Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (9-7, 0-1 CUSA) will venture to the "Sunshine State" to challenge FIU (6-11, 1-1 CUSA)  in its second straight road game to start league play at 4 p.m. MT/6 p.m. ET Saturday. The Miners posted a come-from-behind 74-69 victory against Chicago State last time out on Jan. 7 in their final nonconference game of the regular season. The Panthers halted a two-game skid by easing past NM State, 77-67, in their CUSA home opener. FIU had dropped its league lid lifter, 70-63, at Jax State on Jan. 6, but got back into the win column in Miami on Jan. 11. The Panthers, who led by as many as 17, never trailed the Aggies. They relied heavily on the 3-point shot, nailing 13 (their second-highest total this year). This is the first of two meetings on the season between the programs, with FIU set to make the return visit to El Paso for "Senior Day" on March 7. The Miners will looking to get back to .500 in league play by splitting their first two road contests, in addition to securing their initial road triumph (0-4) of the year. FIU sports a mark of 5-3 in Miami. Jon Teicher (43rd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required), with Corey Brooks and Patrick Murray describing the action. Tickets start as low as $9.15. For more information, please visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or call (915) 747-UTEP.
 
SOLOMON NEARING 1,000 CAREER POINTS
Calvin Solomon is 20 points away from 1,000 in his collegiate career. He heads into Saturday's contest with 980 total points between his time with SFA and UTEP, including 434 with the Miners. Fellow senior Tae Hardy surpassed 1,000 career points in the Orange and Blue's victory against Wyoming on Dec. 21.
 
GET TO KNOW FIU
FIU is 6-11 on the year, including 1-1 in CUSA action, but that record is a bit deceiving. It is 5-3 at home compared to a combined 1-8 in road (1-5) and neutral-site (0-3) match-ups. Among the triumphs in Miami for the Panthers is a 91-84 vanquishing of future CUSA member Kennesaw State on Nov. 26. Most recently, FIU stopped its two-game losing streak with a wire-to-wire 77-67 win vs. NM State in its CUSA home opener. The Panthers relied heavily on the 3-point shot, nailing 13 (their second-highest total this year). The triumph brings them back to .500 in CUSA action after they had fallen, 70-63, at Jax State on Jan. 6. The Panthers trailed Jax State by 18 with 12:51 left, but they refused to quit. FIU fought all the way back to get within three on a trio of occasions, but it couldn't complete the comeback. Similar to UTEP, the Panthers create havoc on defense. They top high in the rankings for both steals per game (11.4-first CUSA/second NCAA) and turnovers forced per contest (18.5-second CUSA/fourth NCAA). That has helped FIU put up 76.9 points per game (second CUSA). The Panthers also love the 3-point shot, rating second in CUSA for both triples made per contest (8.6-72nd NCAA) and 3-pointers attempted per contest (25.5-56th NCAA). Roughly 40.0 percent of their shots are from distance. It is also third in the league in 3-point percentage at 33.9 percent. The Panthers share the ball well, registering 15.7 assists per contest (second CUSA/69th NCAA). They also rely heavily on their bench with 32.0 ppg off the pine (first CUSA/16th NCAA). Individually, everything with FIU starts with 2023 CUSA Freshman of the Year and 2023-24 CUSA All-Preseason team member Arturo Dean. The Miami native paces the team in points (12.3-ninth CUSA), rebounding (4.6-tied 16th CUSA), assists (4.7-second CUSA/68th NCAA) and steals (3.9-first NCAA). Javaunte Hawkins (12.3 ppg-10th CUSA) joins him in double figures for scoring. Five other players contribute at least 6.0 ppg, helping FIU with its balanced approach offensively.  Dean isn't the only impact player on defense. Dashon Gittens accounts  for 1.4 steals per game (tied seventh CUSA) and Seth Pinkey swats 1.2 blocks per contest (tied fourth CUSA). Notable school alumni include Andy Garcia (actor who starred in Ocean's 11) and Dennis Lehane (author of Mystic River).

SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 16-2
UTEP leads the series with FIU, 16-2, aided by winning five straight and 11 of the past 12 meetings between the programs. The Miners are 14-2 (including the CUSA tournament) against the Panthers since they joined the league. UTEP swept the season series last year, including an 87-82 road triumph on Feb. 23, 2023. It was the Miners' first road victory in the series since a 84-74 vanquishing of FIU on Feb. 11, 2016.
 
