 21, in a contest in which it never trailed. FAU has the fourth-longest active unbeaten streak at home (17 straight), including a stout 16-0 at home this season (9-0 C-USA). It has never finished a year undefeated in Paradise. Ten of those wins have been by double figures. UTEP is 3-9 on the road (3-6 C-USA). After it started 0-6 away from home, the Miners are 3-3 since. They have won back-to-back road tilts for the first time this season, with victories at FIU (87-82, Feb. 23) and at UTSA (77-66, Feb. 11), both of which were wire-to-wire wins. It's the second straight year that UTEP has claimed consecutive road contests in the month of February. The game at FAU continues a difficult stretch for the Miners, who are facing the top-four teams (based on standings) in the league over the final six contests of the campaign. Saturday's contest is the regular-season road finale for the Orange and Blue. Including the win at FIU (Feb. 23), UTEP has 10 road triumphs in two seasons under head coach Joe Golding. That's the most in a two-year stretch since the Miners compiled 13 road victories under then head coach Tim Floyd from 2013-15. Jon Teicher (42nd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will also stream on ESPN+ with Frank Forte (PXP) and Justin Massey (analyst) describing the action.
 
SERIES HISTORY: TIED, 6-6
The series between UTEP and Florida Atlantic is tied, 6-6, with the then No. 24 Owls posting a 67-59 victory in El Paso on Jan. 21 in the first meeting of the season. All 12 of the contests have happened since FAU joined Conference USA. This is UTEP's first trip to Boca Raton since the 2019-20 campaign and the fifth all time. The Miners won their first three trips to FAU before falling in their most-recent opportunity. Saturday's contest also marks the initial occasion since the 2016-17 season that the two sides will have completed a home-and-home series. 
 
GET TO KNOW FAU
(RV) Florida Atlantic is in the midst of a historic season, entering Saturday's game at 25-3 (15-2 C-USA) to sit atop the league standings and one win shy of clinching at least a share of the regular-season crown. The Owls have been ranked nationally on two separate occasions, and they have been perfect at home. FAU is 16-0 at the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena and have won 17 straight total in Boca Raton dating to last year. That is the longest home winning streak in program history and the fourth-longest active surge nationally. Overall at home under head coach Dusty May, the Owls sport a stout mark of 60-14, including crushing UTSA, 101-66, last time out in Paradise. FAU leads the nation in bench scoring (37.6 ppg), helping it put up 78.7 ppg (second C-USA/31st NCAA). It has been winning by large margins (+12.9-first C-USA/13th NCAA). The Owls are dangerous from distance, nailing a league-leading 9.9 treys per tilt (12th NCAA) at a readout of 37.2 percent (third C-USA/44th NCAA). They like to get out and run, evidenced by 12.2 fastbreak points per game (second C-USA/59th NCAA). FAU shoots the ball well (46.8 percent-second C-USA/55th NCAA) and defends also, keeping foes to 41.0 percent (second C-USA/50th NCAA). The Owls are the top defensive rebounding squad in C-USA (27.9-16th NCAA) and rank second in the league for rebounding margin (+5.6-second/24th). Foes are limited to 65.8 points per game (third C-USA/65th NCAA). Individually, FAU has a very balanced approach across the board. Johnell Davis (13.0 ppg-10th C-USA), Alijah Martin (12.8 ppg-12th C-USA) and Vladislav Goldin (11.0 ppg-22nd) lead the way in double figures, with five others contributing at least 5.0 points per contest. Four different players have nailed at least 35 3-pointers on the season. Goldin (6.5 rpg-seventh C-USA) is the top rebounder but Davis (5.3 rpg-15th C-USA) and Martin (5.1 rpg-17th C-USA) also get after it on the glass. The Owls move the ball well, with Jalen Gaffney (2.7), Nick Boyd (2,6) and Bryan Greenlee (2,3) all contributing at least 2.0 assists per contest. Notable FAU alumni include Don Brewer (drummer and founding member of the band Grand Funk Railroad), Fern "Peachy" Kellymeyer (1999 Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee) and Carrot Top (Prop Comedian with Vegas Show).
 
