Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (10-3, 0-0 CUSA) will lock up with preseason Conference USA favorite LA Tech (11-2, 0-0 CUSA) in the league opener for both teams at 7 p.m. MT at the Don Haskins Center Thursday. The Miners and Bulldogs are both riding four-game winning streaks, with each also off to their best start in years. UTEP's 10-3 mark is the best since also opening up with that record in 2010-11 while LA Tech at 11-2 has secured its top beginning to a campaign since 2015. Each program is also ranked in the College Insider Inc. Mid-Major Top 25, with the Bulldogs holding down the No. 11 slot and the Orange and Blue checking in 25th. It is the first of three straight contests to christen league play at home for UTEP, something that hasn't happened since it also had three in a row out of the gates in conference play in 1991-92 as members of the WAC. The Miners are also in the midst of a seven-contest (4-0 thus far) homestand, the longest since having eight in a row in 2017-18. Most recently the Miners bested NAIA program Northern New Mexico, 79-60, on Dec. 28. LA Tech has been off since Dec. 21, when it blasted NAIA foe Rust College, 108-60, on Dec. 21. The 12 days marked the longest holiday break for LA Tech since 2012. The meeting is the first between the two programs this year, with the Miners set to close out the regular season at LA Tech on March 8. UTEP is 7-0 at home, its best start in the Sun City since bolting out at 8-0 (finished 11-7) in 2022-23. The Bulldogs are 2-1 on the road. Jon Teicher (44th year) and Steve Yellen (22nd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso, with audio available on the UTEP Miners App as well. It will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required), with Andy Morgan and former Miner assistant coach Bobby Braswell describing the action. For tickets, please visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or call (915) 747-UTEP. 
 
MAKE ROOM FOR THE MINERS
UTEP, winners of four straight and seven of eight, held firm to the No. 25 slot in the College Insider Inc. Mid-Major Top 25, the organization revealed on Dec. 30. There are three CUSA programs included in this week's rankings, with No. 3 Liberty and No. 11 LA Tech also garnering placement. The poll is voted on by 31 Division I head coaches.
 
TALKING CUSA OPENERS
UTEP is 10-9 in Conference USA openers, including 6-2 when doing so at home. This marks the second time in the past three years that the Miners will face LA Tech in the situation, both in El Paso. UTEP downed LA Tech, 60-55, on Dec. 17, 2022. UTEP won its first six CUSA openers, but it has gone 4-9 since. 
 
SERIES HISTORY: LA TECH LEADS, 20-14
LA Tech leads the series with UTEP, 20-14, and the Bulldogs have claimed the past three matchups with the Miners. Four of the past five affairs between the programs have been decided by six points or less, including LA Tech holding off UTEP, 65-59, in El Paso on Feb. 22, 2024. The two sides have squared off against each other as both members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and now CUSA. Outside of two years (2019-20, 2020-21), there have been multiple meetings every season dating to the 2001-02 campaign.
 
