Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (11-11, 4-7 C-USA) will vie to wrap up a three-game roadswing on a high note when it plays at WKU (12-11, 4-8 C-USA) at 2 p.m. MT/3 p.m. CT Saturday. Mattress Firm is the Presenting Sponsor of UTEP Men's Basketball. This is the first of two meetings on the season between the foes, with the Hilltoppers heading to El Paso on March 2. It also is the initial match-up between the programs in three years and the first in Bowling Green, Ky., in four seasons. The Miners are aiming to halt a three-game losing skid, most recently falling at Middle Tennessee, 84-72, on Feb. 2. UTEP trailed by 11 with six minutes to play in the contest before a big run got it within two with 3:36 left, but the Blue Raiders tallied the final 10 points in the game to stave off the rally. WKU halted a five-tilt losing streak with an 81-74 triumph against UTSA on Feb. 2. The game at WKU wraps up a brutal stretch of playing three straight and five of seven on the road. The Hilltoppers are 6-4 at home (2-4 C-USA), averaging just shy of 4,000 (3,940) fans per game. UTEP is 1-8 on the road (1-5 C-USA), but it has had some close calls in league action. UTEP dropped its first three league road games by a combined nine points, and either led or was within two points in the final minute of regulation in each of those games. The Miners broke through by rallying from 13 down to emerge victorious, 60-58, at Charlotte on Jan. 16. At North Texas on Jan. 28, the Miners fought from down nine to get within one with 10 minutes left before the Mean Green pulled away for a 10-point triumph. It was a similar story at MT, as UTEP whittled an 11-point deficit down to two only to have the Blue Raiders use a late run to hold on. Jon Teicher (42nd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will be also streamed nationally on Stadium, with Chris Vosters (PxP) on the call.
 
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Saturday's contest wraps up a demanding stretch of five of seven on the road, which includes three straight away from home. It marks the second straight season that the Orange and Blue will have had three consecutive league road games. Last year the Miners had three conference contests in the span of five days, something they hadn't done since the 1983-84 campaign.
 
SERIES HISTORY: WKU LEADS, 6-1
WKU leads the series, 6-1, including 3-0 when playing at home. Saturday's match-up will be the first between the programs since the 2019-20 season, and the initial in Bowling Green since '18-19. The Hilltoppers have claimed the past four meetings, with UTEP's lone victory in the series coming in OT, 93-89, at the Don Haskins Center in the game commemorating the 50-year celebration of the Miners winning the 1966 NCAA Championship over Kentucky, 72-65. All but one of the match-ups between the programs have occurred since WKU joined C-USA, with two of those going to overtime. This year will mark the first time the foes will have a home-and-home series, with the Toppers making the return visit to El Paso on March 2.
 
GET TO KNOW WKU
WKU is 12-11 on the year, including 4-8 in C-USA play, after defeating UTSA, 81-74, to snap a five-game losing skid on Feb. 2. The 81 points were the most WKU had scored in a league contest this year. WKU had high aspirations for the season, being picked second in the league's preseason poll (one first-place vote) and Dayvion McKnight, Emmanuel Akot and Jamarion Sharp all landing to the Preseason All C-USA team. It was living up to that early by going 8-3 in nonconference play. After a 3-3 start to league action, WKU dropped five straight to slip to 3-8 before getting back on track last time out. McKnight leads the way offensively with 16.6 points per game (fifth C-USA). Akot (10.6 ppg) and Jairus Hamilton (10.3 ppg) are also consistent scorers for WKU, which accounts for 73.1 points per game (fifth C-USA). Luke Frampton was putting up 9.5 ppg before going down with a season-ending injury. At the other end of the court, the 7-5 Sharp is an imposing figure. He leads the nation in both total blocks (91) and blocks per game (4.1). His efforts allow WKU to pace C-USA in blocks per game (5.6-11th NCAA). Sharp also tops the team with 7.2 rebounds per game (fifth C-USA). McKnight also makes things difficult for the opposition with 1.8 steals per game (seventh C-USA/85th NCAA). WKU guards it well, with Sharp's presence helping it hold foes to 40.9 percent (third C-USA/53rd NCAA). Even more impressive is the fact the Toppers only commit 15.3 fouls per game (third C-USA/56th NCAA). They also shoot the 3-point shot well, connecting on 37.2 percent to lead the league and rate 40th in the nation. Another strength is ball security, with WKU making only 11.0 turnovers per game to top C-USA and rate 32nd in the country. They have struggled to rebound (-3.0 margin-10th C-USA/304th NCAA), in addition to guarding the three (35.2 3-point defense-eighth C-USA/273rd NCAA). Notable university alumni include Romeo Crennel (former head coach of the Cleveland Browns & KC Chiefs), the late Duncan Hines (pioneer of restaurant ratings for travelers) and the late Cordell Hull (Secretary of State under FDR
 
