Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (11-10, 2-4 CUSA) will open up an important three-game homestand against Jax State (11-10, 3-3 CUSA) at 7 p.m. MT Thursday. The Miners have dropped consecutive contests-both on the road- but now return to the Don Haskins Center where they boast a mark of 10-2 (2-0 CUSA). Standing in the way of UTEP getting back into the win column and regaining some momentum are the Gamecocks, who are tied for the most overall road victories among CUSA programs this year with a mark of 4-6. That includes standing 1-2 in road CUSA contests, making Jax State one of just three teams in the league to boast a road conference triumph. Entering this week's slate of games, home teams in CUSA action are a combined 23-4. The matchup with the Gamecocks is the start of a stretch of three straight and five of the next seven that the Orange and Blue will have at home, and in order to move up in the standings, UTEP will have to continue to defend the Don. Last time out, the Miners were clipped 60-56 at co-league leading Sam Houston on Jan. 27. Jax State halted a three-game skid with a 73-62 triumph against Liberty on the same date. It will be the first of two meetings between the programs, with the Orange and Blue venturing to Jacksonville, Ala. on Feb. 29.  Jax State does a decent job of ball security (13.6 turnovers per game), but it will be tested by the Miners. UTEP paces the country in both steals per game (11.9) and turnovers forced per contest (19.4) and is on track to set single-season school records for each. 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.
 
SOLOMON JOINS HARDY WITH 1,000 CAREER POINTS
Calvin Solomon scored nine points at Sam Houston on Jan. 27, allowing him to hit 1,000 for his career. Fellow senior Tae Hardy surpassed 1,000 career points in the Orange and Blue's victory against Wyoming on Dec. 21.
 
GET TO KNOW JAX STATE
First-year Conference USA member Jax State is 11-10 on the season, including 3-3 in Conference USA play to secure a share of third place. The Gamecocks are one of three teams in the league (LA Tech and Sam Houston) to have won a road contest since the start of conference play. Overall, Jax State stands 4-6 on the road (1-2 CUSA), which puts it tied with LA Tech and WKU for the most total victories in hostile territory this season. Two of its three league wins have come against preseason league co-favorite Liberty, including a 73-62 home triumph last time out on Jan. 27. It played like one of the best teams in the league in that contest, nailing 62.2 percent from the floor and committing only 10 turnovers. Jax State forged a mark of 8-7 in nonconference play, an impressive feat given that it was saddled with a 1-4 start to the season before going 7-3 to head into CUSA play with momentum. Jax State gets after it on both ends of the court. It leads CUSA and is 75th in the nation in field-goal percentage (46.8) while rating fourth in the league and 81st in the NCAA for field-goal percentage defense (41.5). It yields only 63.9 points per game (third CUSA/19th NCAA), aided by holding foes to 30.8 percent (second CUSA/56th NCAA) from 3-point range. Another area where the Gamecocks thrive is on the boards. They boast a +6.1 rebounding margin (second CUSA/37th NCAA). Jax State is also among the CUSA and NCAA leaders for bench scoring (26.6-third CUSA/45th NCAA) and blocks per game (4.0-third CUSA/92nd NCAA). Individually, high-octane scorer KyKy Tandy pours in a CUSA-leading 19.0 ppg (51st NCAA). He's the only player in double figures for scoring, but six others contribute between 5.0 and 8.5 ppg. Juwan Perdue makes his presence felt by topping the team in both rebounds per game (5.6-12th CUSA) and steals per contest (1.2-15th CUSA). He pitches in 8.2 ppg. Quincy Clark pitches in 8.4 ppg while dishing out a squad-most 2.6 assists per game (tied 10th CUSA). Mason Nicholson is a difference maker on the defensive end, swatting 1.3 blocks per game (third CUSA) while grabbing 4.2 rebounds per contest. There have been eight contests this year where Jax State committed 12 turnovers or less, but it will be tested against the Orange and Blue's nation-leading 19.3 turnovers forced per game. Notable alumni include Ashley Martin (became the first woman to play and score in an NCAA Division I American football game) and Cary Guffey (star of the 1977 Steven Spielberg film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind").
 
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 1-0
UTEP won the only prior match-up with Jax State, coming away with a 76-53 victory on Dec. 18, 1995.
 
GOING BACK IN TIME
UTEP gave first-place Sam Houston everything it wanted before coming up just shy in a 60-56 road setback on Jan. 27. The Miners asserted themselves well early, racing out to seven-point advantages on three different occasions, including leading the Bearkats by a score of 28-21 with about three minutes left in the first half. The home side fought back, tallying seven straight to close out the frame. Sam Houston continued that momentum into the second stanza, eventually wrapping a 21-2 run around halftime to seemingly take control of the contest with a 42-30 cushion with 15:02 remaining in regulation.  UTEP had other ideas, whittling the deficit all the way down to one (56-55) with 4:28 on the clock, but the Bearkats managed to hold on. The Miners had four different shots that refused to go down with the margin still at one but couldn't get them to go as Sam Houston held on.
 
