Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (13-15, 4-9 CUSA) will look to get back into the win column when it plays at Jax State (14-14, 6-7 CUSA) at 5 p.m. MT/6 p.m. CT Thursday. The Miners have dropped four straight contests-the longest skid of the season-including a 65-54 setback last time out to Conference USA co-leader Sam Houston on Feb. 24. UTEP isn't that far off, though, as it held second-half advantages in all four of those setbacks, including being ahead or tied within the final eight minutes in three of them. UTEP even had chances to win the game in the final possession of both regulation and overtime at Middle Tennessee before succumbing, 96-90, in double OT on Feb. 17 in its most-recent road contest. The Orange and Blue, however, are catching the Gamecocks at the wrong time. Jax State has won back-to-back contests and three of the past five, including a 77-75 victory at FIU last time out on Feb 24. They rallied from a 13-point deficit to pull out the win. The Gamecocks sport a mark of 8-5 at home (4-2 in CUSA) while UTEP is shooting for its initial road victory of the campaign (0-9, 0-6 CUSA). Nearly half (four of nine) of the Miners' road setbacks on the year have been by six points or less, but in each of those they just couldn't quite close it out. UTEP was up by 15 at FIU with seven minutes left before falling, 72-68, on Jan. 13. It was ahead by seven with six minutes remaining in regulation in the double OT loss at MT on Feb. 17. The Miners led by three with six minutes left in an eventual 88-82 loss at Abilene Christian (Dec. 17) and were down by one with four minutes to play in a 60-56 vanquishing at Sam Houston on Jan. 27. 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 stream on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Mickey Shadrix (play-by-play) and former Miner Ray Hammett (analyst) describing the action.
 
GET TO KNOW JAX STATE
First-year Conference USA member Jax State enters Thursday's match-up with an overall record of 14-14, including 6-7 within CUSA to sit tied for fourth place in the league standings. The Gamecocks are peaking at the right time, having won two in a row and three of the past five. That includes pulling out a 77-75 victory at FIU last time out on Feb. 24. They rallied from 13 points down in the second half for their largest come-from-behind road victory in at least 15 seasons. Jax State is a tough-nosed foe which is allowing only 65.4 points per game to rate third in CUSA and 28th nationally for scoring defense. That is aided b holding the opposition to 42.3 percent shooting (fourth CUSA) while committing only 16.3 fouls per game (fourth CUSA). The Gamecocks block 3.9 shots per contest (third CUSA/100th NCAA), with Mason Nicholson (1.4-third CUSA) and Andres Burney (0.9-11th CUSA) setting the tone in the department. Jax State is outstanding on the boards (+6.3-second CUSA/27th NCAA). Juwan Perdue (5.8 rpg-10th CUSA) and Nicholson (5.1 rpg-15th CUSA) are the top performers on the glass, followed by Marcellus Brigham Jr. (4.6 rpg-21st CUSA). Perdue is especially effective on boxing out, pulling down 4.4 defensive rebounds per contest (seventh CUSA). Although the Gamecocks are seventh in CUSA for scoring offense, they do boast the top point producer in the league in the form of KyKy Tandy at 17.8 ppg (first CUSA/86th NCAA). There's a big drop off afterwards, with Perdue rating second on the squad in scoring at 8.6 ppg, followed by team assist leader (2.9 apg-eighth) Quincy Clark with 8.1 ppg. Three others chip in between 5.5 and 7.5 ppg. Tandy can score at all three levels. He paces CUSA in free-throw percentage (89.8-18th NCAA) while rating third in free throws made (88). The Xavier transfer knocks down 2.6 3-pointers per game (fourth CUSA/78th NCAA), having nailed 72 of 191 for a readout of 37.7 percent (third CUSA/52nd NCAA). He has taken the most overall shots (401-40th NCAA) in CUSA but has also hit the most (169-84th NCAA). Incidentally, even with Tandy, Jax State is last in the league and 334th nationally for 3-pointers per contest (5.2). Notable alumni include Ashley Martin (became the first woman to play and score in an NCAA Division I American football game) and Cary Guffey (star of the 1977 Steven Spielberg film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind").

SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 2-0
UTEP will be looking to sweep the season series with Jax State after posting a 79-71 wire-to-wire win on Feb. 1. The Miners are now 2-0 all time against the Gamecocks, having claimed the first meeting, 76-53, in the Sun City on Dec. 18, 1995.
 
GOING BACK IN TIME
UTEP was upended by Conference USA co-leader Sam Houston, 65-54, inside the Don Haskins Center on Feb. 24. The game featured four ties and six lead changes, with the Miners leading the Bearkats by one (40-39) with roughly 14 minutes remaining in regulation. Sam Houston struck back in the form of a game-changing 13-2 surge, including eight straight to vault ahead by 10, and UTEP could never recover.
 
SAM HOUSTON HANDLED THE HEAT
Sam Houston handled UTEP's vaunted pressure by committing only 12 turnovers, with the Orange and Blue finishing with eight steals. Despite the uncharacteristic performance in the department, the Miners head into Thursday's game at Jax State still pacing the nation in turnovers forced per game (19.0) and steals per contest (11.8).
 
TERRELL JR. NAME CUSA FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK...AGAIN
For the fifth time this season, David Terrell Jr. was voted as the Conference USA Freshman of the Week, it was announced by the league office on Feb. 26. The Dallas native continued to pick up valuable experience for the stretch run with all-around efforts in a pair of contests against co-league leaders LA Tech and Sam Houston. He averaged 5.5 points, 3.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in 22.5 mpg off the bench. Terrell Jr. started the week off by pitching in five points to along with a career-most tying (vs. DI opponents) five assists, three steals and three boards vs. LA Tech. Two of his three rebounds came at the offensive end. He followed that up with six points, two steals and two boards vs. Sam Houston. He continued to provide lockdown on-the ball defense, doing so while committing only one foul over 45 total minutes of action. Terrell Jr. also valued the basketball with two total turnovers, making one in each appearance, resulting in a 3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio.
 
CAN'T GET TO THE LINE LATELY
UTEP entered last week's slate averaging 25.7 free throw attempts per game, but it struggled to get there the past two contests. The Miners combined for 58 points in the paint vs. LA Tech and Sam Houston, but they attempted a total of 19 free throws over the two games. UTEP set season lows for makes (three) and attempts (five) against the Bulldogs before following that up by going 8-14 at the charity stripe against the Bearkats.
 
VALUING THE BASKETBALL
UTEP has registered three straight games with 10 turnovers or less, including nine last time out vs. Sam Houston. The Miners had four total such contests over the first 24 games of the season. Furthermore, it's the longest streak with 10 or fewer turnovers since a four-contest surge during the 2021-22 campaign. (Feb. 19-March 3, 2022).
 
BOXED OUT THE BEST IN THE LEAGUE
The Miners hung tough on the boards (30-27, Sam Houston) against the Bearkats, holding the top offensive rebounding team in the league to only seven offensive boards. It was a step in the right direction after yielding a combined 27 offensive rebounds the prior two tilts.
 
SOMETIMES SHOTS DON'T FALL
After five consecutive contests of making at least 40 percent from the floor, UTEP couldn't crack that figure the past two times out. It's an important benchmark, as the Miners stand 1-8 on the campaign when falling shy of 40 percent. They are also now 1-12 when tallying less than 70 points.
 
GUARDED THE 3-POINTER
UTEP kept Sam Houston to just 29.4 percent from 3-point range on Feb. 24. It marked the 11th time this season that the opposition has been held to less than 30 percent from 3-point range.
 
NOT BLOCKING OUR SHOT
After LA Tech registered seven blocked shots on Feb. 22, UTEP did not have any field-goal attempts blocked during the setback against Sam Houston. The Bearkats become the second Miner opponent on the campaign to fail to register a rejection, joining Norfolk State (Dec. 20).
 