LAST TIME OUT: UTEP 87, at FIU 82 (2/23/23)
Shamar Givance posted a double-double (22 points, career-best tying 10 assists), Ze'Rik Onyema poured in a career-high 19 points and UTEP shot a sizzling 58.7 percent from the floor on the way to securing a wire-to-wire 87-82 victory at FIU on Feb. 23. Otis Frazier III (15 points) and Calvin Solomon (13 points) also reached double figures in scoring for the Miners, who led the Panthers by as many as 20 (54-34, 16:53 2H) before withstanding numerous rally attempts.
 
CONSISTENT SHOOTING
UTEP connected on better than 50 percent from the floor in both halves of the win at FIU on Feb. 23. The Miners nailed 60.9 percent (14-23) in the first half while drilling 56.5 percent (13-23) in the second half on the way to finishing the contest with a season-high (vs. DI opposition) 58.7 percent.
 
KNOCKING DOWN FREE THROWS
UTEP is a combined 50-67 at the charity stripe the past two games, making 25 tosses against both North Texas (Feb. 18) and at FIU (Feb. 23). It marks the first time that the Miners have made 25+ free throws in back-to-back game since the 2013-14 season. That year UTEP was 29-39 against Western Illinois (Dec. 28, 2013) and 26-36 vs. Denver (Dec. 29, 2013).
 
GET OUT AND RUN
UTEP notched a season-high (vs. DI foes) 24 fastbreak points against FIU on Feb. 23. It trailed only a 28-point effort against DIII opponent Sul Ross State (Nov. 15).
 
WINNING A HIGH-SCORING GAME
UTEP's 87-82 win at FIU (Feb. 23) marked the first time that the Miners have won a game when both teams tallied at least 80 points since a 101-89 home victory against Rice on Jan. 8, 2021. The last time that UTEP had won such a game on the road was at Charlotte, 87-86, on Feb. 15, 2018. It also marked the Orange and Blue's first triumph this year (1-10) when yielding 70+ points.
 
BOMBS AWAY
The Miners caught fire from distance at FIU (Feb. 23), nailing 8-12 (66.7 percent). That's the highest percentage of the season and ties as the third best in program history. The eight makes equal the third most this year. UTEP is now 4-0 on the year when hitting at least 40 percent from 3-point range.
 
SHAMAR'S BIG NIGHT
Shamar Givance stuffed the stat sheet in the win at FIU (Feb. 23), with a season-high 22 points, eight boards, a career-high tying 10 assists and four steals while playing all 40 minutes. He came within two rebounds of recording the third triple-double at UTEP. For good measure, he finished 11-12 at the charity stripe, including 9-10 in the final minute to ice the contest.
 
LEAD BIG
UTEP's 20-point lead (54-34, 16:53 2H) at FIU (Feb. 23) was its largest on the year in a road game. It also tied as the second-biggest overall vs. a DI opponent on the campaign. The Miners were up 25 vs. FIU at home (Jan. 19) while leading by 20 against Texas A&M-CC (Nov. 25).
 
WIRE-TO-WIRE WIN
The Miners went wire-to-wire at FIU (Feb. 23), marking the second time they've done so in the past four games. UTEP also never trailed in its 77-66 win at UTSA on Feb. 11. It now has four wire-to-wire victories on the season, previously accomplishing the feat vs. non-Division I opponents Northern New Mexico College (Dec. 3) and Sul Ross State (Nov. 15).
 
DROPPING DIMES
UTEP's 20 assists at FIU (Feb. 23) were the most this season against a DI opponent and the second-highest total on the year (21, Sul Ross State-Nov. 15). It was also the first time that the Miners had at least 20 helpers in a road contest since posting 24 assists incidentally at FIU on Feb. 25, 2017.
 
WINNING DESPITE TURNOVERS
The Miners had 24 turnovers at FIU (Feb. 23) but emerged victorious. They are now 2-2 on the season when making at least 20 giveaways, having knocked off Texas A&M-CC despite 20 miscues. The Orange and Blue had legitimate chances to win the other two contests. UTEP had leads late in the game against both UAB (Dec. 29) and Kent State (Dec. 22) before succumbing. The last time UTEP had won a game with at least 24 turnovers was oddly enough vs. FIU (25, W, 85-75, Feb. 9, 2019).
 
