Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (9-3) will look to extend its winning streak to four while closing out nonconference play when it plays host to NAIA member Northern New Mexico (4-17) at 7 p.m. MT Saturday. The contest will count for the Miners, but it is being played as an exhibition for the Eagles. UTEP has been idle since toppling Yale, 75-74, to take home the title for the second straight season at the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational on Dec. 21. That is a feat that hadn't been achieved since a three-year run (2012-14) under then head coach Tim Floyd. UTEP is surging with its three-game winning streak while also claiming six of the past seven. The last three victories have all been by six points or less, marking the first time it did so since the 2021-22 campaign (69-64, UTSA, Jan. 20, 2022, 59-54, at UTSA, Jan. 23, 2022 and 70-68, FAU, Jan. 27, 2022). That triumph against FAU came on an Alfred Hollins tip-in at the buzzer, which made Sportscenter's top-10. UTEP is 6-0 at home, its best start in the Sun City since bolting out at 8-0 (finished 11-7) in 2022-23. Overall, the Miners' 9-3 record is their top  mark through 12 games since also opening at 9-3 in 2019-20. UTEP hasn't been 10-3 since 2010-11. The Eagles have lost three straight and are 1-17 on the road. The tilt is the fourth of a seven-contest homestand (3-0 thus far), which is the longest in seven years. 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 available on the UTEP Miners App as well. 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.
 
KEY  STATS ON UTEP
The Miners lead the country in steals per game (11.0) and turnover forced per contest (18.5) while rating second nationally in 3-point shooting (42.2 percent). UTEP is 9-1 when leading at the half, 7-1 with more points from its bench than the opposition and undefeated (6-0) when yielding less than 70 points.
 
MAKE ROOM FOR THE MINERS
Thanks to winning three straight, six of seven and standing at 9-3 overall on the season, UTEP entered the College Insider Inc. Mid-Major Top 25 (ranked 25th) this week. The poll is voted on by 31 Division I head coaches.
 
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 2-0
UTEP is taking on Northern New Mexico College for the third time, with all of the meetings happening since the 2021-22 campaign. The Miners blasted the Eagles, 88-53, on Nov. 16, 2021, in the first meeting before knocking them off, 87-50, on Dec. 3, 2022.
 
GET TO KNOW NORTHERN NEW MEXICO (4-17, 3-1 HOME, 1-16 AWAY, 0-0 NEUTRAL)
Northern New Mexico College competes at the NAIA level and is in Espanola, N.M. Even though the college has existed since 1909, it did not launch an athletic department until 2005. Competition officially began for men's basketball in 2009. The Eagles have played a ton of games (21) already, standing 4-17 on the year. They have spent the majority of that on the road, with a 1-16 mark. The contest vs. UTEP, however, will be played as an exhibition for NNMC. The Eagles are under the direction of third-year head coach and athletic director Jesus Aragon, who is 20-48 in that timeframe. NNMC is putting up 75.1 points per game, but it allows 75.0. The Eagles shoot 47.9 percent from the floor, including a stout 42.6 percent from distance. Including the matchup with the Miners, NNMC has only eight contests remaining on the campaign. Northern New Mexico College was founded in 1909 as the Spanish American Normal School, with a goal of providing teacher training for the area's Spanish speakers. It has since grown to an enrollment of 1,200.  Notable alumni include Jacob Torres (engineer and plant scientist at the Kennedy Space Center) and Rose Simpson (artist)
 
LOOKING BACK (AT UTEP 75, YALE 74)
Tournament MVP Otis Frazier III tallied a team-high 15 points and made a game-saving blocked shot with two seconds left, to help lift UTEP to a 75-74 victory against Yale as the Miners won the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the second straight season on Dec. 21. Devon Barnes (12 points, two assists, two steals), Don Haskins award winner Ahamad Bynum (11 points), David Terrell Jr. (11 points, four rebounds, four assists) and all-tournament team member Kevin Kalu (10 points, eight rebounds) all got after it as well. The reigning Ivy League champions didn't make it easy, though, with the Bulldogs fighting back from a 12-point halftime deficit (45-33) to climb within one on three occasions, but UTEP never relinquished that lead.
 
BACK-TO-BACK TITLES
UTEP claimed the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the second straight season, something that hasn't happened since a three-year run (2012-14) under then head coach Tim Floyd.
 