TURNOVERS FORCED STREAK CONTINUES
Sam Houston, which entered the game making just 12.7 turnovers per game (third CUSA) was forced into 22 giveaways by the Miners. UTEP, which leads the country in 19.4 turnovers per contest, has now harassed six straight opponents and 11 total on the season to at least 19 turnovers. The six consecutive contests with 19+ turnovers by foes is the longest streak on record at the school.
 
STEALING THE SHOW
David Terrell Jr. made his presence felt off the bench with six points, and a game and career-high tying four steals in 30 minutes of action at Sam Houston. He played the majority of the second stanza after Otis Frazier III went down with an injury.
 
STEALS STREAK CONTINUES
UTEP registered 13 steals at Sam Houston, marking the school-record seventh straight game with at least 10 thefts. The Miners have done so in 11 of the past 13 contests, helping them up their average to a nation-leading 11.9 steals per game.
 
CHECKING IN ON SINGLE-SEASON MARK
UTEP has already recorded 250 steals on the season, and barring something unforeseen, it will blow past the program standard of 288 that is shared by the 2009-10 and 2022-23 teams. The 1986-87 (284) squad is currently third, followed by the 1987-88 (260) and 2006-07 (259) units. By the week's ends, the Miners will most likely have moved into fourth on the list.
 
HISTORIC STEALS STRETCH
The Miners' seven straight games with 10+ steals is a school record. It included a stretch with 15+ steals in four consecutive contests, which tied as the second longest in the nation dating to 1996-97 (according to NCAA research). Missouri (five, 2022-23) had the most in that stretch, followed by the Miners, Clemson (four, 2009-10), Georgetown (four, 2003-04), Pittsburgh (four, 1998-99) and West Virginia (four, 1997-98). 
 
MAKE IT 15 GAMES WITH 10+ STEALS
UTEP has recorded 15 games with at least 10 steals on the season. To put the Miners' 15 games with at least 10 thefts into perspective, consider that the figure easily 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.
 
HITTING THE OFFENSIVE GLASS
UTEP has recorded 10+ offensive rebounds three consecutive contests. It's a nice bounce-back in the category with the Orange and Blue having been held to single-digit offensive boards in the prior six tilts.
 
DEFENDED WITHOUT FOULING
UTEP held Sam Houston to 60 points, the second-lowest total by a Miner opponent this season. Making that figure more impressive is that it did so without fouling. The Miners were called for 12 fouls, their fewest on a contest this year.
 
GUARDED THE 3-BALL
UTEP limited Sam Houston to 3-13 from distance, with the three makes tying as a Miner opponent season low. Overall, UTEP foes are now shooting 31.3 percent (114-364) from 3-point range. That is fourth in CUSA and 70th in the NCAA.
 
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.
 
NOT MANY FREE THROWS
UTEP garnered 17 free throw attempts at Sam Houston on Jan. 27, its second-fewest tosses attempted on the campaign. The Miners couldn't get into a rhythm as result, finishing at 58.8 percent (10-17) at the charity stripe. It was a similar story for the home side, which went 5-10 (50.0 percent). The 10 free throw attempts set an opponent season low.
 
DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE
UTEP has been a different team when playing at home compared to on the road, especially with its offensive output. UTEP is putting up 83.5 ppg (58.4 ppg on road) on 49.8 percent shooting (38.4 percent on road). The Miners are +0.4 on the boards at home (-8.9 on the road.)
 
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 71.5 percent (299-418) in the 17 contests since. That includes five games of at least 75 percent during that timeframe, including three at 80 percent or better.
 
TERRELL JR. NAMED CUSA FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
David Terrell Jr. was selected as the Conference USA Freshman of the Week, the league office announced on Jan. 29. It marked the second time in the past three weeks that he's taken home the honor. He continued his development by making his presence felt off the bench in a pair of road contests. He registered 7.0 points per game, 3.0 assists per contest and 3.0 steals per game while making only two total turnovers in 29.4 minutes per tilt. Terrell Jr. started the week off with eight points and five assists to go along with two steals at LA Tech on Jan. 25. The five helpers set a career best for him against DI opposition. The Dallas native followed that up with six points and a career-high tying four steals at Sam Houston on Jan. 27.
 