LAST TIME OUT: AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE 84, UTEP 72, (2/2/23)
Tae Hardy poured in a game-high 21 points while Calvin Solomon added 13 points and UTEP shot 47.4 percent from the floor, but it couldn't generate enough stops in an 84-72 setback at Middle Tennessee on Feb. 2. The Miners whittled an 11-point deficit (70-59, 6:21) down to just two (74-72, 3:36 2H) before the Blue Raiders tallied the final 10 points in the contest to snuff out the comeback bid. UTEP was competitive on the boards (28-30), aided by 10+ offensive rebounds (11) for the 11th time in the past 12 games. It also hit its free throws (14-23, 73.9 percent) and piled up 48 points in the paint, but MT compensated for that with a hot shooting night. It connected on a Miner opponent season-high 59.6 percent (34-57) from the floor, including 37.5 percent (6-16) from 3-point range. After committing nine turnovers in the opening half, the Miners cut that to five after the break to finish with 14. The Blue Raiders also committed 14 giveaways, which UTEP converted into 18 points. Shamar Givance buoyed Hardy and Solomon with nine points while Jon Dos Anjos and Mario McKinney Jr. each contributed seven points off the bench.
 
MR. AND-1
Mario McKinney Jr. came up with an old-fashioned 3-point play at Middle Tennessee (Feb. 2), marking his team-leading fifth And-1 of the season. Making his accomplishment more impressive is that he's come off the bench in 17 of 19 appearances. Calvin Solomon (four) and Kevin Kalu (three) are the only other Miners with at least three And-1s.
 
PROGRESS AT THE LINE
For the first time this season, UTEP has shot at least 70 percent from the floor two times in a three-game stretch. The Miners were 16-21 (76.2 percent) against No. 24 FAU (Jan. 21) and 17-23 (73.9 percent) at Middle Tennessee (Feb. 2), sandwiching a 61.5 percent (8-13) effort at North Texas (Jan. 28). Incredibly, though, UTEP slipped to 3-5 when shooting at least 65% on the year at the line (8-6 when shooting below it).
 
GOTTA GET 3-BALL GOING AGAIN
After draining six 3-pointers in back-to-back contests, the Orange and Blue have hit six triples combined the past three games. UTEP is 6-40 (15.0 percent) in that stretch, but has been competitive in each of those games due to rebounding, improvement in free throws and other areas
 
A STRANGE TREND
UTEP went 5-2 in nonconference play when tallying at least 70 points, but it has gone 1-3 in the situation during C-USA action. 
 
POUND THE PAINT
UTEP racked up 48 points in the paint at Middle Tennessee Feb. 2), marking the fifth game this season with at least 45 points down low. The 48 points in the paint tied as the second most against a DI opponent this year, trailing only a 56-point effort at Rice on Jan. 14.
 
COMEBACK KIDS
UTEP has had to overcome big first-half deficits to pull out the win in two of its four league triumphs this year. The Miners dug themselves a 19-6 deficit eight minutes into the contest at Charlotte (Jan. 16). UTEP recovered and closed the half on a 27-8 surge to take a lead it would never relinquish to match the second-biggest comeback under head coach Joe Golding. That rally for the win came on the heels from fighting back from a 14-point deficit (19-5, 11:57 1H) against UTSA. Similar to the game at Charlotte, UTEP countered with a 25-6 surge to take the lead for good in the biggest comeback under Golding and largest in three years. In the 2019-20 campaign, the Miners overcame a 19-point differential to knock off Rice (68-62, Feb. 22, 2020).
 