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM FOR A REASON
Otis Frazier III was a member of the 2024 CUSA All-Defensive team, and he showed why in the waning seconds of the Miners' victory against Yale. He rejected Bez Mbeng's game-winning shot with 2.3 seconds remaining. RS-freshman Babacar Mbengue then did such a good job disrupting the inbounds play that Yale couldn't get a shot off on the ensuing play.
 
SIZZLING FROM 3-POINT LAND
UTEP nailed a season-best 64.7 percent from distance vs. Yale, including a ridiculous 88.9 percent (8-9) in the opening frame. The 64.7 percent ties as the sixth best all time at UTEP. The eight triples made equaled the most in a stanza for the Miners this year, as they also did so vs. Sul Ross State (Nov. 4) in the opener while the 11 are the most vs. a DI opponent this season.
 
SOARING IN THE SHOOTING RANKINGS
UTEP heads into the Northern New Mexico College affair rated second in the country at 3-point shooting with a readout of 42.2 (94-223). Having the top 3-point shooter in the country (Ahamad Bynum), who has nailed a sensational 63.8 percent (30-47) from beyond-the-arc.
 
WE'RE GOING STREAKING
UTEP has won three straight and six of the past seven contests, with the lone setback in that timeframe a three-point setback (77-74) at perennial ACC power Louisville on Dec. 11. The effort has moved the Orange and Blue to 9-3 on the year, equaling the best start in five years.
 
ROLLING AT HOME
UTEP is 6-0 on the year at home, with the Miners' biggest deficit in those contests standing at 3-0 in an eventual 88-72 vanquishing of Seattle U on Dec. 7. It's the best start at home since opening 8-0 in the Sun City in 2022-23.
 
AIMING FOR BEST START IN 14 YEARS
UTEP hasn't won 10 of its first 13 contests of the campaign since opening 10-3 (eventually 13-3) in 2010-11. That year, the Miners were 3-2 through five tilts before winning 10 of the next 11. UTEP finished the campaign at 25-10 and qualified for the NIT.
 
STRONG NONCONFERENCE EFFORT
UTEP hasn't won 10 games in nonconference play since the 2013-14 campaign. That year, the Miners headed into league play at 10-5.
 
CONSISTENT ONE TOO
With a victory against Northern New Mexico College, the Miners will have posted five wins in both November and December for the first time since 2010-11.
 
OPPONENTS SLIPPING 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 fell shy of that at 69.2 percent (18-26) at the line. Yale was even worse, connecting on just 58.8 percent (10-17).
 
ODDS & ENDS
Kevin Kalu has hit double figures in consecutive contests for the first time in his 103-game career with the Miners.  David Terrell Jr. has posted 10+ points in back-to-back games, a first for him as well. Ahamad Bynum has done so in five straight affairs, the longest of his DI career (including freshman year at DePaul). The Miners have registered at least seven steals in all 12 games this year and in 44 of the past 46 contests dating to the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign.
 
THIRD FOE BELOW 20 PERCENT ON TREYS
Jackson State was held to 12.5 percent (3-24) from 3-point range on Dec. 20, 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. JSU became the third UTEP foe to finish worse than 20 percent (min. 10 3PA) on triples this year. 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.
 
TIME TO BOX OUT AND REBOUND
UTEP has allowed a combined 33 offensive rebounds the past two tilts, with JSU (opponent season-high 17) and Yale (16) hitting the boards hard. The Miners have been outscored by a total of 23 points (34-11) on second-chance points in that timeframe, which helped fuel comeback bids by both programs. The 33 offensive rebounds yielded are the most over a two-game span since UTEP allowed a whopping 42 against Alcorn (21) and CSU Bakersfield (21) early in the 2022-23 campaign.
 
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 on Dec. 20. 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). Overall, Kalu leads the team in rebounding (5.7-tied 15th) while placing sixth on the squad in scoring (6.4 ppg).
 
TERRELL JR. MORE LIKE HIMSELF AT THE LINE
Sophomore David Terrell Jr. started the season at 5-16 (31.3 percent) on free throws, but he has started to regain his form the past two tilts. He was 5-7 (career-high tying attempts) at the charity stripe vs. Jackson State before following that up by sinking 5-6 (83.3 percent in the championship contest vs. Yale. That puts him at 10-13 (76.9 percent) in that timeframe.
 
