Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (4-2) will take aim at its second straight win while also closing out the Ball Dawgs Classic when it locks up with SoCon member UNC Greensboro (3-3) at 4:30 p.m. PT/5:30 p.m. MT in Henderson, Nev., Wednesday. The Miners are coming off a 70-44 blowout of Long Beach State while the Spartans were held off by San Jose State, 69-64. UTEP has won three of its past four after beginning the season at 1-1 while UNCG has alternated wins and losses from the get-go. The victory against the Beach moved the Miners to 2-0 on the year against Big West programs. Both UTEP (L, 71-65) and UNCG (L, 69-64) used late-game pushes in an attempt to rally before falling short vs. San Jose State. The Miners got an 18-point deficit with 9:10 left down to three only to lose by six. UNCG whittled a 15-point differential to four, but it couldn't complete the comeback either. The Miners are also looking for consecutive wins vs. DI foes this season. Jon Teicher (44th year) and Steve Yellen (22nd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso, with audio also available on the UTEP Miners App. The contest will also be streamed on Flo College Sports (subscription required). 
 
KEY STATS TO WATCH
UNCG is first in the SoCon and 83rd nationally at 10.8 turnovers per game while UTEP tops the country by forcing 22.0 turnovers per contest. The Spartans keep opponents to 26.3 percent (second SoCon/60th NCAA) from 3-point range, but the Miners make 39.8 percent (second CUSA/25th NCAA) from distance. That is aided by Ahamad Bynum rating third in the country in 3-point percentage at 62.5 percent (15-24). 

FOUR IN A ROW OUTSIDE OF THE SUN CITY
Wednesday's matchup with conclude a stretch of four straight games outside of El Paso in the month of November for the first time since 2012. The Miners are 2-1 in the stretch, including downing Long Beach State, 70-44, on Nov. 26. UTEP also produced a 79-76 win at UC Santa Barbara on Nov. 20, a contest in which it never trailed. It was the first nonconference road victory for the Miners since a 77-69 triumph at New Mexico on Dec. 12, 2021. Twelve years ago, the Orange and Blue played at No. 12 Arizona (L, 72-51, Nov. 15) prior to dropping respective tilts vs. Oklahoma (L, 69, 48, Nov. 22), vs Clemson (L, 69-48, Nov. 23) and vs. Vanderbilt (L, 73-49, Nov. 25).
 
SERIES HISTORY: FIRST MEETING
This is the first meeting between the UTEP and UNC Greensboro.
 
GET TO KNOW UNC GREENSBORO (3-3, 2-0 HOME, 0-2 AWAY, 1-1 NEUTRAL)
UNC Greensboro is 3-3 on the young season, having alternated wins and losses since beginning the season with a 73-64 vanquishing of FGCU on Nov. 4. The Spartans are 2-0 at home, also having blasted Division III member N.C. Wesleyan, 99-54. UNCG was competitive in both of its road losses, both of which came against Power Four programs. The Spartans fell, 81-68, at SMU on Nov. 11 and were held off, 69-58, at Indiana on Nov. 21. UNCG crushed Long Beach State, 71-48, in its opening game at the Ball Dawgs Classic before being clipped by San Jose State, 69-64, last time out.  Kenyon Giles paces a trio of players in double figures for scoring at 15.5 points per game (seventh SoCon). He is joined by Ronald Polite III (12.3 ppg) and Donovan Atwell (10.8 ppg). Atwell was tabbed to the league's preseason team. Polite III runs the offense effectively with 3.7 assists per game (sixth SoCon) while Giles sets the tone on defense with 2.3 steals per contest (third SoCon/78th NCAA). The Spartans boast a +2.2 rebounding margin (39.7-37.5), thanks largely to the efforts of Jalen Breath (7.5 rpg-fourth SoCon) and Miles Jones (7.2 rpg-sixth SoCon). UNCG takes good care of the ball with just 10.8 turnovers per contest (first SoCon/83rd NCAA). It also has asserted itself well with field-goal percentage defense (37.3-second/33rd), scoring defense (64.2-second/53rd), 3-point percentage defense (26.3-second/60th), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.42-third/84th), 3-pointers made per game (9.0-seventh/95th) and defensive rebounds per game (27.7-fourth/96th). UNCG is under the direction of fourth-year head coach Mike Jones (61-41), who is 235-190 in his 14th season as a collegiate head coach. He directed Radford from 2010-21 before taking over the Spartans' program. Jones has led UNCG to back-to-back 20-win seasons after previously doing so five times at Radford. His father, Jimmy, starred in the ABA from 1967-74 before eventually signing with the then Washington Bullets of the NBA. The university was established as a women's college in 1891, and it became the nation's largest all-female institution in 1949. Men were admitted to the school beginning in 1963. Notable alumni include Lauren Holt (former cast member of Saturday Night Live) and Gerry Austin (NFL official from 1982-2007, who now contributes as a rules expert with ESPN and previously served as the Conference USA coordinator of football officials). 
 