STREAKING ON FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
UTEP has claimed the Conference USA Freshman of the Week Award in four consecutive weeks, a program first. The Miners have now compiled seven on the season, also a school record. David Terrell Jr. started the current streak by taking it home on Jan. 8. That was followed by Trey Horton III (Jan. 15), Elijah Jones Jan. 22) before Terrell Jr. did so again on Jan. 29. UTEP has now secured seven of the 12 Freshman of the Week accolades this season. Jones set the tone by claiming it the first three weeks of the season. The next five weeks went to Middle Tennessee (four times) and Liberty (once), but UTEP has won the past four.
 
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 3-4 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. The Miners nearly pulled out the feat at Sam Houston, but they were held off.
 
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 12 of the past 13 games and a team-best 19 times total this season. He has also produced a squad-most five 20+ point showings, in addition to topping the team in old-fashioned three-point plays (eight).
 
ZID SCORES IN DOUBLE DIGITS, WE WIN
UTEP is 9-2 on the season when senior Zid Powell hits double figures in scoring, with the lone setbacks in the situation coming by a combined 10 points (L, 88-82, at ACU, Dec. 17 and L, 60-56, at Sam Houston, Jan. 27). 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 15 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 barring a major drop off, they will smash that figure this season. UTEP is on pace to finish with 381 steals. It has 250 steals heading into Thursday's tilt. The Miners need to average just 3.54 steals the rest of the way to break the school record.
 
TURNOVERS DO TOO FOR OPPONENTS
UTEP is leading the country by forcing 19.4 turnovers per game, which projects to 621 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 15.2 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 (15.3-third CUSA), minutes per game (32.8-first CUSA), 3-pointers made (43), attempted (113) and 3-pointers per game (2.0-seventh CUSA). Hardy rates second in assists per game (2.5-tied 12th CUSA) and steals (1.9-fourth CUSA/73rd NCAA. Hardy has hit at least one triple in all but one contest. He has reached double figures in scoring 19 times, aided by seven straight and 12 of the past 13. He has produced a team-best five 20+ point outings. The Ellenwood, Ga., native also moved past 1,000 career points (1,134) this year, with more than 700 of those coming with UTEP (732).
 
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 scoring is even better this year, accounting for 10.3 ppg (19th CUSA) with a readout of 50.3 percent (74-147). He's getting after it on defense, leading the squad at 2.1 steals per contest (second CUSA/36th 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 (4.0 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 little better rate. Frazier III is at 67.1 percent (57-85) 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 makes and is in second for attempts (sixth 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 (2.9 apg-ninth CUSA), free throws made (76-second CUSA) and attempted (104-second CUSA).  He's hitting 73.1 percent at the charity stripe, including missing just five times in league play (20-25, 80.0 percent). Powell is second on the squad for scoring (11.1-16th 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 10th in CUSA. Powell has produced 11 double-digit scoring efforts (UTEP is 9-2 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 10 of 11 since. He is second on the team for 3-pointers made (17) and attempted (60), fourth in scoring (8.0 ppg) and sixth in steals (1.3-tied 12th CUSA). The Arkansas native has also done a good job at the charity stripe, nailing 73.5 percent (36-49). 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 in the win 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 (3.8), assists (1.6) and tied for fourth steals (1.5-tied eighth CUSA). He also contributes 7.0 ppg (fifth on team). He has proven to be a team player by coming off the bench in 10 of the past 11 contests. Solomon has also done an outstanding job of drawing contact and finishing at the free throw line once there. He is second for free throws made (69-fifth CUSA) and third in attempts (81-seventh CUSA). Solomon has drained 74.1 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. The Houston native also hit 1,000 career points in the setback at Jax State last time out on Jan. 27.
 
KALU MAKING HIS MARK
Kevin Kalu has the team lead for UTEP in both blocked shots (0.6-13th CUSA) and rebounds (5.0-14th CUSA). The junior is first on the team and 10th in the league for offensive boards per game (1.8) and second on the squad and tied for 20th in CUSA for defensive rebounds per contest (3.3). He has pulled down at least four rebounds in 16 games. He is chipping in 4.6 ppg but is doing so at an efficient 60.0 percent (39-65) from the floor.
 
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 (2.0-18th CUSA) and tied for fourth in steals (1.5 spg-tied eighth CUSA). His scoring is coming around as well, as he's elevated it to 4.9 ppg on a solid 47.3 percent from the floor. The two-time CUSA Freshman of the Week (Jan. 8 and Jan. 29) has scored at least six points in seven of the past eight contests. He averaged 7.0 points, 3.0 steals and 3.0 assists in a pair of road tilts this past week on the way to garnering CUSA Freshman of the Week honors.
 
