Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (13-11, 4-5 CUSA) will face a stiff test when it plays at surging WKU (17-7, 6-4 CUSA) in a nationally-televised contest (CBS Sports Network) at 5 p.m. MT/6 p.m. CT Thursday. The Miners have won two of the past three, including stomping I-10 rival NM State, 74-49, on Feb. 10 for their biggest margin of victory in the series in 20 years. The Hilltoppers have plenty of momentum of their own, as they became the first team this season in CUSA to go 2-0 on a roadswing during league play. WKU has won three straight overall, including handling Jax State, 70-59, on the road last time out. UTEP, which knocked off the Toppers knocked off the Toppers, 93-87, in El Paso on Jan. 20, is in search of consecutive victories against WKU for the first time ever. The Miners are aiming for their initial road triumph (0-7, 0-4 CUSA) of the campaign. They are also seeking their first road win and third overall in the series when facing WKU, but the Toppers won't make it easy. They are a stout 10-1 at home (4-1 CUSA) on the season, with the lone blemish coming against CUSA co-leader Sam Houston (L, 79-77, Feb. 1). The contest opens a stretch with four of the next six on the road for the Orange and Blue, who will play at Middle Tennessee at 4 p.m. MT/5 p.m. Saturday to cap this week. Jon Teicher (43rd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners App. It will also be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network with Jeff Hern and Mo Cassara describing the action.
 
GET TO KNOW WKU
WKU rolled through nonconference play with a sparkling record of 11-3, which included winning its final seven contests. The Hilltoppers claimed their CUSA opener by two (70-68) against Liberty on Jan. 6 before falling in three of their next four contests. That included the Miners' 93-87 vanquishing of WKU on Jan. 20. The Toppers have regrouped since then to win three straight and four of five on the way to improving to 17-7 overall and 6-4 in CUSA action. That league mark puts them one-half game behind co-CUSA leaders LA Tech (6-3) and Sam Houston (6-3). WKU became the first team in CUSA play this season to sweep a pair of road contests on the week. It knocked off LA Tech, 81-76, on Feb. 7 before taking out Jax State, 70-59, last time out on Feb. 10. The Toppers boast the top-ranked scoring offense in the league (80.3-47th NCAA), buoyed by shooting 46.6 percent shooting (second CUSA/75th NCAA). They get out and run with 14.8 fastbreak points per game (second CUSA/20th NCAA), in addition to getting significant scoring from the bench (27.3 ppg-second CUSA/34th NCAA). WKU's defense gives up 74.2 points per game (eighth CUSA), but that's more related to its style of play. The Toppers hold foes to 41.0 percent shooting (third CUSA/46th NCAA), including only 29.8 percent (first CUSA/19th NCAA) from 3-point range. They also force 14.3 turnovers per contest (third CUSA/50th NCAA). WKU cleans up the defensive glass, securing 29.4 defensive rebounds per game (first CUSA/eighth NCAA). Reigning CUSA Player of the Week Don McHenry paces a quartet of players in double figures for scoring at 16.0 ppg (second CUSA). He is joined by Rodney Howard (10.3 ppg), Khristian Lander (10.1 ppg) and Brandon Newman (10.1 ppg). McHenry attacks and gets to the line, with his 70 made free throws rating fifth in CUSA. He has only missed 12 tosses all year for a readout of 85.4 percent (third CUSA/92nd NCAA). Newman is the top rebounder on the team at 6.0 rpg (tied sixth CUSA) while Babacar Faye has pulled down 5.8 rpg (tied ninth CUSA). Tyrone Marshall stuffs the stat sheet across the board with 9.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.1 blocks per contest (seventh CUSA) and 1.6 steals per game (tied fifth CUSA). WKU's overall winning percentage of 70.8 leads the league and is 53rd in the country. Notable university alumni include Romeo Crennel (former head coach of the Cleveland Browns & KC Chiefs), the late Duncan Hines (pioneer of restaurant ratings for travelers) and the late Cordell Hull (Secretary of State under FDR).
 
SERIES HISTORY: WKU LEADS, 9-2
WKU leads the series, 9-2, with the Miners snapping a seven-game winning streak in the series by the Toppers with a 93-87 triumph at home on Jan. 20. That continued a recent trend with five straight and eight of the overall 11 meetings between the programs having been decided by six points or less. Furthermore, three of the past four at E.A. Diddle Arena were decided by five points or fewer. UTEP was 0-3 against WKU last year, including being bounced in the CUSA Tournament. Prior to the 2022-23 season, the two programs had not faced each other more than once in a campaign. UTEP's first win in the series came in OT (93-89, Feb. 6, 2016) in front of a capacity crowd as part of the 50-year celebration of the Miners winning the 1966 NCAA Championship vs. Kentucky, 72-65.
 
GOING BACK IN TIME
UTEP vaulted out to a 12-0 lead and never looked back on the way to a wire-to-wire 74-49 dismantling of I-10 rival NM State in front of 10,511 rowdy fans at home on Feb. 10. The Miners' 25-point margin of victory was their biggest against the Aggies in 20 years when they also enjoyed a 25-point rout (85-60) at home on Dec. 17, 2003. It was also the second wire-to-win in the past three games (Jax State) and fifth overall.
 
TAE DROPPING TRIPLES
Tae Hardy poured in a game-high 21 points, aided by draining a career-best six triples, in the win against NM State. He has now connected on at least three 3-pointers in five of the past 10 games and 10 times total on the season.
 
