Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
Coming off its first Conference USA road sweep in two seasons, the UTEP men's basketball team (15-15, 6-9 CUSA) will look to send its four-member senior class out in style when it challenges FIU (10-19, 5-9 CUSA) at the Don Haskins Center at 7 p.m. MT Thursday. The Miners will be looking to extend their winning streak to three, which would be the longest to close out the regular season since a four-game surge in 2019-20. UTEP is also attempting to avenge a 72-68 setback at FIU on Jan. 13, a contest in which the Orange and Blue led by 15 with seven minutes to play before the Panthers caught fire. A victory would give the Miners the chance to avoid the No. 8/No. 9 game, in addition to moving them to 3-0 on "Senior Day" under head coach Joe Golding. UTEP enters the game with momentum, having bested Jax State (72-65, Feb. 29) and Liberty (67-51, March 2) to snap a four-contest skid and pick up its first two road triumphs of the campaign last week. The Miners led for the final 14 minutes against the Gamecocks and trailed by only 28 seconds at Liberty, which lost for just the third time at home on the season. FIU is also feeling good, having won two of the past three, including knocking off WKU, 85-83, on a shot with five seconds to play by current CUSA Player of the Week Javaunte Hawkins last time out on March 2. UTEP is 12-5 at home (4-3 CUSA) and the Panthers are 1-10 on the road (0-6 CUSA). 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.
 
GOING TO BE HARD TO TAKE CARE OF THE BALL
Thursday's match-up features two of the best in the country at coming up with steals. The Miners pace the nation in both steals per game (11.7) and turnovers forced per contest (19.1), with Otis Frazier III (2.3 spg- third CUSA/17th NCAA) leading the charge. FIU, meanwhile, is third in the country for both steals per contest (10.5) and turnovers forced per game (17.6), thanks in large part to Arturo Dean's nation-leading 3.4 spg. In the 72-68 win by the Panthers on Jan. 13, UTEP finished with 25 giveaways while FIU had 21.
 
GET TO KNOW FIU
FIU is 10-19 on the year, including 5-9 in CUSA, but the Panthers have won two of the past three. That includes handling CUSA Preseason favorite Liberty, 76-71, on Feb. 22 and besting current third-place WKU, 85-83, on a shot with roughly five seconds to play by reigning CUSA Player of the Week Javaunte Hawkins. FIU plays an up-tempo similar style to UTEP, ranking third in the country in both steals per game (10.5) and turnovers forced per contest (17.6). The Panthers account for 74.1 points per game (fourth CUSA), with Arturo Dean (13.2 ppg) and Hawkins (13.0 ppg) leading the way in double figures. Dean is also the best defender, topping the country in steals per game at 3.4 spg. In fact, Dean does it all for the Panthers. He also paces the team in rebounds per game (5.0-15th CUSA) and assists per contest (4.0-3rd CUSA). FIU likes the 3-point shot (8.7 makes per game-second CUSA/61st NCAA) and also has a very good turnover margin (3.7-second CUSA/16th NCAA). It good at sharing the basketball with 14.5 assists per game (second CUSA). The Panthers protect the rim with 4.0 blocks per game (third CUSA/91st NCAA). They have had some shortcomings as well, ranking last in the league in field-goal percentage defense (47.4-336th NCAA), rebound margin (-6.1-339th), scoring defense (76.6-294th NCAA) and 3-point percentage defense (39.5-351st). Notable school alumni include Andy Garcia (actor who starred in Ocean's 11) and Dennis Lehane (author of Mystic River).

SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 16-3
UTEP leads the series with FIU, 16-2, aided by winning 11 of the past 13 meetings between the programs. The Miners are 14-3 (including the CUSA tournament) against the Panthers since they joined the league. The Panthers did, though, rally from 15 down with seven minutes to play to knock off UTEP, 72-68, in the first meeting this season on Jan. 13.
 