HITTING THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS
UTEP has registered 10+ offensive rebounds in four of the past five contests and seven tilts total during CUSA play. The Miners did so six times total (vs. DI opponents) over the first 15 contests against DI foes to begin the season.
 
CAN'T DO MUCH ABOUT THAT
When Middle Tennessee drained 87.5 percent (28-32) from the charity stripe on Feb. 17, it was hard to fathom another Miner opponent topping that effort. Sam Houston, however, was even more accurate, filling up 90.0 percent (18-20) to help hold off the Miners last time out.
 
LEAP YEAR
UTEP is playing a game on Feb. 29 (due to leap year) for the first time since the 2011-12 season when it was upended at home by Rice, 68-61 on Feb. 29, 2012.
 
SHATTERING THE SCHOOL SINGLE-SEASON STEALS MARK
The Miners have piled up a school record and counting 330 steals, blowing past the prior school single-season standard of 288 that had been shared by the 2009-10 and 2022-23 teams. UTEP, which leads the nation at 11.8 steals per game, has a shot to crack the CUSA single-season top five as it's currently on pace for 377. The breakdown for the most by CUSA programs (all now former members) in a season is as follows:
Team             Total           Year                  GP
UAB                395               2002-03             34
Houston       385               2005-06             31
UAB                382               2004-05             33
UAB                371               2003-04             32
Memphis      361               2005-06             37
 
GETTING IT DONE IN CONFERENCE TOO
UTEP has registered at least 10 steals in 10 of its 13 Conference USA contests. The Miners are accounting for 12.4 steals per game vs. CUSA opposition, which has helped them force 19.2 turnovers per game during league play.
 
TAE DROPPING TRIPLES
Tae Hardy has connected on at least three 3-pointers in six of the past 14 games and 11 times total on the season. He leads the team in 3-pointers made (57) and attempted (156) and his 2.0 3-pointers per game is seventh in CUSA.
 
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 among the upper echelon of the country for both free throw attempts per game (24.5-11th NCAA) and free throws made per contest (16.8-27th NCAA). The Miners didn't have much luck getting to the charity stripe during last week's slate of contests. They attempted a combined 19 free throws vs. LA Tech and Sam Houston, including setting season lows for both makes (three) and attempts (five) vs. the Bulldogs.
 
SO DOES CAMPER JR. SCORING 10+ POINTS
When Corey Camper Jr. hits double figures in scoring, the Miners are pretty solid. UTEP is 8-3 on the year in the situation.
 
TERRELL JR. HAS TURNED ON THE LIGHT SWITCH
Five-time CUSA Freshman of the Week 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 15 contests since, he is producing 7.1 ppg while logging 23.9 mpg. He has knocked down 35 free throws in that time frame. Overall, the Dallas native is at 5.4 ppg in 19.4 mpg while appearing in every contest off the bench.
 
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 13 contests since (missed one due to illness), the North Carolina native is tallying 4.3 ppg (18-36, FG, 12-27 3FG, 3-5 FT) in 10.7 mpg.
 
19 GAMES WITH 10+ STEALS
UTEP has recorded 10+ steals in 19 different games this season. That has been aided by doing so in four of the past five and in 10 of the 13 CUSA contests. To put that figure into perspective, consider that it equals the combined number of such contests by the 2022-23 (10) and 2009-10 (nine) teams. That is significant given that the '22-23 and '09-10 Miners shared the single-season school record for steals (288) before this year's unit broke the mark at WKU on Feb. 15. UTEP has now amassed 330 steals heading into Thursday's contest.
 
GOTTA GET TO 70
Until recently, the Miners have had tremendous success this year when tallying at least 70 points. UTEP is 12-3 (was 12-1) on the campaign when recording 70+ points. That includes putting up 93 points in a home victory 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.
 