NARROWING THE GAP
After its first three defeats on the season were all by at least 15 points (20.3 avg.), the Miners' eight setbacks since have been by a total of 45 points (5.6 avg). UTEP either led/was tied or within two points inside of one minute of regulation in five of those games. In two of the other contests, the Orange and Blue fought back from down by at least nine to get within two late in the contest before fading down the stretch.
 
BEATING UP ON EACH OTHER
For the most part Conference USA team have been beating up on each other in league play. Only No. 19 FAU (11-1) and North Texas (9-3) have fewer than five losses in league action. MT (7-5), UAB (7-5) and Rice (6-5) are the only other squads to be above .500 in C-USA play. The other six squads are .500 or worse. UTEP is tied for eighth place with Charlotte at 4-7, but it currently holds the tiebreaker with the 49ers.
 
SIMPLY THE BEST
UTEP tops Conference USA in two different categories. The Miners pace the league in turnovers forced per game (17.3-12th NCAA) and steals per game (9.0-22nd NCAA). They also lead the conference in overall (61,947) and average (4,765) attendance.
 
NO QUIT IN THIS GROUP
UTEP has three wins on the season when trailing by at least eight points, including coming back from 13+ points in two of them. The Miners posted a 14-point come-from-behind win against UTSA (Jan. 11), their largest rally in three years. They fought back from down 13 in a triumph at Charlotte (Jan. 16) and overcame an eight-point differential in a win against NC A&T (Dec. 21). UTEP also showed tremendous heart by erasing a 15-point deficit before succumbing in OT to Rice (Dec. 31), while twice fighting back from 10 down with under 10 minutes left in a 60-58 setback at LA Tech. It also wiped out a nine-point differential to lead by one with six seconds left before falling, 83-82, on a buzzer beater at Rice on Jan. 14. More recently, it fought 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. It was a similar story last time out at Middle Tennessee. The Miners whittled an 11-point deficit to just two, but MT scored the final 10 points of the game for an 84-72 victory on Feb. 2.
 
GETTING AFTER IT ON THE GLASS
UTEP has won the battle of the boards in 10 of the past 12 contests. Included in the stretch was a seven-game streak in which they were even or better on the glass, which was the longest surge since doing so in nine consecutive contests during the 2009-10 campaign. Overall, UTEP has a +3.0 rebounding margin (35.9-32.9), which places it fourth in C-USA. For C-USA only, UTEP is +4.7 (36.1-31.4) to sit second in the league. The effort has helped UTEP win the second-chance points category in six straight games.
 
CRASHING THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS
UTEP has pulled down 10+ offensive rebounds in 11 of the past 12 games, including snagging 11 caroms at that end in each of the past two contests. There was also a streak of seven streak, which was the longest such run since posting eight in a row (twice) in 2008-09. UTEP's 11.2 offensive rebounds per game is third in C-USA and 90th in the country. That figure moves to 12.2 orpg in C-USA only tilts, which is second in the league. Overall, Calvin Solomon is ninth in C-USA with 47 total offensive boards.
 
LOCKING UP ON DEFENSE
Even though the Orange and Blue allowed 84 points at Middle Tennessee on Feb. 2, they have still held five of the past eight foes to 61 points or less. UTEP's scoring defense of 66.5 is fourth in C-USA and 88th nationally. Only four teams on the season have shot better than 50.0 from the floor, with all of those occurring on the road.
 
TIED FOR MOST OT GAMES IN REGULAR SEASON
UTEP's four overtime contests this year tie the 1994-95 and 2011-12 Miners for the most such games in a regular season in program history.
 
ONE OT GAME SHY OF TYING SCHOOL RECORD
With one more overtime contest, this year's team will match the 1994-95 and 2011-12 teams for the single-season school record for overtime games at five. Both the '94-95 and '11-12 squads had four regular-season OT contests and one postseason OT tilt.
 
BACK-TO-BACK OT
The Miners played back-to-back OT games at two different points this year, which is something that had never previously occurred at the school. Earlier this season, UTEP won consecutive OT games for the first time since the 2016-17 season (W, 88-87, FIU, 2OT, Jan. 14, 2017; W, 66-65, FAU, Jan. 16, 2017) with a double-overtime win against Alcorn State, (73-61, Nov. 22) and a 68-67 OT vanquishing of CSUB (Nov. 23). More recently the Orange and Blue dropped consecutive contests that both went to OT (L, 79-73, 2OT, at UAB, Dec. 23; L, 72-67, OT, Rice, Dec. 31).
 
