GAME NOTES IN PDF FORMAT

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (11-9, 2-3 CUSA) will take aim at splitting its two-game roadswing when it plays at co-league leading Sam Houston (11-9, 4-1 CUSA) at 3:30 MT/4:30 p.m. CT Saturday. The Miners sustained a 68-54 setback at LA Tech, which shares first place in the league with the Bearkats, on Jan. 25. Sam Houston dispatched NM State, 79-67, on Jan. 25. It marked the fifth victory in the past six contests for the first-year Conference USA member. The effort allowed Sam Houston to keep pace with the Bulldogs atop the league, in addition to improving to 7-2 at home (3-0 CUSA). Road wins have been at a premium across CUSA play, with home teams sporting a combined mark of 19-4 in league contests. The Miners will be in search of both their first CUSA road triumph and initial road victory (0-6) of the season. A win would also allow them to earn a coveted split on the road trip, with a three-game homestand to follow. UTEP enters the match-up in a four-way tie for fifth place in the league standings at 2-3. The Orange and Blue will be relying heavily on their defensive pressure to limit opportunities for the Bearkats and to spark the offense. UTEP enters the contest pacing the NCAA in both turnovers forced per game (19.3) and steals per game (11.9), which has helped it rate second in the country at 18.6 fastbreak points per game. Sam Houston, however, does a good job at taking care of the basketball with 12.7 giveaways per game (third CUSA). This will be the first of two meetings on the campaign between the programs, with the Bearkats venturing to El Paso for a match-up on Feb. 24. It's also the first ever between the foes in Huntsville, as the initial eight meetings took place in El Paso. Jon Teicher (43rd 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 Tom Franklin and Ken Holland describing the action.
 
SOLOMON NEARLY TO 1,000 CAREER POINTS
Calvin Solomon is nine points away from 1,000 in his collegiate career. He heads into Saturday's contest with 991 total points between his time with SFA and UTEP, including 445 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 SAM HOUSTON
Conference USA newcomer Sam Houston is in the midst of a solid year, particularly in league play, after joining CUSA for the 2023-24 campaign. After suffering their first CUSA setback at Liberty, Sam Houston rebounded by knocking off NM State, 79-67, in a battle of first-place teams in Huntsville on Jan. 25. The effort allowed the Bearkats to improve to 11-9 on the year, including 4-1 in conference contests. It was a revenge of sorts for Sam Houston, as former head coach Jason Hooten departed to coach the Aggies following the end of last season. The overall record of 11-9 is a bit deceiving, given the difficult nonconference slate it endured. They played five Power Five teams, all on the road, and came up shy in each of them. That puts them at 11-4 on the campaign against everyone else. Sam Houston accounts for 72.1 points per game (sixth CUSA) but it gives up 71.7 points per game (tied sixth CUSA). The Bearkats do take care of business at the charity stripe with a league-leading 71.7 percent. The 'Kats get there early and often, making 15.1 free throws per game (third CUSA) on 21.0 attempts per contest (fourth CUSA). They also do a good job of pressuring the opposition, forcing 14.2 turnovers per game (fourth CUSA/60th NCAA). Sam Houston has struggled from the floor with a readout our 40.8 percent (eighth CUSA/323rd NCAA), but it can get hot from distance. That is evidenced by its 7.3 triples per game (fourth CUSA). The 'Kats also do a good job of ball security with 12.7 turnovers per contest (third CUSA), crashing the offensive boards (12.0-first CUSA/88th NCAA) and fastbreak scoring (11.7-third CUSA). Lamar Wilkerson leads the way offensively with 14.9 points per game (fourth CUSA). Davon Barnes (14.1 ppg-seventh CUSA) joins him in double figures, but there's a drop from that point on. Six others contribute between 5.5 ppg and 7.5 ppg. Wilkerson has been on point at the line, missing just eight times (55-63) all season for a mark of 87.3 (second CUSA/51st NCAA). Barnes does a really good job as well, nailing 67-78 (85.9 percent) to rate third in CUSA and 72nd in the NCAA. Sam Houston boasts three players within the top-15 in the league for rebounding. Kain Scroggins tops the team at 5.8 rpg (tied sixth CUSA) while Damon Nicholas Jr. (5.6 rpg-tied 10th CUSA) and Souleymana Doumbia (5.5 rpg-12th CUSA) are close behind. Doumbia paces the squad in blocked shots (1.2-tied fifth CUSA). Jaden Ray directs the offense with 4.0 assists per game (fifth CUSA). Notable university alumni include retired Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell, who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart and inspired the movie, Lone Survivor, Dan Rather (famed national news anchor) and Charlie Wilson, member of US House of Representatives who was portrayed in the movie Charlie Wilson's War featuring Tom Hanks.
 