GOING BACK IN TIME
UTEP shot 52.0 percent from the floor and forced 27 turnovers on the way to a hard-fought 74-69 victory against Chicago State at the Don Haskins Center on Jan. 7. There were nine ties and a season-most 15 lead changes, with the Miners going ahead for good on a lay-up from freshman David Terrell Jr. with 1:40 left in regulation. Terrell Jr. finished with eight points while Tae Hardy (13 points), Corey Camper Jr. (11 points), Trey Horton III (career-high 11 points) and Zid Powell (10 points) all reached double figures in scoring. UTEP was down by four (65-61, 4:10, 2H) before tallying the next five points in the contest to surge into the lead. A late 3-pointer for CSU rimmed out, and Camper Jr. iced the game with two free throws.
 
FINDING WAYS TO WIN LATE
After having lost 22 straight games when trailing with five minutes to play, the Miners have now won twice when facing that situation in the past four contests. UTEP was down four points with 4:10 left against Chicago State before closing the game on a 13-4 run for the win. The Miners trailed by two against Norfolk State with five minutes left before fighting back for a 67-65 victory on Dec. 20.
 
BREAKOUT GAME FROM DISTANCE
UTEP drained 7-12 (58.3 percent) from distance against Chicago State on Jan. 7. It marked its most 3-pointers on the season against a DI opponent, besting the prior mark of five (happened four times). The readout of 58.3 from beyond-the-arc was a season high. Making the seven treys more impressive is that the Miners attempted only 12, their second-lowest total of the campaign. Tae Hardy was a perfect 3-3 while Trey Horton III knocked down a career-most three triples. Zid Powell added the other one.
 
CSU COULDN'T HANDLE THE PRESSURE
Chicago State had fits with the Miners' pressure, committing 27 turnovers. That's the most giveaways by a UTEP DI opponent since the Orange and Blue forced Norfolk State into making 32 turnovers in a 93-56 romp on Dec. 28, 2009.
 
PILED UP THE STEALS, AGAIN
UTEP registered 15 steals against Chicago State, equaling its most against a DI opponent on the year. The Miners also had 15 thefts at ACU on Dec. 17. Furthermore, it marked the 10th time already this season that UTEP hit double figures in steals.
 
WINNING IN ANOTHER WAY
Opponents had won 13 straight games against UTEP when making at least 50.0 percent from the floor, including starting 3-0 in the situation this year. Chicago State nailed 55.6 percent but was done in by the Miners' pressure defense that forced the aforementioned 27 turnovers.
 
SHOT IT WELL, SCORED ENOUGH
UTEP connected on 52.0 percent from the floor against CSU, marking the fifth time (5-0 record) this season (third vs. DI opponent) that it has been at 50 percent or better. Making this effort a bit more impressive is that the Cougars blocked an opponent-season high seven shots. The Miners also surpassed 70 points for the second time in the past four games after doing so once in the prior six contests against DI foes.
 
STARTING TO CUT DOWN ON FOULS
After committing at least 22 fouls or more in four straight times for the first occasion since the 2008-09 campaign, UTEP is getting back to defending without fouling. The Miners had a season-low 13 fouls vs. Seattle U on Dec. 30, 17 (fewest in neutral or road game this year) at NM State on Jan. 4 and then 14 (second-lowest total) against Chicago State on Jan. 7.
 
THAT WAS A LATE NONCONFERENCE GAME
UTEP'S win against Chicago State was unique in the sense of how far into the regular season it occurred. The Miners hadn't had a nonconference contest that late in the regular season since they knocked off Houston Baptist, 72-44, on Jan. 14, 2013.
 
TERRELL JR. NAMED CUSA FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
David Terrell Jr. was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Week, the league office announced on Jan. 8. He averaged 7.5 points, on 75 percent shooting, to go along 2.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in a pair of contests. Terrell Jr. scored eight points (seven in second half) on 3-5 shooting, including the go-ahead lay-up that gave the Miners the lead for good, in the win vs. Chicago State on Jan. 7. He added a career-high matching three steals (two in second half) and a team-high tying three assists in the game. The Dallas native started the week off by scoring seven points at I-10 rival NM State on Jan. 4. He was a perfect 3-3 from the floor in the contest, including nailing his first career 3-pointer.
 
THAT'S FOUR FOR THE MINERS
UTEP has now had four total CUSA Freshman of the Week honors this season, with three from Elijah Jones and on by David Terrell Jr. The four total honors are by most in the category since UTEP had five in 2018-19.
 