BOMBS AWAY
UTEP drilled a season-high tying 10 triples in the win vs. NM State, but the prior two times it happened this year were against Non DI foes. It's the most 3-pointers against a Division I opponent since also nailing 10 in a 73-68 setback vs. WKU on March 2, 2023.
 
NEAR DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Otis Frazier III flirted with a double-double (nine points, eight boards), while also recording three helpers and three steals. To this point in the season, the Miners have produced a trio of double-doubles with one each by Frazier III, Tae Hardy and Calvin Solomon.
 
OTHERS GOT INVOLVED TOO
David Terrell Jr. came off the bench to record a career-high 12 points-all in the second half- to go along with a career-best tying five boards, one assist and one steal. Calvin Solomon notched six points, a season and game-high 11 rebounds and two steals in only 15 minutes of action. Zid Powell tallied eight points, five caroms, a game-most four assists and two steals. He now has four assists in three straight contests. Kevin Kalu was solid with five points, five rebounds and a career-best three steals. Jon Dos Anjos pitched in six points, thanks to two three pointers, to help the Miners' reserves contribute 29 points (only eight from NM State).
 
CRASHING THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS
UTEP was all over the offensive glass against NM State, piling up a season-high (vs. DI opponents) 18 offensive rebounds. That's the highest figure vs. DI foes since also accounting for 18 against WKU in the 2023 CUSA Tournament on March 8, 2023. Otis Frazier III (six), Calvin Solomon (five) and Kevin Kalu (three) led the charge in the department. Solomon finished the game with 11 total rebounds, matching his UTEP career high (happened twice last year).
 
MORE STEALS & TURNOVERS FORCED
UTEP, which entered the game vs. NM State pacing the nation in both turnovers forced per game and steals per contest, lived up to that billing by recording 14 steals on 20 giveaways by the Aggies.
 
LOCKED UP NM STATE'S SHOOTING
UTEP had only one game last week, and it showed with the tenacity that the Miners displayed when guarding NM State. Across the country for all games played from Feb. 5-11, the Miners had the top 3-point percentage defense (10.5 percent) and seventh-best field-goal percentage defense (34.6 percent). The readout for 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made in a game (2-19) both set UTEP opponent season lows.
 
REVERSING A TREND
Ten straight Miner opponents had connected on at least 40.0 percent from the floor, with half at 48.0 percent or better, before UTEP held the Aggies to 34.6 percent shooting. That is the third-lowest readout by a Miner opponent this year (McMurry, 31.5, Nov. 6 and Wyoming, 34.0, Dec. 21). Furthermore, it serves as the best field-goal percentage defense against a CUSA opponent since LA Tech was kept to 29.6 percent on Dec. 17, 2022.
 
KEEPING THEM UNDER 50
NM State became the first Miner opponent this year to be held to under 50 points. The 49 points were also the fewest allowed by UTEP in a CUSA contest since the Orange and Blue kept Charlotte to 47 in a 74-47 triumph on Feb. 27, 2021. Moreover, the 49 points tallied by the Aggies were their fewest in a game against UTEP since a 62-49 Miners' victory all the way back on Nov. 29, 1983. Overall, the Miners are now fifth in CUSA and 92nd nationally with a scoring defense of 68.4 ppga.
 
IT'S BEEN 35 YEARS FOR THIS REBOUNDING FEAT
For the first time in 35 seasons, the Miners have had a rebounding margin of +11 or better in back-to-back games against league opponents. They were +11 vs. Liberty on Feb. 3 and +15 in the rout against NM State on Feb. 10. In 1988-89, UTEP boasted a +12 rebounding margin against both New Mexico (March 10, 1989) and Colorado State (March 11, 1989) en route to staking the WAC Championship.
 
REBOUNDING ON THE RISE
After controlling the boards (39-28) against Liberty on Feb. 3, the Miners' margin rose to +15 (48-33) in the rout against NM State. UTEP has now won the rebounding battle in back-to-back games for the first time since opening two contests of the campaign against DIII foe McMurry and NAIA program Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
 
LOTS OF FREE THROWS LEAD TO LOTS OF WINS
UTEP is 9-1 on the season when attempting at least 29 free throws in a contest. The lone loss in the situation came when Abilene Christian was awarded 48 free throw attempts. The Miners head into Thursday's contest leading CUSA and rating in the top 15 of the country for both free throw attempts per game (25.7-eighth CUSA) and free throws made per contest (17.7-15th NCAA).
 
SO DOES CAMPER JR. SCORING 10+ POINTS
When Corey Camper Jr. hits double figures in scoring, the Miners are practically perfect. UTEP is 8-1 on the year (3-1 in CUSA) in the situation, with the lone loss under those circumstances coming by two points against Liberty.
 
TERRELL JR. HAS TURNED ON THE LIGHT SWITCH
Four-time CUSA Freshman of the Week, including winner of three straight, David Terrell Jr. has elevated his scoring output and increased his minutes in the second half of the season. Over the first 13 games, he was pitching in 3.5 ppg, including 12 made free throws, in 14.3 mpg. In the 11 contests since, he has upped his scoring output to 7.5 ppg, including 30 made free throws (tied second most on team in stretch) while logging 24.5 mpg.
 