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 8-0
UTEP has won all eight match-ups with Sam Houston, but every one of those games was held in El Paso. The Miners' match-up on Saturday will not only be the first against the Bearkats that is played outside the Sun City, it is also the initial meeting between the foes since Sam Houston joined Conference USA. Six of the eight contests were decided by double figures, including an 87-68 UTEP victory in the championship contest of the 2015 WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational on Dec. 22, 2015. That was the most-recent meeting between the sides. Head coach Joe Golding is familiar with the Bearkats, having faced them 15 times in his time with Abilene Christian.
 
GOING BACK IN TIME
UTEP forced 19 turnovers and crashed the offensive glass hard (15 offensive rebounds) but couldn't overcome a tough shooting night in a 68-54 setback at first-place LA Tech on Jan. 25. The size and physical play by the Bulldogs played a factor in the Miners finishing at 29.5 percent (18-61) from the floor, including 17.6 percent (3-17) from distance. LA Tech, which certainly struggled with UTEP's nation-leading 19.3 turnovers forced per game defense, overcame that by shooting 48.8 percent (21-43) from the floor. The home side also connected on 42.9 percent from 3-point range (6-14).
 
FREE THROWS MATTERED
LA Tech went 20-33 at the charity stripe compared to the Miners' readout of 15-22. The differential was particularly noticeable in the first frame when the Bulldogs went 12-17 and UTEP was 4-6. Both teams had 10 field goals in that opening stanza, but LA Tech carried a seven-point advantage (34-27) heading into halftime.
 
BIG TOTAL FOR OPPOSITION
LA Tech's 33 free throw attempts were the second most in a game by a Miner opponent this season, trailing only the 48 by ACU on Dec. 17.
 
WON MOST OF THE SPECIALTY STATS
UTEP had advantage in the majority of the specialty stats at LA Tech. The Miners outperformed the Bulldogs on points off turnovers (14-7), points in the pain (22-20), fastbreak scoring (12-3) and bench points (20-11). UTEP had been 6-0 on the year when winning those four categories.
 
TAKING CARE OF THE BALL
UTEP has recorded three straight games with 14 or fewer turnovers for the first time this season. That includes committing just 12 giveaways at LA Tech.
 
LA TECH STRUGGLED WITH PRESSURE
LA Tech entered the match-up with UTEP making the second-fewest turnovers (12.2 tpg) in Conference USA, but similar to other opponents, the Bulldogs were flustered by the Miners' pressure. UTEP forced 19 turnovers, marking the fifth straight opponent to commit at least that many. 
 
DROPPING DIMES
David Terrell Jr. came off the bench to tally eight points and dish out a team-best five assists at LA Tech on Jan. 25. His five helpers are his most against a DI opponent this year and one shy of his career best (six, vs. USAO, Nov. 9).
 
HITTING THE OFFENSIVE GLASS
UTEP pulled down 15 offensive rebounds at LA Tech, marking the second straight game it reached double digits in the category after behind held to single figures for six consecutive contests.
 
REGROUP AND RELOAD
After draining at least 46 percent from the floor in four straight games, UTEP was held to its lowest shooting percentage (29.5 percent) at LA Tech since finishing at 26.3 percent vs. UCR on Nov. 21, 2021. One thing that impacted the Miners' shooting percentage was LA Tech finishing with an opponent season-high nine blocked shots. 
 
GOTTA GET TO 70
UTEP has had tremendous success this season when tallying at least 70 points. The Miners are 10-1 on the campaign when scoring 70+ points, including putting up 93 points in the win vs. WKU on Jan. 20. That was the most points vs. a DI foe since the Miners surpassed the century mark in a 101-89 victory against Rice on Jan. 8, 2021.
 
TURNING IT AROUND ON FREE THROWS
After shooting just 61.3 percent (76-124) on free throws over the first four games, the Miners are at 72.0 percent (289-401) in the 16 contests since. That includes five games of at least 75 percent during that timeframe, including three at 80 percent or better.
 
UTEP SWEEPS CUSA WEEKLY AWARDS
Otis Frazier III (Player of the Week) and Elijah Jones (Freshman of the Week) helped UTEP sweep the Conference USA Weekly awards, it was announced by the league office on Jan. 23. It is the first time since the 2018-19 campaign (Nov. 26, 2018) that the Orange and Blue staked both the Player of the Week (Evan Gilyard) and Freshman of the Week (Efe Odigie) honors in the same week. It is the first career CUSA Player of the Week award for Frazier III and second of the season for UTEP (Zid Powell, Dec. 26, 2023). The last time the Miners had multiple Player of the Week honors was in 2019-20 when Bryson Williams took it home three times and Daryl Edwards did so once. Jones has now won CUSA Freshman of the Week four times this year, tying as the second most in school history. Vince Hunter holds the record at five in 2013-14 while Jones now shares second place with Julian Washburn (four times, '11-12).
 
