Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (8-3) will face 2024 NCAA Tournament (second round) participant Yale (6-5) in the championship contest of the 63rd-Annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational at 7 p.m. MT Saturday. The Miners advanced to the title tilt by knocking off Jackson State, 67-61, in their opening-round game Friday. The Bulldogs punched their ticket to the finals of the event with a 74-58 take down of defending MAC Tournament Champion Akron on Friday. The triumph afforded head coach Joe Golding his 60th at the helm of the program, and it marked the second straight victory by six points or less. UTEP is taking aim at its second consecutive crown at the event, something it hasn't down since winning the tournament three years in a row (2012-14) under then head coach Tim Floyd. Overall, it would serve as the Miners' 34th title (33-15 in championship games) at the event. Last year, UTEP used a big second half (53-41) to best Wyoming, 78-67, on Dec. 21, 2023. The Orange and Blue are 5-0 at home, having not faced a deficit of greater than three points thus far. Yale is 1-4 on the road. Both teams are playing well of late. UTEP has won two straight and five of the past six while the Bulldogs are also riding a two-game winning streak. That equals Yale's longest winning streak of the 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. It will also be streamed lived on the Sun Bowl's YouTube Channel. For more information on the 2024 WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational please go to www.sunbowl.org. Fans may call (915) 747-UTEP for ticket information. 
 
KEY STATS TO WATCH
Yale has a +8.5 rebounding margin (first Ivy League/24th NCAA) compared to UTEP's -5.5 (332nd NCAA). Both teams commit more than 18 fouls per game, with the Bulldogs at 18.8 (302nd NCAA) and the Miners being tagged for 21.3 (347th NCAA). UTEP is 5-0 at home, and Yale is 1-4 on the road. The Miners lead the nation in both steals per game (11.2) and turnovers forced per game (18.7) while the Bulldogs make only 11.3 turnovers per contest (third Ivy League/107th NCAA).
 
SERIES HISTORY: FIRST MEETING
This is the first meeting between UTEP and Yale
 
TAKING ON THE IVY LEAGUE
The matchup with Yale will be the Miners' sixth all time against Ivy League programs. UTEP is 2-1 against Princeton, 1-0 vs. Penn and 0-1 against Columbia. 
 
GET TO KNOW YALE (6-5, 3-0 HOME, 1-4 AWAY, 2-1 NEUTRAL)
Yale, which defeated Akron 74-58, to advance to the championship contest of the 63rd-Annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, has won back-to-back games. The effort matches the longest winning streak of the season for the Bulldogs, who were picked second in the Ivy League preseason poll. Yale, which upset Auburn, 78-76, in the opening round of the Big Dance, has had a good run of success. It was the program's second ever victory at the tournament. The Bulldogs have been to two of the past three NCAA Tournaments while producing 20-win seasons in four of the last five campaigns. The Bulldogs have won five regular-season and three Ivy league tournament tilts while playing in the NCAA tournament four times in the past nine years. Yale is under the direction of the winningest coach in program history (James Jones, 401-315). The Bulldogs have a veteran-laden squad, returning four seniors. John Poulakidas paces the team at a whopping 21.1 ppg (first Ivy League/11th NCAA), though he has not played the past two contests. Nick Townsend (13.5 ppg-11th Ivy League) and Bez Mbeng (11.8 ppg-tied 18th Ivy League) join him in double figures for scoring. Mbeng does a good job directing the offense, dishing out 5.5 assists per game (second Ivy League/39th NCAA). The Bulldogs are extremely unselfish, registering 18.0 apg (third Ivy League/18th NCAA). Yale shoots the ball incredibly well, making 49.2 percent (second Ivy League/39th NCAA) from the floor. That includes a stout 38.5 percent (77-200) from distance (second Ivy League/49th NCAA). The Bulldogs also take good care of the ball (11.3 turnovers per game-third Ivy League). This all adds up to them putting up 81.4 points per game (third Ivy League/64th NCAA). Yale paces the Ivy League in free throws made (14.7) and attempts (20.2) per game. The Bulldogs are also among the league and national leaders in rebounding margin (+8.5-first/24th), field-goal percentage defense (40.1-first/60th) and scoring margin (+11.2-second/76th). Mbeng, the two-time Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, sets the tone on defense for the Bulldogs with a team-best 1.3 steals per game (tied 6th Ivy League). Yale University is the third-oldest university in the country after having been founded in 1701. The university adopted the first college mascot, Handsome Dan, in 1889. An amazing five U.S. presidents have ties to the university, with Howard Taft (1878), George H.W. Bush (1948) and George W. Bush (1968) securing undergraduate degrees while Gerald Ford (1941) and Bill Clinton (1973) are graduates of the Yale law school. Other notable alumni include Chris Dudley (16-year veteran in the NBA), Meryl Streep (Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actress) and Anderson Cooper (CNN Journalist).
 