HORTON III HAS COME ON
Freshman Trey Horton III played a total of 45 minutes while appearing in seven of the first 15 games season, pitching in 1.4 ppg (2-12 FG, 0-9 3FG, 6-7 FT). In the nine contests since (missed one due to illness), the North Carolina native is tallying 5.5 ppg (15-28, FG, 11-21 3FG, 3-5 FT) in 12.0 mpg.
 
ON CUSP OF SINGLE-SEASON STEALS SCHOOL RECORD
UTEP piled up 14 steals vs. NM State on Feb. 10, lifting its total to 282 on the campaign. The Miners now need just seven thefts to break the school standard that is currently shared by the 2009-10 and 2022-23 teams at 288. UTEP is averaging a nation-leading 11.8 steals per contest, so it won't just establish a record but blow by it by year's end.
 
HARDY'S HEATER
Senior Tae Hardy has hit double figures in 10 straight games (prior best seven), the longest streak of his career. He is averaging 16.5 ppg while logging heavy minutes (35.1 mpg) during the hot streak. Most recently, he went off for 21 points, marking his fourth contest with 20+ in the span.
 
16 GAMES WITH 10+ STEALS
UTEP has recorded 10 steals in 16 different games this season, including most recently coming up with 14 vs. NM State. To put that figure into perspective, consider that it easily surpasses the number of such contests by both the 2022-23 (10) and 2009-10 (nine) teams. That is significant given that the '22-23 and '09-10 Miners currently share the school record for steals in a season at 288, but this year's team is on the verge of breaking it.

GUARDING THE 3-BALL
The Miners have been pretty stingy at defending from beyond-the-arc, including keeping NM State to just 2-19 (10.5 percent) from distance last time out. That was the worst by a Miner foe since Alcorn State was at 9.1 percent (2-22) on Nov. 22, 2022. In terms of league foes, it was the lowest since ODU made just 1-15 (6.7 percent) in a wild come-from-behind 78-70 Miner victory on Jan. 15, 2022. Overall, UTEP opponents have been limited to 30.5 percent (second CUSA/41st NCAA), with 10 foes failing to get above 27 percent.
 
GOTTA GET TO 70
UTEP has had tremendous success this season when tallying at least 70 points. The Miners are 12-1 on the campaign (4-0 CUSA) when scoring 70+ points, including putting up 93 points in the win vs. WKU on Jan. 20. That was the most points vs. a DI foe since the Miners surpassed the century mark in a 101-89 victory against Rice on Jan. 8, 2021.
 
DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE
UTEP has been a different team when playing at home compared to on the road, especially with its offensive output. UTEP is putting up 81.3 ppg (58.4 ppg on road) on 48.5 percent shooting (38.4 percent on road). The Miners are +1.9 on the boards at home (-8.9 on the road.)
 
TURNED IT AROUND ON FREE THROWS
After shooting just 61.3 percent (76-124) on free throws over the first four games, the Miners are at 70.9 percent (349-493) in the 20 contests since. That includes six games of at least 75 percent during that timeframe, including three at 80 percent or better. The Miners have struggled the past two tilts, making a combined 27-46, but on the whole, free throws have been much better.
 
BACK-T0-BACK-TO-BACK FOR TERRELL JR. ON CUSA FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
For the third consecutive week and fourth time overall this season, David Terrell Jr. was voted as the Conference USA Freshman of the Week, as announced by the league office on Feb. 12. Terrell Jr. continued his ascension by coming off the bench to score a career-high 12 points-all in the second half- to go along with a career-best tying five boards, one assist and one steal as UTEP blasted I-10 rival NM State, 74-49, in its lone game of the week on Feb. 10. He also had a +19, the best among Miner reserves. After the Aggies had trimmed a once 13-point lead down to six early in the second half, Terrell Jr. scored six of UTEP's 10 points during a 10-0 run to suddenly break the game open. That included getting a steal and coast-to-coast score that prompted a timeout for the Aggies. The visitors never got within single digits the rest of the way.
 
MAKING THE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK AWARD OURS
UTEP has brought home the CUSA Freshman of the Week Award in six consecutive weeks, doubling the prior program-best run of three in a row (2011-12). That also ties the longest streak in CUSA history, with LA Tech (2020-21) and former conference member Rice (2015-16) having produced six straight. The Miners' nine total Freshman of the Week accolades on the year easily surpasses the prior school record (six, 2013-14). It is one shy of matching the CUSA single-season standard of 10 that is shared by WKU (2018-19), UTSA (2017-18) and Rice (2015-16). David Terrell Jr. (Jan. 8, Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and Feb. 12) and Elijah Jones (Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Nov. 27 and Jan. 22) have taken home the honor four times this campaign while Trey Horton III has claimed it once (Jan. 15).
 
FINDING WAYS TO WIN LATE
After having lost 22 straight games when trailing with five minutes to play, the Miners are 3-5 when faced with that situation since halting the skid against Norfolk State on Dec. 20. UTEP trailed by two in that contest with five minutes left before fighting back for a 67-65 victory. UTEP was down four points with 4:10 left against Chicago State, but it closed the game on a 13-4 run for the win.  In the most-recent victory in the situation, WKU was up by one with 5:18 left but UTEP overcame that as part of a contest-closing 21-12 surge. The Miners had close calls in respective setbacks against Sam Houston and Liberty but couldn't get over the hill.
 