LOOKING BACK
David Terrell Jr. poured in a career-high 16 points, including 10 during a game-altering 34-9 run that UTEP wrapped around halftime, to help the Miners cruise past Long Beach State, 70-44 in its second game of the Ball Dawgs Classic on Nov. 26. The Beach led the Miners by seven (14-7, 13:42, 1H) before UTEP found another gear. The Orange and Blue blitzed LBSU by finishing the half on a 30-9 surge, including separate respective runs of 9-0 and 11-0. UTEP scored the first four points of the second stanza to go out by 18, and it never let the Beach back into it. Corey Camper Jr. (12 points) and Ahamad Bynum(11 points) joined Terrell Jr. in double figures for scoring while Devon Barnes (nine points) and Otis Frazier III (seven points) made contributions off the bench.
 
THE BEACH IS CLOSED
Long Beach State was held to 44 points by the Miners, the fewest by a UTEP opponent since a 73-44 vanquishing of former Conference USA member Southern Miss on Feb. 24, 2018. In terms of a nonconference opponent, it was the lowest scoring output by a Miner foe out of league play since a 72-44 vanquishing of Houston Baptist on Jan. 14, 2013.  

THAT'S A BIG MARGIN
UTEP's 26-point (70-44) margin of victory against Long Beach State was its biggest against a Division I opponent since the Miners blasted Western Illinois, 80-54, in the opening round of the 2022 Basketball Classic on March 19, 2022. That proved to be UTEP's first postseason victory since the 2009 CBI.
 
FINALLY, A LEAD CHANGE
After there were no lead changes and two ties combined in UTEP's first five games of the season, there was one tie and three lead swaps in the showdown with Long Beach State. The Beach raced out to a 14-7 advantage before nine straight put the Miners up, 16-14. After a trey from LBSU to regain edge at 17-16, UTEP pulled back in front at 19-17 before a bucket tied the tilt at 19. A 15-2 run over the next few minutes put the Orange and Blue ahead for good. 
 
TURNOVERS A PLENTY IN VEGA
UTEP, which leads the nation in turnovers forced per game, harassed Long Beach State into 27 turnovers. That came on the heels of San Jose State making 24 giveaways. It's the first time since a three-game streak in 2007-08 that the Miners harassed back-to-back nonconference DI opponents into making at least 20 turnovers.  
 
CAPITALIZING ON THEM TOO
UTEP has forced a combined 51 turnovers in two days of action at the Ball Dawgs Classic. Those have been converted into 58 points (32 vs. San Jose State and 26 vs. Long Beach State). Conversely, those foes have only gotten 22 points on 31 Miner miscues. Overall, on the year the Orange and Blue are +62 (126-64) for points off turnovers. 
 
SAN JOSE STATE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
San Jose State was second in the country in turnovers committed per game (7.8) before UTEP harassed it into making 24. That included a stretch of six straight possessions to help fuel a 21-6 run to cut an 18-point deficit (59-41, 9:10, 2H) down to three (65-62, 1:38, 2H) before the Spartans held on.
  
THREE MORE TRIPLES FOR BYNUM
Ahamad Bynum knocked down 3-6 shots from beyond-the-arc vs. Long Beach State on Nov. 26. It marked the third time this season he has hit at least a trio of 3-pointers, but incredibly enough, his season percentage dipped slightly. Bynum is now 15-24 (62.5 percent) from distance. He had gone into the game at 66.7 percent (12-18). Entering the final day of the Ball Dawgs Classic, Bynum is third nationally in 3-point percentage and 64th in the country for 3-pointers per game (3.0).
 
