Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (9-8, 0-2 CUSA) will open up a vital two-game homestand by playing host to Middle Tennessee (6-11, 0-2 CUSA) in a nationally-televised contest (CBS Sports Network) at 7 p.m. MT Thursday. The Miners suffered a heartbreaking 72-68 defeat last time out at FIU on Jan. 13. UTEP led by 15 with seven minutes remaining before a furious rally by the Panthers allowed them to slip past the Miners. UTEP, however, now returns to the friendly confines of the Don Haskins Center where it stands a stout 8-2 on the season. The match-up against MT marks the beginning of a stretch with five of the next seven in the Sun City, and it will allow UTEP the opportunity to get things on track in league play. Standing in the Miners' way of starting it off strong is a squad equally hungry for a win. The Blue Raiders have dropped their first two league games-both at home and in single digits- and six of the past seven total. Most recently, MT was upended by CUSA-leading Sam Houston, 60-51, on Jan. 13. Similar to UTEP, the Blue Raiders are in search of their first road win (0-3) of the season. They do, however, have a neutral-site victory to their credit. This is the is first of two meetings on the season, with UTEP venturing to the "Volunteer State" on Feb. 17.  Jon Teicher (43rd year) and Steve Yellen (21st year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners App. It will also be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network with Alex Del Barrio (play-by-play) and Steve Wolf (analyst) 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 17 points away from 1,000 in his collegiate career. He heads into Thursday's contest with 983 total points between his time with SFA and UTEP, including 437 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 MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Middle Tennessee, which was tabbed alongside Liberty to win Conference USA in the Preseason poll, has struggled a bit in 2023-24. The Blue Raiders are 6-11 on the year, including 0-2 to start CUSA play. Both of those league losses came at home, with each by single digits. MT got out of the gates at 3-1, but it is 3-10 since, including losing two straight and six of the past seven. Most recently, it was dispatched by first-place Sam Houston, 60-51, on Jan. 13. The Blue Raiders are still in search of their first road win (0-3) of the season, having succumbed by at least 20 points in two of those three setbacks. Camryn Weston and Elias King were both Preseason All-CUSA honorees, but Weston went down with a season-ending injury two games into the campaign. Jestin Porter has stepped up to produce a team-leading 12.2 points per game (12th CUSA), in addition to topping the squad in assists (1.6-tied 22nd CUSA) and steals (1.1-tied 16th CUSA). King is also in double figures for scoring at 11.8 ppg (14th CUSA), with more than half (107 out of 188) of his attempts coming on 3-pointers. Porter also lives beyond-the-arc, having gone 28-97 (205 total field goals). Four-time Conference USA Freshman of the Week Chris Loofe has made an impact defensively, with a team-leading 0.9 blocks per game (eighth CUSA). Jared Coleman-Jones has done a bit of everything, tallying 8.6 ppg, pulling down a team-high 6.6 rebounds per game (third CUSA) and also blocking 0.8 shots per contest (12th CUSA). In fact, the Blue Raiders have four players among the top 15 in the league for CUSA to help them record 4.6 bpg (second CUSA/55th NCAA). MT is stout defensively across the board, yielding 65.8 ppg (fourth CUSA/54th NCAA), aided by the opposition connecting on just 30.4 percent from distance (fourth CUSA/57th NCAA). Making its efforts on that end of the court even more impressive is the fact that it only commits 15.2 fouls per game (second CUSA/49th NCAA). The problems for the Blue Raiders have come at the offensive end, where they are last in CUSA and 344th out of 351 teams nationally with 62.6 points per game. They are also last in the league and in the lower tier of the rankings nationally for assists (9.5-346th), bench scoring (15.0-313th), fastbreak scoring (6.8-307th), field-goal percentage (40.4-326th), free-throw percentage (65.5-324th) and 3-point percentage (27.2-340th). Notable alumni include Kelly Holcomb (NFL QB, including with the Cleveland Browns, from 1995-2007) and James McGill Buchanan (Nobel Prize Winner).
 