GET TO KNOW LA TECH (11-2, 5-1 HOME, 2-1 AWAY, 4-0 NEUTRAL)
Preseason Conference USA favorite LA Tech has looked the part thus far in 2024-25, boasting an impressive mark of 11-2 (5-1 home, 2-1 away and 4-0 neutral). The Bulldogs won their first seven games of the season before falling in back-to-back games, including at Memphis, 81-71, on Dec. 4. LA Tech has bounced back to win the past four contests, which included an impressive 74-66 vanquishing of Grand Canyon in the CUSA/WAC Challenge on Dec. 16. The Bulldogs will be well rested for the matchup with the Miners, having not played since a 108-60 dismantling of NAIA member Rust College on Dec. 21. LA Tech's 11-2 record in nonconference play is its best in nine years, and the Bulldogs have plenty of firepower, putting up 80.5 points per game (fifth CUSA/78th NCAA), aided by shooting a sensational 50.9 percent (second CUSA/12th NCAA) from the floor. The Bulldogs have drilled better than 50 percent in five straight contests, their longest streak since 2016. Other categories where LA Tech is among the CUSA and national leaders include assist-to-turnover ratio (1.38-second/85th), assists per game (17.8-second/24th), blocks per game (5.3-first/26th), field-goal percentage defense (39.8-fourth/49th), fewest fouls per game (14.1-third/19th), free-throw percentage (75.2-second/72nd), rebounding margin (+5.2-fifth/91st), scoring defense (67.0-third/79th), steals per game (8.4-fourth/74th), 3-point percentage (36.6-fifth/66th), 3-point percentage defense (30.4-fifth/80th) and winning percentage (84.6-second/19th). CUSA Preseason Player of the Year Daniel Batcho has been dominant at both ends of the court, producing 20.0 ppg (second CUSA/17th NCAA) while blocking 2.7 shots per contest (first CUSA/ninth NCAA). Sean Newman quarterbacks the offense, leading CUSA and rating second in the country with 9.8 assists per game. He boasts a sensational 3.46 assist-to-turnover ratio (first CUSA/19th NCAA). Amaree Abram (13.7 ppg-13th CUSA) and Kaden Cooper (12.8 ppg-15th CUSA) are also in double figures for scoring for LA Tech. Abram is a 3-point specialist, making 2.2 treys per tilts (10th CUSA). Third-year head coach Talvin Hester is 48-30, and he led the Bulldogs to a 22-win season and second-place showing last year in CUSA. Notable alumni include former NFL star and Super Bowl Champion and now TV personality Terry Bradshaw, former NBA standout Karl Malone and Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson.
 
LOOKING BACK (AT UTEP 79, NORTHERN NEW MEXICO COLLEGE 60)
UTEP raced to a 25-point halftime lead (47-22) and put it on cruise control the rest of the way in an 79-60 victory against NAIA member Northern New Mexico College at the Don Haskins Center on Dec. 28. The Miners shot 44.3 percent (27-61) from the floor, including knocking down eight triples. UTEP attacked the rim by getting to the charity stripe early and often, finishing 17-26 in the contest. The Orange and Blue held the Eagles, who were playing the tilt as an exhibition, to 35.6 percent (21-59) shooting and just 4-15 (26.7 percent) from distance.
 
WHAT A STAT LINE
Otis Frazier III stuffed the stat sheet across the board with 12 points, a career-high tying seven assists, seven steals (tied third most in school history) and six rebounds while adding a blocked shot to lead the way for the Orange and Blue. The senior was also +26 in 23 minutes of action. 
 
STEALS GALORE
UTEP turned up the heat to force 27 turnovers which led to 28 points, aided by 18 steals. The 18 thefts tie as the sixth most all time in program history. Otis Frazier III led the way with the third-highest single-game tally (seven) while Ahamad Bynum (career-best-three), Devon Barnes (two) and Corey Camper Jr. all had multiple steals. 
 
CAMPER JR. BACK ON TRACK
After tallying a total of seven points over two games of the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, Corey Camper Jr. was back in double figures last time out. He tallied a team-high 15 points vs. Northern New Mexico, marking his ninth double-digit scoring effort of the season. 
 
HAMILTON DOWN LOW
Derick Hamilton made all three shots from the floor while going 5-7 at the charity stripe to produce his second double-digit scoring game (11 points) of the season vs. Northern New Mexico College. The five free throws made equaled a career high while the seven attempts set a personal best.
 
BOMBS AWAY FROM BARNES
Devon Barnes has connected on at least three triples in back-to-back contests, nailing 4-7 vs. Yale before knocking down 3-5 from distance last time out against Northern New Mexico
 
FIRST BUCKET FOR THE HOMETOWN KID
RS-sophomore Antwonne Holmes showed off a sweet stroke in nailing a 3-pointer late in the victory against Northern New Mexico. It marked the first career field goal for the El Paso native, who starred at Chapin HS before joining the Miners as a walk-on.
 
A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING FOR DT
David Terrell Jr. made his presence felt in several different areas vs. Northern New Mexico, registering four points, four assists, three rebounds and a career-high three blocked shots. 
 
WE HIT THOSE OFFENSIVE BOARDS
UTEP pulled down 12 offensive rebounds against Northern New Mexico on Dec. 28, marking its second-highest total on the season. The effort trailed only 13 offensive caroms against Long Beach State on Nov. 26. 
 
