Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (14-15, 5-9 CUSA) will look to build on the momentum from its win at Jax State when it plays its regular-season road finale at Liberty (17-11, 6-7 CUSA) at 5 p.m. MT/7 p.m. ET Saturday. The Miners bounced the Gamecocks, 72-65, on the road to snap a four-game skid and pick up their first road win of the year, in addition to completing the season sweep of Jax State last time out on Feb. 29. The Flames won for the fourth time in the past six contests by stomping NM State, 83-58, in Lynchburg. The effort improved Liberty to 11-2 at home (5-1 CUSA). UTEP is 1-9 (1-6 CUSA) on the road, but it's been competitive in the majority of its road contests. This is the second meeting on the year between the programs. UTEP led by four with seven minutes remaining in regulation in that contest before Liberty ripped off nine straight points to secure a lead it would never relinquish in an eventual 67-65 outcome on Feb. 3. Similar to the match-up in El Paso, it will be a contrast of styles. UTEP tops the nation in steals per game (11.9) and turnovers forced per game (19.1) and is second nationally in fastbreak points per contest (16.5) while the Flames are 20th in the nation for fewest turnovers per tilt (9.7) and 310th (out of 351) for fastbreak scoring (6.6). It is an important contest for the Miners, who are tied for seventh with NM State at 5-9 in CUSA. Liberty, meanwhile, shares fourth place in the league at 6-7. 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 Matt Warner (play-by-play) and Paul Nazigian (analyst) describing the action. Emily Austen (sideline reporter) will also be part of the broadcast.
 
GET TO KNOW LIBERTY
Liberty is in its first season as a member of Conference USA, and it has enjoyed a solid season. The Flames are 17-11, including 6-7 within CUSA, to sit tied for fourth place in the league. They have won four of the past six contests, including destroying NM State, 83-58, last time out on Feb. 29. The effort improved Liberty to 11-2 at home (5-1 CUSA). The only thing that has kept it from having an even better campaign has been struggling at times on the road. The Flames are 2-7 on the road (1-6 CUSA), but the lone victory in hostile territory for league play did come at the expense of the Miners, 67-65, on Feb. 3. UTEP led by four with seven minutes to play in that contest before a 9-0 Liberty run put it ahead for good. The Flames are a well-rounded team, putting up 75.4 points per game (second CUSA) while yielding only 64.8 ppg (second CUSA/20th NCAA). The Flames share the ball well, pacing CUSA in assists per game (16.2-32nd NCAA). They also lead the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7-11th NCAA), field-goal percentage (46.8-64th NCAA), fewest fouls per game (14.8-30th NCAA), 3-point percentage (37.0-36th NCAA), 3-pointers made per game (10.4-10th NCAA), 3-pointers attempted per game (28.0-15th NCAA) and fewest turnovers per game (9.7-20th NCAA). At the other end of the spectrum, Liberty is last in the conference in blocks per game (2.1-337th NCAA), fastbreak points (6.6-310th NCAA), free throws made (9.7-344th) and attempted per game (14.7-344th), free throw percentage (66.7-321st) and steals per game (5.3-306th). Zach Cleveland (4.0 apg-fourth CUSA) and Colin Porter (3.9 apg-fourth CUSA) set up the offense with unselfish play, but they aren't the only ones. Kaden Metheny (2.8-ninth CUSA) and Kyle Rode (2.5-13th CUSA) drop dimes as well, giving the Flames four players among the top 15 for helpers in the league. Rode (3.0-first CUSA/25th NCAA) and Metheny (2.7-second CUSA/53rd NCAA) give the Flames the top two 3-point shooters in the league. Rode (13.9 ppg-eighth CUSA), Metheny (13.4 ppg-11th CUSA), Cleveland (12.3 ppg-15th CUSA) and Brody Peebles (11.4 ppg-16th CUSA) are all in double figures for scoring, making Liberty extremely hard to defend. Porter pitches in 8.1 ppg. No one else on the squad is above 5.5 ppg. Joseph Venzant leads the team in rebounding (6.5-third CUSA), but Cleveland (6.1 rpg-fifth CUSA) also gets after it. Cleveland paces the team in blocks (1.1-fifth) as well, making him one of the most all-around players in the league. Notable university alumni include Terry Fator (Ventriloquist who won America's Got Talent who now is a Vegas Headliner), Toby Mac (hip-hop artist) and Michael Tait (lead singer for the Newsboys.
 
