Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
Riding a three-game winning streak, the No. 5 seed UTEP men's basketball team (16-15) will challenge No. 4 seed Liberty (18-13) in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Conference USA Basketball Championships at 4:30 p.m. MT/5:30 p.m. CT on Thursday in Huntsville, Ala. The Miners enjoyed a strong finish to the regular season with three straight victories, culminating with an 83-76 "Senior Night" triumph against FIU on March 8. The three consecutive wins are the most in a row to close out the regular season since a four-contest surge to end the 2019-20 campaign. The effort improved the Orange and Blue to 3-0 on "Senior Night" under Joe Golding and also afforded the third-year head coach his 50th win on the sidelines in the Sun City. The Miners and Flames met twice during the regular season, with each emerging victorious on the road. UTEP is 1-1 in neutral-site contests on the campaign, having bested Cal, 75-72, on a 3-point buzzer beater by Tae Hardy before falling to Bradley, 63-59, in the championship contest of the SoCal Challenge on Nov. 21. Liberty is 4-2 in neutral-site tilts this season. The Miners are vying to win a game at the CUSA Championships for the second time in three seasons under Golding. In his first year, UTEP bested ODU, 74-64, in the first round before falling to Middle Tennessee, 66-59, in OT in the quarterfinals. Last year, the Orange and Blue were upended by WKU in the quarters, 73-67. A victory would advance the Miners to their first semifinal appearance since 2017 and set up a showdown with either Jax State (No. 9 seed), FIU (No. 8 seed) or regular-season champion Sam Houston (No. 1 seed) at 10:30 a.m. MT/11:30 a.m. CT Friday.  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).
 
UTEP IN THE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
UTEP is 41-32 all time in conference tournament play (includes a forfeit against Hawaii in the 1996 WAC Tournament. The Miners won the WAC Tournament in 1984, 1986, 1989, 1990 and 2005. They have 12 total appearances in the championship contest, including a pair (2010, 2011) since joining C-USA. UTEP has also advanced to the semifinals 19 times (eight as a CUSA member).
 
UTEP IN THE C-USA TOURNAMENT
UTEP is 14-17 in C-USA Tournament games, including 1-2 under head coach Joe Golding. After five years of the event being held at The Star in Frisco, Texas, 2024 will mark the first to be hosted inside Propst Arena in Huntsville, Ala. The Miners advanced to the semifinals in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017 and the finals in 2010 and 2011. The Orange and Blue will be vying to pick up a victory at the league's pinnacle event for the second time in three seasons under head coach Joe Golding.
 
FACING A LATE-SEASON OPPONENT AGAIN
For the second straight year, UTEP's foe in the league tournament is one it played in the second to last game of the regular season. Unlike last year when the Miners fell to WKU down the stretch, they came away with a victory at Liberty on March 2 to set up the No. 4 and No.5 seed showdown in the quarterfinals. Thursday's contest is also the grudge match between the programs this campaign, as the Flames won in El Paso before the Orange and Blue returned the favor by emerging victorious in Lynchburg, Va.
 
CUSA HONORS POUR IN
Numerous postseason honors from Conference USA were bestowed upon the Miners, the league office revealed on March 11. Tae Hardy was tabbed to the All-CUSA Second Team, David Terrell Jr. was voted as the CUSA Freshman of the Year, Otis Frazier III earned placement on the five-member CUSA All-Defensive team along with securing All-CUSA Honorable-Mention accolades, and the Miners accounted for three of the five individuals on the CUSA All-Freshman Team in the form of Trey Horton III, Elijah Jones and Terrell Jr.
 
DEEPER LOOK AT THE HONORS
Tae Hardy earned all-league honors for the first time of his career, and he's the initial Miner to land on the team in two seasons. David Terrell Jr. became the first UTEP player to be the conference Freshman of the Year since Vince Hunter in 2014 and just the fourth all time. Roy Smallwood (2000) and Henry Hall (1990) were both previously recognized when the Orange and Blue were members of the WAC. The three Miners on the CUSA All-Freshman team (Trey Horton III, Elijah Jones and Terrell Jr.) are the most in a single season in program history. UTEP hadn't been represented on the squad since 2019, and it never had more than one player on the team in a year. Otis Frazier III is the first UTEP representative on the All-Defensive team since Julian Washburn garnered what was his third and final honor in the category in 2015.
 
