Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (5-2) will be back inside the Don Haskins Center for the first time in 25 days when it plays host to Seattle U (3-5) at 2 p.m. MT Saturday. It is "Kids Day," with the special 2 p.m. MT tipoff making it a great opportunity for families with children to attend. The Miners haven't suited up in the Sun City since a 78-58 dismantling of DII member UTPB on Nov. 12. UTEP played the next four outside of El Paso, going 3-1 in the stretch (1-0 road, 2-1 neutral). The Orange and Blue have won back-to-back contests, including a 64-59 vanquishing of UNC Greensboro on Nov. 27 to cap the Ball Dawgs Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. The Redhawks, who boast a NET ranking of 100, snapped a two-game skid by shooting past Portland State, 91-74, on Dec. 4. This marks the second straight season that Seattle U is paying a visit to El Paso. The Redhawks bested the Miners, 73-61, on Dec. 30, 2023, a game UTEP never led in. UTEP trailed in that contest by 26 with roughly six minutes left before a rally came up shy. The game vs. Seattle U kicks off a stretch of eight of nine inside the Bear's Den for UTEP, with the lone road tilt in the sequence coming at perennial ACC power Louisville on Dec. 11. The Miners are 2-0 at home this season, with both of those victories coming against DII opposition. Seattle U stands 1-3 on the road, including a 70-48 setback at No. 11 Duke on Nov. 29. 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 TO WATCH
Seattle U is 18th in the country for both free throws made per game (19.4) and attempts per contest (26.4), and the Miners are 344th (out of 355) in the nation with 21.0 fouls per contest. UTEP paces the country in both turnovers forced per game (20.7) and steals per game (11.9). The Redhawks commit 13.0 giveaways per contest.
 
HOME, SWEET HOME
Saturday's matchup with Seattle U marks the start of a stretch where the Miners will play eight of the next nine at home. The sequence also includes a tilt vs. Tarleton State as part of the CUSA/WAC Challenge (Dec. 16) and the annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational (Dec. 20-21). A contest vs. Northern New Mexico (Dec. 28) will wrap up nonconference play. The Miners will then have their first three league games at home, something that hasn't happened since the 1991-92 season when they were members of the WAC. The lone road affair during the nine-game stretch is at perennial ACC power Louisville on Dec. 11.
 
SERIES HISTORY: TIED, 6-6
UTEP and Seattle U are tied 6-6 in the all time series, although the Miners maintain a 6-2 cushion in El Paso. Nine of the 11 matchups occurred from 1966-69, but the two sides did square off last year in El Paso. That resulted in a 73-61 victory for Seattle U, a game UTEP never led. The Miners trailed by 26 with roughly six minutes left before a rally came up shy. The matchup that comes to mind for most Miner fans, though, was a 74-72 setback at Seattle U on March 5, 1966. That proved to be the lone loss on the season for the Miners' 1966 NCAA Championship team. Last year's victory by Seattle U halted a three-game winning streak in the series for the Miners, but the two sides hadn't met up since the 1996-97 campaign (W, 83-55, at UTEP, 12/8/96).
 
GET TO KNOW SEATTLE U (3-5, 2-1 HOME, 1-3 AWAY, 0-1 NEUTRAL)
Seattle U got off to an 0-3 start, but it has gone 3-2 since to enter Saturday's showdown with the Miners at 3-5 overall on the year. The Redhawks, who have put together three consecutive 20+ win seasons for the first time at the school since 1957-59, are coming off a 91-74 drubbing of Portland State on Dec. 4. The squad is No. 100 in the most-recent NET rankings, making it the highest-rated member in the WAC. Incidentally, this will be the final year in the league for the Redhawks, as they are moving to the WCC beginning with the 2025-26 campaign. Seattle U has played a tough schedule, which has a NET strength of schedule of 21. Playing a factor in that was facing No. 11 Duke on the road (L, 70-48, on Nov. 29). The other four losses were all by single digits, including being edged, 66-64, by Conference USA member Liberty (No. 59 NET) at home on Nov. 9. Excluding the 22-point loss at Duke, the combined differential in the other four defeats was 18 points. The Redhawks put up 72.5 points per contests, with five different individuals accounting for at least 8.0 ppg. Setting the tone is Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe, who is averaging a double-double (13.9 ppg, 13th WAC, 10.6 rpg, first WAC/ninth NCAA). The power four transfer previously spent two years at both Georgia and at Oklahoma State. Moncrieffe paces the WAC and is among the national leaders for both free throws made (49, 17th NCAA) and attempted (68, 12th NCAA). Preseason All-WAC honoree John Christofilis (12.1 ppg) and Paris Dawson (10.9 ppg) are also in double figures for scoring. Maleek Arington (8.8 ppg) and Brayden Maldonado (8.1 ppg) are the only other players on the roster putting up at least 5.0 ppg. Arington runs the offense with a WAC-best 5.4 assists per contest (49th NCAA). Seattle U is among the WAC and national leaders for free throws made per game (19.4, second/18th) and attempts per game (26.4, second/18th). It is just outside the top 100 (110th) with free-throw percentage (73.5) and 3-point percentage (35.6, 110th). The Redhawks have struggled to guard it, with foes shooting 47.8 percent (334th NCAA). Notable university alumni include Elgin Baylor (NBA Hall of Famer and GM). Famed actor Clint Eastwood enrolled at the school but did not attend after being drafted into the US military in 1951.
 