THAT'S A LOTTA POINTS ON THE ROAD
UTEP tallied 87 points at FIU (Feb. 23). The last time the Miners surpassed that sum on the road was in a 97-88 setback at LA Tech on Jan. 6, 2018.
 
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, TRY AGAIN
UTEP held a 12-10 advantage on second-chance points against FIU on Feb. 23. The Miners have now won the category in 13 straight games and boast a +101 differential (175-74) during the surge. That equates to a +9.2 per game difference (14.5-5.3).
 
BREAK OUT THE BROOMS
UTEP'S win at FIU completed a true season sweep (home and road) of the Panthers for the first time since the 2016-17 season, which was also their last win in Miami. It marks the second sweep in league play for the Miners, who also won both match-ups against UTSA. It marked the second straight season that UTEP had swept the Roadrunners, which is something that hadn't happened in the series since the 2013-14 and 2014-15 campaigns.
 
GET IT TO Z
Ze'Rik Onyema has reached double figures in scoring for four straight games, marking his longest stretch during league action and second-best surge overall (first five nonconference contests this season). He's averaging a team-high tying 14.8 ppg during the stretch while nailing 64.7 percent (22-34) of his shots during the hot streak.
 
CRASHING THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS
UTEP has pulled down 10+ offensive rebounds in 16 of the past 18 games and 23 times total on the season.  That's the most since racking up 30 such tilts (in 37 total contests). There was a streak of seven straight, which was the longest such run since posting eight in a row (twice) in 2008-09. UTEP's 11.6 offensive rebounds per game is second in C-USA and 60th in the country. That figure moves to 12.5 orpg in C-USA only tilts, which is second in the league. Overall, Calvin Solomon is eighth in C-USA with 60 total offensive boards.
 
POUND THE PAINT
UTEP compiled 42 points in the paint against UAB (Feb. 16), marking the seventh game this season with at least 40 down low (five with 45+). The Miners' high against a DI opponent this year was a 56-point effort at Rice on Jan. 14. UTEP was just shy of that figure (38) at FIU last time out on Feb. 23.
 
ALL-AROUND EFFORTS
Calvin Solomon paced UTEP in points (game-high 16), rebounding (six) and assists (three) against Charlotte on Feb. 9, making him the first Miner to lead the squad in the three major stat categories since Souley Boum at LA Tech on Feb. 17, 2022. Helping his scoring effort was going 8-9 at the charity stripe. That feat was duplicated last time out by Shamar Givance, who racked up a season-high 22 points, eight rebounds and a career-high tying 10 assists.
 
GOTTA KEEP THEM BELOW 70
UTEP is an impressive 12-5 on the year when holding the opposition to fewer than 70 points in a game. It finally won for the first time this season (1-10) when allowing 70+ points with the 87-82 triumph at FIU on Feb. 23.
 
REGROUP AND GUARD THE BALL
After keeping five straight opponents, including the first three league foes, to less than 40 percent shooting, the opposition has found a way to crack UTEP's defensive code since that point. Fourteen consecutive foes have eclipsed 40 percent, including three above 50 percent (happened twice in first 14 affairs). 
 
Mr. AND-1
Calvin Solomon had a pair of old-fashioned 3-point plays against UAB on Feb. 16, elevating his total to a team-high seven on the season. Otis Frazier III (four), Tae Hardy (four) and Kevin Kalu (four) share second place among active players.
 
A STRANGE TREND
UTEP went 5-2 in nonconference play when tallying at least 70 points, but it has gone 3-4 in the situation during C-USA action. The Miners are, though, 2-1 in the scenario the past three times they've accomplished the feat. That includes piling up 87 points in the triumph at FIU (Feb. 23).
 
COMEBACK KIDS
UTEP has had to overcome big first-half deficits to pull out the win in two of its five league triumphs this year. The Miners dug themselves a 19-6 deficit eight minutes into the contest at Charlotte (Jan. 16). UTEP recovered and closed the half on a 27-8 surge to take a lead it would never relinquish to match the second-biggest comeback under head coach Joe Golding. That rally for the win came on the heels from fighting back from a 14-point deficit (19-5, 11:57 1H) against UTSA. Similar to the game at Charlotte, UTEP countered with a 25-6 surge to take the lead for good in the biggest comeback under Golding and largest in three years. In the 2019-20 campaign, the Miners overcame a 19-point differential to knock off Rice (68-62, Feb. 22, 2020).
 