GET TO KNOW LIBERTY
Liberty turned in a solid first year as a member of Conference USA, finishing the regular season with an overall mark of 18-13 (7-9 CUSA). The Flames did, however, stumble a bit down the stretch by losing four of six, including the Miners handing them a 67-51 defeat in Lynchburg, Va., on March 2. Liberty enters the tournament feeling good, following an 82-79 triumph against WKU on its "Senior Night" to lock up the fourth seed at the CUSA Tournament. The Flames are well balanced, rating among the leaders for both scoring defense (65.5-second CUSA/18th NCAA) and scoring offense (74.4-third CUSA). They pace CUSA in numerous categories, doing so in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.54-25th NCAA), assists per game (15.8-37th NCAA), field-goal percentage (46.8-61st NCAA), fewest fouls per contest (14.8-32nd NCAA), 3-pointers made (10.2-12th NCAA) and attempted per game (27.7-16th NCAA), 3-point field-goal percentage (36.6-41st NCAA) and fewest turnovers per contest (10.3-53rd NCAA). There's only been a few areas of struggle, with Liberty standing last in CUSA in blocks per contest (2.2-325th NCAA), free throws made (9.9-343rd NCAA) and attempted per game (14.9-339th NCAA), free-throw percentage (66.7-321st), offensive boards per game (8.8-283rd NCAA) and steals per contest (5.3-310th NCAA). Individually, three Flames earned All-CUSA Honors, placing them tied with second-seed LA Tech for the most in the league. They are Zach Cleveland (second team), Kyle Rode (second team) and Kaden Metheny (third team) while Joseph Venzant landed on the CUSA All-Defensive Team. Cleveland does it all for Liberty, topping it in rebounding (6.2-fifth CUSA), assists (4.0-fourth) and blocks (1.2-fifth CUSA) while rating third on the unit for scoring (12.0 ppg-15th CUSA). Rode (14.3 ppg-sixth CUSA) paces the offense, followed by Metheny (13.2 ppg-11th CUSA), Cleveland and Brody Peebles (10.8-21st CUSA). Colin Porter adds 8.1 ppg. The Flames are unselfish and have good ball movement, with Cleveland, Porter (3.9 apg-fifth CUSA) and Metheny (2.8 apg-10th CUSA) all checking in among the top 10 in the league for assists. That makes Liberty the lone team in the league to do so. 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: TIED, 1-1
UTEP and Liberty split the season series this year, with both emerging victorious on the road. The match-ups were the first between the programs. The Flames downed UTEP, 67-65, in El Paso on Feb. 3. 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. UTEP got payback in Lynchburg with a 67-51 triumph on March 2. The Miners trailed for a total of 28 seconds in that contest.
 
GOING BACK IN TIME
Senior Tae Hardy poured in 26 points (18 in the first half) to make it a special "Senior Night," as UTEP never trailed in an 83-76 vanquishing of FIU in front of more than 5,000 fans at the Don Haskins Center on March 7.
 
THAT WAS A BIG LEAD
UTEP's lead swelled to as many as 26 against FIU before the Panthers started to rally, but the comeback bid was short. The 26-point margin was UTEP's second-biggest advantage in a game this year vs. a DI foe, trailing only a once 27-point cushion vs. NM State on Feb. 10, in an eventual 25-point triumph.
 
NEVER TRAILED
The Miners pounced on the Panthers from the get-go, scoring the game's first 16 points. A late push by FIU got the differential to six on a pair of occasions, but UTEP held on for the wire-to-wire victory. It was the sixth contest this year (fifth vs. DI opponents) that the Miners never trailed in. UTEP previously did so against Austin Peay (Nov. 17), Middle Tennessee (Jan. 18), Jax State (Feb. 1) and NM State (Feb. 10).
 
TAE'S HUGE FIRST HALF
Tae Hardy went off for 18 of his 26 points (second-highest total of the year) in the opening frame vs. FIU. His efforts helped the Miners roar out to a 16-0 advantage before they settled for a 14-point cushion (40-26) at the break. He nailed 7-10 from the floor, including four of his eventual career-high matching six 3-pointers.
 
ZID'S BIG SECOND HALF
Senior Zid Powell took over in the second half against FIU, scoring all 17 of his points during the final 20 minutes of action. He was 7-10 from the floor to go along with three free throws. He also dished out three of his game-high tying five assists in the second stanza.
 