SERIES HISTORY: MIDDLE TENNESSEE LEADS, 10-6
Middle Tennessee holds an 10-6 advantage in the series with UTEP, but the Miners have claimed the past two match-ups when squaring off in El Paso. In fact, the Orange and Blue are 4-1 when challenging the Blue Raiders in the Sun City. Most recently, UTEP downed MT, 77-65, on "Senior Day" on March 4, 2023. All 16 match-ups between the programs have occurred since the Blue Raiders joined Conference USA for the 2013-14 campaign.
 
GOING BACK IN TIME
UTEP drained 59 percent from the floor (27-46), including 57 percent from 3-point range (8-14), but a late run by homestanding FIU allowed the Panthers to sneak past the Miners, 72-68, on Jan. 13. Tae Hardy tallied a team-high 15 points while freshmen Trey Horton (career-high 14 points) and David Terrell Jr. (10 points) joined him in double figures to lead the way offensively. Otis Frazier III added nine points (4-5 shooting) in addition to grabbing a game-leading six rebounds to buoy their efforts. The Miners led for nearly 38 minutes, including being up by 15 (64-49) with seven minutes left. The Panthers fought back, though, with a game-closing 23-4 run to complete the comeback. That included an 11-0 surge over the final 3:29, with FIU managing to take its first lead of the game with only 27 seconds left. UTEP had a chance to tie it, but it committed the final of its 25 turnovers in the game that resulted in a dunk to beat the buzzer and cap the contest.
 
DIALING IT IN FROM DISTANCE
UTEP is a combined 57.7 percent (15-26) on 3-pointers the past two games, a stark contrast from how it had been shooting the long ball. The Miners were 24.6 percent (48-195) in their first 12 contests of the campaign against Division I opposition.
 
TREYS FOR TREY HORTON III
One of the reasons for the uptake of 3-point shooting has been the emergence of freshman Trey Horton III. He is 7-9 on treys the past two contests, including a perfect 4-4 at FIU.
 
FRESHMAN OF WEEK HONORS FOR TREY
Trey Horton III was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Week on Jan. 15, marking the first such distinction of his career. Horton III came off the bench to tally a career-high 14 points in only 17 minutes of action in the narrow setback at FIU on Jan. 13. He was a robust 5-6 from the floor, including a perfect 4-4- from 3-point range.  The four treys set a career high, as did his two steals.
 
KEEP THEM COMING
Trey Horton III became the third different Miner this season to secure the CUSA Freshman of the Week Award. Elijah Jones took home the award the initial three weeks of the campaign. David Terrell Jr. was recognized on Jan. 8 before Horton III snagged the accolades this week, letting UTEP reign supreme in consecutive weeks. The five total honors match the most in the category since UTEP also had five in 2018-19.
 
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
UTEP slipped to 5-1 this season (3-1 vs. DI foes) when shooting better than 50 percent from the floor. The Miners nailed 58.7 percent of their shots at FIU but were dispatched, 72-68. A big factor in the setback was making a season-high 25 turnovers.
 
BACK-TO-BACK
For the second time this season, the Miners have connected on better than 50 percent from the floor in consecutive contests against DI opposition. UTEP previously did so against UC Santa Barbara and Austin Peay. UTEP hasn't had a three-game streak of at least 50 percent shooting vs. DI foes since the final five tilts of the 2015-16 campaign.
 
PILING UP THE GAMES AT 50 PERCENT
UTEP has registered six games on the year of shooting at least 50 percent, equaling the amount by both last year's team and the 2021-22 squad. The last time the Miners had more than six contests above 50 percent in a year was during the 2017-18 campaign when they recorded eight such tilts. 
 
STEALING THE SHOW
UTEP has posted 15 steals in consecutive contests against DI opposition for the time since at least 1991-92. Prior records are incomplete. The Miners had 15 thefts against both Chicago State (Jan. 7) and at FIU (Jan. 13).
 
PUTTING IT INTO PERSPECTIVE
UTEP has now had 11 games this year with double figures in steals, which surpasses the number of such contests for both the 2022-23 (10) and 2009-10 (nine) teams. That is significant given that the '22-23 and '09-10 Miners share the school record for steals in a season at 288.
 
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.
 