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 (5.0 ppg). He adds 2.1 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 1.1 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 (33.7 points in paint per game) and getting out in transition (18.4 fastbreak points per game-second NCAA) has led to them taking the sixth-most free throws per game (25.8-first CUSA) in the country. UTEP is also 12th nationally for free throws made per contest (17.9-first CUSA). The Miners have three players within the top six of CUSA for free throws made, including league-leading Zid Powell (76). He is joined in the top six by Calvin Solomon (60-fifth) and Otis Frazier III (58-sixth).
 
POUNDING THE PAINT
UTEP has demonstrated the ability to get points in the paint in 2023-24. A good chunk (708-1,545, 45.8 percent) of the Miners' points on the season have come in the paint. On the year, the Orange and Blue have a 708-650 advantage for points in the paint. That works out to 33.7 ppg in the paint for UTEP compared to 30.9 by foes.
 
LET'S GET OUT AND RUN
The Miners are accounting for 18.4 fastbreak points per game, the second-highest average in the country. They have tallied at least 12 points on the break in 19 of 21 contests this year, including a campaign-best 47 against USAO on Nov. 9. Their DI high (31 vs. WKU on Jan. 20) was the most since the '06-07 season when they also had 31 vs. Marshall. UTEP has a remarkable 387-210 cushion against opponents this season in the category, with the 18.4-10.0 ppg differential on average.
 
SHARING IS CARING
UTEP is dishing out 13.0 assists per contest to rate fifth 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 (2.9 apg-ninth eighth CUSA) and Tae Hardy (2.5 apg-tied 12th CUSA) lead the charge. Freshman David Terrell Jr. (2.0 apg-18th CUSA) has also been good at setting up teammates.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP has notched at least seven steals in all 21 games, with double-digit totals 15 times. That effort has led to it leading the nation in both steals per game (11.9) and turnovers forced per contest (19.4). Foes have committed at least 17 turnovers 14 times, including seven straight with 19 or more (longest in school history). 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 five players in the top 10 for and six among the top 15 in Conference USA for steals per game. Five of those individuals also happen to be the top five scorers on the squad. Otis Frazier III (2.1-tied second CUSA/36th NCAA) leads the way, with Tae Hardy (1.9-fourth CUSA/73rd NCAA) just back of him. Zid Powell is at 1.7 spg (tied fifth CUSA), and he is followed by Calvin Solomon and David Terrell Jr. at 1.5 spg (tied eighth CUSA). Corey Camper Jr. rounds out the list at 1.4 spg (tied 13th 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 73.6 points per game (fifth CUSA), with the bench accounting for 24.4 ppg (fifth CUSA/81st NCAA). Overall, the Miners hold a 512-441 differential in reserve scoring. That works out to a 24.4-21.0 advantage per contest.
 
WHO IS PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Heading into Thursday's contest vs. Jax State, three Miners are accounting for double figures in scoring while three others are between 5.0 ppg and 8.5 ppg. Senior Tae Hardy (15.3 ppg-third CUSA) tops the team. Buffalo transfer Zid Powell (11.1 ppg-16th CUSA) and junior Otis Frazier III (10.3 ppg-19th CUSA) join him in double digits on average. JUCO Honorable-Mention All-American (Tyler JC) Corey Camper Jr. (8.0 ppg), senior Calvin Solomon (7.0 ppg) and four-time CUSA Freshman of the Week Elijah Jones (5.0 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
Nine different Miners have earned double figures in playing time on average, including seven who have appeared in every contest. Tae Hardy (32.8-first CUSA) is the only one on the squad to be earning more than 30.0 minutes per contest. Otis Frazier III (26.1 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 (18.4-second NCAA), free throw attempts per game (25.8-1-sixth NCAA), free throws made per game (17.9-12th NCAA), steals per game (11.9-first NCAA), turnover margin (4.5-13th NCAA) and turnovers forced per contest (19.4-first NCAA). UTEP is also in the top-100 nationally for bench scoring (24.4-fifth CUSA/81st NCAA) and 3-point field-goal percentage defense (31.3-fourth CUSA/70th 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 15-25 from the floor (60.0 percent) in 61 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.
 
HISTORIC PERFORMANCE FOR FRAZIER III
Otis Frazier III had a historic performance against Middle Tennessee on Jan. 18. 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.
 
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 203-186 all time between Abilene Christian and UTEP, including 45-42 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 203-186 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach, including 45-42 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 continues its three-game homestand when it plays host to co-preseason CUSA favorite Liberty at 7 p.m. MT Saturday. It will be a special evening, with the 2003-04 NCAA Tournament team coming back to El Paso to be honored 20 years later. 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.