TALKING DOUBLE OVERTIME
UTEP has had two games (1-1 record) go to double overtime this year, marking the first time in program history that the Miners have had multiple double-overtime games in the same season.
 
LOTS OF OT UNDER GOLDING
Overall, UTEP is now 69-49 all time in overtime contests, including 3-3 under head coach Joe Golding. The six OT contests under Golding tie with former head coach Tim Floyd as the most during the first two seasons on the sideline for a Miner head coach
 
GUARDING THE THREE
UTEP has kept 11 teams on the year to below 30 percent from the floor on 3-point attempts. The effort has helped the Miners sport a 3-point field-goal percentage defense of 31.1 to rate second in C-USA and 60th in the nation. That figure of 31.1 would be fourth all time at the school.
 
TALKING INJURIES
UTEP has battled through some injuries this season, with 24 man games across the board lost to injuries/illness. The breakdown is as follows: Malik Zachery (10 games), Jon Dos Anjos (six games), Otis Frazier III (three games), Mario McKinney Jr. (three games) and Carlos Lemus (two games) have all missed time this year.
 
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT IN THE SECOND HALF
During the Miners' first seven contests of the campaign against Division I opposition, they had been outpaced by an average score of 40.1-31.4 (281-220) in the second half of those games. UTEP has made some progress, outscoring its foes during the second half in eight of the past 13 contests.
 
FREE THROWS WIN BALL GAMES?
The old saying goes that free throws win ball games, but UTEP is 6-4 (had been 5-1) on the season when shooting 60 percent or less in a contest and 5-7 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 18 of 22 games on the campaign, including an effort of 47.4 percent at Middle Tennessee (Feb. 2) to snap a two-game skid of below that figure. The 18 total such efforts includes surpassing 40 percent in the first 11 tilts of the year, the longest stretch to begin a season since the 2010-11 team did so over the initial 15 contests. The Miners have been particularly accurate with 2-point attempts, drilling 53.1 percent inside the arc.
 
PACK THE DON
UTEP is leading Conference USA in both overall attendance (61,947) and average attendance (4,765) in 2022-23. UAB is the closest team for total attendance (55,471) while WKU is second in average attendance (3,940). Last year the Miners led in overall attendance and were second in the league in average attendance.
 
WAS RARE AIR TO HOME START
UTEP shot out to 8-0 at home, joining the 2019-20 team (9-0 start) and 2003-04 squad (8-0 start) as the only this century to win its first eight home contests. The Miners are now 10-3 in El Paso, marking their fourth consecutive campaign with 10+ home triumphs. UTEP has a +10.3 (71.0-60.7 ppg) scoring differential in the Sun City. UTEP is shooting 45.8 percent compared to 38.7 by the foes, has a +3.5 turnover margin (15.5-19.1) and has taken nearly 100 more free throws (313-226) in those 13 contests.
 
TAKING DOWN 2022 POSTSEASON TEAMS
Three of the Miners' 11 wins this year have come against teams that played postseason basketball a year ago, including two that went to the NCAA tournament. UTEP knocked off NM State (2022 NCAA second round) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (2022 NCAA first four), in addition to Alcorn State (2022 NIT). All three of those teams won their conference. UTEP also has a victory against LA Tech, which was a stellar 24-10 last season.
 
WIN CLOSE
Nearly half (five of 11) of the Miners' victories this year have been by five points or less, demonstrating their toughness and grit. UTEP toppled NM State by three (67-64, Nov. 12), CSU Bakersfield by one (68-67, OT, Nov. 23), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi by five (72-67, Nov. 25), LA Tech by five (60-55, Dec. 17) and at Charlotte by two (60-58, Jan. 16).
 
LOCK THEM DOWN AT THE DON
UTEP has a scoring defense of 60.7 ppg at the Don Haskins Center this season, with opponents shooting 38.7 percent overall and just 27.3 percent from 3-point range. None of the 13 opponents have tallied more than 67 points (in regulation) in El Paso, with three held in the 50's and one in the 40's.
 