STREAKING ON FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
UTEP has claimed the Conference USA Freshman of the Week Award in three consecutive weeks, marking the first time since 2011-12 and second occasion ever that the Miners have done so. David Terrell Jr. claimed it on Jan. 8 before Trey Horton III secured the accolade on Jan. 15 and Jones on Jan. 22. The six total honors this year tie as the most ever in the category at the school, with the 2013-14 team also boasting six CUSA Freshman of the Week honors.
 
MORE ON OTIS
Otis Frazier III averaged 13.5 points per game, on a team-leading 64.3 percent from the floor, to go along with pacing the team in rebounding (6.5 rpg), assists (4.0 apg) and steals (6.0 spg) during the pair of UTEP victories. That was aided by a historic performance against Middle Tennessee, where he became the first DI or NBA Player in the last 25 years to have 20+ points (21), 8+ steals (school-record tying eight) and shoot 100% from the floor (6-6) in that game. The junior had nine rebounds, six assists, six points and four steals (three in the final seven minutes) in the victory against WKU.
 
BIG IMPACT IN LITTLE MINUTES
Elijah Jones was a spark off the bench in both of UTEP's victories on the week. He averaged 5.5 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per contest and 1.0 blocks per game in only 7.6 minutes per game. He was combined perfect 5-5 from floor.
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DIGIT STEALS
The Miners registered 11 steals at LA Tech on Jan. 25, marking their sixth consecutive contest and 14th overall on the year with 10+ steals. That effort has helped them vault to the top of the national ratings with 11.9 steals per game. UTEP enjoyed a school-record four-contest streak with 15+ steals. To put the Miners' 14 games with at least 10 thefts into perspective, consider that the figure already surpasses the number of such contests by 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.
 
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. 
 
FINDING WAYS TO WIN LATE
After having lost 22 straight games when trailing with five minutes to play, the Miners are 3-3 when faced with that situation since halting the skid against Norfolk State on Dec. 20. UTEP trailed by two in that contest with five minutes left before fighting back for a 67-65 victory. UTEP was down four points with 4:10 left against Chicago State, but it closed the game on a 13-4 run for the win.  In the most-recent victory in the situation, WKU was up by one with 5:18 left but UTEP overcame that as part of a contest-closing 21-12 surge.
 
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 11 of the past 12 games and a team-best 18 times total this season. He has also produced a squad-most five 20+ point showings.
 
ZID SCORES IN DOUBLE DIGITS, WE WIN
UTEP is 9-1 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 2-8 (0-8 vs. DI opposition) when Powell falls short of 10 points.
 
GET THE LEAD AND WE'RE PRETTY, PRETTY GOOD
UTEP is 8-2 on the season when leading at the half and a stout 8-1 this year when holding an advantage with five minutes remaining in regulation. It's not a recent trend, with the Miners a combined 35-7 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 14 times. UTEP's average of 11.9 steals per game leads the nation. The Miners tied the school record for steals with 288 last year, but they are on pace to smash that figure with 381 thefts. UTEP already has 237 thefts heading into Saturday's contest and needs to average just 4.3 steals per tilt the rest of the way to best the school standard.
 
TURNOVERS DO TOO FOR OPPONENTS
UTEP is leading the country by forcing 19.3 turnovers per game, which projects to 618 by season's end. The school record for most turnovers in a season by Miner opponents is 573, which was set in 2007-08. To break that standard, the Miners must force 15.6 turnovers per game the rest of the way.
 
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 (15.4-third CUSA), minutes per game (32.6-first CUSA), 3-pointers made (41), attempted (105) and 3-pointers per game (2.1-seventh CUSA). Hardy rates second in assists per game (2.5-tied 14th CUSA) and steals (2.0-fourth CUSA/61st NCAA. Hardy has hit at least one triple in all but one contest. He has reached double figures in scoring 18 times, aided by six straight and 11 of the past 12. He has produced a team-best five 20+ point outings, including three of the past six times out. The Ellenwood, Ga., native also moved past 1,000 career points (1,121) this year, with more than 700 of those coming with UTEP (719).
 