LOOKING BACK (AT UTEP 67, JACKSON STATE 62)
Kevin Kalu had a big night with his first career double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds) while Otis Frazier III (team-high 16 points), Ahamad Bynum (12 points) and David Terrell Jr. (10 points) all joined him in double figures in scoring to help the UTEP knock off pesky Jackson State, 67-61, in the first round of the 63rd-Annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational on Dec. 20. The Orange and Blue controlled for most of the contest, leading for nearly 38 minutes. UTEP connected on 52.2 percent (24-46) from the floor, including 42.9 percent (6-14) from beyond-the-arc. The Miners also got after it with guarding, limiting the Tigers to just 33.9 percent (20-59) shooting. That's the second-lowest percentage by a Miner opponent this year. That was affected by a paltry 3-24 (12.5 percent) from 3-point range.
 
GETTING IT GOING
UTEP has won back-to-back games and five of the past six. The lone loss in that timeframe came at perennial ACC power Louisville (L, 77-74, Dec. 11), a contest that featured 10 ties and 13 lead changes. Four of the Miners' six opponents during the streak have been held to less than 70 points. 
 
ABOVE 50.0 PERCENT SHOOTING AGAIN
For the second time in the past three tilts and fifth occasion overall (4-1 record in games), UTEP shot better than 50 percent from the floor in the win vs. Jackson State. The Miners were a strong 52.2 percent (24-46) against the Tigers. UTEP enters the title game vs. Yale at 47.2 percent (280-593) on the season, which puts it fourth in CUSA and 88th nationally.
 
FINALLY, A LITTLE HELP AT THE LINE
After the first 10 UTEP opponents all shot better than 70 percent at the free-throw line (181-240, 75.4 percent) from the charity stripe, Jackson State finished with a foe season-low readout of 69.2 percent (18-26) at the line.
THAT'S HOW YOU GUARD THE THREE
UTEP kept Jackson State to 12.5 percent (3-24) from 3-point range. That ties an opponent season low for triples made (three by UTPB). It is also the lowest 3-point percentage (min. 10 attempts) by a Miner DI opponent since NM State shot just 10.5 percent (2-19) in a 25-point UTEP romp (74-49) at home last year on Feb. 10, 2024.
 
THIRD FOE BELOW 20 PERCENT ON TREYS 
Jackson State became the third Miner opponent this year to shoot worse than 20 percent (min. 10 3PA) from distance. It previously happened against UTPB (3-17, 17.6 percent, Nov. 12) and at Louisville (6-34, 17.6 percent). UTEP did so a total of three times last year. The Miners are now holding foes to 29.9 percent (66-221) on triples, which is sixth in CUSA and 67th in the country.
 
GOTTA SECURE THAT REBOUND
Jackson State grabbed an UTEP opponent season-high 17 offensive rebounds, which helped it stand +12 (18-6) on second-chance points. The 17 offensive boards are the most by Miner foe since Sam Houston secured 18 in a four-point UTEP loss (60-56) on Jan. 27, 2024, last year. 
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Kevin Kalu became the first Miner this season to record a double-double after finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds against Jackson State. He was shy both one point and one rebound of matching his career high in each category. Furthermore, he joins Otis Frazier III (one) as the lone Miners on this year's roster to record a double-double at the DI level (including previous stops for transfers). 
 
REVERSAL OF TRENDS
For just the second time this season (also happened at Louisville on Dec. 11), UTEP finished with more turnovers (15) than the opposition (Jackson State, 17) in a contest. The Miners looked to be in good shape early on, forcing 13 turnovers while committing only five in the opening frame before the Tigers flipped the script in the second half. 
 
WINNING BASKETBALL
Corey Camper Jr. only had two points, but he did pull down four boards, log a team-high 28 minutes while recording a squad-best +22 for plus/minus. It was a similar story for Babacar Mbengue, who was +8 in three minutes.
 
BURST WITH BABACAR
RS-freshman and Senegal native Babacar Mbengue logged six minutes over the first 10 games of the campaign. He matched that with three minutes of playing time in the win vs. Jackson State while recording his first basket, assist and rebound. His energy helped UTEP go on a 9-0 run to turn an one-point deficit into a 22-14 lead (5:58, 1H). The Miners never trailed from that point on. 
 