NARROWING THE GAP
After its first three defeats on the season were all by at least 15 points (20.3 avg.), the Miners' 12 setbacks since have been by a total of 80 points (7.3 avg). Two of those defeats have been in OT. UTEP either led/was tied or within two points inside of one minute of regulation in six of those games. In four of the other contests, the Orange and Blue fought back from down by at least nine to make it a one-possession contest later in the second stanza. The Miners trimmed an 11-point first-half deficit down to one with 15 minutes left in the second half before eventually falling, 79-66, against UAB on Feb. 16. UTEP followed that up by being held off in an OT setback against North Texas (Feb. 18), a game in which they trailed by as many as eight points.
 
BEATING UP ON EACH OTHER
For the most part Conference USA team have been beating up on each other in league play. Only (RV) FAU (15-2) and North Texas (14-4) have fewer than five losses in league action. UAB (12-6) and Middle Tennessee (10-7) are the only other squads above .500 in C-USA play. The other seven teams are below .500. UTEP is tied for ninth place at 6-11 with LA Tech but is one win back of earning a share of seventh place.
 
SIMPLY THE BEST
UTEP tops Conference USA in two different categories. The Miners pace the league in turnovers forced per game (17.1-12th NCAA) and steals per game (9.2-13th NCAA). They also lead the conference in average home attendance (4,636) and overall home attendance (74,172).
 
GOING STREAKING
Shamar Givance (90) and Calvin Solomon (83) both have scoring streaks of at least 80 games. The next longest active streak for a Miner is Tae Hardy at 28.
 
NO QUIT IN THIS GROUP
UTEP has three wins on the season when trailing by at least eight points, including coming back from 13+ points in two of them. The Miners posted a 14-point come-from-behind win against UTSA (Jan. 11), their largest rally in three years. They fought back from down 13 in a triumph at Charlotte (Jan. 16) and overcame an eight-point differential in a win against NC A&T (Dec. 21). UTEP erased a 15-point deficit before succumbing in OT to Rice (Dec. 31), while twice fighting back from 10 down with under 10 minutes left in a 60-58 setback at LA Tech. It also wiped out a nine-point differential to lead by one with six seconds left before falling, 83-82, on a buzzer beater at Rice on Jan. 14. The Miners clawed back from down by nine at North Texas (Jan. 28) to get within one (35-34) with 10 minutes to play before eventually falling, 52-42. UTEP trailed by 11 late at Middle Tennessee and got within two before the Blue Raiders tallied the final 10 points for an 84-72 win on Feb. 2. In the tilt at WKU, UTEP fought back from 13 down to get within three only to have the home side ice the game with a pair of free throws on Feb. 4. In the loss against Charlotte, UTEP reduced an 18-point deficit with 13 minutes left to six points twice under four minutes before falling, 62-53, on Feb. 9. Recently, the Orange and Blue worked an 11-point first-half deficit to one with 15 minutes left in regulation before UAB pulled away for the 79-66 triumph on Feb. 16
 
GETTING AFTER IT ON THE GLASS
The Miners have won the boards in 12 of the past 18 games. Included in it was a seven-game streak in which they were even or better on the glass, which was the longest surge since doing so in nine consecutive contests during the 2009-10 campaign. Overall, UTEP has a +2.7 rebounding margin (35.3-32.6), which places it fourth in C-USA.
 
EBBS AND FLOWS OF DEFENSE
UTEP has allowed 74+ points in five of the past seven tilts. That was proceeded by yielding 62.6 ppg over a seven-contest stretch. There have been 11 occasions total (1-10) where the opposition has topped 70 points this year, with eight happening on the road. Four of the six times this campaign that an opponent has eclipsed 50 percent from the floor have happened away from home. Overall, UTEP's scoring defense sits at 68.1 points per game (fourth C-USA).
 
RECORD-SETTING FIVE OT GAMES IN REGULAR SEASON
UTEP's five overtime contests are the most in a regular season in program history. Both the 1994-95 and 2011-12 Miners played in four OT games during the regular season.
 