BREAKING THROUGH THAT FRESHMAN WALL
While he has gone through some typical ups and downs as a freshman, David Terrell Jr. is starting to play more consistent basketball of late. He has averaged 8.5 points on 12-18 shooting (66.7 percent) over the past four games, after putting up 3.5 ppg on 17-37 (45.9 percent) in the first 13 contests of the campaign. Terrell Jr. has tallied at least seven points in every game of the hot streak, surpassing the amount of such tilts (three) to begin his collegiate career. He even broke through in the form of securing a Conference USA Freshman of the Week Award on Jan. 8.
 
SAME GOES FOR HORTON III
It's been a similar story for fellow true Trey Horton III, who is coming on strong. He has scored 25 points (11 vs. Chicago State, Jan. 7, career-high 14 at FIU, Jan. 13) total the past two games on a combined 9-12 shooting. Horton III had tallied a total of 10 points on 2-12 shooting over his first seven collegiate contests.  Horton III has been lights out from distance during his heater, nailing 7-10 from distance. His efforts have also led to him being named the Conference USA Freshman of the Week on Jan. 15.
 
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 eight of the past nine games and a team-best 15 times total this season. He has also produced a squad-most three 20+ point showings.
 
ZID SCORES IN DOUBLE DIGITS, 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.
 
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 five straight contests, including a campaign-low three at FIU on Jan. 13. A streak like 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 6-2 on the season when leading at the half and a stout 7-1 this year when holding an advantage with five minutes remaining in regulation. It's not a recent trend, with the Miners a combined 33-7 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 11 times. UTEP's average of 11.5 steals per game rates second in the league and third 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 369 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-sixth CUSA), steals (1.9-third CUSA/88th NCAA), minutes per game (32.0-first CUSA), 3-pointers made (33), attempted (85) and 3-pointers per game (1.9-tied eighth CUSA). Hardy rates second in assists per game (2.6-tied 11th CUSA). He has reached double figures in scoring 15 times, including a team-best three 20+ point outings. The Ellenwood, Ga., native also moved past 1,000 career points (1,063) this year, with more than 600 of those coming with UTEP (659
 
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 a bit better 51.2 percent (62-121), an impressive feat given his scoring output has upped to 10.4 ppg (19th CUSA). He's getting after it on defense with 1.6 steals per game (tied fourth CUSA), in addition to working the boards (3.9 rpg-third team). 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 10 games and 10 times total this season.
 
ZID'S DOING HIS PART
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 (61-third CUSA) and attempted (84-second CUSA). He is second on the squad for scoring (11.1-16th CUSA) and rebounding (5.1-14th CUSA) and tied for third in steals (1.6-tied fourth CUSA. His 3.8 defensive boards per game pace the team and tie for eighth in 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 six of seven since then. He is second on the team for 3-pointers made (14) and attempted (48), fourth in steals (1.5-eighth CUSA) and fifth for scoring (7.5 ppg). The Arkansas native has also done a good job at the charity stripe, nailing 70.0 percent. That included going 2-2 in the waning seconds of the game against Chicago State to seal the victory. 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 (7.6 ppg), rebounding (3.6 rpg) and assists (1.7-tied 19th CUSA). He also shares the team lead in blocked shots at 0.6 bpg (tied 13th CUSA) and is tied for fifth in steals (1.3-tied 12th CUSA). He has proven to be a team player by coming off the bench six of the past seven 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 (55-fifth CUSA) and attempted (73-fifth CUSA). Solomon has drained 75.3 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 CRASHING THE BOARDS
Kevin Kalu has been all over the boards for the Miners in 2023-24. The junior is pulling down a team-high 5.4 rebounds per game (13th CUSA). He is tied for eighth in the league for offensive boards per game (1.9) and tied for 15th in CUSA for defensive rebounds per contest (3.5). He has pulled down at least four rebounds in 15 games. Kalu also shares the team lead in blocked shots (0.6-tied 13th CUSA). He is chipping in 4.8 ppg but is doing so 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. He nearly fouled out last time out at FIU, committing four infractions in five minutes.
 
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 (2.0-19th CUSA) and placing tied for fifth in steals (1.3 spg-tied 12th CUSA). His scoring is coming around as well. The CUSA Freshman of the Week on Jan. 8 has tallied at least seven points in four straight games for the first time of his career. He is putting up 8.5 ppg in that stretch.
 