CONTINUED STRONG PLAY FOR TERRELL JR.
David Terrell Jr. has tallied at least seven points in three straight games for the first time of his career. He had nine points against Seattle U, his most vs. a DI foe, on Dec. 30 while recording seven at NM State on Jan. 4 and eight vs. Chicago State on Jan. 7. Terrell Jr. is 8-13 from the floor in that timeframe while adding five steals and five assists.
 
HARDY CONTINUES TO LEAD OFFENSE
Tae Hardy has been the most consistent player at the offensive end for UTEP in 2023-24. He has reached double figures in scoring in seven of the past eight games and a team-best 14 times total this season. He has also produced a squad-most three 20+ point showings.
 
ZID SCORES, WE WIN
UTEP is 7-1 on the season when senior Zid Powell hits double figures in scoring, with the lone setback coming by six points (L, 88-82, at ACU, Dec. 17). Conversely, the Miners are 2-6 when Powell falls short of 10 points.
 
GETTING TO THE LINE OFTEN
UTEP has attempted at least 20 free throws in a season-long six consecutive contests (prior best this year was four). The Miners are a combined 128-178 in the stretch (71.9 percent). Prior to the current streak, UTEP hadn't had at least six straight games with 20+ free throw attempts since producing nine in a row in the early stages of last year. One big difference from that sequence to this one is that the Orange and Blue shot it much worse. They were a combined 59.6 percent (161-270) during those nine tilts.
 
GET BACK TO CRASHING THE BOARDS
After pulling down at least 10 offensive rebounds in nine of the first 12 contests, the opposition has done a better job of boxing out the Miners of late. UTEP has been held to single digits for offensive boards in four straight contests. That hadn't happened since Joe Golding's first season (2021-22) on the sidelines.
 
GET THE LEAD AND WE'RE PRETTY, PRETTY GOOD
UTEP is 6-1 on the season when leading at the half and a perfect 7-0 this year when holding an advantage with five minutes remaining in regulation. It's not a recent trend, with the Miners a combined 33-6 under head coach Joe Golding when leading at the break.
 
STEALS KEEP COMING
UTEP has registered at least seven steals in every contest on the campaign, including 10 or more 10 times. UTEP's average of 11.2 steals per game rates second in the league and fourth in the country. The Miners tied the school record for steals with 288 last year, but they are on pace to smash that figure with 359 thefts.
 
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 (14.7-fourth CUSA), steals (1.9-third CUSA/88th NCAA), minutes per game (32.0-first CUSA), 3-pointers made (32), attempted (81), percentage (39.5) and 3-pointers per game (2.0-tied sixth CUSA). Hardy rates second in assists per game (2.6-tied 13th CUSA). He has reached double figures in scoring 14 times, including a team-best three 20+ point outings. The Ellenwood, Ga., native also moved past 1,000 career points (1,048) this year, with more than 600 of those coming with UTEP (646).
 
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 essentially the same at 50.0 percent (58-116), an impressive feat given his scoring output has jumped to 10.4 ppg (18th CUSA). He's also getting after it on defense with 1.6 steals per game (tied fifth CUSA). He is doing a better job of getting to the charity stripe, having already made more than last year. Furthermore, he's knocking them down at a better rate. Frazier III is at 67.7 percent (42-62) from the charity stripe after finishing at 40-63 from the line (63.5 percent) a season ago. He is fourth on the team in both free throws made and attempted. He has hit double figures in scoring for six of the past nine games and 10 times total this season.
 
ZID'S AS ADVERTISED
Buffalo grad transfer Zid Powell is contributing across the board despite having battled through some injuries and foul issues at times. Powell leads the team in assists (3.2-eighth CUSA), free throws made (58-third CUSA) and attempted (81-second CUSA). He is second on the squad for scoring (14.5-14th CUSA), steals (1.8-fourth CUSA) and rebounding (5.2-14th CUSA). Powell has produced eight double-digit scoring efforts (UTEP is 7-1 in those tilts), including two of the top two three games on the year by a Miner (career-high 32 vs. Wyoming, 12/20 and 23 vs. UC Santa Barbara, 11/13).
 