TERRELL JR. MORE LIKE HIMSELF AT THE LINE
Sophomore David Terrell Jr. was 5-7 at the charity stripe vs. Jackson State. He had been 5-16 to start the year after making 74.7 percent last year.
 
SHUTTING THEM DOWN
UTEP moved to 6-0 on the season when allowing 65 points or less in a game in the 67-61 vanquishing of Jackson State. The Miners have kept back-to-back opponents below that threshold while lowering their season scoring defense to 65.7 ppga (second CUSA/54th NCAA).
 
WINNING IN THE 60s
UTEP has claimed three straight nonconference games when scoring between 60-69 points. That is the longest such streak vs. nonconference opponents since also ripping off three in a row in the 2013-14 campaign. Coincidentally, that included doing so in back-to-back contests as part of taking home the championship at the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational.
 
WINNING CLOSE
With the triumph against Jackson State, UTEP improved to 4-2 on the year in two-possession games (decided by six points or less). That includes a mark of 2-0 at home in the situation.
 
STRIKE FIRST, STRIKE HARD, NO MERCY
The Miners roared out to an 11-2 lead and never looked back in the eventual 67-62 victory against Tarleton State on Dec. 16. It marked the fourth wire-to-wire win this season for UTEP. It previously led start to finish against Sul Ross State (W, 102-55, Nov. 4), UTPB (W, 78-58, Nov. 12) and vs. UNC Greensboro (W, 64-58, Nov. 27). The Miners also never trailed (tied once) at UCSB (W 79-76, Nov. 20).
 
PICK YOUR POISON
UTEP has played 11 games this year, and five different individuals have led the team in scoring. Corey Camper Jr. (three) and Otis Frazier III (three) share the squad lead, followed by Devon Barnes (two), Ahamad Bynum (two) and David Terrell Jr. (one).
 
FOUR STRAIGHT DOUBLE-DIGIT EFFORTS
For the first time of his DI career (including his freshman season at DePaul), JUCO All-American Ahamad Bynum has reached double figures in scoring in four consecutive contests (prior best two). He had a DI career-best 19 points against Seattle U before scoring 14 at Louisville on Dec. 11. Bynum then netted 10 against Tarleton State before tallying 12 vs. Jackson State. The nation's No. 1 three-point shooter is a combined 20-33 (60.6 percent) from the floor overall in those contests, including filling up 11-16 (68.8 percent) from distance. His scoring average now stands at 12.1 ppg (18th CUSA), aided by his ridiculous 63.6 percent from distance (28-44). 
 
CAN'T MAKE THOSE NUMBERS UP
Ahamad Bynum has connected on multiple 3-pointers in six straight games and in eight of his 10 contests played on the year (three with four or more made). He has shot 50 percent or better from distance in all but one tilt. Furthermore, his NCAA-best 63.6 percent (28-44) on treys is actually higher than his readout of 60.0 (9-15) at the free-throw line. 
 
STEPPING UP
Corey Camper Jr. tied for or led the team outright in scoring twice last year. He's already done so a squad-best three times in 2024-25. It's a similar story with assists. The Little Rock, Ark., native has tied for or paced the Miners in assists in five contests after achieving the feat in a trio of tilts as a junior.
 
SCORING STREAKS
Otis Frazier III (59) and Devon Barnes (41) both have long streaks for consecutive games scored. The next closet Miner is Corey Camper Jr. at 16.
 
KALU'S SCORING NUMBERS UP
Kevin Kalu averaged 3.2 points per game through his first three seasons, but he is putting up 6.1 ppg on a team-best stout 67.5 percent shooting (27-40) in 2024-25. He has produced a trio of double-digit scoring efforts this year after doing so twice over 91 games played through his junior campaign. Kalu has posted 10+ points in two of his past four appearances, including notching his first career double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds) in the win against Jackson State.
 
HOME, SWEET HOME
UTEP's title tilt against Yale is the third (2-0 thus far) of seven in a row at home for the Miners. That is the longest homestand since the Orange and Blue had eight straight in the Sun City in 2017-18. The Miners will face either Akron or Yale on Saturday before wrapping up nonconference play against Northern New Mexico on Dec. 28. UTEP will then have its first three league games at home, including the Battle of I-10 on Jan. 11. That hasn't happened since the 1991-92 season when they were still members of the WAC.
 