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 on Dec. 20. The Miners' scoring defense is at 66.4 ppga (second CUSA/62nd NCAA) heading into the matchup with Northern New Mexico College.
 
WINNING CLOSE
With the one-point victory against Yale, UTEP improved to 5-2 on the year in two-possession games (decided by six points or less). That includes a mark of 3-0 at home in the situation. The Miners have also claimed three straight contests by six points or fewer since the 2021-22 campaign.
 
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 12 games this year, and five different individuals have led the team in scoring. Otis Frazier III (four) leads the way, followed by Corey Camper Jr. (three) , Devon Barnes (two), Ahamad Bynum (two) and David Terrell Jr. (one). Frazier III has been the catalyst of late, pacing the team in points in the past three affairs. He has tallied 49 points (16.3 ppg) in the stretch, elevating his season readout to 13.8 ppg (12th CUSA).
 
FIVE STRAIGHT DOUBLE-DIGIT EFFORTS FOR BYNUM
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 five 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 had 10 vs. Tarleton State on Dec. 16, 12 against Jackson State on Dec. 20 and 11 last time out against Yale. The nation's No. 1 three-point shooter is a combined 23-39 (59.0 percent) from the floor overall in those contests, including filling up 13-19 (68.4 percent) from distance. His scoring average now stands at 12.0 ppg (17th CUSA), aided by his video-game like effort of 63.8 percent from distance (30-47).
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CAN'T MAKE THOSE NUMBERS UP
Ahamad Bynum has connected on multiple 3-pointers in seven straight games and in nine of his 11 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. He is an NCAA-best 63.8 percent (30-47) on treys.
 
STEPPING UP
Corey Camper Jr. tied for or led the team outright in scoring twice last year. He's already done so 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 (60) and Devon Barnes (42) both have long streaks for consecutive games scored. Corey Camper Jr. at 17, David Terrell Jr. (14) and Ahamad Bynum (11) each have put up points in at least 10 straight contests.
 
KALU'S SCORING NUMBERS UP
Kevin Kalu averaged 3.2 points per game through his first three seasons, but he is doubling (6.4 ppg) that output as a senior. Kalu has back-to-back double-digit scoring efforts for the first time of his career and four times total on the campaign. He had a pair of such efforts spanning 91 games played through his junior campaign. Kalu is filling up a team-best 69.6 percent (32-46) from the floor while still playing his patented outstanding defense, particularly on ball screens.  He tops the team in rebounding (5.7 rpg-tied 15th CUSA) and is second for blocked shots (0.8-tied 10th CUSA).
 
HOME, SWEET HOME
UTEP's nonconference finale vs. Northern New Mexico College is the fourth (3-0 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. UTEP will 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 it was still a member 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 (11.0) and turnovers forced per contest (18.5). UTEP topped the nation in both categories last season.
 
FOUR-HEADED MONSTER ON OFFENSE
UTEP's top-four scorers (Otis Frazier III, 13.8 ppg-12th CUSA, Ahamad Bynum-12.0 ppg-17th CUSA, Corey Camper Jr., 11.7 ppg-tied 20th CUSA and Devon Barnes-10.5 ppg) have made it difficult for the opposition to key on just any one player. There's still plenty of basketball left, but the Miners haven't had four players average double figures in scoring since the 2018-19 season.
 
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 53.1 percent (162-305) of their field goals.  Otis Frazier III (2.8 apg-tied 10th CUSA), Corey Camper Jr. (2.6 apg-13th CUSA), David Terrell Jr. (2.1 apg-20th CUSA) and Devon Barnes (2.0 apg-21st CUSA) have all shown the ability to find open teammates.
 
FRAZIER III DOING IT ALL
Preseason All-CUSA honoree Otis Frazier III has been stuffing the stat sheet across the board while setting the tone for the Miners in 2024-25. He is among the top 15 in CUSA for scoring (13.8 ppg-12th), assists (2.8 apg-tied 10th), steals (1.6 spg-tied seventh), blocks (0.9-tied seventh) and free-throw percentage (81.0-fourth), making him the lone player in the league to do so. The senior tops the Miners in scoring, assists and blocks while rating second for free-throw percentage and third in steals. He also leads the team in both free throws made (47) and attempted (58) and double-digit scoring efforts (nine).
 