MAKING THE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK AWARD OURS
UTEP has brought home the CUSA Freshman of the Week Award a league-leading 10 times this season. That number easily surpasses the prior school record (six, 2013-14) and matches the CUSA single-season standard that is shared by WKU (2018-19), UTSA (2017-18) and Rice (2015-16). UTEP enjoyed a run of six straight weeks (Jan. 8 through Feb. 12), doubling the prior program-best run of three in a row (2011-12). That also tied the longest streak in CUSA history, with LA Tech (2020-21) and former conference member Rice (2015-16) having produced six straight. David Terrell Jr. (Jan. 8, Jan. 29, Feb. 5, Feb. 12 and Feb. 26) has secured the honor five times, followed by four from Elijah Jones (Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Nov. 27 and Jan. 22) and one by Trey Horton III (Jan. 15). With securing the accolade this week, Terrell Jr. has matched former standout Vince Hunter (2013-14) for the most such honors (five) by a Miner freshman in a season.
 
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 17 of the past 20 games and a team-best 24 times total this season. He had peeled off a career-long stretch of 12 (prior best seven) in a row before falling short of double digits the past two tilts.  The senior has also produced a squad-most seven 20+ point showings, doing so twice in the past five outings and six times total over the last 14 contests.
 
ZID SCORES IN DOUBLE DIGITS WORKS OUT WELL FOR US
UTEP is 9-5 on the season when senior Zid Powell hits double figures in scoring. Conversely, the Miners are 4-10 (2-10 vs. DI opposition) when Powell falls short of 10 points.
 
GET THE LEAD AND WE'RE PRETTY, PRETTY GOOD
UTEP is 10-4 on the season when leading at the half and a stout 10-2 this year when holding an advantage with five minutes remaining in regulation. It's not a recent trend, with the Miners a combined 37-9 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 19 times. That includes 10+ thefts in 10 of the 13 CUSA contests. UTEP's average of 11.8 steals per game leads the nation. The consistent effort has helped the Miners rack up 330 steals, easily already breaking the single-season school record of 288 that was shared by the 2009-10 and 2022-23 squads. UTEP is on pace to finish with 377 steals, which would rank among the top five in the CUSA single-season charts.
 
TURNOVERS DO TOO FOR OPPONENTS
UTEP is leading the country by forcing 19.0 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. Foes have made 531 turnovers heading into Thursday's game, meaning UTEP needs to average just 10.8 the rest of the way to eclipse the standard that has stood for 16 years.
 
TAE DOING IT ALL
Senior Tae Hardy has done it all for the Miners in 2023-24, including hitting the buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Cal on Nov. 20. He paces the team in scoring (15.0-fourth CUSA), minutes per game (33.3-first CUSA), 3-pointers made (57), attempted (156) and 3-pointers per game (2.0-seventh CUSA). Hardy rates second in assists per game (2.4-15th CUSA) and steals (1.8-fourth CUSA/92nd NCAA. Hardy has hit at least one triple in all but two contests and has three or more six times in the past 14 tilts. He has reached double figures in scoring 24 times, aided by 17 of the past 20. He has produced a team-best seven 20+ point outings (five in past 14). The Ellenwood, Ga., native also moved past 1,000 career points (1,234) this year, with more than 800 of those coming with UTEP (832).
 