SIZZLING SHOOTING
UTEP has connected on better than 50 percent from the floor in three consecutive contests vs. DI opposition for the first time since doing so in the final five games of the 2015-16 campaign. The Miners are a combined 85-159 (53.5 percent) in the stretch, all of which were victories. Furthermore, UTEP stands at 8-1 on the year when eclipsing 50 percent from the floor. The Miners are also 13-2 this year with a better field-goal percentage than the opposition.
 
KNOCKING DOWN TRIPLES AT A GOOD RATE
For the second time this season, UTEP has connected on better than 40.0 percent from 3-point land in consecutive contests. The Miners are 15-30 (50.0 percent) the past two tilts. They actually enjoyed a three-game surge early in January, knocking down a combined 21-40 (52.5 percent) in respective tilts against Chicago State (Jan. 7), at FIU (Jan. 13) and vs. Middle Tennessee (Jan. 18). Overall, UTEP is 7-1 this year when nailing at least 40.0 on triples.
 
WON THE BOARDS AGAIN
After a +3 margin on the boards (29-26) against Liberty, UTEP was even better vs. FIU by holding a +12 differential (40-28). The Miners have now won the rebounding battle in consecutive contests for the first time since doing so vs. both Liberty (39-28, Feb. 3) and NM State (48-33 Feb. 10). That marked the initial occasion in 35 seasons that UTEP was at least +11 in back-to-back tilts on the glass vs. league foes.
 
WIN THE BOARDS AND WIN
The Miners marched to 9-2 on the year when winning the rebounding battle when they had a +12 cushion (40-28) vs. FIU.
 
UNSELFISH PLAY
Tae Hardy (five assists) and Zid Powell (five assists) helped facilitate the offense vs. FIU, with UTEP finishing with 19 helpers on 30 field-goals made. That tied as the fourth-highest total on the season for assists.
 
LOCKED IN FROM DISTANCE
The Miners filled up 9-15 from distance for a season-best readout of 60.0 percent against FIU. Tae Hardy led the way by matching his career high with six makes on eight attempts. Corey Camper Jr., Otis Frazier III and Trey Horton III each drilled a 3-pointer as well.
 
GUARDING THE TREY
Liberty (25) and FIU (27) have combined to attempt 52 3-pointers the past two games, but they have managed to knock down just 14 total (seven by each). That works out to a readout of just 26.9 percent. The Miners, conversely, are 15-30 (50.0 percent) during the stretch.
 
WE LOVE THAT BALANCED OFFENSE
UTEP had at least four players reach double figures in scoring in each of its road wins (at Jax State, Feb. 29, at Liberty, March 2) down the stretch. That moved the Miners to 10-1 on the campaign when that occurs.
 
HARD TO BELIEVE
UTEP and the opposition both finished the regular season going exactly 180-562 from 3-point range.
 
ZID IS HEATING UP
Zid Powell is hitting his scoring stride at the right time, with double-digit efforts in four straight and five of the past six contests. He put up 19 in the win at Liberty before following that up with a 17-point outing (all in the second half) during the "Senior Night" victory vs. FIU. He is connecting on 22-38 (57.9 percent) over the past four contests (57 points-14.3 ppg) to go along 14 rebounds, 12 assists and six steals in that time frame.
 
A STEAL MACHINE
Otis Frazier III has been a machine all season for steals, but particularly since the turn of the calendar. He has 50 steals in 17 games (2.9 spg) since Jan. 1, with nine contests of three or more. Overall, he is second in CUSA and 16th in the nation with 2.3 spg. That would be the third-best average in program history. His 70 total steals are fourth on UTEP's single-season charts. He is one back of third-place Randy Culpepper (71). Tim Hardaway (93, 1988-89; 77, 1987-88) holds the top two spots in the record book for the Orange and Blue. 
 
SCORE IN THE 70'S AND WIN
UTEP is 8-0 this year when scoring between 70-79 points in a contest, most recently doing so with a 72-65 outcome at Jax State on Feb. 29. The Miners are also 14-3 this year when tallying 70+ points.
 
MAKING SHOTS AT RIDICULOUS RATE
Derick Hamilton has gone 21-27 (77.2 percent) from the floor for 42 total points over the past six games (7.0 ppg). He has reached double figures in scoring 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). The junior has elevated his scoring average to 4.3 ppg, including 5.3 ppg on 72.7 percent (24-33) shooting in CUSA action. He's doing this all while averaging 6.6 mpg (7.7 mpg in CUSA play).
 