FRENETIC DEFENSE SETTING TONE
UTEP's pressure defense is paying dividends once again in 2024-25, with the Orange and Blue leading the nation in both steals per game (11.2) and turnovers forced per contest (18.7). UTEP topped the nation in both categories last season. 
 
FOUR-HEADED MONSTER ON OFFENSE
UTEP's top-four scorers (Otis Frazier III, 13.6 ppg-11th CUSA, Corey Camper Jr., 12.3 ppg-17th CUSA, Ahamad Bynum-12.1ppg-18th CUSA and Devon Barnes-10.4 ppg-24th CUSA) have made it difficult for the opposition to key on just any one player. 
 
UNSELFISH PLAY
Part of the reason for the balanced offensive attack has been UTEP making the extra pass. The Miners have recorded an assist on 52.1 percent (146-280) of their field goals.  Otis Frazier III (2.9 apg-tied 10th CUSA) and Corey Camper Jr. (2.7 apg-tied 12th CUSA) are leading the way. If Frazier III and Camper Jr. can elevate their numbers, it would mark the first time that UTEP had multiple players finish the year dishing out at least 3.0 assists per game was in 2015-16 (Dominic Artis, 5.2 apg and Lee Moore, 3.5 apg)
 
FRAZIER III DOING IT ALL
Otis Frazier III has been picking apart defenses in 2024-25. He has a team-high eight double-digit scoring efforts, helping him pace the team in scoring (13.6 ppg-11th CUSA). The senior also leads UTEP in assists (2.9-10th CUSA), blocks (0.8-tied 11th CUSA) and is third in steals (1.5-tied ninth CUSA). Frazier is topping the team in free throws made (43) while rating second in attempts (52) and free-throw percentage (82.7-fifth CUSA).
 
CAN'T CONTAIN COREY
Corey Camper Jr. has been a handful for the opposition at both ends of the court this year. He tops the team in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3-not enough to qualify for rankings), free-throw percentage (87.1-not enough attempts to qualify for rankings), minutes played (31.5-seventh CUSA) and steals (2.6-first CUSA/14th NCAA). Camper Jr. is second on the team in scoring (12.3-17th CUSA) and assists (3.0-11th CUSA). 
 
SIMPLY THE BEST
Ahamad Bynum has put on a dazzling shooting display in 2024-25, leading the nation at 63.6 percent (28-44) from 3-point range. He has connected on at least two 3-pointers in six straight and eight times total (10 appearances) on the year. The JUCO All-American transfer's 2.8 triples per game are fourth in CUSA and 80th in the country. He is averaging 12.1 ppg (18th CUSA) to pace UTEP reserves and sit third overall on the squad while logging only 20.0 minutes per game. 
 
 
 
DT SETTLING IN
David Terrell Jr., the 2024 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, is settling into a starting role as a sophomore. He is pitching in 6.6 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per contest, 1.9 assists per game and 1.3 steals per contest (tied 15th CUSA) while logging 26.2 minutes per game (third on team). An area of concern has been topping the team in both fouls (36) and foul outs (two). 
 
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 10.4 ppg to go along with 1.7 steals per game (tied fifth CUSA). He has drilled 14 triples (second on the team), including a critical trey during the second half in the win vs. Tarleton State on Dec. 16. Barnes is second on the team lead in free throws made (38) and attempts (53).
 
SWATTING SHOTS
UTEP heads into the matchup against Yale at 3.6 blocks per game, with Otis Frazier III leading the way at 0.8 bpg (tied 10th CUSA). The Miners have blocked at least five shots five times. They had six total such contests with at least five rejections during the entire 2023-24 season. 
 
1TALKING DOUBLE-DIGIT STEALS UNDER GOLDING
UTEP has produced 45 games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing so six times this year. The Miners had 16 vs. Long Beach State (Nov. 26), the most vs. a DI nonconference foe since they piled up 18 vs. in a 93-56 romp of Norfolk State at the Haskins Center on Dec. 28, 2008. To put the 45 tilts with 10+ thefts 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 leading the country at 11.2 steals per contest. They are also forcing a NCAA-best 18.7 turnovers per tilt.
 
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 that leads the country in both steals per game (11.2) and turnovers forced per game (18.7). UTEP accounts for four of the top 15 in the CUSA ratings for steals. Corey Camper Jr. is first in the league at 2.6 spg (14th NCAA), followed by Devon Barnes (1.7-fifth CUSA), Otis Frazier III (1.5-tied ninth CUSA) and David Terrell Jr. (1.3 spg-tied 15th CUSA).
 