STEPPED IT UP ON THE BOARDS
UTEP won the rebounding battle (34-25), which was helped by allowing just four offensive boards. Long Beach State entered the contest ranked 68th in the country at 13.1 offensive rebounds per game. It was a group effort on the glass with Otis Frazier III (season-high seven), Corey Camper Jr. (four), Derick Hamilton (four), Ahamad Bynum (career-best tying four), David Terrell Jr. (three) and Trey Horton III(three) all doing their part. 
 
BOXED OUT
UTEP conceded only four offensive rebounds in the 26-point romp past Long Beach State. It marked the fewest offensive rebounds by a DI Miner opponent since keeping Liberty to only two in a 67-65 home victory on Feb. 3, 2024. The last time UTEP limited a DI nonconference foe to four offensive boards or less was when UC Riverside also had four nearly three years to the date (Nov. 22, 2021), during a 52-40 Miner victory. 
 
CRASHED THAT OFFENSIVE GLASS
After failing to reach double figures in offensive boards in any of the first five games (averaged 7.0 during the stretch), UTEP hit the offensive glass hard in the 26-point romp of Long Beach State. The Miners piled up 13 offensive rebounds that they were able to convert into 10 second-chance points. 
 
THAT'S THE DT WE KNOW
David Terrell Jr., the 2024 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, looked like himself in the victory against Long Beach State on Nov. 26. He set a career high with 16 points after connecting on 7-9 from the floor, including knocking down his first triple this year. He added three rebounds, two assists and two steals in a career-best matching 33 minutes played. The effort bumped his scoring average to 7.2 ppg, and he is now shooting 65.2 percent (15-23) from the floor.
 
DEFENDING WITH A PURPOSE
The Miners' first three Division I opponents all shot better than 50 percent from the floor, but UTEP wasn't about to let Long Beach State continue that trend. The Beach were held to 40.5 percent (15-37) from the floor, including a weak 28.6 percent (4-14) from 3-point range.
 
THAT'S A LOT OF STEALS
UTEP was credited with 16 steals, its second-highest total this year (19 against Sul Ross State). In terms of DI opponents, it was the most since the Miners also had 16 in a 73-59 victory against Middle Tennessee on Jan. 18, 2024. That last time UTEP racked up at least that many thefts for a DI nonconference foe was when it piled up 18 vs. in a 93-56 romp of Norfolk State at the Haskins Center on Dec. 28, 2008. 
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DIGIT STEALS UNDER GOLDING
UTEP has produced 44 games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing so four of the six contests this year. To put that into perspective, consider that the Miners amassed 48 such contests in the previous 14 seasons combined prior to Golding's arrival. 
 
THAT MAKES SENSE
Given UTEP's ability to pressure the ball and come away with steals thus far in 2024-25, it is not a surprise to see that the Miners are ranked first in CUSA and second nationally with 8.8 steals per contest. 
 
KNOCKING DOWN SHOTS
Five different Miners are filling up at least 50.0 percent from the floor (min. 15 FGA), with Kevin Kaluleading the way at 66.7 percent (10-15). David Terrell Jr. (15-23, 65.2 percent), Ahamad Bynum (20-35, 57.1 percent), Derick Hamilton (12-23, 52.2 percent) and Otis Frazier III (29-57, 50.9) round out the list.
 
SHOOTING IT WELL INSIDE THE ARC TOO
The Miners sit second in CUSA and 25th in the nation from 3-point range at 39.8 percent (47-118). They've proven be effective inside the arc as well by both getting to the hoop and through the midrange game. UTEP is at 50.0 percent (108-216) on two-point attempts. 
 
DON'T BRING THAT WEAK STUFF TO US
UTEP rejected a season-high tying six blocked shots in the game vs. San Jose State on Nov. 25. The Miners head into the matchup vs. UNC Greensboro at 4.0 blocks per contest, putting them just outside (105th) the top 100 nationally. Otis Frazier III has set the tone in the area with a team-leading 1.2 blocks per game (seventh CUSA).
 
FREE THROWS DON'T WIN BALLGAMES?
UTEP finished at 11-17 (64.7 percent) on free throws in the win against Long Beach State on Nov. 26. Ironically, the Miners are now 4-0 when shooting below 70 percent from the floor and 0-2 when hitting above that. 
 