LOOKING BACK
UTEP shut down UNC Greensboro's offense by holding it to 31.5 shooting while Corey Camper Jr. (18 points, 7-15 FG, 4-5 FT) was cooking at the other end to help the Miners post a wire-to-wire 64-58 victory on the final day of the Ball Dawgs Classic on Nov. 27. Devon Barnes (10 points) joined Camper Jr. in double figures for scoring while Ahamad Bynum (eight points), David Terrell Jr. (seven points), Kevin Kalu (seven points) and Trey Horton III (six points) provided ample support. UTEP jumped out to a 10-point lead (18-8), and the Spartans, who have posted back-to-back 20-win seasons, never got within a single possession the rest of the way.
 
SHUT THE SPARTANS DOWN
UNCG was held to 31.5 percent from the floor (17-54) on Nov. 27. It marked the lowest shooting percentage by a Division I UTEP opponent since LA Tech connected on a meager 29.6 percent (16-54) on Dec. 17, 2022.
 
STARTING TO LOCK IN ON DEFENSE
UTEP has turned up the heat on defense the past two games. The Miners smashed Long Beach State (W, 70-44), with the Beach scoring the fewest points by a Miner foe in nearly six years (W, 73-44, vs. Southern Miss, Feb. 24, 2018). That was followed up by shutting down UNCG in a 64-58 victory on Nov. 27. The Spartans had entered the contest at 72.2 points per game. It marks the first time since the 2021-22 season that back-to-back UTEP opponents have tallied less than 60 points. That year, which was Joe Golding's first season on the sideline, the Orange and Blue kept both UC Riverside (L, 52-40) and Florida A&M (W, 67-53), in check.
 
MORE ABOUT THE D
The Miners' first three Division I opponents all shot better than 50 percent from the floor, but UTEP has made that trend a thing of the past the last two contests. The Orange and Blue held the past two opponents to a combined 35.2 percent (32-91) shooting, with LBSU finishing at 40.5 percent (15-37) before UNCG was shut down to the tune of 31.5 percent (17-54). The result has been a scoring defense of 51.0 in the stretch compared to 78.7 ppga from the first three DI foes.
 
MADE THE MOST OF THE UNCG TURNOVERS
UNCG had 13 turnovers against the nation's top team at forcing them, but the Miners made them pay still. They converted the 13 turnovers into 17 points. Twelve of those points came off eight giveaways in the opening frame, which helped UTEP lead by eight at the break (33-25). That continued a season-long trend for capitalizing off giveaways. The Orange and Blue are +67 (143-76) in seven games for points off turnovers, winning the specialty stat six times.
 
TOOK GREAT CARE OF IT AGAIN
UTEP committed just eight turnovers vs. UNCG, tying its season low (eight at UC Santa Barbara and eight vs Sul Ross State). UNCG had just two steals, a season low for the opposition. That concerted effort helped the Miners compensate for allowing 15 offensive boards, which the Spartans turned into 12 second-chance points. That, coupled with UTEP's nation-leading 20.7 turnovers forced per contest, has led to the Orange and Blue pacing CUSA and sitting second in the NCAA rankings for turnover margin (+8.3).
 