THAT'S A LOT OF 3-POINTERS
UTEP has nailed at least eight 3-pointers in consecutive contests, the first time it's happened since the middle of Conference USA play last season. The Miners are a combined 19-43 (44.2 percent) from distance the past two games, and they have now connected on eight or more 3-pointers six times this year. The effort has allowed UTEP to continue to lead CUSA and rate seventh nationally in 3-point shooting at 41.0 percent (102-249). Having the top 3-point shooter in the country (Ahamad Bynum), who has nailed a sensational 60.8 percent (31-51) from beyond-the-arc certainly hasn't hurt the cause. 
 
WE'RE GOING STREAKING
UTEP has won four straight and seven of the past eight contests, with the lone setback in that timeframe a three-point setback (77-74) at perennial ACC power Louisville on Dec. 11. The Miners are now 10-3 on the season, their best effort since also opening 10-3 in 2010-11 (eventually got to 13-3). 
 
DOMINATING AT HOME
UTEP is a flawless 7-0 at home on the year, its best start to a season in the Sun City since opening 8-0 in 2022-23. The Miners have led for all but 10 minutes and seven seconds out of a possible 280 minutes of action at home. There have been three wire-to-wire wins, and UTEP's largest deficit at the Haskins Center this year has been three on two occasions. The Miners trailed 3-0 in the 88-72 defeat of Seattle U on Dec. 7. UTEP also fell behind, 3-0, vs. Northern New Mexico in the eventual 79-60 victory last time out on Dec. 28. 
 
MAKE IT 10 WINS OUT OF CONFERENCE
UTEP enters Conference USA action at 10-3. It marks the first time that the Miners hit double figures prior to CUSA play since going 10-5 in 2013-14.  
 
GOT IT DONE IN BOTH NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
UTEP posted five wins in both November and December. That is a feat it hadn't achieved since the 2010-11 campaign, which coincidentally is also the last time the Miners got out of the gates with a mark of at least 10-3 (10-3, eventually 13-3 that year).
 
SECOND-HALF STRUGGLES
One area the Miners need to make some strides in is their play in the second half. UTEP has been outscored over the final 20 minutes in seven straight and 11 of 13 contests on the year. UTEP has compensated for that by playing great out of the gates, with a 496-359 (+137) advantage in the first half. 
 
GOTTA BOX OUT BETTER TOO
Three straight and nine of 13 opponents on the year have tallied at least 10 offensive rebounds against the Miners. Overall, UTEP has a -6.1 rebounding margin (29.6-35.7). The opposition has 152 offensive boards on the season (11.7 orpg) compared to the Orange and Blue's 110 (8.5 orpg). One thing to keep in mind, however, is that UTEP is shooting 47.0 percent (332-706) from the floor compared to 41.7 percent (227-665) by its foes.
 
BACK-TO-BACK TITLES
UTEP defeated Jackson State (67-61, Dec. 20 and Yale, 75-74, Dec. 21) to claim the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the second straight season, something that hasn't happened since a three-year run (2012-14) under then head coach Tim Floyd.
 
THIRD FOE BELOW 20 PERCENT ON TREYS 
Jackson State was held to 12.5 percent (3-24) from 3-point range on Dec. 20, the lowest 3-point percentage (min. 10 attempts) by a Miner DI opponent since NM State shot just 10.5 percent (2-19) in a 25-point UTEP romp (74-49) at home last year on Feb. 10, 2024. JSU became the third UTEP foe to finish worse than 20 percent (min. 10 3PA) on triples this year. It previously happened against UTPB (3-17, 17.6 percent, Nov. 12) and at Louisville (6-34, 17.6 percent). UTEP did so a total of three times last year. 
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Kevin Kalu became the first Miner this season to record a double-double after finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds against Jackson State on Dec. 20. He was shy both one point and one rebound of matching his career high in each category. Furthermore, he joined Otis Frazier III (one) as the lone Miners on this year's roster to record a double-double at the DI level (including previous stops for transfers). Overall, Kalu leads the team in rebounding (5.5-tied 18th) while placing sixth on the squad in scoring (6.3 ppg).
 