OTIS STEPPING UP
Junior Otis Frazier III, who was named the CUSA Player of the Week for the first time of his career on Jan. 22, has continued to ascend. He averaged 2.5 ppg in 35 appearances for George Mason from 2020-22 before transferring to UTEP. Last year he averaged 7.5 ppg on 50.3 percent (81-161) shooting in his first year with the Miners. His numbers are even better this year, accounting for 10.7 ppg (tied 17th CUSA) with a readout of 51.0 percent (73-143). He's getting after it on defense, leading the squad at 2.1 steals per contest (third CUSA/43rd NCAA). That figure was boosted by a school-record tying eight steals vs. Middle Tennessee on Jan. 18. Frazier III is also working the boards (4.2 rpg-third team/24th 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 68.7 percent (57-83) from the charity stripe after finishing at 40-63 from the line (63.5 percent) a season ago. He is tied for second on the team in makes (tied fifth CUSA) and is alone in second for attempts (fifth CUSA). Frazier III has hit double figures in scoring 11 times total this season (second on team)
 
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 (3.0 apg-ninth CUSA), free throws made (74-second CUSA) and attempted 101-second CUSA). He is the only Miner with at least one helper in each contest this year. He's hitting 73.3 percent at the charity stripe, including missing just four times in league play (18-22, 81.8 percent). Powell is second on the squad for scoring (11.2-16th CUSA) and rebounding (5.0-15th CUSA) and is third in steals (1.7-tied fifth CUSA. His 3.7 defensive boards per game pace the team and tie for 12th in CUSA. Powell has produced 10 double-digit scoring efforts (UTEP is 9-1 in those tilts), including the most points by a Miner since '21-22 with a career-high 32 vs. Wyoming on Dec. 21.
 
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 nine of 10 since. He is second on the team for 3-pointers made (16) and attempted (57), fourth in scoring (8.1 ppg) and tied for fifth in steals (1.4-tied 10th CUSA). The Arkansas native has also done a good job at the charity stripe, nailing 73.5 percent. That included going 2-2 in the waning seconds of the game against Chicago State to seal the victory. Camper Jr. has seven games with double-digit scoring totals, including a career-high 19 points last time out vs. WKU. The Miners are 7-0 when he hits double figures for points.
 
SOLOMON'S ALL-AROUND GAME
Senior Calvin Solomon is displaying the full arsenal of his abilities in 2023-24, rating second on the squad in blocked shots (0.6 bpg-tied 13th CUSA), fourth in rebounding (3.7), assists (1.6) and steals (1.5-tied seventh CUSA). He also contributes 7.0 ppg (fifth on team). He has proven to be a team player by coming off the bench in nine of the past 10 contests. Solomon has also done an outstanding job of drawing contact and finishing at the free throw line once there. He is tied for second for free throws made (57-tied fifth CUSA) and third in attempts (77-eighth CUSA). Solomon has drained 74.0 percent, the second 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 ON THE GLASS
Kevin Kalu has been the top rebounder for the Miners in 2023-24, pulling down a team-leading 5.1 rpg (tied 13th CUSA). The junior is 10th in the league for offensive boards per game (1.8) and tied for 19th in CUSA for defensive rebounds per contest (3.3). 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 4.5 ppg but is doing so at an efficient 59.0 percent (36-61) from the floor. One area of concern has been his team-leading three foul outs. Five 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 (2.1-18th CUSA) and placing tied for fifth in steals (1.5 spg-tied 10th CUSA). His scoring is coming around as well, as he's elevated it to 4.9 ppg on a strong 48.6 percent from the floor. The CUSA Freshman of the Week on Jan. 8 has scored at least six points in six of the past seven contests.
 
4X CUSA FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
UTEP forward Elijah Jones has been named the Conference USA Freshman of the Week four times this season, including each of the first three weeks. He became the first Miner in program history to win three straight CUSA Freshman of the Week honors, with it being more impressive that he did it out of the gates. After a strong showing in a pair of home wins against Middle Tennessee (Jan. 18) and WKU (Jan. 20), he picked up his fourth such honor on Jan. 22. Overall, Jones is second among reserves and sixth overall for scoring (5.2 ppg). He adds 2.2 rpg (third for Miner back-ups and seventh overall). He is an accurate free throw shooter, connecting on 12-16 (75.0 percent). He is also 7-19 (36.8 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 included making his first start as a Miner at NM State on Jan. 4. He's chipping in 2.6 ppg and 1.0 rpg in 10.4 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 (34.0 points in paint per game) and getting out in transition (18.6 fastbreak points per game-second NCAA) has led to them taking the fifth-most free throws per game (26.3) in the country. UTEP is also ninth nationally for free throws made per contest (18.3). The Miners have four players within the top 10 of CUSA for free throws made, including league-leading Zid Powell (74). He is joined in the top 10 by Otis Frazier III, Tae Hardy and Calvin Solomon, all of whom tie for fifth with 57 tosses.
 