TIED OVERALL OT RECORD
This year's team has matched the 1994-95 and 2011-12 teams for the single-season school record for overtime games at five. Both the '94-95 and '11-12 squads had four regular-season OT contests and one postseason OT tilt.
 
BACK-TO-BACK OT
The Miners played back-to-back OT games at two different points this year, which is something that had never previously occurred at the school. Earlier this season, UTEP won consecutive OT games for the first time since the 2016-17 season (W, 88-87, FIU, 2OT, Jan. 14, 2017; W, 66-65, FAU, Jan. 16, 2017) with a double-overtime win against Alcorn State, (73-61, Nov. 22) and a 68-67 OT vanquishing of CSUB (Nov. 23). More recently the Orange and Blue dropped consecutive contests that both went to OT (L, 79-73, 2OT, at UAB, Dec. 23; L, 72-67, OT, Rice, Dec. 31).
 
TALKING DOUBLE OVERTIME
UTEP has had two games (1-1 record) go to double overtime this year, marking the first time in program history that the Miners have had multiple double-overtime games in the same season.
 
LOTS OF OT UNDER GOLDING
Overall, UTEP is now 69-50 all time in overtime contests, including 3-4 under head coach Joe Golding. The seven OT contests under Golding are the most during the first two seasons on the sideline for a Miner head coach.
 
GUARDING THE THREE
UTEP has kept 13 teams on the year to below 30 percent from the floor on 3-point attempts, including most recently at FIU on Feb. 23 (2-12, 16.7 percent). The effort has helped the Miners sport a 3-point field-goal percentage defense of 32.8 to rate third in C-USA.
 
TALKING INJURIES
UTEP has battled through some injuries this season, with 28 man games across the board lost to injuries/illness. The breakdown is as follows: Malik Zachery (11 games), Jon Dos Anjos (nine games), Otis Frazier III (three games), Mario McKinney Jr. (three games) and Carlos Lemus (two games) have all missed time this year.
 
FREE THROWS WIN BALL GAMES?
The old saying goes that free throws win ball games, but UTEP is 7-6 (had been 5-1) on the season when shooting 60 percent or less in a contest and 6-9 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 24 of 28 games on the campaign, including seven straight efforts to put a two-contest streak below that figure in the rearview mirror. The 24 total efforts include surpassing 40 percent in the first 11 tilts of the year, the longest stretch to begin a season since the 2010-11 team did so over the initial 15 contests. The Miners have been particularly accurate with 2-point attempts, drilling 52.5 percent inside the arc.
 
PACK THE DON
UTEP is leading Conference USA in average attendance (4,635) in 2022-23 after rating second in the category last year. UAB sits in second place at 3,924. The Miners also pace the conference in overall home attendance (74,172), with the Blazers (70,637) also rating second in that category.
 
WAS RARE AIR TO HOME START
UTEP shot out to 8-0 at home, joining the 2019-20 team (9-0 start) and 2003-04 squad (8-0 start) as the only this century to win its first eight home contests. The Miners are now 10-6 in El Paso, marking their fourth consecutive campaign with 10+ home triumphs. UTEP has a +6.5 (69.6-63.1 ppg) scoring differential in the Sun City. UTEP is shooting 45.2 percent compared to 40.9 by foes, has a +3.7 turnover margin (15.1-18.8), a +2.1 rebound margin (36.3-34.1) and has taken nearly 100 more free throws (377-278) in those 16 contests.
 
TAKING DOWN 2022 POSTSEASON TEAMS
Three of the Miners' 13 wins this year have come against teams that played postseason basketball a year ago, including two that went to the NCAA tournament. UTEP knocked off NM State (2022 NCAA second round) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (2022 NCAA first four), in addition to Alcorn State (2022 NIT). All three of those teams won their conference. UTEP also has a victory against LA Tech, which was a stellar 24-10 last season.
 
WIN CLOSE
Nearly half (six of 13) of the Miners' victories this year have been by five points or less, demonstrating their toughness and grit. UTEP toppled NM State by three (67-64, Nov. 12), CSU Bakersfield by one (68-67, OT, Nov. 23), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi by five (72-67, Nov. 25), LA Tech by five (60-55, Dec. 17), at Charlotte by two (60-58, Jan. 16) and at FIU by five (87-82, Feb. 23).
 