HARDY CONTINUES TO LEAD OFFENSE
Tae Hardy has been the most consistent player at the offensive end for UTEP in 2023-24. He has reached double figures in scoring in 10 straight (seven in a row was prior best), 15 of the past 16 games and a team-best 22 times total this season. He has also produced a squad-most six 20+ point showings, with four coming within the past 10 outings. Hardy also tops the team in old-fashioned three-point plays (nine).
 
ZID SCORES IN DOUBLE DIGITS, WE WIN
UTEP is 9-2 on the season when senior Zid Powell hits double figures in scoring, with the lone setbacks in the situation coming by a combined 10 points (L, 88-82, at ACU, Dec. 17 and L, 60-56, at Sam Houston, Jan. 27). Conversely, the Miners are 4-9 (2-9 vs. DI opposition) when Powell falls short of 10 points.
 
GET THE LEAD AND WE'RE PRETTY, PRETTY GOOD
UTEP is 10-2 on the season when leading at the half and a stout 10-1 this year when holding an advantage with five minutes remaining in regulation. It's not a recent trend, with the Miners a combined 37-7 under head coach Joe Golding when leading at the break.
 
STEALS KEEP COMING
UTEP has registered at least seven steals in every contest on the campaign, including 10 or more 16 times. UTEP's average of 11.8 steals per game leads the nation. The Miners tied the school record for steals with 288 last year, but they are only seven away from breaking it. UTEP will ultimately blow past it, and it is on pace to finish with 378 thefts.
 
TURNOVERS DO TOO FOR OPPONENTS
UTEP is leading the country by forcing 19.2 turnovers per game, which projects to 608 by season's end. The school record for most turnovers in a season by Miner opponents is 573, which was set in 2007-08. To break that standard, the Miners must force 14.3 turnovers per game the rest of the way.
 
TAE DOING IT ALL
Senior Tae Hardy has done it all for the Miners thus far in 2023-24, including hitting the buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Cal on Nov. 20. He paces the team in scoring (15.3-fourth CUSA), minutes per game (33.0-first CUSA), 3-pointers made (51), attempted (134) and 3-pointers per game (2.1-seventh CUSA). Hardy rates second in assists per game (2.4-13th CUSA) and steals (1.9-fourth CUSA/63rd NCAA. Hardy has hit at least one triple in all but one contest and has three or more five times in the past 10 tilts. He has reached double figures in scoring 22 times, aided by 10 straight (prior best seven) and 15 of the past 16. He has produced a team-best six 20+ point outings (four in past 10). The Ellenwood, Ga., native also moved past 1,000 career points (1,171) this year, with more than 700 of those coming with UTEP (777).
 
OTIS STEPPING UP
Junior Otis Frazier III, who was named the CUSA Player of the Week for the first time of his career on Jan. 22, has continued to ascend. He averaged 2.5 ppg in 35 appearances for George Mason from 2020-22 before transferring to UTEP. Last year he averaged 7.5 ppg on 50.3 percent (81-161) shooting in his first year with the Miners. His scoring is even better this year, accounting for 10.7 ppg (second team/tied 17th CUSA) with a readout of 50.9 percent (88-173). He's getting after it on defense, leading the squad at 2.2 steals per contest (third CUSA/22nd NCAA). That figure was boosted by a school-record tying eight steals vs. Middle Tennessee on Jan. 18. Frazier III is also working the boards (4.3 rpg-third team/24th CUSA), doing so in both offensive (1.5 orpg-second team/13th CUSA) and defensive (2.6, fourth team/25th NCAA). He has hit more free throws than last year and is a smidgen better percentage wise too. Frazier III is at 65.3 percent (66-101) from the charity stripe after finishing at 40-63 from the line (63.5 percent) a season ago. He is second on the team in makes (seventh CUSA) and attempts (sixth CUSA). Frazier III has hit double figures in scoring 14 times total this season (second on team)
 
ZID'S DOING HIS PART
Buffalo grad transfer Zid Powell is contributing across the board despite having battled through some injuries and foul issues at times. Powell leads the team in assists (3.0 apg-seventh CUSA), free throws made (82-second CUSA) and attempted (113-third CUSA).  He's hitting 72.6 percent at the charity stripe. Powell is second on the squad for rebounding (4.9-17th CUSA) and is third in scoring (10.6-19th CUSA) and steals (1.6-tied fifth CUSA. His 3.8 defensive boards per game pace the team and place him tied for 10th in CUSA. The Philly native is also fourth on the squad and 18th in CUSA with 1.1 offensive boards per contest. Powell has produced 11 double-digit scoring efforts (UTEP is 9-2 in those tilts), including the most points by a Miner since '21-22 with a career-high 32 vs. Wyoming on Dec. 21.
 
CAMPER JR. MAKING HIS MARK
JUCO Honorable-Mention All-American (Tyler JC) Corey Camper Jr., who came off the bench for nine of the first 10 games of the season, has started 13 of 14 since. He is second on the team for 3-pointers made (19) and attempted (68), fourth in scoring (8.1 ppg) and sixth in steals (1.3-tied 12th CUSA). The Arkansas native has also done a solid job at the charity stripe, nailing a team-best (minimum 30 attempts) 73.8 percent (45-61), including 81.0 percent (17-21) in CUSA. That included going 2-2 in the waning seconds of the game against Chicago State to seal the victory. Camper Jr. has nine games with double-digit scoring totals, including a career-high 19 points in the win vs. WKU on Jan. 20. The Miners are 8-1 in those contests.
 