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 since his arrival at UTEP. 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/19th CUSA) with a readout of 50.5 percent (102-202). He's getting after it on defense, leading the squad at 2.1 steals per contest (third CUSA/40th 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 (4.6 rpg-third team/21st CUSA), doing so in both offensive (1.8 orpg-first team/13th CUSA) and defensive (2.8-third team/24th CUSA). He has hit more free throws than last year and is a smidgen better percentage wise too. Frazier III is at 65.5 percent (76-116) from the charity stripe after finishing at 40-63 from the line (63.5 percent) a season ago. He is tied for second on the team in makes (tied sixth CUSA) and is alone in second for attempts (sixth CUSA). Frazier III has hit double figures in scoring 16 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 (3.1 apg-seventh CUSA), free throws made (91-second CUSA) and attempted (123-fourth CUSA), rebounding (5.0-16th CUSA) and defensive rebounds per game (3.7-11th CUSA). He is third in scoring (10.5-20th CUSA), steals (1.7-tied fifth CUSA) and offensive boards per contest (1.3-18th CUSA). The Philly native has done a solid job at knocking down his tosses at the charity stripe (74.0 percent). Powell has produced 14 double-digit scoring efforts (UTEP is 9-5 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. CONTRIBUTING AT BOTH ENDS
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 17 of 18 since. He is second on the team for 3-pointers made (24) and attempted (84), fourth in scoring (8.1 ppg) and sixth in steals (1.3-tied 11th CUSA). The Arkansas native has also done a solid job at the charity stripe, nailing 72.7 percent (48-66), including 76.9 percent (20-26) in CUSA. He had ice in his veins late against Chicago State, going 2-2 in the waning seconds to seal the victory. Camper Jr. has 11 games with double-digit scoring totals, including a career-high 19 points in the win vs. WKU on Jan. 20. The Miners are 8-3 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 (0.6-tied 16th CUSA), tied for third in steals (1.7-tied fifth CUSA) and fourth in rebounding (3.9). He contributes 6.3 ppg (fifth on team). He has proven to be a team player by coming off the bench in 13 of the past 17 contests after starting the first 10 on the campaign. Solomon is fourth for free throws made (65) and attempts (88) for a readout of 73.9 percent. That is the second best among Miners with at least 30 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 (1,025) this year, with 479 coming at UTEP.
 
KEEPING A FAMILY TRADITION ALIVE
Five-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 (2.0-20th CUSA) and fifth in steals (1.4 spg-10th CUSA). His scoring is coming around as well, as he's elevated it to 5.4 ppg (sixth on team) on a 41.5 percent from the floor. He has scored at least six points in 10 of the past 15 contests. Three of his four double-digit scoring efforts on the year have come during the stretch. In CUSA only games, he is at 6.8 ppg (fifth on team, aided by going 28-37 at the charity stripe.
 
ANOTHER STANDOUT FRESHMAN
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. later 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 4.0 ppg and 1.8 rpg. He is an accurate free throw shooter, connecting on 13-17 (76.5 percent). He is also 42-69 (60.9 percent) including 8-21 (38.1 percent) from distance.
 
KALU MAKING HIS MARK
Kevin Kalu is leading the team in blocked shots (0.6-14th CUSA) while rating second for rebounds (4.8-18th CUSA), offensive rebounds per game (1.7-14th CUSA) and defensive rebounds per game (3.1-21st CUSA). He has pulled down at least four rebounds in 20 games. He is chipping in 4.2 ppg but is doing so at an efficient 58.8 percent (47-80) from the floor.
 
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 2.1 ppg and 0.9 rpg in 8.5 mpg, aided by a campaign-best seven points vs. Seattle U on Dec. 30.  He did, however, miss consecutive games with an injury before logging a total of 24 minutes the past five tilts as he works his way back into form.
 
GETTING TO THE LINE
The Miners' relentless drive toward to the paint (33.6 points in paint per game) and getting out in transition (16.5 fastbreak points per game-third NCAA) has led to them taking the 11th-most free throws per game (24.5-first CUSA) in the country. UTEP is also 27th nationally for free throws made per contest (16.8-first CUSA). The Miners have three players in the top 10 for CUSA for free throws made. They are Zid Powell (91-second), Tae Hardy (76-tied sixth) and Otis Frazier III (76- tied sixth).
 
POUNDING THE PAINT
UTEP has demonstrated the ability to get points in the paint in 2023-24. A good chunk (940-2046, 45.9 percent) of the Miners' points on the season have come in the paint. On the year, the Orange and Blue have an 940-848 advantage for points in the paint. That works out to 33.6 ppg in the paint for UTEP compared to 30.3 by foes.
 