CAMPER JR. MAKING HIS MARK
JUCO Honorable-Mention All-American (Tyler JC) Corey Camper Jr., who came off the bench for nine of the first 10 games of the season, has started five of six since then. He is second on the team for 3-pointers made (13) and attempted (46), fourth in steals (1.4-tied seventh CUSA) and fifth for scoring (7.7 ppg). The Arkansas native has also done a good job at the charity stripe, nailing 70.0 percent. His most-recent two free throws made were against Chicago State to ice the game. Camper Jr. has five games with double-digit scoring totals, and the Miners have won each of those contests.
 
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 (7.9 ppg), rebounding (3.6 rpg) and assists (1.8-tied 20th CUSA). He is also second on the team in blocks (0.6-tied 15th CUSA) and fifth for steals (1.3-tied 11th CUSA). He has proven to be a team player by coming off the bench five of the past six contests. Solomon has also done an outstanding job of drawing contact and finishing at the free throw line once there. He is second on the team in both free throws made (54-fourth CUSA) and attempted (71-fourth CUSA). Solomon has drained 76.1 percent, the best among Miners with at least 20 attempts. It is also a vast improvement from his readout of 59.8 percent (76-127) last year.
 
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 5.7 rebounds per game (ninth CUSA). He is tied for seventh in the league for offensive boards per game (2.0) and tied for 12th in CUSA for defensive rebounds per contest (3.7). He has pulled down at least four rebounds in 15 games. He had one carom against Chicago State, but Kalu did match his season high in scoring with eight points in the victory. Overall, he is producing 5.1 ppg but is doing that at an efficient 62.3 percent (33-53) from the floor. One area of concern has been his team-leading three foul outs. Four other Miners have been sent packing early once.
 
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 on the squad in assists per game (1.9-19th CUSA) and placing sixth in steals (1.1 spg-tied 16th CUSA).  His scoring is coming around as well. The reigning CUSA Freshman of the Week has tallied at least seven points in three straight games for the first time of his career, compiling 24 points in the stretch (8-13 shooting). Terrell Jr. had a combined 13 points in the prior five contests.
 
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. Overall, Jones is second among reserves and sixth overall for scoring (5.5 ppg). He adds 2.1 rpg (third for Miner back-ups and seventh overall). He is an accurate free throw shooter, connecting on 12-15 (80.0 percent). He is also 6-16 (37.5 percent) from distance.
 
WELCOME TO THE COURT, BAYLOR HEBB
After sitting out the first 10 games of the season due to NCAA transfer rules, Baylor Hebb is now part of the Miner rotation. That includes making his first start as a Miner at NM State on Jan. 4. He's pitching in 3.2 ppg and 1.3 rpg in 13.4 mpg, aided by a campaign-best seven points vs. Seattle U on Dec. 30. 
 
GETTING TO THE LINE
The Miners' relentless drive toward to the paint (35.4 points in paint per game) and attacking the offensive glass (11.1 offensive rebounds per game) has led to them taking the third-most free throws per game (27.5) in the country. UTEP is also 10th nationally for free throws made per contest (18.7). The Miners have attempted at least 30 free throws in five contests, something that happened a total of six times last season. 
 
POUNDING THE PAINT
UTEP has demonstrated the ability to get points in the paint in 2023-24. Nearly half (566-1,201, 47.1 percent) of the Miners' points on the season have come in the paint. On the year, the Orange and Blue have a 566-448 advantage for points in the paint. That works out to 35.4 ppg in the paint for UTEP compared to 28.0 by foes.
 
LET'S GET OUT AND RUN
The Miners are accounting for 18.3 fastbreak points per game, the second-highest total in the country. They have tallied at least 12 points on the break in 14 of 16 contests this year, including a campaign-best 47 against USAO on Nov. 9. UTEP has a remarkable 293-158 cushion against opponents this season in the category, with the 18.3-9.9 ppg differential on average.
 
SHARING IS CARING
UTEP is dishing out 13.7 assists per contest to rate fourth in CUSA. The Miners have surpassed 20 assists three times, including setting a school record with 33 in the opener vs. Division III opponent McMurry on Nov. 6. Zid Powell (3.2 apg-eighth CUSA) and Tae Hardy (2.6 apg-tied 13th CUSA) lead the charge. Freshman David Terrell Jr. (1.9 apg-19th CUSA) and senior Calvin Solomon (1.8- tied 20th CUSA) have also been good at setting up teammates.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP has notched at least seven steals in all 16 games, with double-digit totals 10 times. That effort has led to it rating second in CUSA and fourth nationally at 11.2 thefts per game. Foes have committed 17 or more turnovers eight times, including Chicago State making 27 (most by DI Miner opponent since 2009-10 season) on Jan. 7. The Miners' 18.7 turnovers forced per game is second in CUSA and fourth in the country.
 