FINISHING GAMES WITH THE LEAD
Even though the Miners have had some close calls this year, they are 11-1 on the season when they have a lead with 5:00 to play in the contest. UTEP is also strong on the campaign (11-2) when up at the half.
 
C-USA GOT IT DONE OUT OF CONFERENCE
Conference USA's 11 squads thrived out of conference, with a combined mark of 87-34 between the 11 programs. The league features four programs with top-100 NET rankings, in the form of FAU (21), North Texas (62), UAB (67) and Charlotte (99).
 
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 21st nationally with 22.4 free throw tosses per game, aiding by piling up 43 attempts against Alcorn State on Nov. 22. It marked the most free throw attempts by UTEP since taking 47 in a season-opening victory against Loyola on Nov. 14, 2016. UTEP's 13.8 free throws made per contest is fourth in the league.
 
HARDY DOING IT ALL
Southern Miss transfer Tae Hardy is doing a little bit of everything this year, pacing the Miners in scoring (13.0 ppg-ninth C-USA), rating third in assists per game (1.8) and steals per game (1.4-10th C-USA). He's also shown endurance, placing second on squad at 32.0 minutes per game (eighth C-USA). He has started 21 of 22 games. Hardy has been a consistent scorer, tallying at least eight points in 18 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 13 tilts, easily by far the most on the team. Hardy also has a team-high 13 double-digit scoring efforts. He has shown ice in his veins, nailing two free throws of the one-and-one variety with six seconds left to give UTEP a one-point lead at Rice (Jan. 14) before the Owls emerged victorious, 83-82, on a buzzer beater.
 
GIVANCE THE LEADER
Evansville transfer Shamar Givance, the only senior on the roster, has contributed in multiple ways this season while running the point for the Orange and Blue. He tops the team in assists per game (4.4-third C-USA/92nd NCAA) and playing time (32.2-seventh C-USA) while rating second in scoring (10.1 ppg) and steals per game (1.8-eighth C-USA), tied for third in free-throw percentage (min. 10 FTA, 72.2 percent) and tied for fourth in rebounding (3.8 rpg). He has surpassed double figures in scoring in nine of the past 12 outings, coming up just shy (nine points) of that figure at Middle Tennessee (Feb. 2). He has three double-doubles-all on assists and points-, doing so at UAB (17 points, 10 assists, Dec. 29), at Rice (16 points, 10 assists, Jan. 14) and against FIU (15 points, 10 assists, Jan. 19). That's the most double-doubles of that variety in six years since Dominic Artis had four during the 2016-17 season. Givance has shown the ability for clutch play, making two free throws with 3.0 seconds left to help lift UTEP to a 68-67 OT win against CSUB on Nov. 23. He also nailed a go-ahead 3-pointer with four seconds left in regulation at UAB before the Miners eventually fell in double overtime.
 
SUPER MARIO
NM State transfer Mario McKinney Jr. has been a big key for UTEP, especially as a spark off the bench. He has come off the pine in 17 of his 19 appearances, where he is the leading scorer among reserves and third overall (9.2 ppg) on the team. That was aided by a career-high 24 points on the road against his former squad on Nov. 30. Overall, he has posted nine double-digit scoring efforts on the season. McKinney Jr. is also third in rebounding (4.0 rpg) and fourth in steals per game (1.0 spg).
 
FRAZIER III'S IMPACT FELT
George Mason transfer Otis Frazier III has been a valuable piece for the Miners in 2022-23 despite having to battle through some injuries that cost him three games. He has started 16 of 19 games played, rating third in offensive boards (28), tied for fourth for rebounding (3.9 rpg) and fifth in scoring (7.4 ppg). He has done that while playing only 20.6 minutes per game. Frazier III is also connecting on 52.0 percent of his shots (fourth on team). His numbers are a stark improvement from his two years at George Mason, where he averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 35 games played.
 
ONYEMA'S PROGRESS
After failing to reach double figures in scoring over his first two seasons with the Orange and Blue, forward Ze'Rik Onyema has done so in six contests this year. That includes five straight to begin the season and more recently at North Texas on Jan. 28. He has also recorded his first career double-double (10 points, career-high 10 rebounds) in the win vs. Alcorn State on Nov. 22. He is second on the team in rebounding (4.1 rpg), third in field-goal percentage (57.8), fourth for offensive boards (27) and sixth for scoring (5.7 ppg). He put up 2.0 ppg and 1.6 rpg in 2021-22.
 