SOLOMON'S ALL-AROUND GAME
Senior Calvin Solomon is displaying the full arsenal of his abilities in 2023-24, rating second on the team in blocked shots (0.5-16th CUSA), fourth in rebounding (4.2-25th CUSA), tied for fourth in steals (1.4-tied ninth CUSA) and fifth in assists (1.5 apg). He also contributes 6.6 ppg (fifth on team). Solomon is also third on the unit in offensive boards per game (1.5-16th CUSA) and defensive rebounds per contest (2.8-24th CUSA). He has proven to be a team player by coming off the bench in 12 of the past 14 contests after starting the first 10 on the campaign. Solomon is fourth for free throws made (63-10th CUSA) and attempts (86-eighth CUSA) for a readout of 73.3 percent. That is the second best among Miners with at least 20 attempts. It is also a vast improvement from his readout of 59.8 percent (76-127) last year. The Houston native also joined the 1,000 career points club (1,013) this year, with 467 coming at UTEP.
 
KALU MAKING HIS MARK
Kevin Kalu is leading the team lead in blocked shots (0.6-15th CUSA), rebounding (5.0-16th CUSA) and offensive rebounds per game (1.8-12th CUSA). He is also second on the unit for defensive rebounds per contest (3.2-21st CUSA). He has pulled down at least four rebounds in 19 games. He is chipping in 4.5 ppg but is doing so at an efficient 61.1 percent (44-72) from the floor.
 
KEEPING A FAMILY TRADITION ALIVE
Four-time CUSA Freshman of the Week honoree David Terrell Jr. is following in the footsteps of both his mom and dad by competing with the Miners. His mom (Kiana Taylor) was a standout on the women's basketball team at UTEP (1993-96, 97-98), finishing her career as the then school record holder for double-doubles (20) and the then second-leading scorer (1,134) and rebounder (676) in program history. His father, David, was an all-WAC performer for UTEP and played with the football team from 1994-96. Terrell Jr. has adapted well to the college game, rating third on the squad in assists per game (1.9-tied 20th CUSA) and tied for fourth in steals (1.4 spg-tied ninth CUSA). His scoring is coming around as well, as he's elevated it to 5.4 ppg (sixth on team) on a solid 44.8 percent from the floor. He has scored at least six points in nine of the past 11 contests. Three of his three double-digit scoring efforts on the year have come during the stretch. In CUSA only games, he is at 7.3 ppg (fifth on team, aided by going 23-32 at the charity stripe.
 
4X CUSA FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
UTEP forward Elijah Jones has been named the Conference USA Freshman of the Week four times this season, including each of the first three weeks. He became the first Miner in program history to win three straight CUSA Freshman of the Week honors, with it being more impressive that he did it out of the gates. David Terrell Jr. has now joined him with three in a row. After a strong showing in a pair of home wins against Middle Tennessee (Jan. 18) and WKU (Jan. 20), he picked up his fourth such honor on Jan. 22. Overall, Jones is pitching in 4.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg. He is an accurate free throw shooter, connecting on 13-17 (76.5 percent). He is also 41-66 (62.1 percent) including 7-19 (36.8 percent) from distance.
 
WELCOME TO THE COURT, BAYLOR HEBB
After sitting out the first 10 games of the season due to NCAA transfer rules, Baylor Hebb is now part of the rotation. That included making his first start as a Miner at NM State on Jan. 4. He's chipping in 2.6 ppg and 1.1 rpg in 10.4 mpg, aided by a campaign-best seven points vs. Seattle U on Dec. 30.  He did, however, miss consecutive games with an injury before briefly appearing against NM State.
 
GETTING TO THE LINE
The Miners' relentless drive toward to the paint (33.4 points in paint per game) and getting out in transition (17.3 fastbreak points per game-second NCAA) has led to them taking the seventh-most free throws per game (25.7-first CUSA) in the country. UTEP is also 15th nationally for free throws made per contest (17.7-first CUSA). The Miners have four players in the top 10 for CUSA for free throws made. They are Zid Powell (82-second), Otis Frazier III (66-seventh), Tae Hardy (65-ninth) and Calvin Solomon (63-10th CUSA).
 
POUNDING THE PAINT
UTEP has demonstrated the ability to get points in the paint in 2023-24. A good chunk (802-1,763, 45.5 percent) of the Miners' points on the season have come in the paint. On the year, the Orange and Blue have a 802-742 advantage for points in the paint. That works out to 33.4 ppg in the paint for UTEP compared to 30.9 by foes.
 
LET'S GET OUT AND RUN
The Miners are accounting for 17.3 fastbreak points per game, the second-highest average in the country. They have tallied at least 12 points on the break in 20 of 24 contests this year, including a campaign-best 47 against USAO on Nov. 9. Their DI high (31 vs. WKU on Jan. 20) was the most since the '06-07 season when they also had 31 vs. Marshall. UTEP has a remarkable 414-240- cushion against opponents this season in the category, with the 17.3-10.0 ppg differential on average.
 