SHATTERING THE SCHOOL SINGLE-SEASON STEALS MARK
The Miners have piled up a school-record and counting 357 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 11.5 steals per game, is five thefts shy of cracking the CUSA single-season top five. 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
 
GOT IT DONE IN CONFERENCE TOO
UTEP registered at least 10 steals in 11 of its 16 Conference USA contests, including coming up with 15 thefts at Jax State on Feb. 29. The Miners accounted for 11.8 steals per game vs. CUSA opposition, which helped them force 19.3 turnovers per game during league play.
 
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 the CUSA Tournament leading CUSA in free throw attempts per game (23.8-12th NCAA) while their 16.3 free throws made per contest are second in the league and 42nd nationally.
SO DOES CAMPER JR. SCORING 10+ POINTS
When Corey Camper Jr. hits double figures in scoring, the Miners are pretty solid. UTEP is 9-3 on the year in the situation. He was scoreless at Jax State, his first such game this season, but bounced back with a huge effort by setting a career high with 21 points at Liberty.
 
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). He has made nearly 50 percent of his shots (19-40, 47.5 percent) in the 16 contests (missed one due to illness since that point, including 13-30 (43.3 percent) from distance. That works out to 3.6 ppg in 9.5 mpg.
 
20 GAMES WITH 10+ STEALS
UTEP has recorded 10+ steals in 20 contests. That has been aided by doing so in five of the past eight and in 11 of 16 CUSA contests. To put that figure into perspective, consider that it surpasses the combined number of such efforts 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 357 steals heading into the CUSA Tournament, putting it five shy of cracking the top five in the CUSA record books.
 
GOTTA GET TO 70
UTEP is 14-3 (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. Last time out, the Orange and Blue lit up FIU for 83 on "Senior Night."
 
MADE THE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK AWARD OURS
UTEP brought home the CUSA Freshman of the Week Award a league-record 11 times this season, besting the prior standard of 10 that was 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. 2024 CUSA Freshman of the Year David Terrell Jr. (Jan. 8, Jan. 29, Feb. 5, Feb. 12, Feb. 26 and March 4) secured the honor six times, followed by four from Elijah Jones (Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Nov. 27 and Jan. 22) and one by Trey Horton III (Jan. 15). Terrell Jr. surpassed former Miner standout Vince Hunter (five, 2013-14) for the most such honors by a Miner freshman in a season. Terrell Jr., Jones and Horton III all landed on the CUSA All-Freshman teams.
 
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 20 of the past 23 games and a team-best 27 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 eight 20+ point showings, doing so seven times total over the last 17 contests. That included going off for 26 vs. FIU in the regular-season finale.
 
ZID SCORES IN DOUBLE DIGITS WORKS OUT WELL FOR US
UTEP is 12-5 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 13-4 on the season when leading at the half and a stout 13-2 this year when holding an advantage with five minutes remaining in regulation. It's not a recent trend, with the Miners a combined 40-9 under head coach Joe Golding when leading at the break.
 
STEALS KEEP COMING
UTEP has registered at least seven steals in 29 of 31 contests (six in each of the past two tilts), including 10 or more 20 times. That included 10+ thefts in 11 of 16 CUSA tilts. UTEP's average of 11.5 steals per game leads the nation. The consistent effort has helped the Miners rack up 357 steals, shattering the single-season school record of 288 that was shared by the 2009-10 and 2022-23 squads. UTEP is five steals shy of ranking among the top five for the category in the CUSA single-season charts.
 
TURNOVERS DO TOO FOR OPPONENTS
UTEP is leading the country by forcing 19.0 turnovers per game, which has worked out to a single-season school-record 590 turnovers forced. The prior standard (573) had stood for 16 years (2007-08).
 
TAE DOING IT ALL
Senior and All-CUSA Second-Team honoree Tae Hardy has done it all for the Miners in 2023-24, including hitting the buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Cal on Nov. 20 and the dagger driving lay-up with UTEP up three with 35 seconds left in an eventual victory at Jax State on Feb. 29. He is one of two players in the league (CUSA Player of the Year Isaiah Crawford is the other) to rate in the top five in the conference for both points per game (15.2-fourth) and steals per contest (1.7 spg-fourth CUSA/100th NCAA). Hardy tops the team in scoring, minutes per game (33.3-first CUSA), 3-pointers made (66), attempted (172) and 3-pointers per game (2.1-sixth CUSA). He rates second in assists per game (2.6-11th CUSA) and steals. He has registered multiple steals in 14 contests, with seven in league action. He can get to the rim, placing among the league leaders for both free throws made (78-ninth) and attempted (113-eighth). He has reached double figures in scoring 27 times (squad most), aided by 20 of the past 23. He has produced a team-best eight 20+ point outings (seven in past 17). The Ellenwood, Ga., native also moved past 1,000 career points (1,283) this year, with more than 875 of those coming with UTEP (881).
 