CALVIN'S CORNER
Stephen F. Austin transfer Calvin Solomon has been an impact player for UTEP in his first year with the Miners. He is the lone player on the roster to have started all 22 contests. Solomon leads the team in rebounding (6.2 rpg-ninth C-USA), steals per game (2.1-fourth C-USA/44th NCAA) and offensive rebounds (46 total, 2.1/game-eighth C-USA) while placing second in assists per game (2.0) and checking in fourth in scoring (8.2). He has been on a tear in several categories of late, having produced double figures in scoring in five of the past six games (two over the first 16 contests). Over the past 10 games, he is averaging 10.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 2.5 spg. He's the lone Miner to have at least one steal in every tilt of the year and has 31 total thefts over the past 13 contests. Solomon has a pair of double-doubles on the year, with 16 points and 10 boards vs. No. 24 Florida Atlantic (Jan. 21) and 16 points and 11 rebounds at UAB (Dec. 29).
 
KALU'S IMPROVEMENT
Kevin Kalu has done good work inside, rating second on the team in field-goal percentage (66.0). Overall, he is putting up 4.1 ppg (1.5 ppg as a freshman last year).  He is second on the team in offensive boards (32) and sixth in rebounding (3.6 rpg), which was aided by a career-high 10 boards at UAB (Dec. 29).
 
MAKING THE MOST OF HIS MINUTES
Sophomore junior-college transfer Derek Hamilton has shown some potential in his 14 appearances off the bench this year. He is chipping in 3.1 points per game despite playing only 4.5 minutes per contest. Hamilton tops the team in both free-throw percentage (min. 10 attempts) by going 8-10 (80.0 percent) and field-goal percentage (66.7).
 
POINTS ACROSS THE BOARD
Six different players are scoring between 5.5 and 13.0 points per game. Tae Hardy (13.0 ppg-ninth C-USA), Shamar Givance (10.1 ppg) and Mario McKinney Jr. (9.2 ppg) lead the way. Calvin Solomon (8.2 ppg), Otis Frazier III (7.4 ppg) and Ze'Rik Onyema (5.7 ppg) round out the group. There have been 11 players (out of 13) to register at least one double-digit scoring contests.
 
TURNOVER MACHINES
UTEP is forcing the opposition into 17.3 turnovers per game to lead Conference USA and place 12th nationally. The Miners harassed the first eight foes to commit at least 15 turnovers, the longest stretch to begin a season since the initial 12 opponents did so in 1974-75. Six opponents have made at least 20 giveaways, including then No. 24 Florida Atlantic (20) on Jan. 21. Sul Ross State (Nov. 15) had 32, which was the most in nine years by a UTEP opponent. All but two teams (Kent State-10, Dec. 22; at North Texas-seven, Jan. 28) have committed at least 14 turnovers.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP's pressure defense has resulted in 9.0 steals per game to lead the league and rank 22nd in the country. Aiding that figure was a school-record 24 steals in the victory against Sul Ross State on Nov. 15. Six different Miners had at least three steals in the contest to help them surge past the prior school standard of 21 which had stood since 1994 (against Cardinal Stich on Dec. 20, 1994). The Orange and Blue are currently on pace for 288 steals this season, which would tie the school record (288, 2009-10). The charge has been led by Calvin Solomon (2.1 spg-fourth C-USA/44th NCAA), Shamar Givance (1.8 spg-eighth C-USA/95th NCAA) and Tae Hardy (1.4 spg-10th C-USA), making the Miners the lone team in the league with three in the top 10 of the category.
 
STEALING THE SHOW
Shamar Givance piled up a career-high seven steals at UAB on Dec. 29, which tied as the most in program history against D1 opposition and rates tied for second overall at the school against opponents of all levels. His efforts helped the Miners post 12 steals. UTEP heads into Saturday's tilt with six contests of 10+ steals on the season, with the last time it's accomplished it coming against then No. 24 Florida Atlantic (Jan. 21).
 