SERIES HISTORY: LIBERTY LEADS, 1-0
Saturday's match-up at Liberty is the first between the programs in Lynchburg, Va., and the second all time. The Flames downed UTEP, 67-65, in El Paso on Feb. 3 earlier this season. The Miners led by four with seven minutes remaining in regulation before a 9-0 run by Liberty flipped the score in favor of the visitors, and UTEP never could regain the lead.
 
GOING BACK IN TIME
Otis Frazier III poured in a career-high 24 points to pace a quintet of Miners in double figures in scoring, and UTEP forced 24 turnovers on the way to a 72-65 win in front of a feisty crowd at Jax State on Feb. 29. The Miners halted a four-game skid and picked up their first road win in the process, in addition to completing the season sweep of the Gamecocks. There were six ties and eight lead changes, but the Orange and Blue staved off every rally attempt to play from ahead for the final 14 minutes.
 
WE RECOGNIZE THAT SCORE
UTEP downed Jax State, 72-65, which is a notable score to Miner fans. That was the final tally of the 1966 NCAA Championship contest when then Texas Western knocked off Kentucky on March 19, 1966. It is the third time in program history that the Orange and Blue have won a game by that count. They previously did so against the Wildcats and also at New Mexico Highlands on Dec. 16, 1961.
 
TURNED UP THE PRESSURE
UTEP's pressure defense blitzed Jax State to the tune of 24 turnovers forced that resulted in 24 points for the Miners. The Orange and Blue registered 15 steals on those 24 giveaways by the Gamecocks. It marked the 11th time this season (7-4 record) the opposition has committed 20+ turnovers in a tilt. Meanwhile, the Miners have posted 15+ steals in nine contests (6-3 record).
 
CLOSING A ROAD GAME OUT
UTEP reversed a trend in its win at Jax State on Feb. 29, finding a way to close out a road contest in style. The Miners enjoyed second-half leads in five of their prior nine road losses, including being up by 15 with seven minutes to play at FIU (L, 72-68, Jan. 13), leading by seven with six minutes at Middle Tennessee (L, 96-90, 2OT, Feb. 17) and holding a three-point edge with six minutes to go at Abilene Christian (L, 88-82, Dec. 17). Against the Gamecocks, UTEP took a one-point lead with 14 minutes to play and never relinquished it down the stretch in a welcome change. Jax State had the ball in a one-possession contest on seven different possessions spanning those final 14 minutes, but UTEP never let it pull even or ahead.
 
WHAT A STAT LINE
For the second time this season, Otis Frazier III registered 20+ points (career-high 24) and at least five steals (seven thefts) in a contest. He previously did so in the home victory against Middle Tennessee on Jan. 18, when 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.
 
A STEAL MACHINE
Otis Frazier III has been a machine all season for steals, but particularly since the turn of the calendar. He has 45 steals in 15 games (3.0 spg) since Jan. 1, with eight contests of three or more. Overall, he is second in CUSA and 18th in the nation with 2.2 spg. That would be the third-best average in program history. His 65 total steals is currently fifth on UTEP's single-season charts.
 
WON EACH HALF
UTEP outscored Jax State in both the first and second half. It's the fifth time the Miners accomplished the feat vs. DI opposition on the year. All of them have come against CUSA foes. They accomplished the feat previously against NM State (Feb. 10), Jax State (Feb. 1), WKU (Jan. 20) and Middle Tennessee (Jan. 18).
 
BALANCED OFFENSE
Five different Miners reached double figures in scoring at Jax State. Otis Frazier III set the tone with his career-high 24 points. Derick Hamilton came off the bench to score 12 points on a perfect 6-6 shooting while Zid Powell (11 points, five assists), Tae Hardy (11 points, four assists) and David Terrell Jr. (11 points-all in the second half) all got after it offensively. It's the third time this year (vs. DI opponents) that UTEP has placed a quintet of Miners in double digits for scoring. The Orange and Blue have done so in both contests against Jax State, in addition to the buzzer-beating victory against Cal (Nov. 20)
 
SHOOT IT WELL AND WIN
UTEP nailed better than 50 percent from the floor at Jax State, marking its seventh such game this season. Not surprisingly, the Miners are 6-1 when doing so this year. Furthermore, the Orange and Blue are now 11-2 when shooting better than the opposition on the campaign.
 