SHARING IS CARING
UTEP is dishing out 13.0 assists per contest to rate fifth in CUSA. The Miners have surpassed 20 assists three times, including setting a school record with 33 in the opener vs. Division III opponent McMurry on Nov. 6. Zid Powell (3.0 apg-seventh CUSA) and Tae Hardy (2.4 apg-14th CUSA) lead the charge. Freshman David Terrell Jr. (1.9 apg-tied 20th CUSA) has also been good at setting up teammates.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP has notched at least seven steals in all 24 games, with double-digit totals 16 times. That effort has led to it leading the nation in both steals per game (11.8) and turnovers forced per contest (19.2). Foes have committed at least 17 turnovers 16 times, which included a school-record streak of eight straight with 19 or more. Both Chicago State (Jan.7) and Middle Tennessee (Jan. 18) were harassed into 27 turnovers, the most by a DI Miner opponent since Norfolk State had 32 on Dec. 28, 2009. UTEP is on the verge of setting the single-season school record for steals while it is on pace to break it for turnovers forced.
 
LOTS ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR OPPOSITION
UTEP has six players in the top 10 in Conference USA for steals per game. Each of them also help comprise the top-six scorers on the squad. Otis Frazier III (2.2-third CUSA/22nd NCAA) leads the way, with Tae Hardy (1.9-fourth CUSA/63rd NCAA) a bit behind of him. Zid Powell is at 1.6 spg (tied fifth CUSA). Calvin Solomon and David Terrell Jr. share ninth at 1.4 spg while Corey Camper Jr. tied for 12th at 1.3 spg. Last season, Solomon joined Randy Culpepper and Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway as the lone Miners in program history to average at least 2.0 steals per game. Frazier III and Hardy have the best chance on this year's squad to do so.
 
HIGH-OCTANE BENCH
UTEP's reserves have helped the Miners put up 73.5 points per game (fifth CUSA), with the bench accounting for 24.2 ppg (fourth CUSA/77th NCAA). Overall, the Miners hold a 580-477 differential in reserve scoring. That works out to a 24.2-19.9 advantage per contest.
 
WHO IS PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Heading into Thursday's contest at WKU, three Miners are accounting for double figures in scoring while three others are between 5.0 ppg and 8.5 ppg. Senior Tae Hardy (15.3 ppg-fourth CUSA) tops the team. Junior Otis Frazier III (10.7 ppg-tied 17th CUSA) and Buffalo transfer Zid Powell (10.6 ppg-19th CUSA) join him in double digits on average. JUCO Honorable-Mention All-American (Tyler JC) Corey Camper Jr. (8.1 ppg), senior Calvin Solomon (6.6 ppg) and four-time CUSA Freshman of the Week David Terrell Jr. (5.4 ppg) round out the list. Aiding the balanced approach were eight different Miners (most on record) hitting double figures in scoring in the 120-71 season-opening win against McMurry on Nov. 6.
 
WHAT ABOUT PLAYING TIME
Seven different Miners have earned double figures in playing time on average, with each of those individuals appearing in every contest. Tae Hardy (33.0-first CUSA) is the only one on the squad to be earning more than 30.0 minutes per contest. Otis Frazier III (26.5 mpg), Corey Camper Jr. (25.8) and Zid Powell (25.6 mpg) and are the only others above 25.0 mpg.
 
UTEP IN THE RANKINGS
UTEP leads Conference USA in six major stat categories. The Miners top the conference in fastbreak scoring (17.3-second NCAA), free throw attempts per game (25.7-1-eighth NCAA), free throws made per game (17.7-15th NCAA), steals per game (11.8-first NCAA), turnover margin (4.2-16th NCAA) and turnovers forced per contest (19.2-first NCAA). UTEP is also in the top-100 nationally for bench scoring (24.2-fourth CUSA77th NCAA), scoring defense (68.4-fifth CUSA/92nd NCAA) and 3-point field-goal percentage defense (30.5-second CUSA/41st NCAA).
 
DERICK HARDLY MISSES
Derick Hamilton hasn't attempted enough field goals per game to qualify nationally for field-goal percentage, but he has done enough to show off his talents thus far in 2023-24. Hamilton is 17-28 from the floor (60.7 percent) in 64 total minutes of action. That was aided by starting the season 12-12. The high-percentage shooting shouldn't come as a surprise given he was 22-33 last year (66.7 percent) in 20 appearances.
 
HISTORIC PERFORMANCE FOR FRAZIER III
Otis Frazier III had a historic performance against Middle Tennessee on Jan. 18. He became the first DI or NBA Player in the last 25 years to have 20+ points (21), 8+ steals (school-record tying eight) and shoot 100% from the floor (6-6) in that game.
 
SOLOMON & HARDY SURPASS 1,000 CAREER POINTS
Seniors Tae Hardy and Calvin Solomon have both moved past 1,000 career points this season. Hardy did so with a 3-pointer against Wyoming on Dec. 21 while Solomon joined the club after knocking down a free throw at Sam Houston on Jan. 27. Hardy is now at 1,171 (771 with UTEP) while Solomon stands at 1,013 (467 with the Miners).
 
HISTORIC STEALS STRETCH
The Miners put together a school-record seven straight games with 10+ steals (ended vs. Jax State with nine thefts). That included a stretch with 15+ steals in four consecutive contests, which tied as the second longest in the nation dating to 1996-97 (according to NCAA research). Missouri (five, 2022-23) had the most in that stretch, followed by the Miners, Clemson (four, 2009-10), Georgetown (four, 2003-04), Pittsburgh (four, 1998-99) and West Virginia (four, 1997-98). 
 