THE BENCH BUNCH
The Miners' bench has provided at least 15 points in 19 of 22 games this year (13 with 24+ points), including going off for a season-high 51 against Sul Ross State on Nov. 15. UTEP's campaign best vs. DI foes is 34, which happened both at DePaul (Dec. 10) and against NC A&T (Dec. 21). Overall, UTEP reserves are contributing 24.8 points per game to rank second in Conference USA and 51st nationally. Super sub Mario McKinney Jr. has been vital in this category, tallying 9.2 ppg while coming off the pine in 17 of his 19 total appearances.
 
WHAT A CROWD
UTEP played in front of an almost capacity crowd of 11,315 fans in the win against NM State on Nov. 12. It marked the largest home attendance for the Miners since an actual sellout (12,000) of the Don Haskins Center when they beat WKU, 93-89, in a game commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Texas Western NCAA Champions.
 
THERE WAS PLENTY OF PRODUCTION TO REPLACE
Between Jamari Sibley, Kevin Kalu and Ze'Rik Onyema, the Miners returned just 20.8 percent of their rebounding, 11.1 percent of their scoring and 9.0 percent of their assists from the 2021-22 squad. In total, the Miners lost four starters and 12 letter winners from last year's squad, including a pair of All-Conference USA performers in Souley Boum (second team) and Jamal Bieniemy (third team).
 
NEW-LOOK TEAM
UTEP lost four starters and 12 letter winners from last year's team, giving the Miners a new look in year two under head coach Joe Golding. UTEP brought in six Division I transfers (Otis Frazier III, George Mason, Shamar Givance, Evansville, Tae Hardy, Southern Miss, Garrett Levesque, Tarleton State, Mario McKinney Jr., NM State and Calvin Solomon, Stephen F. Austin) while adding four junior-college transfers (Jon Dos Anjos, Florida SouthWestern College, Derick Hamilton, Bossier Parish CC, Carlos Lemus, Chipola College and Malik Zachery, South Plains) and two true freshmen (Antwonne Holmes, Chapin HS, El Paso, Texas, and Jamal Sumlin, Rhodes HS, Cleveland, Ohio). It should be noted that Dos Anjos spent his freshman campaign at Loyola Marymount (Calif.) before going the junior-college route.
 
EXPERIENCED D1 TRANSFERS
The Miners' six DI transfers combined to play in 379 contests, including making 165 starts, prior to their arrival in the Sun City. Shamar Givance (Evansville, 118 GP, 63 GS) and Calvin Solomon (Stephen F. Austin, 82 GP, 56 GS) are the most experienced of the bunch, but Otis Frazier III, George Mason, 35 GP), Mario McKinney Jr. (NM State, 38 GP, 5 GS) and Tae Hardy (Southern Miss, 30 GP, 26 GS) also have 30+ appearances.
 
HOME COOKING
UTEP got off to an 8-0 start at home (now 10-3), allowing it to join the 2019-20 team (9-0) and the 2003-04 unit (8-0) as the only this century to start at least 8-0. The Miners are scheduled to play 18 total times in the Don Haskins Center, with eight nonconference (finished 7-1) and 10 Conference USA tilts (3-2 thus far). The Miners have five home tilts remaining (all in C-USA) and have already secured a fourth straight season with 10+ home triumphs.
 
LIFE ON THE ROAD
UTEP started off 0-6 on the road (now 1-8), including dropping its first three C-USA contests by a combined nine points. The Miners either were leading/tied or within two points in the final minute of regulation in each of those tilts. The nine points was the smallest differential when starting 0-3 on the road in conference action in program history (happened 18 times previously). The Orange and Blue had a breakthrough by rallying from 13 down to defeat Charlotte, 60-58, on Jan. 16. UTEP has dropped the past two road games by double figures, but it was competitive in both. UTEP began the year at No. 12 Texas (L, 72-57, Nov. 7), its first true road game to start a year since a 73-61 victory at Pac-12 foe Washington on Nov. 21, 2000. Overall, the Miners will have 13 road games (1-8 thus far) on the year, with three nonconference (finished 0-3) and 10 in C-USA (1-5 thus far). UTEP went 7-6 in 2021-22 on the road, its first winning road record since forging a mark of 8-2 in 2013-14.
 
NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
The Miners will have 18 contests (3-7 thus far in situation) broadcast/streamed on nationwide platforms, with 13 on ESPN+ (3-4), and one each on ESPNU (0-1), FS1 (0-1), the Longhorn Network (0-1) and Stadium (0-0).
 