SWATTING SHOTS
UTEP heads into the matchup vs. Seattle U having blocked at least five shots in four different contests, including a season-high tying six against both San Jose State (Nov. 25) and Sul Ross State (Nov. 4). The effort has allowed the Miners to rank second in CUSA and 90th in the country in blocks per game (4.1). UTEP had six total contests with at least five rejections during the entire 2023-24 season.
 
NOT MANY LEAD CHANGES AROUND
There have been three lead changes total through seven games on the season, with all of those coming during the first half of the Miners' eventual 70-44 win vs. Long Beach State on Nov. 26. There have also been just three ties this year (at UCSB, San Jose State, Long Beach State), but UTEP is coming off its third wire-to-wire victory of the campaign last time out against UNCG.
 
FOUR-HEADED MONSTER ON OFFENSE
UTEP's top-four scorers (Corey Camper Jr., 13.6 ppg-12th CUSA, Otis Frazier III, 13.0 ppg-14th CUSA, Devon Barnes-11.4 ppg-tied 20th CUSA and Ahamad Bynum-11.0 ppg-22nd CUSA) have accounted for 64.1 percent (332 of 518) of the Miners' points in 2024-25. The quartet has combined to reach double figures in scoring in 18 of 24 total appearances on the year. Part of the reason for the balanced offensive attack has been UTEP making the extra pass. The Miners have recorded an assist on 56.3 percent (99-176) of their field goals. 
 
CAN'T CONTAIN COREY
Corey Camper Jr. has been a handful for the opposition at both ends of the court this year. He enters the match-up with Seattle U pacing the team in scoring (13.6 ppg-12th CUSA), steals (2.9 spg-first CUSA/13th NCAA), minutes played (31.2 mpg-seventh CUSA) and free-throw percentage (22-23, 95.7 percent- first CUSA/12th NCAA). Every one of those talents were on full display at the Ball Dawgs Classic (Nov. 25-27) where he averaged 17.3 ppg on 46.3 shooting. He's shared the ball well (3.0 apg), but more impressive is the fact that he's turned it over just six times for an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.5 (second CUSA/31st NCAA).
 
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 tallying 11 points total the past two tilts. He is still second on the team with 13.0 points per game (14th CUSA). The senior has done a great job of setting up teammates as well, pacing the Miners in assists per game (3.3, tied 10th CUSA). Frazier III is also locked in on defense, topping the Orange and Blue in blocks (1.1 bpg-tied seventh CUSA) while sitting second for steals (1.7 spg-tied fifth CUSA).
 
DT GETTING IT GOING
David Terrell Jr., the 2024 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, has slowly but surely started to find his form while settling into a starting role after coming off the bench last year. He was held to 5.0 ppg while racking up 16 total fouls in his first four appearances this year (DNP vs. UTPB). Terrell has averaged 11.5 ppg the past two contests, including tallying a career-high 16 points vs. Long Beach State. More importantly, he's had six fouls total in that stretch. Overall, the Dallas native is now averaging 7.2 ppg on 58.1 percent shooting (18-31). He has added 1.5 steals per game (10th CUSA).
 
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 11.4 ppg (tied 20th CUSA) to go along with 1.4 steals per game (tied 11th CUSA). He has drilled 11-27 (40.7 percent) from distance and 39-36 (80.6 percent) at the charity stripe.
 
SIMPLY THE BEST
Ahamad Bynum has put on a dazzling shooting display in 2024-25, leading the nation at 60.7 percent (17-28) from 3-point range. He has connected on at least two 3-pointers in four of his six contests played this year. The JUCO All-American transfer's 2.83 triples per game are third in CUSA and 90th in the NCAA. He is averaging 11.0 ppg to pace UTEP reserves and sit fourth overall on the squad while logging only 20.7 minutes per game. The majority of his shots (28 of 42) have come from distance.
 
HITTING THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS FINALLY
After failing to reach double figures in offensive boards in any of the first five games (averaged 7.0 during the stretch), the Miners have come up with a total of 24 (12.0 avg) the past two tilts. UTEP had 13 (led to 10 second-chance points) vs. Long Beach State. That was followed up by 11 offensive caroms vs. UNCG (converted into eight second-chance points).
 
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 seven contests this year. Included in that was 16 vs. Long Beach State (Nov. 26), the most vs. a DI nonconference foe since it piled up 18 vs. in a 93-56 romp of Norfolk State at the Haskins Center on Dec. 28, 2008. To put the 44 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 11.9 steals per contest.
 