SCORE IN THE 70'S AND WIN
UTEP improved to 8-0 this year when scoring between 70-79 points in a contest this season with the 72-65 outcome at Jax State. Furthermore, the Miners are now 13-3 this year when tallying 70+ points.
 
DOMINATED THE PAINT
UTEP crushed Jax State to the tune of 42-22 for points in the paint, but the Gamecocks ended up with a huge advantage at the charity stripe. Jax State finished 21-32 compared to UTEP going 14-17 (82.4 percent). The Miners, did, though, move to 9-3 on the campaign when nailing better than 70 percent on free throws.
 
PUTTING UP THE POINTS IN QUICK BURSTS
Derick Hamilton has registered 38 points (9.5 ppg) on a ridiculous 19-23 shooting (82.6 percent) the past four games. He has done so while playing only 12.0 mpg in the stretch. Hamilton has hit double figures in two of those contests, putting up a career-high 16 points (8-10) vs. LA Tech on Feb. 22 and 12 at Jax State (6-6) last time out. The junior has elevated his scoring average to 4.6 ppg, including 6.3 ppg on 75.9 percent (22-29) shooting in CUSA action. He's doing this all while averaging 6.6 mpg (7.9 mpg in CUSA play).
 
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.
 
BIG DISCREPANCY AT THE CHARITY STRIPE OF LATE
UTEP is taking 24.2 free throws per game, which ranks 12th nationally. The opposition, however, has held a distinct advantage in that department the past three games. Foes are 50-69 at the line in that stretch compared to the Miners standing 25-36. Making that even more curious is the fact that UTEP has a significant advantage (100-62) for points in the paints during that span.
 
HITTING THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS
UTEP has registered 10+ offensive rebounds in four of the past six 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. The Miners had only five offensive caroms at Jax State, but they did drain 52.9 percent (27-51) from the floor and 82.4 percent (14-17) at the free-throw line.
 
LEAP YEAR VICTORY
The Miners secured a win in a leap year for the first time since an 86-68 victory at Colorado State on Feb. 29, 1992, when they were members of the WAC.
 
SHATTERING THE SCHOOL SINGLE-SEASON STEALS MARK
The Miners have piled up a school-record and counting 345 steals, blowing way 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 11.9 steals per game, is 17 thefts shy of cracking the CUSA single-season top five with a minimum of three contests remaining in the season (two regular season, at least one at CUSA Tournament). The breakdown for the most by CUSA programs (all now former members) in a campaign 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 11 of its 14 Conference USA contests, including coming up with 15 thefts last time out at Jax State. The Miners are accounting for 12.6 steals per game vs. CUSA opposition, which has helped them force 19.5 turnovers per game during league play.
 
TAE DROPPING TRIPLES
Tae Hardy has connected on at least three 3-pointers in six of the past 15 games and 11 times total on the season. He leads the team in 3-pointers made (58) and attempted (158). 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 Saturday's contest leading CUSA and among the upper echelon of the country for both free throw attempts per game (24.2-12th NCAA) and free throws made per contest (16.7-33rd NCAA).
 
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. He was scoreless at Jax State, his first such game this season. It should be noted Camper Jr. only played 11 minutes in the tilt.
 
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 16 contests since, he is producing 7.3 ppg while logging 24.1 mpg. He has knocked down 40 free throws in that time frame. Overall, the Dallas native is at 5.6 ppg in 19.7 mpg while appearing in every contest off the bench, aided by 7.1 ppg in CUSA action.
 
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 14 contests since (missed one due to illness), the North Carolina native is chipping in 3.9 ppg (18-37, FG, 12-28 3FG, 3-5 FT) in 10.7 mpg.
 
20 GAMES WITH 10+ STEALS
UTEP has recorded 10+ steals in a ridiculous 20 contests. That has been aided by doing so in five of the past six and in 11 of the 14 CUSA contests. To put that figure into perspective, consider that it surpasses 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 345 steals heading into Saturday's contest.
 