LOCK THEM DOWN AT THE DON
UTEP has a scoring defense of 63.1 ppg at the Don Haskins Center this season, with opponents shooting 40.9 percent overall and 31.5 percent from 3-point range. Only one team (UAB, 79 points on Feb. 16) out of 16 has tallied more than 67 points (in regulation) in El Paso, with three held in the 50's and one in the 40's.
 
FINISHING GAMES WITH THE LEAD
Even though the Miners have had some close calls this year, they are 13-2 on the season when they have a lead with 5:00 to play in the contest. UTEP is also strong on the campaign (13-3) when up at the half.
 
C-USA GOT IT DONE OUT OF CONFERENCE
Conference USA's 11 squads thrived out of conference, with a combined mark of 87-34 between the 11 programs. The league features three programs with top-100 NET rankings, in the form of (RV) FAU (19), North Texas (51) and UAB (58).
 
GETTING TO THE LINE
UTEP has been aggressive offensively, which has resulted in it going to the line often. The Miners are second in C-USA and 17th nationally with 22.8 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 14.3 free throws made per contest is third in the league and 84th nationally. That has been helped by consecutive contests with 25+ free throws sunk for the first time in nine seasons.
 
HARDY DOING IT ALL
Southern Miss transfer Tae Hardy is doing a little bit of everything this year, pacing the Miners in scoring (13.0 ppg-11th C-USA), rating third in assists per game (1.8) and steals per game (1.3-12th C-USA). He's also shown endurance, placing second on squad at 32.0 minutes per game (10th C-USA). He has started 27 of 28 games. Hardy has been a consistent scorer, tallying at least eight points in 24 contests. He has five 20+ point efforts, including a game-high 21 at Middle Tennessee on Feb. 2. He has led or shared the top spot on the team in scoring in 15 tilts, easily by far the most on the team. Hardy also has a team-high 18 double-digit scoring efforts. He has shown ice in his veins, nailing two free throws of the one-and-one variety with six seconds left to give UTEP a one-point lead at Rice (Jan. 14) before the Owls emerged victorious, 83-82, on a buzzer beater. He's been rolling lately, tallying double figures in scoring in six of seven and 10 of the past 13.
 
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 (4.2-fourth C-USA), free-throw percentage-73.7 (min. 100 FTA) and playing time (32.9-seventh C-USA) while rating second in scoring (10.8 ppg) and steals per game (2.0-fourth C-USA/36th NCAA). He has surpassed double figures in scoring in 13 of the past 18 outings, including a season-high 22 points at FIU last time out on Feb. 23. He has four double-doubles-all on assists and points-, doing so at UAB (17 points, 10 assists, Dec. 29), at Rice (16 points, 10 assists, Jan. 14), against FIU (15 points, 10 assists, Jan. 19) and at FIU (22 points, 10 assists, Feb. 23). That matches the most double-doubles of that variety in six years since Dominic Artis also had four during the 2016-17 season. Givance has shown the ability for clutch play, making two free throws with 3.0 seconds left to help lift UTEP to a 68-67 OT win against CSUB on Nov. 23. He also nailed a go-ahead 3-pointer with four seconds left in regulation at UAB (Dec. 29). before the Miners eventually fell in double overtime. Last time out, he was 9-10 at the charity strip in the final minute to ice the win at FIU on Feb. 23. He has also taken care of business of the court, being named to the Academic All-District Team on Feb. 21.
 
CALVIN'S CORNER
Stephen F. Austin transfer Calvin Solomon has been an impact, all-around player for UTEP in his first year with the Miners. He is the lone player on the roster to have started all 28 contests. Solomon leads the team in rebounding (6.0 rpg-10th C-USA), steals per game (2.1-third C-USA/32nd NCAA) and offensive rebounds (60 total, 2.1/game-eighth C-USA) while placing second in assists per game (2.0) and checking in fourth in scoring (8.8). He has been on a tear of late, having produced double figures in scoring in three straight and nine of the past 12 games (two over the first 16 contests). He has at least one steal in all but one contest this year. Solomon boasts two double-doubles on the year, with 16 points and 10 boards vs. No. 24 Florida Atlantic (Jan. 21) and 16 points and 11 rebounds at UAB (Dec. 29).
 