LET'S GET OUT AND RUN
The Miners are accounting for 16.5 fastbreak points per game, the third-highest average in the country. They have tallied at least 12 points on the break 22 times, 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 462-290 cushion against opponents this season in the category, with the 16.5-10.4 ppg differential on average.
 
HIGH-OCTANE BENCH
UTEP's reserves have helped the Miners put up 73.1 points per game (fifth CUSA), with the bench accounting for 24.4 ppg (fourth CUSA/64th NCAA). Overall, the Miners hold a 684-563 differential in reserve scoring. That works out to a 24.4-20.1 advantage per contest.
 
SHARING IS CARING
UTEP is dishing out 13.2 assists per contest to rate fourth 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 (3.1 apg-seventh CUSA) and Tae Hardy (2.4 apg-tied 15th CUSA) lead the charge. Freshman David Terrell Jr. (2.0 apg-20th CUSA) has also been good at setting up teammates.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP has notched at least seven steals in all 28 games, with double-digit totals 19 times. That effort has led to it leading the nation in both steals per game (11.8) and turnovers forced per contest (19.0). Foes have committed at least 17 turnovers 18 times, which included a school-record streak of eight straight with 19 or more earlier in the season. 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 set the single-season school record for steals by compiling 12 at WKU on Feb. 15, passing by the prior standard (288, 2009-10, 2022-23). It currently boasts 330 steals heading into Thursday's game.
 
LOTS ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR OPPOSITION
UTEP has four of the top six and six among the top 12 in Conference USA for steals per game. Each of them also helps comprise the top-six scorers on the squad. Otis Frazier III (2.1-third CUSA/40th NCAA) leads the way, with Tae Hardy (1.8-fourth CUSA/92nd NCAA) also in the top 100 nationally. Zid Powell is third (1.7-fifth CUSA), followed by Calvin Solomon (1.6-sixth CUSA), David Terrell Jr. (1.4-10th CUSA) and Corey Camper Jr. 1.3 spg (tied 11th CUSA). 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.
 
WHO IS PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Heading into Thursday's contest at Jax State, three Miners are accounting for double figures in scoring while three others are between 5.0 ppg and 8.5 ppg. Senior Tae Hardy (15.0 ppg-fourth CUSA) tops the team. Junior Otis Frazier III (10.7 ppg-19th CUSA) and Buffalo transfer Zid Powell (10.5 ppg-20th CUSA) join him in double digits on average. JUCO Honorable-Mention All-American (Tyler JC) Corey Camper Jr. (8.1 ppg), senior Calvin Solomon (6.2 ppg) and five-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 (27.2 mpg), Corey Camper Jr. (26.8) and Zid Powell (25.8 mpg) are the only others above 20.0 mpg.
 
UTEP IN THE RANKINGS
UTEP leads Conference USA in six major stat categories. The Miners top the conference in fastbreak scoring (16.5-third NCAA), free throw attempts per game (24.5-11th NCAA), free throws made per game (16.8-27th NCAA), steals per game (11.8-first NCAA), turnover margin (4.6-eighth NCAA) and turnovers forced per contest (19.0-first NCAA). UTEP is also among the top-100 nationally for bench scoring (24.4-fourth CUSA/64th 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 30-45 from the floor (66.7 percent) in 102 total minutes of action. He has come on strong of late, making a combined 13-17 shots for 26 points the past three contests. That included going off for a career-high 16 points (career-best 8-10 on FGs) vs. LA Tech on Feb. 22. Hamilton started the season 12-12 and is now 50-74 (67.6 percent) in his Miner career.
 
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 1,234 (832 with UTEP) while Solomon stands at 1,027 (481 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 (80,415) and placing second in average attendance (4,730).
 
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 205-191 all time between Abilene Christian and UTEP, including 47-47 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 205-191 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach, including 47-47 at UTEP. Those have allowed him to move 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 plays its final road game of the regular season at Liberty at 5 p.m. MT/7 p.m. ET on 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 for both. It will also stream on ESPN+ (subscription required.