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 (1.8), free-throw percentage (87.1-not enough attempts to qualify for rankings), minutes played (31.4-seventh CUSA) and steals (2.6-first CUSA/13th NCAA). Camper Jr. is second on the team in assists (2.6 apg-13th CUSA) and third in scoring (11.7 ppg-tied 20th CUSA). He has reached double figures in scoring in eight contests, which ties for second on the squad.
 
SIMPLY THE BEST
Ahamad Bynum has put on a dazzling shooting display in 2024-25, leading the nation at 63.8 percent (30-47) from 3-point range. He has connected on at least two 3-pointers in seven straight and nine times total (11 appearances) on the year. The JUCO All-American transfer's 2.7 triples per game are fifth in CUSA and 95th in the country. He is averaging 12.0 ppg (17th CUSA) to pace UTEP reserves and sit second overall on the squad while logging only 19.6 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 7.0 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per contest, 2.1 assists per game and 1.3 steals per contest (tied 13th CUSA) while logging 26.4 minutes per game (third on team). His scoring has picked up of late, with back-to-back double-digit efforts for the first time of his career. An area of concern has been topping the team in both fouls (39) and foul outs (two). He is carrying on a family tradition of student-athletes at UTEP. His mom (Kiana Taylor) was a standout on the women's basketball team (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 the football team from 1994-96.
 
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 10.5 ppg to go along with 1.8 steals per game (tied fifth CUSA). He has drilled 18 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 (55).
 
SWATTING SHOTS
UTEP heads into the matchup against Northern New Mexico College at 3.6 blocks per game, with Otis Frazier III leading the way at 0.9 bpg (tied seventh CUSA). The Miners have blocked at least five shots five times. They had six 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 11.0 steals per contest. They are also forcing a NCAA-best 18.5 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 (13th NCAA), followed by Devon Barnes (1.8-tied fifth CUSA), Otis Frazier III (1.6-tied seventh CUSA) and David Terrell Jr. (1.3 spg-tied 13th CUSA).
 
PICKING OUR SPOTS FROM DISTANCE
UTEP is last in CUSA and 328th in the country by attempting just 18.6 triples per game, but the Miners have been lethal when doing so. UTEP is second in the nation with a readout of 42.2 percent (94-223) from beyond-the-arc. NCAA 3-point percentage leader Ahamad Bynum sets the tone at a staggering 63.8 percent (30-47). Devon Barnes (18-47), Otis Frazier III (14-43), Trey Horton III (12-39) and Corey Camper Jr. (11-30), 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 nine of 12 contests this year. The result has been the Miners connecting on 93-223 (42.3 percent-first CUSA/second NCAA) compared to an effort of 76-243 (31.3 percent) by the opposition. It's a big 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 (47-58, 82.7 percent, fourth CUSA) and Devon Barnes (38-55, 69.1 percent, 10th CUSA) have been there early and often.
 
CAN'T HANDLE THE PRESSURE
UTEP's pressure is causing fits for opponents. The Miners head into the tilt vs. Northern New Mexico College leading the country in both steals per game (11.0 spg) and turnovers forced per game (18.5). 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 14.9 fastbreak points per game, which is first in CUSA and 39th nationally.
 
SPREADING THE PLAYING TIME
Head coach Joe Golding has done a fine job of spreading the wealth with playing time, with nine different Miners (min. seven games played) averaging at least 10.0 minutes per game. Corey Camper Jr. (31.4 mpg, seventh CUSA), Otis Frazier III (27.9 mpg) and David Terrell Jr. (26.4 mpg) are all above 25.0 mpg. Devon Barnes (24.0), Kevin Kalu (20.9 mpg), Ahamad Bynum (19.6 mpg), Trey Horton III (15.2 mpg), KJ Thomas (11.3 mpg) and Derick Hamilton  (10.0 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 4,540.
 
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 6-0 in El Paso this year, and it will play the next four 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 219-195 in his 14th season as a collegiate head coach, including 61-51 at UTEP. He has enjoyed two winning campaigns in three years and is on his way to another at 9-3 thus far in 2024-25. Golding is three 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 christen its 18-game Conference USA slate while also ringing in the New Year when it plays host to preseason league favorite LA Tech at 7 p.m. MT on Thursday. The Miners will also face defending regular-season champion Sam Houston State (Jan. 4) and I-10 rival NM State (Jan. 11) to wrap up the homestand. It will mark the first time since the 1991-92 season that UTEP has its first three conference contests at home. 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 airing on the UTEP Miners app. All three contests 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.