DEEP THREAT
The Miners sit second in CUSA and 15th in the nation from 3-point range at 40.3 percent (83-206). UTEP has connected on at least seven treys six times this year. NCAA 3-point percentage leader Ahamad Bynum sets the tone at a staggering 63.6 percent (28-44). Devon Barnes (14-40), Otis Frazier III (11-39), Trey Horton III (11-37) and Corey Camper Jr. (10-29), also have 10+ makes from beyond-the-arc. 
 
TRIPLES FAVORING THE MINERS
UTEP has made equal to or more 3-pointers than the opposition in eight of 11 contests this year. The result has been the Miners connecting on 83-206 (40.3 percent-second CUSA/15th NCAA) compared to a readout of 66-221 (29.9 percent-sixth CUSA/67th NCAA) by the opposition. It's an improvement from last year when UTEP (194-609, 31.9 percent) and its opponents (194-608, 31.9 percent) were practically even in the department. Compared to how UTEP stood two years ago, it is night and day. In 2022-23, Miner foes finished 214-643 (33.3 percent) while UTEP made just 158-337 (29.4 percent). 
 
ALMOST PERFECT AT THE LINE
Corey Camper Jr. was a solid free throw shooter in his first year with the Miners, connecting on 71.2 percent (52-73). He has made tremendous strides as a senior, having made 27-31 (87.1 percent, not enough attempts to qualify for CUSA/NCAA ratings).
 
TERRIFIC TRIO AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
Corey Camper Jr. (27-31, 87.1 percent-DNQ), Otis Frazier III (43-52, 82.7 percent, fifth CUSA) and Devon Barnes (38-53, 71.7 percent, 10th CUSA) give the Miners three of the top 12 free throw shooters in Conference USA. UTEP is fifth in CUSA at 71.0 percent (171-241).
 
 
 
 
CAN'T HANDLE THE PRESSURE
UTEP's pressure is causing fits for opponents. The Miners head into the tilt vs. Yale leading the country in both steals per game (11.2 spg) and turnovers forced per game (18.7). That success in those departments isn't surprising with what happened 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) in 2023-24. They also established a school standard for total steals (389) last year, which were the second most ever by a CUSA program since the league's inception, while producing a nation-best 11.4 spg.
 
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 15.4 fastbreak points per game, which is second in CUSA and 31st nationally. 
 
SHARING IS CARING
UTEP has been credited with an assist on 52.1 percent (146-280) of its field goals, helping it average 74.0 points per game. Otis Frazier III (2.9 apg-tied 10th CUSA), who paces the squad scoring at 13.6 ppg (11th CUSA), also leads the charge with setting up his teammates. Corey Camper Jr., who is second on the Orange and Blue in scoring at 12.3 ppg (17th CUSA), also passes the rock well with 2.7 assists per contest (tied 12th CUSA). Camper Jr. has a stellar +2.3 (30-13) assist-to-turnover ratio. 
 
SPREADING THE PLAYING TIME
Head coach Joe Golding has done a fine job of spreading the wealth with playing time, with 10 different Miners (min. seven games played) averaging at least 10.0 minutes per game. Corey Camper Jr. (31.5 mpg, seventh CUSA) and Otis Frazier III (27.3 mpg) and David Terrell Jr. (26.2 mpg) are all above 25.0 mpg. Devon Barnes (23.9), Kevin Kalu (20.1 mpg), Ahamad Bynum (20.0 mpg), Trey Horton III (15.9 mpg), KJ Thomas (10.7 mpg), Derick Hamilton (10.4 mpg) and Baylor Hebb (10.1 mpg) round out the list. 
 
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 CAME BACK
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 and JUCO Region XIV regular-season champion DaCannon Wickware joined the Miners in the offseason. El Paso native and JUCO transfer 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). Thus far in 2024-25, UTEP is leading the league with an average of 4,385
 
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 5-0 in El Paso this year, and it will play the next five contests in the Sun City. The Miners' largest deficit at home has been three, when they trailed 3-0 against Seattle U on Dec. 7.
 
 
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 218-195 in his 14th season as a collegiate head coach, including 60-51 at UTEP. He has enjoyed two winning campaigns in three years and is on his way to another at 8-3 thus far in 2024-25. Golding is four 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 off for the holiday break before returning to action to wrap up nonconference play when it locks up with Northern New Mexico at 7 p.m. MT on Dec. 28. 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.