FRAZIER III'S IMPACT FELT
George Mason transfer Otis Frazier III has been a valuable piece for the Miners in 2022-23 despite having to battle through some injuries that cost him three games. He has started 22 of 25 games played, tying for second in offensive boards (40), third in rebounding (4.0) and fifth in scoring (7.7 ppg). He has done that while playing only 22.4 minutes per game. Frazier III is also connecting on 50.4 percent of his shots (fourth on team). His numbers are a stark improvement from his two years at George Mason, where he averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 35 games played.
 
ONYEMA'S PROGRESS
After failing to reach double figures in scoring over his first two seasons with the Orange and Blue, forward Ze'Rik Onyema has done so in 10 contests this year. That includes five straight to begin the season. He has regained that early-campaign form, having produced four consecutive double-digit scoring efforts in league play for the first time of his career. He also recorded his first career double-double (10 points, career-high 10 rebounds) in the win vs. Alcorn State on Nov. 22. Onyema is second on the team in rebounding (4.1 rpg) and field-goal percentage (58.6), fourth for offensive boards (37) and sixth for scoring (7.0 ppg). He put up 2.0 ppg and 1.6 rpg in 2021-22.
 
KALU'S IMPROVEMENT
Kevin Kalu has done good work inside, rating third on the team in field-goal percentage (58.2). Overall, he is putting up 3.7 ppg (1.5 ppg as a freshman last year).  He is tied for second on the team in offensive boards (40) and is sixth in rebounding (3.3 rpg), which was aided by a career-high 10 boards at UAB (Dec. 29).
 
MAKING THE MOST OF HIS MINUTES
Sophomore junior-college transfer Derek Hamilton has shown some potential in his 19 appearances off the bench this year. He is chipping in 2.7 points per game despite playing only 4.1 minutes per contest. Hamilton has been an accurate shooter, making 81.8 percent (9-11) at the free-throw line and 67.7 percent (21-31) from the floor.
 
POINTS ACROSS THE BOARD
Five active players are scoring between 7.0 and 13.0 points per game. Tae Hardy (13,.1 ppg-10th C-USA) and Shamar Givance (10.8 ppg) are in double figures to lead the way. Calvin Solomon (8.9 ppg), Otis Frazier III (7.7 ppg) and Ze'Rik Onyema (7.0 ppg) round out the group. There have been 11 players (out of 13) to register at least one double-digit scoring contests.
 
TURNOVER MACHINES
UTEP is forcing the opposition into 17.1 turnovers per game to lead Conference USA and place 13th 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. Seven opponents have made at least 20 giveaways, including UAB (21) on Feb. 16. Sul Ross State (Nov. 15) had 32, which was the most in nine years by a UTEP opponent. All but three teams (Kent State-10, Dec. 22; at North Texas-seven, Jan. 28 and at WKU-13, Feb. 4) have committed at least 14 turnovers. The Miners (currently 478 forced) are on pace to force 546 turnovers, which would place fifth all time at the school.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP's pressure defense has resulted in 9.2 steals per game to lead the league and rank 13th 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). It also had 16 against UAB on Feb. 16, tying for 10th all time. The Orange and Blue (258 entering Saturday) are already fifth all time at UTEP for a single season. With three more steals, they will move into third place on the single-season school list. UTEP also remains on pace for 294 steals, which would break the program standard (288, 2009-10). The charge has been led by Calvin Solomon (2.1 spg-third C-USA/32nd NCAA), Shamar Givance (2.0 spg-fourth C-USA/36th NCAA) and Tae Hardy (1.3 spg-12th C-USA), making the Miners the lone team in the league with three in the top 12 of the category.
 
STEALING THE SHOW
Shamar Givance piled up a career-high seven steals at UAB on Dec. 29, which tied as the most in program history against D1 opposition and rates tied for second overall at the school against opponents of all levels. His efforts helped the Miners post 12 steals. UTEP heads into Saturday's tilt with nine contests of 10+ steals on the season, with the last time it accomplished it coming at FIU on Feb. 23.
 