GOING BACK IN TIME
UTEP bolted out to a 12-point halftime lead (35-23) and never looked back on the way to posting its second straight road victory with a resounding 67-51 vanquishing of Liberty in front of an announced sellout crowd of 3,643 on March 2. It marked the first time that the Miners have swept a Conference USA road trip since the 2021-22 campaign. That year the Orange and Blue won at LA Tech (63-60, Feb. 17) and at Southern Miss (84-70, Feb. 19) in a span of three days. The Flames didn't make it easy, using a 12-0 run midway through the second half to cut a 20-point advantage (43-23) all the way down to eight (43-35, 13:34 2H) as the crowd came alive, but UTEP didn't flinch. The Miners responded with eight consecutive points, silencing the Flames' faithful in the process. UTEP played poised down the stretch, with Liberty never getting closer than 10 the rest of the way.
 
LOCKING THEM DOWN
UTEP kept Liberty to 51 points, aided by allowing an opponent first-half season-low 23 points. It's the fewest points given up in a road game since a 48-47 setback at Middle Tennessee on March 9, 2019. Furthermore, it's the least points yielded in a road triumph since knocking off UTSA, 61-51, on March 6, 2014.
 
QUITE THE RESPONSE BY CAMPER JR.
After being held scoreless for the first time of his UTEP career at Jax State on Feb. 29, Corey Camper Jr. bounced back in a big way by pouring in a career-high 21 points on 9-15 shooting (both career bests) in 36 minutes of action at Liberty on March 2.
 
TURNING EVERYBODY OVER
Liberty entered the game against UTEP making only 9.7 turnovers per game to lead CUSA and rank 18th in the country, but it couldn't handle the Miners' pressure. UTEP, which paces the nation in both steals per game (11.7) and turnovers forced per game (19.1), harassed the Flames into 17 turnovers that were converted into 23 points.
 
TAKING CARE OF THE BALL
UTEP had only 10 turnovers at Liberty, marking the fourth time in the past five contests that the Miners have committed 10 giveaways or less. The recent effort has lowered the Orange and Blue's average to 14.3 turnovers per contest.
 
WON THE BOARDS
UTEP outrebounded Liberty, 29-26, halting a five-game streak where it had lost the battle of the boards. The Miners are now 8-2 on the season when holding an advantage on the glass.

D-UP
UTEP kept Liberty-the top overall and 3-point shooting team in the league- to just 39.1 percent (17-43) from the floor, including a cold 28.0 percent (7-25) from 3-point range. Kevin Kalu (career-high tying two blocked shots) and Otis Frazier III (three steals) helped in that department, with Kalu finishing with a squad-best +23 in 25 minutes.
 
EARLY WIRE-TO-WIRE
UTEP nearly led wire-to-wire, trailing for only 28 seconds in the tilt at Liberty, when it was a one-point edge (10-9) for the home side four minutes into the game. Furthermore, it was only the third loss all season at home for the Flames.
 
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
UTEP entered last week at 0-9 on the road despite enjoying second-half advantages in five of those nine setbacks. The Miners reversed that trend in a big way last week, knocking off both Jax State (72-65, Feb. 29) and Liberty (67-51, March 2) on the road. The Orange and Blue played from ahead for 68 of the 80 minutes. Furthermore, they led for the final 35 minutes at Liberty and the last 14 minutes at Jax State.
 
WINNING EACH HALF
UTEP outscored both Jax State and Liberty in all four halves of action last week. The Miners have now done so in six games vs. DI foes, with all of them coming against CUSA opponents. UTEP also previously achieved the feat in back-to-back affairs vs. Middle Tennessee, Jan. 18 and WKU, Jan. 20, in addition to winning each half against Jax State (Feb. 1) and NM State (Feb. 10).
 
WE LOVE THAT BALANCED OFFENSE
UTEP had at least four players reach double figures in scoring in both wins last week, moving it to 10-1 on the campaign when that occurs. Most recently, Corey Camper Jr. (career-high 21 points), Zid Powell (19 points), Tae Hardy (12 points) and Otis Frazier III (11 points) all surpassed double digits for points in the win at Liberty on March 2.
 
ZID IS HEATING UP
Zid Powell is hitting his scoring stride at the right time, with double-digit efforts in three straight and four of the past five contests. Most recently he went off for 19 points, his third-highest total of the campaign. He is shooting 15-24 over the past three contests (40 points) to go along with eight total rebounds, seven assists and five steals in that time frame.
 