OTIS STEPPING UP
Junior and CUSA Honorable-Mention Honoree and CUSA All-Defensive Team member Otis Frazier III has thrived this year for the Miners. He has been the squad's top defender, leading it for steals per tilt (2.3-second CUSA/16th NCAA). He has 18 games of at two or more (13 in CUSA action). 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 on Feb. 29. Overall, he is second on the team in scoring (11.1 ppg-16th CUSA) while shooting a crisp 51.3 percent (119-232). He has tallied 10+ points in four straight games and 19 times overall this year, which trails only Tae Hardy's 27. Frazier III is also working the boards (4.7 rpg-third team/20th CUSA), doing so in both offensive (1.8 orpg-first team/13th CUSA) and defensive (2.9-third team/23rd 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 65.6 percent (84-128) 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 both makes (sixth CUSA) and attempts (fifth CUSA).
 
ZID'S DOING HIS PART
Buffalo grad transfer Zid Powell is contributing across the board. Powell leads the team in assists (3.2 apg-seventh CUSA), free throws made (100-third CUSA) and attempted (136-third CUSA), rebounding (4.9-17th CUSA) and defensive rebounds per game (3.6-15th CUSA). He is third in scoring (11.0-19th CUSA), steals (1.7-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 (73.5 percent), which is second-best among Miners with 30+ attempts. Powell has produced four straight and 17 total double-digit scoring efforts (UTEP is 12-5 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 four of the past six 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 20 of 21 since. He is second on the team for 3-pointers made (27) and attempted (91), fourth in scoring (8.1 ppg) and sixth in steals (1.2-tied 11th CUSA). The Arkansas native has also done a solid job at the charity stripe, nailing 71.0 percent (49-69). He had ice in his veins late against Chicago State, going 2-2 in the waning seconds to seal the victory. Camper Jr. has 12 games with double-digit scoring totals, including erupting for a career-high 21 points on 9-15 shooting (both career bests) in the win at Liberty on March 2. The Miners are 9-3 when he has 10 or more points.
 
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 (0.5-17th CUSA), fourth in steals (1.5-seventh CUSA) and rebounding (3.8). He contributes 5.9 ppg (fifth on team). He has proven to be a team player by coming off the bench in 16 of the past 21 contests after starting the first 10 on the campaign. Solomon is fourth for free throws made (68-tied 11th CUSA) and attempts (93) for a readout of 73.1 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 (1,038) this year, with nearly 500 (492) of those coming at UTEP.
 
KEEPING A FAMILY TRADITION ALIVE
Six-time CUSA Freshman of the Week and 2024 CUSA Freshman of the Year 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), who also won the league's Freshman of the Year accolades. She went on to finish 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 (1.9-20th CUSA) and fifth in steals (1.3 spg-ninth CUSA). His scoring is coming around as well, as he's elevated it to 5.3 ppg (sixth on team). He has scored at least six points in 11 of the past 18 contests. Four of his five double-digit scoring efforts on the year have come during the stretch. In CUSA only games, he finished at 6.4 ppg (fifth on team, aided by going 33-43 at the charity stripe.
 
ANOTHER STANDOUT FRESHMAN
UTEP forward Elijah Jones was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Week four times this season, including each of the first three weeks, before eventually earning a spot on the CUSA All-Freshman team. 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 (0.7-13th CUSA) while rating second for rebounds (4.8-18th 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 21 games. He is chipping in 4.1 ppg but is doing so at an efficient 59.5 percent (50-84) from the floor. That was aided by going 3-4 from the floor (2-4 on free throws) for eight points and eight rebounds last time out vs. FIU.
 
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 1.7 ppg and 0.8 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 but has since returned to the line-up.
 