FIVE TIMES THIS CENTURY
The Miners got out of the gates at 5-0 this year before dropping their last two games, including most-recently, 67-47, at LMU on Nov. 25. It marked the fifth time since 2000 that the Orange and Blue had posted a start of least 5-0. It happened previously in 2019-20 (5-0), 2015-16 (6-0), 2009-10 (5-0) and 2000-01 (6-0).
 
TAE CALLED GAME AGAINST CAL
UTEP defeated Cal, 75-72, on Nov. 20, in a wild and memorable finish. After a couple of missed free throws by Tae Hardy (was 7-7 to that point), the Bears tied the game at 72 with a 3-pointer from Jalen Cone with six seconds left. Rather than sulk, Otis Frazier III inbounded the ball to Zid Powell, who raced up the court. He then dished it to Hardy, whose 3-point attempt spun around the rim before dropping through for the buzzer-beating victory. It was the first buzzer beater for UTEP since Alfred Hollins's tip-in as the horn sounded in a 70-68 triumph against Florida Atlantic on Jan. 27, 2022. The win was the first against a Power Five program under head coach Joe Golding and initial since knocking off Arizona State on the road, 76-63, on Dec. 16, 2020.
 
BESTING A POWER PROGRAM ON A NEUTRAL COURT
UTEP's win against Cal marked the first time that it bested a Power Six program (Power Five + Big East) at a neutral site since taking out Xavier (Big East) on Nov. 28, 2014. It was also the initial occasion to defeat a Power Five foe in a neutral match-up since toppling SEC foe Tennessee, 78-70, on Nov. 28, 2013, in the Battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island, Bahamas.
 
TAKING OUT A PRESEASON FAVORITE
UC Santa Barbara has been to two of the past three NCAA Tournaments and set a school record for wins (27) last year, but the Miners weren't intimidated. UTEP led for 25 minutes, including never trailing in the second half, on the way to taking out the in the 2023-24 preseason favorites in the Big West, 89-76, on Nov. 13.
 
TALKING 100-POINT GAMES
UTEP finished with the second-most points (120, now third) in program history in the win vs. McMurry on Nov. 6. The Miners followed that up with a school-record 123 points in routing USAO. It was the first time UTEP started a season with consecutive 100+ point showings. In fact, the only other time the Orange and Blue ever posted back-to-back 100-point games came during the 1968-69 season when they blasted Montana (103-90, 12/28/68) and then drilled Tahoe Paradise (109-63, 1/2/69). Prior to the outbursts this year, the Miners hadn't topped 100 since besting Rice, 101-89, on Jan. 8, 2021. UTEP now stands at 33-2 all time when surpassing 100 points in a contest, including 31-0 in El Paso (22-0 at the Haskins Center). UTEP has won 18 straight games when hitting the century mark.
 
AN OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION TO BEGIN THE YEAR
The Miners enjoyed a three-game scoring stretch with at least 89 points to begin the year. The last time UTEP did so at any point in the season was 14 years ago. That year, the Orange and Blue also had a three-contest span (12/19/09-12/28/09). Making this season's effort stand out a bit is that the Miners had back-to-back 100-point outings for just the second time in school history. It also happened in 1968-69.
 
DUST OFF THE RECORD BOOKS
UTEP dented the record book in the first two games of the season.
-School-record 123 points vs. USAO (11/9) and third-most points (120) vs. McMurry (11/6). The 243 points are the most in a two-contest span in program history.
- Dished out a program-best 33 assists vs. McMurry, smashing the prior standard of 29.
- School-record 50 field goals vs. McMurry, crushing the previous mark (46) that had happened in both 1979 (vs. Illinois Tech, 12/22/79) and in 1966 (vs. NM State, 2/1/66).
- Second-most second-half points (71) at the school vs. USAO and tied for seventh-highest total (61) after the break against McMurry.
- Tied for fourth-most first-half points (59) against McMurry.
- Won back-to-back games by at least 49 points for first time ever, including tying for the seventh-biggest margin of victory (51) vs. USAO (W, 123-71).
- Posted 19 steals vs. McMurry, tying as the third most at the school, while the 18 thefts against USAO earned a share of fifth place.
 
THE BEST FANS IN CONFERENCE USA
UTEP led Conference USA in attendance last year in both total number of fans (81,941) and average attendance (4,552). It marked the second straight season that the Miners paced CUSA in at least one of those categories. Last year, UTEP's advantage for per-game average was noticeable, with WKU more than 500 fans behind on average at 4,026. The Miners are solid in the area in 2023-24, leading the league for total fans (71,509) and placing second in average attendance (4,767).

MORE THAN A MILLION FANS
UTEP has attracted more than one million fans to the Don Haskins Center over the past decade. A total of 1,116,176 individuals have passed through the turnstiles from the beginning of the 2012-13 campaign to the end of the 2022-23 season. That figure makes the Miners the only school out of the nine members in Conference USA to have topped one million fans in that timeframe.
 