VIDEO GAME TYPE NUMBERS
Ahamad Bynum has filled up 15-24 (62.6 percent) from 3-point range heading to the matchup vs. UNC Greensboro. He is easily atop the CUSA ratings while placing third in the country. His 3.0 triples per tilt is fourth in CUSA and 64th in the nation. Bynum has nailed at least three 3-pointers on three different occasions this season. 
 
COMING AT YOU FROM EVERY ANGLE
There's not just one player that teams have be aware of when it comes to the Miners' pressure defense. UTEP accounts for four of the top 11 in the CUSA ratings for steals. Corey Camper Jr. is first in the league at 2.8 spg (10th NCAA), followed by Otis Frazier III (2.0-fourth CUSA/99th NCAA), David Terrell Jr. at 1.8 spg (eighth CUSA) and Devon Barnes (1.5-11th CUSA).

BETTER RUN US OFF THAT LINE
Last year the Miners were in the lower part of ratings for both 3-point percentage (31.9, eighth CUSA/284th NCAA) and 3-pointers made per contest (5.7, eighth CUSA/320th NCAA). While it is a small sample size with just six games played in 2024-25, UTEP looks to have made some serious strides in drilling shots from distance. It has made a strong 39.8 percent (second CUSA/25th NCAA) from distance, having connected on 47-118 from beyond-the-arc. That works out to 7.8 3-pointers made per game. Bynum at 62.5 percent to rate third in the country (15-24) is the king in the area while Devon Barnes at 39.1 percent (9-23) has also been effective. 
 
FRAZIER III DOING IT ALL
Otis Frazier III has been picking apart defenses with his scoring, posting double-digit outbursts in the first five games before being held to seven points last time out. Perhaps even more impressive has been his ability to set up his teammates. Frazier III has registered at least two assists in all six contests of the year. He heads into the matchup with UNC Greensboro at 3.8 assists per game (eighth CUSA). Frazier III is also second on the squad and 99th nationally with 2.0 steals per game.
 
ANYONE CAN BEAT YOU
Four different Miners are in double figures for scoring, including team leader Otis Frazier III (14.5 ppg, ninth CUSA). He is joined by Corey Camper Jr. (12.7 ppg-17th CUSA), Tarleton State transfer Devon Barnes (11.7 ppg, tied 21st CUSA) and JUCO All-American Ahamad Bynum (11.6 ppg, 23rd CUSA). Part of the reason for the balanced offensive attack has been UTEP making the extra pass. The Miners have recorded an assist on 57.4 percent (89-155) of their field goals. 
 
CAMPER IS STREAKING AT THE LINE
Corey Camper Jr. heads into the contest against UNC Greensboro having connected on18-18 at the charity stripe. That effort makes him one of just 12 players in the country to not miss yet (minimum 10 attempts). His efforts have helped UTEP connect on 72.9 percent, which is good enough for third in Conference USA.
 
BARNES AND FRAZIER III LIVING AT THE LINE
Devon Barnes (27-34, 79.4 percent) and Otis Frazier III (22-27, 81.5 percent) have been feasting on free throws this year. Barnes as have averaged 5.7 attempts per contest while Frazier III sits at 4.5 tries per tilt. 
 
THE BENCH BUNCH
UTEP's reserves are producing 26.5 points per contest, good enough for third in CUSA. The top threat off the pine for the Miners has been Ahamad Bynum, who is fourth on the team in scoring (11.6-tied 22nd CUSA). Bynum has been lights out from distance, sitting third in the country at 62.5 percent (15-24) from 3-point range. Trey Horton III (5.8 ppg, 19.6 mpg) and Derick Hamilton (4.7 ppg, 10.6 mpg) have also made third presence felt. 
 
CAN'T HANDLE THE PRESSURE
UTEP's pressure is causing fits for opponents. The Miners head into the tilt vs. UNC Greensboro topping the country at 22.0 turnovers forced per game.  The early-season success in the area should come as no surprise given what UTEP did last year. The Miners led the country in turnovers forced per game (18.7 tpg) while also setting a program record for total turnovers forced (636).
 
RUN, UTEP, RUN
UTEP's pressure defense has led to plenty of opportunities in transition, and the Miners have taken advantage of the situation. They are producing 16.3 fastbreak points per game, which is second in CUSA and 38th nationally. 
 