GOTTA GET TO 70
UTEP is 13-3 (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 18 of the past 21 games and a team-best 25 times total this season. That included peeling off a career-long streak of 12 in a row (prior best seven). The senior has also produced a squad-most seven 20+ point showings, doing so six times total over the last 15 contests.
 
ZID SCORES IN DOUBLE DIGITS WORKS OUT WELL FOR US
UTEP is 10-5 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 11-4 on the season when leading at the half and a stout 11-2 this year when holding an advantage with five minutes remaining in regulation. It's not a recent trend, with the Miners a combined 38-9 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 20 times. That includes 10+ thefts in 11 of 14 CUSA contests. UTEP's average of 11.9 steals per game leads the nation. The consistent effort has helped the Miners rack up 345 steals, shattering 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 381 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 19.1 turnovers per game, which has worked out to 555 giveaways by the opposition on the campaign. The Miners need to force just 19 more turnovers to break the school single-season standard (573), that was set in 2007-08. With a minimum of three games to play (two regular season, one CUSA tournament), that record that has stood for 16 years appears to be in danger.
 
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 (14.9-fourth CUSA), minutes per game (33.0-first CUSA), 3-pointers made (58), attempted (158) and 3-pointers per game (2.0-seventh CUSA). Hardy rates second in assists per game (2.4-14th CUSA) and steals (1.8-fourth CUSA/87th NCAA. Hardy has hit at least one triple in all but two contests and has three or more six times in the past 15 tilts. He has reached double figures in scoring 25 times (squad most), aided by 18 of the past 21. He has produced a team-best seven 20+ point outings (six in past 15). The Ellenwood, Ga., native also moved past 1,000 career points (1,245) this year, with more than 800 of those coming with UTEP (843).
 
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 11.1 ppg (second team/17th CUSA) with a readout of 50.7 percent (110-217). He's getting after it on defense, leading the squad at 2.2 steals per contest (second CUSA/40th NCAA). That figure was boosted by a school-record tying eight steals vs. Middle Tennessee on Jan. 18. He nearly matched that mark with seven at Jax State last time out. Frazier III is also working the boards (4.6 rpg-third team/20th 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 than double the free throws than last year and is a bit better percentage wise too. Frazier III is at 66.7 percent (82-123) 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 (fifth CUSA) and attempts (fifth CUSA). Frazier III has hit double figures in scoring 17 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 (3.2 apg-seventh CUSA), free throws made (93-third CUSA) and attempted (125-fourth CUSA), rebounding (5.0-17th CUSA) and defensive rebounds per game (3.7-12th 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 (74.4 percent), which is second-best among Miners with 30+ attempts. Powell has produced 15 double-digit scoring efforts (UTEP is 10-5 in those tilts), including the most points by a Miner since '21-22 with a career-high 32 vs. Wyoming on Dec. 21. He has also been running the offensive effectively of late, dishing out at least five assists in three of the past four contests.
 
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 18 of 19 since. He is second on the team for 3-pointers made (24) and attempted (84), fourth in scoring (7.8 ppg) and sixth in steals (1.2-12th 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 (0.5-tied 16th CUSA), fourth in steals (1.6-sixth CUSA) and rebounding (3.8). He contributes 6.0 ppg (fifth on team). He has proven to be a team player by coming off the bench in 15 of the past 19 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 third 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 (1,027) this year, with 481 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 (2.0-21st CUSA) and fifth in steals (1.4 spg-10th CUSA). His scoring is coming around as well, as he's elevated it to 5.6 ppg (sixth on team) on a 42.2 percent from the floor. He has scored at least six points in 11 of the past 16 contests. Four of his five double-digit scoring efforts on the year have come during the stretch. In CUSA only games, he is at 7.1 ppg (fifth on team, aided by going 33-43 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 3.9 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 8.0 mpg. 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 (4.7-18th CUSA), offensive rebounds per game (1.6-15th 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 4.1 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 1.9 ppg and 0.9 rpg in 8.9 mpg, aided by a campaign-best seven points vs. Seattle U on Dec. 30.  He did, however, miss consecutive games with an injury but has since returned to the line-up.
 