SHOOT IT WELL AND WIN
UTEP drilled 52.8 percent from the floor at Liberty, allowing it to improve to 7-1 on the season when eclipsing better than 50 percent from the floor. The Miners also moved to 12-2 this year when shooting better than the opposition.
 
BACK-TO-BACK 50% ON THE ROAD
UTEP nailed better than 50 percent from the floor in each of its two road contests last week. It's the first time since the 2020-21 campaign that the Miners have done so in consecutive CUSA games (50.9 percent, at Southern Miss, Jan. 2 and 54.3 percent, Rice, Jan. 8). The last time that happened in back-to-back road tilts was in 2015-16 (56.4 percent, at FIU, Feb. 11 and 51.6 percent, at FAU, Feb. 13).
 
A STEAL MACHINE
Otis Frazier III has been a machine all season for steals, but particularly since the turn of the calendar. He has 48 steals in 16 games (3.0 spg) since Jan. 1, with nine contests of three or more. Overall, he is second in CUSA and 17th in the nation with 2.3 spg. That would be the third-best average in program history. His 65 total steals is currently tied for fourth on UTEP's single-season charts.
 
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 13-3 this year when tallying 70+ points.
 
CAN'T GET TO THE FREE THROW LINE OF LATE
UTEP was 21-25 at the charity stripe at Middle Tennessee on Feb. 17, capping a five-game stretch where it averaged 25 free throw attempts per contest to climb to sixth in the country (25.7 attempts per game). In the four tilts since, the Miners have taken a total of 45 free throws (11.3 attempts per game), dropping its season average down to 23.7 (15th NCAA). The opposition, however, has had nearly double the amount of trips (83), for a readout of 20.8 per game. What makes those numbers a bit curious is that fact that the Orange and Blue hold a 138-84 advantage for points in the paint spanning the past four contests.
 
MAKING SHOTS AT RIDICULOUS RATE
Derick Hamilton has gone 19-24 (79.2 percent) from the floor for 38 total point over the past five games (7.6 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 5.5 ppg on 73.3 percent (22-30) shooting in CUSA action. He's doing this all while averaging 6.7 mpg (8.2 mpg in CUSA play).
 
TERRELL JR. REPEATS AS CUSA FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
For the second consecutive week and the school-record sixth time this season, David Terrell Jr. was voted as the Conference USA Freshman of the Week, it was announced by the league office on March 4. The Dallas started the week by piling up 11 points - all in the second half - while adding three rebounds and two assists and finishing with a +11 (second best on the team) in the 72-65 victory at Jax State on Feb. 29. He had four of his points and one of his assists when Jax State was within one possession in the second stanza. He followed that up with two points, three boards and +17 (second best on team) while playing lockdown defense in 21 minutes off the bench, helping UTEP post a 67-51 win at Liberty on March 2. When he checked into the contest in the first half, UTEP was up by three and when he subbed out 12 minutes later, the Orange and Blue's advantage was 15.

SHATTERING THE SCHOOL SINGLE-SEASON STEALS MARK
The Miners have piled up a school-record and counting 351 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 11.7 steals per game, is 11 thefts shy of cracking the CUSA single-season top five with a minimum of two contests remaining in the season (one 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 15 Conference USA contests, including coming up with 15 thefts last time out at Jax State. The Miners are accounting for 12.1 steals per game vs. CUSA opposition, which has 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 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 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.
 
TERRELL JR. HAS TURNED ON THE LIGHT SWITCH
Six-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 17 contests since, he is producing 7.0 ppg while logging 23.9 mpg. He has knocked down 40 free throws (on 52 attempts) in that time frame. Overall, the Dallas native is at 5.5 ppg in 19.7 mpg while appearing in every contest off the bench, aided by 6.8 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 15 contests since (missed one due to illness), the North Carolina native is chipping in 3.6 ppg (18-37, FG, 12-28 3FG, 3-5 FT) in 9.7 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 seven and in 11 of the 15 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 351 steals heading into Thursday's regular-season finale.
 
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-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. David Terrell Jr. (Jan. 8, Jan. 29, Feb. 5, Feb. 12, Feb. 26 and March 4) has 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). With winning it the past two week, Terrell Jr. has now surpassed former Miner standout Vince Hunter (five, 2013-14) for the most such honors 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 19 of the past 22 games and a team-best 26 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 16 contests.
 