A YEAR IN REVIEW
-    UTEP (20-14) posted its first 20+ win season since going 22-11 in 2014-15. It marked the 27th 20+ win campaign in program history.
-    The Miners notched their first postseason appearance since 2015 and first postseason win since 2009.
-    The Miners finished 11-7 in league play to secure their first winning conference record since forging a mark of 12-6 in 2016-17. That was aided by winning 10 of 14 down the stretch, including halting back-to-back C-USA West Division Champion North Texas' 15-game winning streak, 70-68, on "Senior Day" on March 5.
-    UTEP downed Old Dominion, 74-64, on March 9 for its first victory at the C-USA Championships in five years.
-    UTEP's seven road wins were the most since going 8-2 in 2013-14.
-    The Miners had their first winning road record (5-4) in league play since 2016-17.
-    UTEP's five league road wins surpassed its total (four) of such games from the prior three seasons combined.
-    UTEP had a six-game conference USA winning streak (Jan. 15 to Feb. 5), which was its longest since also posting six straight wins in 2016 (2/4-20/16). It marked the fifth winning streak of at least six C-USA games since the Miners joined the league in 2005-06.
 
THE BASIC FACTS ON UTEP
-    This is the 102nd season of UTEP men's basketball. The Miners made history by starting five African-Americans to defeat Kentucky, 72-65, and win the 1966 NCAA Championship on the way to inspiring the Disney hit movie Glory Road. Overall, UTEP has 17 NCAA Tournament appearances (last in 2010), 11 NIT bids (last in 2015), 12 conference championships (last in 2010) and 27 seasons with at least 20+ victories (last in 2022). The Miners have won five league tournaments (last in 2005).
-    The Miners have a strong presence in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with Don Haskins, Nate Archibald, Nolan Richardson, the 1966 team and Tim Hardaway all representing UTEP.
-    UTEP finished 20-14 in 2021-22, which was its most wins since going 22-11 in 2014-15.
-    The Miners returned one starter (Jamari Sibley), and three letter winners overall. The two other returning letter winners are Kevin Kalu and Ze'Rik Onyema.
-    UTEP has 12 newcomers: Jon Dos Anjos, Otis Frazier III, Shamar Givance, Derick Hamilton, Tae Hardy, Antwonne Holmes, Carlos Lemus, Garrett Levesque, Mario McKinney Jr., Calvin Solomon, Jamal Sumlin and Malik Zachery.
 
GET TO KNOW COACH GOLDING
Joe Golding is in his second year at UTEP and is the 20th head coach in program history. He is the eighth head coach for the Miners since legendary Hall of Fame Coach Don Haskins retired following the 1998-99 season. Golding is 189-169 in his 12th season as a collegiate head coach, including 31-25 at UTEP. Last year he became the fourth head coach (20 total) in program history to have a winning season in their first year on the sideline. Don Haskins was the first when he directed the Miners to a mark of 18-6 in 1961-62. Doc Sadler (27-8, 2004-05) and Tim Floyd (25-10, 2010-11) also achieved the feat. Overall, the prior 19 head coaches combined to forge an average record of 9-13 in their first year with UTEP. Previously Golding spent 10 years at Abilene Christian (158-144), helping it transition from a Division II to a Division I program. Golding led the Wildcats to the 2019 and 2021 NCAA Tournaments, including a stunning upset as a 14-seed of third-seeded Texas in the first round of the 2021 Big Dance.
 
PRESEASON PREMONITIONS
UTEP was predicted to finish eighth out of 11 teams in Conference USA for the 2022-23 season, but keep in mind that last year's edition of the Miners was underestimated. The Orange and Blue were tabbed to finish in 10th place a year ago before tying for the fifth-most wins in league play by forging a mark of 11-7 in 18 C-USA tilts. Overall, UAB was predicted to finish first, followed by WKU and North Texas at second and third, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
UTEP returns home briefly to host Charlotte at 7 p.m. MT on Thursday (Feb. 9). It is the Miners' "Black History Night" game, and fans can purchase two tickets and a commemorative t-shirt for just $40. For more information on the promotion or to purchase tickets, visit www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets or call (915) 747-UTEP. 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.
 
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