LOTS ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR OPPOSITION
UTEP has five players in the top 12 of Conference USA for steals per game, with those individuals also happening to be the top five scorers on the squad. Tae Hardy (1.9-third CUSA/94th NCAA) leads the way, with Zid Powell (1.8-fourth CUSA) close behind. Otis Frazier III (1.6-tied fifth CUSA), Corey Camper Jr. (1.4-tied seventh CUSA) and Calvin Solomon (1.3-tied 11th CUSA) round out the list. Last season, Solomon joined Randy Culpepper and Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway as the lone Miners in program history to average at least 2.0 steals per game.
 
HIGH-OCTANE BENCH
UTEP's reserves have helped the Miners put up 75.1 points per game (fifth CUSA), with the bench accounting for 25.8 ppg (fifth CUSA/75th NCAA). Overall, the Miners hold a 413-349 differential in reserve scoring. That works out to a 25.8-21.8 advantage per contest.
 
WHO IS PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Heading into Saturday's contest at FIU, three Miners are accounting for double figures in scoring on average while four others are between 5.0 ppg and 9.0 ppg. Senior Tae Hardy (14.7 ppg-fourth CUSA) tops the team. Buffalo transfer Zid Powell (11.4 ppg-14th CUSA) and junior Otis Frazier III (10.4 ppg-18th CUSA) join him in double digits on average. Senior Calvin Solomon (7.9 ppg), JUCO Honorable-Mention All-American (Tyler JC) Corey Camper Jr. (7.7 ppg), three-time CUSA Freshman of the Week Elijah Jones (5.5 ppg) and junior post Kevin Kalu (5.1 ppg) have also been threats. Aiding the balanced approach were eight different Miners (most on record) hitting double figures in scoring in the 120-71 season-opening win against McMurry on Nov. 6.
 
SAME GOES FOR PLAYING TIME
Ten different Miners have earned double figures in playing time on average, including seven who have appeared in every contest. Tae Hardy (32.0-first CUSA) is the only one on the squad to be earning more than 30.0 minutes per contest. Zid Powell (26.5 mpg) and Otis Frazier III (25.5 mpg) are the only others above 25.0 mpg.
 
UTEP IN THE RANKINGS
UTEP leads Conference USA in five major stat categories while placing second in the league in one others. The Miners top the conference in fastbreak scoring (18.3-second NCAA), free throw attempts per game (27.2-1-third NCAA), free throws made per game (18.7-10th NCAA), turnover margin (4.1-21st NCAA) and turnovers forced per contest (18.7-second NCAA). The Orange and Blue are second in CUSA for steals per game (11.2-fourth NCAA).
 
DERICK HARDLY MISSES
Derick Hamilton hasn't attempted enough field goals per game to qualify nationally for field-goal percentage, but he has done enough to show off his talents thus far in 2023-24. Hamilton is 14-22 from the floor (63.6 percent) in 56 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.
 
MORE THAN HALFWAY THROUGH THE REGULAR SEASON
The Miners are more than halfway through the regular season, having played 16 games (9-7). There are 15 left-all in CUSA play- prior to the 2024 Conference USA Championships in Huntsville, Ala.
 
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.
 
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 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 solid in the area in 2023-24, leading the league for total fans (44,141) and placing second in average attendance (4,414).
 
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 8-2 on the year at home this season.
 
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.
 
GOLDING REACHES 200 CAREER WINS
Third-year UTEP head coach Joe Golding guided the Miners past Wyoming, 78-67, on Dec. 21 to not only win the 2023 WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational but also hit the 200-career victory plateau. He is now 201-183 all time between Abilene Christian and UTEP, including 43-39 in his third season in the Sun City. That places him ninth on the Miners' all-time coaching win list. He needs four triumphs to surpass Jason Rabedeaux (46-46, 1999-02).
 
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 201-183 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach, including 43-39 at UTEP. Those 43 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. 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 opens up a two-game homestand with a nationally-televised (CBS Sports Network) match-up with Middle Tennessee at 7 p.m. Thursday. Tickets start as low as $9.15. For more information, please visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or call (915) 747-UTEP.