GETTING TO THE LINE
The Miners' relentless drive toward to the paint (33.9 points in paint per game) and getting out in transition (16.5 fastbreak points per game-third NCAA) has led to them taking the 12th-most free throws per game (24.2-first CUSA) in the country. UTEP is also 33rd nationally for free throws made per contest (16.7-first CUSA). The Miners have three players in the top 10 for CUSA for free throws made. They are Zid Powell (93-third), Otis Frazier III (82- fifth).Tae Hardy (76-eighth).
 
POUNDING THE PAINT
UTEP has demonstrated the ability to get points in the paint in 2023-24. A good chunk (982-2,118, 46.4 percent) of the Miners' points on the season have come in the paint. On the year, the Orange and Blue have an 982-870 advantage for points in the paint. That works out to 33.9 ppg in the paint for UTEP compared to 30.0 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 23 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 478-293 cushion against opponents this season in the category, with the 16.5-10.1 ppg differential on average.
 
HIGH-OCTANE BENCH
UTEP's reserves have helped the Miners put up 73.0 points per game (fifth CUSA), with the bench accounting for 24.5 ppg (fourth CUSA/64th NCAA). Overall, the Miners hold a 710-588 differential in reserve scoring. That works out to a 24.5-20.3 advantage per contest.
 
SHARING IS CARING
UTEP is dishing out 13.3 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 (3.2 apg-seventh CUSA) and Tae Hardy (2.4 apg-14th CUSA) lead the charge. Freshman David Terrell Jr. (2.0 apg-21st CUSA) and Otis Frazier III (1.8 apg-22nd CUSA) have also been good at setting up teammates.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP has notched at least seven steals in all 29 games, with double-digit totals 20 times. That effort has led to it leading the nation in both steals per game (11.9) and turnovers forced per contest (19.1). Foes have committed at least 17 turnovers 19 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 345 steals heading into Saturday's game, putting it 17 shy of cracking the CUSA single-season top-five charts.
 
LOTS ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR OPPOSITION
UTEP has three in the top five and six within 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 (2.2-second CUSA/18th NCAA) leads the way, with Tae Hardy (1.8-fourth CUSA/87th NCAA) also in the top 100 nationally. Zid Powell is third (1.7-fifth CUSA), followed by Calvin Solomon (1.6-seventh CUSA), David Terrell Jr. (1.4-10th CUSA) and Corey Camper Jr. 1.3 spg (12th 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 is on track to join the elusive club this year.
 
WHO IS PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Heading into Saturday's contest at Liberty, three Miners are accounting for double figures in scoring while three others are between 5.0 ppg and 8.5 ppg. Senior Tae Hardy (14.9 ppg-fourth CUSA) tops the team. Junior Otis Frazier III (11.1 ppg-17th 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. (7.8 ppg), senior Calvin Solomon (6.0 ppg) and five-time CUSA Freshman of the Week David Terrell Jr. (5.6 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 (27.4 mpg), Corey Camper Jr. (26.2) and Zid Powell (26.0 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-second NCAA), free throw attempts per game (24.2-12th NCAA), free throws made per game (16.7-33rd NCAA), steals per game (11.9-first NCAA), turnover margin (4.7-seventh NCAA) and turnovers forced per contest (19.1-first NCAA). UTEP is also among the top-100 nationally for bench scoring (24.5-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. Hamilton is 36-51 from the floor (70.6 percent) in 112 total minutes of action. He has come on strong of late, making a combined 19-23 shots (82.6 percent) for 38 points (9.5 ppg) the past four contests. That included going off for a career-high 16 points (career-best 8-10 on FGs) vs. LA Tech on Feb. 22 and a perfect 6-6 for 12 points at Jax State last time out.  Hamilton started the season 12-12 and is now 58-84 (69.0 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 1,245 (843 with UTEP) while Solomon stands at 1,029 (483 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 206-191 all time between Abilene Christian and UTEP, including 48-47 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 206-191 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach, including 48-47 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 move him past 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 returns home to wrap up the regular season with "Senior Night" against FIU at 7 p.m. MT on March 7. Jon Teicher (43rd year) and Steve Yellen (21st 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 Mando Medina (play-by-play) and former Miner (Hooper Vint) describing the action. Tickets start as low as $9.15 but are available for two for $10 to UTEP faculty and staff as part of a special promotion. For more information, please visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or call (915) 747-UTEP.