STEALING THE SHOW
UTEP set the school record for total steals (389) last year, which were the second most ever by a CUSA program since the league's inception. The Miners are building on that success in 2024-25, heading into the contest vs. UNC Greensboro first in CUSA and second in the country at 12.7 steals per contest. UTEP has registered at least nine steals in all six games, including four of 10 or more. 
 
SHARING IS CARING
UTEP has been credited with an assist on 57.4 percent (89-155) of their field goals, helping it average 75.7 points per game. Otis Frazier III (3.8 apg-eighth CUSA), who also paces the team in scoring (14.5 ppg-ninth CUSA), leads the charge with setting up his teammates. Corey Camper Jr. (3.0 apg- 13th CUSA) also passes the rock well. Camper Jr. has an impressive +3.0 (18-6) assist-to-turnover ratio (third CUSA/75th NCAA). 
 
INSTANT OFFENSE
Ahamad Bynum earned NJCAA Second-Team All-American status while pouring in a team-best 18.3 ppg to help lead Trinity Valley CC to a Region XIV Championships and earn a spot for the NJCAA Tournament in 2023-24. He's come off the bench each of his appearances for UTEP in 2024-25 but is still fourth on the team in scoring (11.6 ppg, tied 22nd CUSA). Bynum has been ridiculous from distance, rating third in the country at 3-point percentage (62.5). He is 15-24 from beyond-the-arc.
 
BARNES BACK HOME
Tarleton State transfer Devon Barnes chose UTEP in part because he lived in the Sun City from kindergarten through fifth grade while his dad was stationed at Ft. Bliss. He has settled in nicely, tallying 11.7 ppg (tied 21st CUSA) to go along with 1.5 steals per game (tied 11th CUSA). He has drilled 9-23 (39.1 percent) from distance and 27-34 (79.4 percent) at the charity stripe.
 
SPREADING THE PLAYING TIME
Head coach Joe Golding has done a fine job of sharing the wealth with playing time, with 10 different Miners (min. four games played) averaging at least 10.0 minutes per game. Corey Camper Jr. (30.6 mpg) and Otis Frazier III (27.8 mpg) are both above 25.0 mpg. Devon Barnes (23.7 mpg), David Terrell Jr. (23.6 mpg), Ahamad Bynum (21.6 mpg), Trey Horton III (19.6 mpg), Kevin Kalu (16.4 mpg), KJ Thomas(12.2 mpg), Baylor Hebb (11.2 mpg) and Derick Hamilton (10.6 mpg) round out the list. 
 
LIVING OUT OF THE SUITCASE
UTEP is about to finish up a stretch with five of its first seven contests outside of El Paso, the initial time that has occurred since 2014-15. This year the Miners have two home (2-0), two road (1-1) and three neutral (1-1) over the initial seven tilts. In 2014-15, UTEP went on to finish at 22-11, including 13-5 in league play (second place), despite having to endure two road contests (0-2) and a trio of neutral-site affairs (2-1) early in the year. 
 
AN OFFSEASON TO REMEMBER
UTEP had a special offseason to help prepare for the year, which included a foreign tour in The Bahamas, an intra-squad scrimmage in Juárez, an 111-62 exhibition win vs. Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (UACH) on Oct. 19 and a charity exhibition 74-70 setback at New Mexico on Oct. 28. The game in Chihuahua was the first preseason scrimmage in Mexico in program history.
 
EVERY ELIGIBLE GUY READY TO ROCK
UTEP brought back three starters (Corey Camper Jr., Otis Frazier III and Kevin Kalu) and all eight eligible scholarship players (Camper Jr., Frazier III, Derick Hamilton, Baylor Hebb, Trey Horton III, Elijah Jones, Kalu, David Terrell Jr.) from last year's team that piled up 18 wins and advanced to the program's first Conference USA Tournament Championship contest since 2011. The Miners also have redshirts Antwonne Holmes and Babacar Mbengue. 
 
NEWCOMERS IN THE HOUSE
JUCO All-American Ahamad Bynum, Tarleton State transfer Devon Barnes, three-star HS recruit KJ Thomas, JUCO Region XIV regular-season champion DaCannon Wickware, El Paso native Jordan Thomas and freshman Raijon Dispensa are also new to UTEP, with each set to redshirt this season. 