POUNDING THE PAINT
UTEP has demonstrated the ability to get points in the paint in 2023-24. A good chunk (680-1,489, 45.5 percent) of the Miners' points on the season have come in the paint. On the year, the Orange and Blue have a 680-606 advantage for points in the paint. That works out to 34.0 ppg in the paint for UTEP compared to 30.3 by foes.
 
LET'S GET OUT AND RUN
The Miners are accounting for 18.6 fastbreak points per game, the second-highest average in the country. They have tallied at least 12 points on the break in 18 of 20 contests this year, including a campaign-best 47 against USAO on Nov. 9. Their DI high (31 vs. WKU) was the most since the '06-07 season when they also had 31 vs. Marshall. UTEP has a remarkable 372-193 cushion against opponents this season in the category, with the 18.6-9.7 ppg differential on average.
 
SHARING IS CARING
UTEP is dishing out 13.3 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 (3.0 apg-ninth eighth CUSA) and Tae Hardy (2.5 apg-tied 14th CUSA) lead the charge. Freshman David Terrell Jr. (2.1 apg-18th CUSA) has also been good at setting up teammates.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP has notched at least seven steals in all 20 games, with double-digit totals 14 times. That effort has led to it leading the nation in both steals per game (11.9) and turnovers forced per contest (19.3). Foes have committed at least 17 turnovers 13 times, including the past six. During the recent stretch both Chicago State (Jan.7) and Middle Tennessee (Jan. 18) committed 27 turnovers, the most by a DI Miner opponent since Norfolk State had 32 on Dec. 28, 2009.
 
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. Otis Frazier III (2.1-tied second CUSA/43rd NCAA) leads the way, with Tae Hardy (2.0-fourth CUSA/61st NCAA) just back of him. Zid Powell is at 1.7 spg (tied fifth CUSA), and he is followed by Calvin Solomon (1.5-tied seventh CUSA). Corey Camper Jr. and David Terrell Jr. round out the list at 1.4 spg (tied 10th 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 74.5 points per game (fifth CUSA), with the bench accounting for 24.6 ppg (fifth CUSA/76th NCAA). Overall, the Miners hold a 492-425 differential in reserve scoring. That works out to a 24.6-21.3 advantage per contest.
 
WHO IS PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Heading into Saturday's contest at Sam Houston, three Miners are accounting for double figures in scoring while three others are between 5.0 ppg and 8.5 ppg. Senior Tae Hardy (15.4 ppg-third CUSA) tops the team. Buffalo transfer Zid Powell (11.2 ppg-16th CUSA) and junior Otis Frazier III (10.7 ppg-tied 17th CUSA) join him in double digits on average. JUCO Honorable-Mention All-American (Tyler JC) Corey Camper Jr. (8.1 ppg), senior Calvin Solomon (6.9 ppg) and four-time CUSA Freshman of the Week Elijah Jones (5.2 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.
 
WHAT ABOUT PLAYING TIME
Ten different Miners have earned double figures in playing time on average, including seven who have appeared in every contest. Tae Hardy (32.6-first CUSA) is the only one on the squad to be earning more than 30.0 minutes per contest. Otis Frazier III (26.7 mpg) and Zid Powell (25.8 mpg) and are the only others above 25.0 mpg.
 
UTEP IN THE RANKINGS
UTEP leads Conference USA in six major stat categories. The Miners top the conference in fastbreak scoring (18.6-second NCAA), free throw attempts per game (26.3-1-fifth NCAA), free throws made per game (18.3-ninth NCAA), steals per game (11.9-first NCAA), turnover margin (4.4-16th NCAA) and turnovers forced per contest (19.3-first NCAA). UTEP is also in the top-100 nationally for bench scoring (24.6-sixth CUSA/76th NCAA) and 3-point field-goal percentage defense (31.6-fifth CUSA/93rd 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 the first buzzer beater for UTEP 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 (52,125) and placing second in average attendance (4,344).
 
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.
 
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 203-185 all time between Abilene Christian and UTEP, including 45-41 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 203-185 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach, including 45-41 at UTEP. Those 45 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 returns to the friendly confines of the Don Haskins Center (10-2 record) where it will open a three-game homestand by playing host to Jax State at 7 p.m. MT Thursday.  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) describing the action. Tickets start as low as $9.15. For more information, please visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or call (915) 747-UTEP.