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 (11.9) and turnovers forced per game (20.7). UTEP accounts for four of the top 12 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 (1.7-fifth CUSA), David Terrell Jr. at 1.8 spg (10th CUSA) and Devon Barnes (1.5-12th CUSA).
 
KNOCKING DOWN SHOTS
Four different Miners are filling up at least 50.0 percent from the floor (min. 15 FGA), with Kevin Kalu leading the way at 60.0 percent (12-20). David Terrell Jr. (18-31, 58.1 percent), Ahamad Bynum (22-42, 52.4 percent) and Derick Hamilton (12-23, 52.2 percent) round out the list.
 
DEEP THREAT
The Miners sit second in CUSA and 21st in the nation from 3-point range at 39.6 percent (55-139). UTEP has connected on at least seven treys four times this year, including back-to-back contests. NCAA 3-point percentage leader Ahamad Bynum leads the way at a staggering 60.7 percent (17-28). Devon Barnes has also been locked in, filling up 40.7 percent (11-27) from distance.
 
TRIPLES FAVORING THE MINERS
UTEP has made equal to or more 3-pointers than the opposition in five of the seven contests this season. The result has been the Miners connecting on 55-139 (39.6 percent-second CUSA/19th CUSA) compared to a readout of 43-128 (33.6 percent) 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 the Miners made just 158-337 (29.4 percent).
 
FREE THROWS DON'T WIN BALLGAMES?
UTEP was at 66.7 percent (14-21) at the charity stripe last time out in the win vs. UNC Greensboro (Nov. 27). Ironically, the Miners are now 5-0 when shooting below 70 percent from the floor and 0-2 when hitting above that.
 
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 22-23 (95.7 percent, first CUSA/10th NCAA). That is a stark improvement in percentage while is attempts per game is also up to 3.3 compared to 2.1 from last year. He made his first 21 free throws before misfiring. 
 
TRIO AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
Corey Camper Jr. (22-23, 95.7 percent-first CUSA/10th NCAA), Otis Frazier III (24-29, 81.5 percent, third CUSA) and Devon Barnes (29-36, 80.6 percent, sixth CUSA) give the Miners three of the top six free throw shooters in Conference USA. No one else in the league has more than one individual in the top 10 for free-throw percentage.
 
CAN'T HANDLE THE PRESSURE
UTEP's pressure is causing fits for opponents. The Miners head into the tilt against Seattle U leading the country in both steals per game (11.9 spg) and turnovers forced per game (20.7). 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.
 
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 15.0 fastbreak points per game, which is second in CUSA and 46th nationally.
 
SHARING IS CARING
UTEP has been credited with an assist on 56.3 percent (99-176) of its field goals, helping it average 74.0 points per game. Otis Frazier III (3.3 apg-tied 10th CUSA) leads the charge with setting up his teammates. Corey Camper Jr.,who tops the team in scoring at 13.6 ppg (12th CUSA), also passes the rock well with 3.0 assists per contest (11th CUSA). Camper Jr. has a stellar +3.5 (21-6) assist-to-turnover ratio (first CUSA/29th NCAA).
 
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. (31.3 mpg) and Otis Frazier III (27.7 mpg) and David Terrell Jr. (25.5 mpg) are all above 25.0 mpg. Ahamad Bynum (20.7 mpg), Trey Horton III (19.0 mpg), Kevin Kalu (17.7 mpg) and Baylor Hebb (11.3 mpg) round out the list.
 
LIVED OUT OF THE SUITCASE
UTEP just finished up a stretch with five of its first seven contests (5-2) outside of El Paso. That marked the initial time that occurred since the 2014-15 season. The Miners were 2-0 at home, 1-1 on the road and 2-1 in neutral during those first seven contests. 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 games (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 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).
 
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. The matchup against Seattle is the first vs. a DI opponent in the Sun City this season. It also marks the beginning of a stretch with eight of nine at home.
 
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 215-194 in his 14th season as a collegiate head coach, including 57-50 at UTEP. He has enjoyed two winning campaigns in three years. Golding is seventh 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 hits the road to play at perennial ACC power Louisville at 5 p.m. MT/7 p.m. ET on Dec. 11. It is the only contest out of the next nine (including Saturday's matchup vs. Seattle U), that will be outside of El Paso. Jon Teicher (44th year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will also be broadcast nationally on the ACC Network.