AWARD CENTRAL
UTEP brought back the 2024 Conference USA Freshman of the Year David Terrell Jr., along with fellow 2024 CUSA All-Freshman team members Trey Horton III and Elijah Jones. Otis Frazier III, who was a member of the 2024 CUSA All-Defensive team and a CUSA Honorable-Mention honoree, was tabbed to the 2024-25 CUSA Preseason Team.
 
THE BEST FANS IN CONFERENCE USA
UTEP has led Conference USA in attendance for either total number of fans or average attendance for three straight years. Last year, the Miners had a league-best 85,566 fans pass through the turnstiles while averaging 4,754 fans (second in the conference). 
 
HOME COOKING
UTEP entered the 2024-25 campaign having ripped off at least 10 wins at home in five straight years.  The Orange and Blue were 13-5 at the Bear's Den last year, including winning the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the first time under head coach Joe Golding. UTEP is 2-0 in El Paso this year with a pair of wins against Division II foes.
 
PRESEASON PREMONITIONS
UTEP was predicted to finish tied for fifth in the Conference USA preseason poll, as voted upon the league's 10 head coaches. It was a relatively close poll, with only 25 points separating the first six teams. LA Tech (87) was tabbed the favorite, followed by WKU (85), Sam Houston (83), Middle Tennessee (69), Liberty (62) and UTEP (62). NM State (39-seventh), Jax State (29-eighth), FIU (17-tied ninth) and Kennesaw State (17-tied ninth). LA Tech (three), Sam Houston (three), WKU (two), Middle Tennessee (one) and Liberty (one) all received at least one first-place vote. 
 
A YEAR IN REVIEW
-              Finished the year at 18-16 for the second winning seasons in three years under head coach Joe Golding.
-              Made the program's first appearance in the conference tournament championship contest since 2011.
-              Beat the No. 1 seed Sam Houston in the semifinals, the Miners' first win against a top seed at the league tournament since the 1993 WAC Championships.
-              Became the first team in school history to come back from double-digit deficits to win consecutive contests in a league tournament. UTEP overcame a 12-point deficit vs. Liberty while roaring back from 14 against Sam Houston.
-              Won multiple games at the CUSA tournament for the first time since 2011.
-              Became the lowest seed in school history to advance to the championship contest of the league tournament. 
-              Won a game at the league tournament by two points or less for the first time since 1992 after ousting top seed Sam Houston
-              Led the nation in both steals per game and turnovers forced per game.
-              Set school record for total steals and total turnovers forced. UTEP's 389 total steals are the second most ever by a CUSA program since the league's inception.
-              Tae Hardy earned All-District and All-CUSA honors.
-              UTEP had three of the five players on the CUSA All-Freshman Team, including Freshman of the Year David Terrell Jr. Terrell Jr. was joined on the All-Freshman squad by Trey Horton III and Elijah Jones
-              Otis Frazier III was All-CUSA Honorable-Mention and voted to the CUSA All-Defensive Team, the first selection to the squad for UTEP since 2015.
-              Won the 2023 Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the first time under head coach Joe Golding.
 
THE BASIC FACTS ON UTEP'S PROGRAM
-              This is the 104th 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.
 
GET TO KNOW COACH GOLDING
Joe Golding is in his fourth year at UTEP, and he 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 214-194 in his 14th season as a collegiate head coach, including 56-50 at UTEP. He has enjoyed two winning campaigns in three years. Golding is eight victories shy of passing Marshall Pennington (63-83, 1937-43) to move into fifth place on the school's career charts. In 2021-22 he became the fourth head coach (20 total) in program history to have a winning season in their first year on the sideline. Don Haskins was the first when he directed the Miners to a mark of 18-6 in 1961-62. Doc Sadler (27-8, 2004-05) and Tim Floyd (25-10, 2010-11) also achieved the feat. Overall, the prior 19 head coaches combined to forge an average record of 9-13 in their first year with UTEP. Previously Golding spent 10 years at Abilene Christian (158-144), helping it transition from a Division II to a Division I program. Golding led the Wildcats to the 2019 and 2021 NCAA Tournaments, including a stunning upset as a 14-seed of third-seeded Texas in the first round of the 2021 Big Dance.
 
UP NEXT
UTEP will be idle until playing host to Seattle U at 2 p.m. MT on Dec. 7. Jon Teicher (44th year) and Steve Yellen (22nd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required), with Andy Morgan and former Miner assistant coach Bobby Braswell describing the action. For tickets, please visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or call (915) 747-UTEP.