ZID SCORES IN DOUBLE DIGITS WORKS OUT WELL FOR US
UTEP is 11-5 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 12-4 on the season when leading at the half and a stout 12-2 this year when holding an advantage with five minutes remaining in regulation. It's not a recent trend, with the Miners a combined 39-9 under head coach Joe Golding when leading at the break.
 
STEALS KEEP COMING
UTEP has registered at least seven steals in 29 of 30 contests, including 10 or more 20 times. That includes 10+ thefts in 11 of 15 CUSA tilts. UTEP's average of 11.7 steals per game leads the nation. The consistent effort has helped the Miners rack up 351 steals, shattering the single-season school record of 288 that was shared by the 2009-10 and 2022-23 squads. UTEP is 11 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 19.1 turnovers per game, which has worked out to 572 giveaways by the opposition on the campaign. The Miners are two turnovers forced for breaking the single-season school standard (573) that has stood for 16 years (2007-08).
 
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 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 paces the team in scoring (14.8-fourth CUSA), minutes per game (33.1-first CUSA), 3-pointers made (60), attempted (164) and 3-pointers per game (2.0-seventh CUSA). Hardy rates second in assists per game (2.5-13th CUSA) and steals (1.8-fourth CUSA/93rd NCAA. Hardy has hit at least one triple in all but two contests and has three or more six times in the past 16 tilts. He has reached double figures in scoring 26 times (squad most), aided by 19 of the past 22. He has produced a team-best seven 20+ point outings (six in past 16). The Ellenwood, Ga., native also moved past 1,000 career points (1,257) this year, with more than 800 of those coming with UTEP (855).
 
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 (115-227). He's getting after it on defense, leading the squad at 2.3 steals per contest (second CUSA/17th 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 on Feb. 29. Frazier III is also working the boards (4.6 rpg-third team/20th CUSA), doing so in both offensive (1.8 orpg-first team/12th 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 (sixth CUSA). Frazier III has hit double figures in scoring 18 times total this season (second on team).
 
ZID'S DOING HIS PART
Buffalo grad transfer Zid Powell is contributing across the board. Powell leads the team in assists (3.1 apg-seventh CUSA), free throws made (97-third CUSA) and attempted (131-fourth CUSA), rebounding (4.9-17th CUSA) and defensive rebounds per game (3.6-15th CUSA). He is third in scoring (10.8-20th 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 (74.0 percent), which is second-best among Miners with 30+ attempts. Powell has produced three straight and 16 total double-digit scoring efforts (UTEP is 11-5 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 five 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 19 of 20 since. He is second on the team for 3-pointers made (26) and attempted (88), fourth in scoring (8.2 ppg) and sixth in steals (1.2-tied 12th 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. The Miners are 9-3 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 (0.5-17th CUSA), fourth in steals (1.6-eighth 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 20 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 (1,029) this year, with 483 coming at UTEP.
 
KEEPING A FAMILY TRADITION ALIVE
Six-time CUSA Freshman of the Week honoree David Terrell Jr. is following in the footsteps of both his mom and dad by competing with the Miners. His mom (Kiana Taylor) was a standout on the women's basketball team at UTEP (1993-96, 97-98), finishing her career as the then school record holder for double-doubles (20) and the then second-leading scorer (1,134) and rebounder (676) in program history. His father, David, was an all-WAC performer for UTEP and played with the football team from 1994-96. Terrell Jr. has adapted well to the college game, rating third on the squad in assists per game (1.9-21st CUSA) and fifth in steals (1.4 spg-10th CUSA). His scoring is coming around as well, as he's elevated it to 5.5 ppg (sixth on team). He has scored at least six points in 11 of the past 17 contests. Four of his five 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 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 (0.7-13th CUSA) while rating second for rebounds (4.7-19th 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 3.9 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 1.8 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 (34.0 points in paint per game) and getting out in transition (16.1 fastbreak points per game-fourth NCAA) has led to them taking the 15th-most free throws per game (23.7-first CUSA) in the country. UTEP is also 41st nationally for free throws made per contest (16.3-second CUSA). The Miners have three players in the top 10 for CUSA for free throws made. They are Zid Powell (97-third), Otis Frazier III (82- fifth) and Tae Hardy (76-10th).
 