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 (5.3 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 rotation. That includes making his first start as a Miner at NM State on Jan. 4. He's pitching in 3.1 ppg and 1.1 rpg in 12.5 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 (35.2 points in paint per game) and getting out in transition (17.9 fastbreak points per game-third NCAA) has led to them taking the seventh-most free throws per game (26.2) in the country. UTEP is also 15th nationally for free throws made per contest (17.9).
 
POUNDING THE PAINT
UTEP has demonstrated the ability to get points in the paint in 2023-24. Nearly half (598-1,269, 47.1 percent) of the Miners' points on the season have come in the paint. On the year, the Orange and Blue have a 598-492 advantage for points in the paint. That works out to 35.2 ppg in the paint for UTEP compared to 28.9 by foes.
 
LET'S GET OUT AND RUN
The Miners are accounting for 17.9 fastbreak points per game, the third-highest total in the country. They have tallied at least 12 points on the break in 15 of 17 contests this year, including a campaign-best 47 against USAO on Nov. 9. UTEP has a remarkable 305-158 cushion against opponents this season in the category, with the 17.9-9.3 ppg differential on average.
 
SHARING IS CARING
UTEP is dishing out 13.9 assists per contest to rate third 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 11th CUSA) lead the charge. Freshman David Terrell Jr. (2.0 apg-18th CUSA) and senior Calvin Solomon (1.7- tied 19th CUSA) have also been good at setting up teammates.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP has notched at least seven steals in all 17 games, with double-digit totals 11 times. That effort has led to it rating second in CUSA and third nationally at 11.5 thefts per game. Foes have committed 17 or more turnovers nine times, including Chicago State making 27 (most by DI Miner opponent since 2009-10 season) on Jan. 7. The Miners' 18.8 turnovers forced per game is second in both CUSA and in the country.
 
LOTS ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR OPPOSITION
UTEP has six players in the top 15 of Conference USA for steals per game, with five of those individuals also happening to be the top five scorers on the squad. Tae Hardy (1.9-third CUSA) leads the way. Zid Powell and Otis Frazier III produce 1.6 spg (tied fourth CUSA), followed by Corey Camper Jr. (1.5-tied eighth CUSA) and Calvin Solomon and David Terrell Jr. at 1.3 spg (tied 12th CUSA).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 74.6 points per game (fifth CUSA), with the bench accounting for 26.2 ppg (fourth CUSA/62nd NCAA). Overall, the Miners hold a 445-368 differential in reserve scoring. That works out to a 26.2-21.6 advantage per contest.
 
WHO IS PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Heading into Thursday's contest vs. Middle Tennessee, three Miners are accounting for double figures in scoring while three others are between 5.0 ppg and 8.0 ppg. Senior Tae Hardy (14.7 ppg-sixth CUSA) tops the team. Buffalo transfer Zid Powell (11.1 ppg-16th CUSA) and junior Otis Frazier III (10.4 ppg-19th CUSA) join him in double digits on average. Senior Calvin Solomon (7.6 ppg), JUCO Honorable-Mention All-American (Tyler JC) Corey Camper Jr. (7.5 ppg), three-time CUSA Freshman of the Week Elijah Jones (5.3 ppg) round out the list. 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. Otis Frazier III (25.8 mpg) and Zid Powell (25.4 mpg) and are the only others above 25.0 mpg.
 
UTEP IN THE RANKINGS
UTEP leads Conference USA in three major stat categories while placing second in the league in three others. The Miners top the conference in fastbreak scoring (17.9-fourth NCAA), free throw attempts per game (26.2-1-seventh NCAA) and free throws made per game (17.9-10th NCAA). The Orange and Blue are second for steals per game (11.5-third NCAA), turnover margin (3.6-39th NCAA) and turnovers forced per contest (18.8-second 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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 201-184 all time between Abilene Christian and UTEP, including 43-40 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 201-184 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach, including 43-40 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 wraps up the two-game homestand by playing host to WKU at 7 p.m. MT Saturday. Jon Teicher (43rd year) and Steve Yellen (21st year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners App. It will also stream on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Mando Medina (play-by-play) and former Miner Hooper Vint (analyst) describing the action. Tickets start as low as $9.15. For more information, please visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or call (915) 747-UTEP. Mike Maddux, UTEP alum and pitching coach for the 2023 World Champion Texas Rangers, will be recognized at the game.