GETTING TO THE LINE
The Miners' relentless drive toward to the paint (34.1 points in paint per game) and getting out in transition (16.2 fastbreak points per game-third NCAA) has led to them taking the 12th-most free throws per game (23.8-first CUSA) in the country. UTEP is also 42nd nationally for free throws made per contest (16.2-second CUSA). The Miners have three players in the top 10 for CUSA for free throws made. They are Zid Powell (100-third), Otis Frazier III (84- sixth) and Tae Hardy (78-ninth).
 
POUNDING THE PAINT
UTEP has demonstrated the ability to get points in the paint in 2023-24. A good chunk (1,056-2,185, 46.6 percent) of the Miners' points on the season have come in the paint. On the year, the Orange and Blue have an 1,056-922 advantage for points in the paint. That works out to 34.1 ppg in the paint for UTEP compared to 29.7 by foes.
 
LET'S GET OUT AND RUN
The Miners are accounting for 16.2 fastbreak points per game, the third-highest average in the country. They have tallied at least 12 points on the break 24 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 501-316 cushion against opponents this season in the category, with the 16.2-10.2 ppg differential on average.
 
HIGH-OCTANE BENCH
UTEP's reserves have helped the Miners put up 73.2 points per game (fifth CUSA), with the bench accounting for 23.9 ppg (fourth CUSA/71st NCAA). Overall, the Miners hold a 740-640 differential in reserve scoring. That works out to a 23.9-20.6 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 while tallying 19 in three other contests, including last time out vs. FIU. Zid Powell (3.2 apg-seventh CUSA) and Tae Hardy (2.6 apg-11th CUSA) lead the charge. Freshman David Terrell Jr. (1.9 apg) Otis Frazier III (1.9 apg) tie for 20th in the league as they've also been good at setting up teammates.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP has notched at least seven steals in all 29 of 31 games, with double-digit totals 20 times. That effort has led to it leading the nation in both steals per game (11.5) and turnovers forced per contest (19.0). Foes have committed at least 17 turnovers 21 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 357 steals heading into the CUSA Tournament, putting it five 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 (2.3-second CUSA/16th NCAA) leads the way, with Tae Hardy (1.7-fourth CUSA/100th NCAA) also in the top 100 nationally. Zid Powell is third on the unit (1.6-fifth CUSA), followed by Calvin Solomon (1.5-seventh CUSA), David Terrell Jr. (1.3-ninth CUSA) and Corey Camper Jr. (1.2 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 is on track to join the elusive club this year.
 
WHO IS PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Heading into the CUSA Tournament, three Miners are accounting for double figures in scoring while three others are between 5.0 ppg and 8.5 ppg. Senior and All-CUSA Second-Team member Tae Hardy (15.2 ppg-fourth CUSA) tops the team. Junior and All-CUSA Honorable-Mention honoree Otis Frazier III (11.1 ppg-16th CUSA) and Buffalo transfer Zid Powell (11.0 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 (5.9 ppg) and six-time CUSA Freshman of the Week and CUSA Freshman of the Year David Terrell Jr. (5.3 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 (33.3-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. (26.7) and Zid Powell (26.0 mpg) are the only others above 20.0 mpg.
 
UTEP IN THE RANKINGS
UTEP leads Conference USA in five major stat categories. The Miners top the conference in fastbreak scoring (16.2-third NCAA), free throw attempts per game (23.8-12th NCAA), steals per game (11.5-first NCAA), turnover margin (4.5-seventh NCAA) and turnovers forced per contest (19.0-first NCAA). UTEP is also among the top-100 nationally for bench scoring (23.8-fourth CUSA/71st NCAA) and free throws made per game (16.3-second CUSA/42nd 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 more than enough o show off his talents. Hamilton is 38-55 from the floor (69.1 percent) in 125 total minutes of action. He has come on strong of late, making a combined 21-27 shots (77.8 percent) for 42 points (7.0 ppg) the past six 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 on Feb. 29. Hamilton started the season 12-12 and is now 60-88 (68.2 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 1,283 (881 with UTEP) while Solomon stands at 1,038 (492 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.
 
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 (85,566) and placing second in average attendance (4,754).
 
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.
 
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 208-191 all time between Abilene Christian and UTEP, including 50-47 in his third season in the Sun City. That places him seventh on the Miners' all-time coaching win list.
 
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 208-191 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach, including 50-47 at UTEP. Those have allowed him to move past, Doc Sadler (48-18, 2004-06), Jason Rabedeaux (46 wins, 1999-02), and current Texas head coach Rodney Terry (37) this year. 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.