POUNDING THE PAINT
UTEP has demonstrated the ability to get points in the paint in 2023-24. A good chunk (1,020-2,185, 46.7 percent) of the Miners' points on the season have come in the paint. On the year, the Orange and Blue have an 1,020-892 advantage for points in the paint. That works out to 34.0 ppg in the paint for UTEP compared to 29.7 by foes.
 
LET'S GET OUT AND RUN
The Miners are accounting for 16.1 fastbreak points per game, the fourth-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 482-299 cushion against opponents this season in the category, with the 16.1-10.0 ppg differential on average.
 
HIGH-OCTANE BENCH
UTEP's reserves have helped the Miners put up 72.8 points per game (fifth CUSA), with the bench accounting for 23.8 ppg (fourth CUSA/74th NCAA). Overall, the Miners hold a 714-602 differential in reserve scoring. That works out to a 23.8-20.1 advantage per contest.
 
SHARING IS CARING
UTEP is dishing out 13.1 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 (2.5 apg-13th CUSA) lead the charge. Freshman David Terrell Jr. (1.9 apg-21st CUSA) and Otis Frazier III (1.8 apg-23rd CUSA) have also been good at setting up teammates.
 
GIVE ME THAT BALL
UTEP has notched at least seven steals in all 29 of 30 games, with double-digit totals 20 times. That effort has led to it leading the nation in both steals per game (11.7) and turnovers forced per contest (19.1). Foes have committed at least 17 turnovers 20 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 351 steals heading into Thursday's game, putting it 11 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/17th NCAA) leads the way, with Tae Hardy (1.8-fourth CUSA/93rd NCAA) also in the top 100 nationally. Zid Powell is third (1.7-fifth CUSA), followed by Calvin Solomon (1.5-eighth CUSA), David Terrell Jr. (1.4-10th CUSA) and Corey Camper Jr. (1.2 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 Thursday's contest vs. FIU, three Miners are accounting for double figures in scoring while three others are between 5.0 ppg and 8.5 ppg. Senior Tae Hardy (14.8 ppg-fourth CUSA) tops the team. Junior Otis Frazier III (11.1 ppg-17th CUSA) and Buffalo transfer Zid Powell (10.8 ppg-20th CUSA) join him in double digits on average. JUCO Honorable-Mention All-American (Tyler JC) Corey Camper Jr. (8.2 ppg), senior Calvin Solomon (5.9 ppg) and six-time CUSA Freshman of the Week David Terrell Jr. (5.5 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 (33.1-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. (26.6) and Zid Powell (25.9 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 (16.1-fourth NCAA), free throw attempts per game (23.7-15th NCAA), steals per game (11.7-first NCAA), turnover margin (4.8-seventh NCAA) and turnovers forced per contest (19.1-first NCAA). UTEP is also among the top-100 nationally for bench scoring (23.8-fourth CUSA/74th NCAA) and free throws made per game (16.3-second CUSA/41st NCAA).
 
DERICK HARDLY MISSES
Derick Hamilton hasn't attempted enough field goals per game to qualify nationally for field-goal percentage, but he has done more than enough o show off his talents. Hamilton is 36-52 from the floor (69.2 percent) in 121 total minutes of action. He has come on strong of late, making a combined 19-24 shots (79.2 percent) for 38 points (7.6 ppg) the past five 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 58-85 (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 1,257 (855 with UTEP) while Solomon stands at 1,031 (485 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 207-191 all time between Abilene Christian and UTEP, including 49-47 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 207-191 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach, including 49-47 at UTEP. Those have allowed him to move past, Doc Sadler (48-18, 2004-06), current Texas head coach Rodney Terry (37) and Jason Rabedeaux (46 wins, 1999-02) 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.
 
UP NEXT
UTEP will partake at the 2024 Conference USA Championships in Huntsville, Ala., (March 12-16) with the Miners' opponent, date and time of contest remaining to be decided. 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 once that match-up is revealed. It will also be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required).