THE BENCH BUNCH
The Miners' bench has provided at least 15 points in 22 of 27 games this year (14 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 22.3 points per game to rank sixth in Conference USA and 93rd nationally.
 
WHAT A CROWD
UTEP played in front of an almost capacity crowd of 11,315 fans in the win against NM State on Nov. 12. It marked the largest home attendance for the Miners since an actual sellout (12,000) of the Don Haskins Center when they beat WKU, 93-89, in a game commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Texas Western NCAA Champions.
 
THERE WAS PLENTY OF PRODUCTION TO REPLACE
Between Jamari Sibley, Kevin Kalu and Ze'Rik Onyema, the Miners returned just 20.8 percent of their rebounding, 11.1 percent of their scoring and 9.0 percent of their assists from the 2021-22 squad. In total, the Miners lost four starters and 12 letter winners from last year's squad, including a pair of All-Conference USA performers in Souley Boum (second team) and Jamal Bieniemy (third team).
 
NEW-LOOK TEAM
UTEP lost four starters and 12 letter winners from last year's team, giving the Miners a new look in year two under head coach Joe Golding. UTEP brought in six Division I transfers (Otis Frazier III, George Mason, Shamar Givance, Evansville, Tae Hardy, Southern Miss, Garrett Levesque, Tarleton State, Mario McKinney Jr., NM State and Calvin Solomon, Stephen F. Austin) while adding four junior-college transfers (Jon Dos Anjos, Florida SouthWestern College, Derick Hamilton, Bossier Parish CC, Carlos Lemus, Chipola College and Malik Zachery, South Plains) and two true freshmen (Antwonne Holmes, Chapin HS, El Paso, Texas, and Jamal Sumlin, Rhodes HS, Cleveland, Ohio). It should be noted that Dos Anjos spent his freshman campaign at Loyola Marymount (Calif.) before going the junior-college route.
 
EXPERIENCED D1 TRANSFERS
The Miners' six DI transfers combined to play in 379 contests, including making 165 starts, prior to their arrival in the Sun City. Shamar Givance (Evansville, 118 GP, 63 GS) and Calvin Solomon (Stephen F. Austin, 82 GP, 56 GS) are the most experienced of the bunch, but Otis Frazier III, George Mason, 35 GP), Mario McKinney Jr. (NM State, 38 GP, 5 GS) and Tae Hardy (Southern Miss, 30 GP, 26 GS) also have 30+ appearances.
 
HOME COOKING
UTEP got off to an 8-0 start at home (now 10-6), 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. It marks the fourth straight season that the Orange and Blue have recorded at least 10 wins in the Sun City.
 
LIFE ON THE ROAD
UTEP started off 0-6 on the road, but it is 3-3 since. It has had some tough calls, dropping its first three C-USA road tilts by a combined nine points.  The Miners either were leading/tied or within two points in the final minute of regulation in each of those tilts. The nine points was the smallest differential when starting 0-3 on the road in conference action in program history (happened 18 times previously). It began the year at No. 12 Texas (L, 72-57, Nov. 7), its first true road game to start a year since a 73-61 victory at Pac-12 foe Washington on Nov. 21, 2000. UTEP went 7-6 in 2021-22 on the road, its first winning road record since forging a mark of 8-2 in 2013-14.
 
NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
The Miners will have 18 contests (4-11 thus far in situation) broadcast/streamed on nationwide platforms, with 13 on ESPN+ (4-7), and one each on ESPNU (0-1), FS1 (0-1), the Longhorn Network (0-1) and Stadium (0-1).
 
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 191-173 in his 12th season as a collegiate head coach, including 33-29 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. Overall, UAB was predicted to finish first, followed by WKU and North Texas at second and third, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
UTEP returns to El Paso for the final two-game homestand of the regular season. The Miners kick things off by playing host to WKU on March 2 at 7 p.m. Jon Teicher (42nd year) and Steve Yellen (20th year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will also stream on ESPN+ with Erik Elken and former Miner Hooper Vint describing the action. To purchase tickets, visit www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets or call (915) 747-UTEP. Prices start as low as $9.15.
 
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