ROSTER RUNDOWN
UTEP returned its leading scorer (Tae Hardy-12.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.2 spg) and rebounder (Calvin Solomon-6.0 rpg, 9.6 ppg, 2.0 apg, 2.0 spg) from last year's team. Overall, the Miners brought back 54.3 percent of their scoring and 50.5 percent of their rebounding. It is a stark difference from the situation the Orange and Blue faced going into the 2022-23 campaign, when they had just 20.8 percent of the rebounding and 11.1 percent of the scoring back. UTEP has seven lettermen in the fold, including three starters (Hardy, Solomon and Otis Frazier III; 7.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg). Jon Dos Anjos (4.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg) , Derick Hamilton (2.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg), Antwonne Holmes and Kevin Kalu are the other returning lettermen. The Miners landed six newcomers, including junior-college All-American Corey Camper Jr. (19.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg at Tyler JC) and DI transfers Zid Powell (13.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.9 spg at Buffalo) and Baylor Hebb (Colorado State). UTEP also has a pair of true freshmen (Trey Horton III, David Terrell Jr.) and another JUCO transfer (Sebastian Cole). Garrett Levesque (Tarleton State) and Elijah Jones (ECU) have also made their respective Miner debuts after redshirting the 2022-23 campaign.
 
DI EXPERIENCE
UTEP has ample DI experience across its roster, with a combined 454 games played (210 starts) among the Miners as of the beginning of the 2023-24 season. Calvin Solomon leads with way with 114 appearances (88 starts).
 
PRESEASON HONORS
UTEP seniors Tae Hardy and Calvin Solomon were tabbed to the 2023-24 CUSA All-Preseason Team in a vote by the league's nine head coaches. The Miners joined Middle Tennessee and WKU as the only programs in the conference to have a pair of members on the squad.
 
NEW-LOOK LEAGUE
UTEP joined Conference USA as the newest school in the league for the 2005-06 campaign. It entered the 2023-24 season as the most-tenured member. The 11 programs who were part of CUSA when the Miners moved to it have since departed to other conferences. Joining UTEP as returning league members are FIU, LA Tech, Middle Tennessee and WKU while Jax State, Liberty, NM State and Sam Houston are all in their first year.
 
A YEAR IN REVIEW
-    UTEP had a new-look squad in 2022-23 with head coach Joe Golding having to overhaul the roster after the Miners returned just one starter and three letterwinners total from a 20-win team a year prior.
-    The Orange and Blue managed a 14-18 record, including a 67-64 victory against NM State on Nov. 12, 2022, for their first win against the Aggies in three years. That was the start of a five-game winning streak, which was aided by back-to-back OT triumphs.
-    The five straight victories in November were the longest in the month in four years, which was aided by a mark of 3-0 in the inaugural Jim Forbes Classic Presented by Speaking Rock.
-    The Miners came within a point of winning the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, falling 47-46 to eventual NCAA Tournament participant Kent State on Dec. 22, 2022. UTEP experienced a tough 1-4 stretch early in league play, with those four setbacks by a combined 14 points.
-    UTEP remained resilient on the way to forging seven league triumphs, capped by a 77-65 "Senior Day" triumph against Middle Tennessee on March 4, 2023.
-    The Orange and Blue tied the single-season school record for overtime games at five, matching the 1994-95 and 2011-12 teams. All five of the OT games were in the regular season, which are the most ever at the school. Both the 1994-95 and 2011-12 Miners had in four OT games during the regular season and one postseason OT tilt.
 
THE BASIC FACTS ON UTEP
-    This is the 103rd season of UTEP men's basketball. The Miners made history by starting five African-Americans to defeat Kentucky, 72-65, and win the 1966 NCAA Championship on the way to inspiring the Disney hit movie Glory Road.
-    UTEP has 17 NCAA Tournament appearances (last in 2010), 11 NIT bids (last in 2015), 12 conference championships (last in 2010) and 26 seasons with at least 20+ victories (last in 2015). The Miners have won five league tournaments (last in 2005).
-    The Miners have a strong presence in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with Don Haskins, Nate Archibald, Nolan Richardson, the 1966 team and Tim Hardaway all representing UTEP.
 
GOLDING REACHES 200 CAREER WINS
Third-year UTEP head coach Joe Golding guided the Miners past Wyoming, 78-67, on Dec. 21 to not only win the 2023 WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational but also hit the 200-career victory plateau. He is now 205-187 all time between Abilene Christian and UTEP, including 47-43 in his third season in the Sun City. That places him eighth on the Miners' all-time coaching win list. He needs two triumphs to surpass Doc Sadler (48-18, 2004-06).
 
GET TO KNOW COACH GOLDING
Joe Golding is in his third year at UTEP and is the 20th head coach in program history. He is the eighth head coach for the Miners since legendary Hall of Fame Coach Don Haskins retired following the 1998-99 season. Golding is 205-187 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach, including 47-43 at UTEP. Those have allowed him to moved past both current Texas head coach Rodney Terry (37) and Jason Rabedeaux (46 wins, 1999-02) this year. His next victory will tie him with Doc Sadler (48-18, 2004-06). Golding became the fourth head coach (20 total) in program history to have a winning season in their first year on the sideline. Don Haskins was the first when he directed the Miners to a mark of 18-6 in 1961-62. Doc Sadler (27-8, 2004-05) and Tim Floyd (25-10, 2010-11) also achieved the feat. Overall, the prior 19 head coaches combined to forge an average record of 9-13 in their first year with UTEP. Previously Golding spent 10 years at Abilene Christian (158-144), helping it transition from a Division II to a Division I program. Golding led the Wildcats to the 2019 and 2021 NCAA Tournaments, including a stunning upset as a 14-seed of third-seeded Texas in the first round of the 2021 Big Dance.
 
UP NEXT
UTEP will conclude the two-game road trip by challenging Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro, Tenn., at 4 p.m. MT/5 p.m. CT Saturday. Jon Teicher (43rd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners App. It will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).