TERRELL JR. MORE LIKE HIMSELF AT THE LINE
Sophomore David Terrell Jr. started the season at 5-16 (31.3 percent) on free throws, but he has started to regain his form the past two tilts. He is 10-14 in the three games since. 
 
SHUTTING THEM DOWN
UTEP moved to 7-0 on the season when allowing 65 points or less in a game in the 79-60 vanquishing of Northern New Mexico on Dec. 28. The Miners' scoring defense is at 65.9 ppga (second CUSA/56th NCAA) heading into the matchup with LA Tech.
 
WINNING CLOSE
With the one-point victory against Yale, UTEP improved to 5-2 on the year in two-possession games (decided by six points or less). That includes a mark of 3-0 at home in the situation. 
 
STRIKE FIRST, STRIKE HARD, NO MERCY
The Miners roared out to an 11-2 lead and never looked back in the eventual 67-62 victory against Tarleton State on Dec. 16. It marked the fourth wire-to-wire win this season for UTEP. It previously led start to finish against Sul Ross State (W, 102-55, Nov. 4), UTPB (W, 78-58, Nov. 12) and vs. UNC Greensboro (W, 64-58, Nov. 27). The Miners also never trailed (tied once) at UCSB (W 79-76, Nov. 20).
 
PICK YOUR POISON
UTEP has played 13 games this year, and five different individuals have led the team in scoring. Otis Frazier III and Corey Camper Jr. lead the way with four apiece. That is followed by Devon Barnes (two), Ahamad Bynum (two) and David Terrell Jr. (one). 
 
CAN'T MAKE THOSE NUMBERS UP
Ahamad Bynum's streak with multiple 3-pointers in a game came to a close at seven when he finished 1-4 from distance against Northern New Mexico. The JUCO All-American has still managed to do so in nine of his 12 appearances, with three games of four or more made. He has shot 50 percent or better from distance 10 times, and the Chicago, Ill., native continues to lead the country at 60.8 percent (31-51) from beyond-the-arc. 
 
STEPPING UP
Corey Camper Jr. tied for or led the team outright in scoring twice last year. He's already done so four times in 2024-25. It's a similar story with assists. The Little Rock, Ark., native has tied for or paced the Miners in assists in five contests after achieving the feat in a trio of tilts as a junior.
 
SCORING STREAKS
Otis Frazier III (61) and Devon Barnes (43) both have long streaks for consecutive games scored. Corey Camper Jr. at 18, David Terrell Jr. (15) and Ahamad Bynum (12) each have put up points in at least 10 straight contests. 
 
KALU'S SCORING NUMBERS UP
Kevin Kalu averaged 3.2 points per game through his first three seasons, but he is nearly doubling (6.3 ppg) that output as a senior. Kalu has four double-digit scoring efforts on the season after doing so twice in 91 contests played through his junior campaign. The Maryland native is filling up a team-best 64.0 percent (32-50) from the floor while still playing his patented outstanding defense, particularly on ball screens.  He tops the team in rebounding (5.5 rpg-tied 17th CUSA) and is second for blocked shots (0.8-tied 10th CUSA).
 
HOME, SWEET HOME
UTEP's CUSA opener is the fifth (4-0 thus far) of seven in a row at home for the Miners. That is the longest homestand since the Orange and Blue had eight straight in the Sun City in 2017-18. The Miners are 7-0 at home with a +16.3 scoring margin (79.4-63.1). UTEP is shooting 51.3 percent, including 43.2 percent from distance, compared to respective numbers of 40.0 and 29.5 percent by the opposition. 
 
FRENETIC DEFENSE SETTING TONE
UTEP's pressure defense is paying dividends once again in 2024-25, with the Orange and Blue leading the nation in both steals per game (11.5) and turnovers forced per contest (19.2). UTEP topped the nation in both categories last season. 
 
FOUR-HEADED MONSTER ON OFFENSE
UTEP's top-four scorers (Otis Frazier III, 13.6 ppg-13th CUSA, Corey Camper Jr., 11.9 ppg-17th CUSA, Ahamad Bynum-11.8 ppg-19th CUSA, and Devon Barnes-10.4 ppg) have made it difficult for the opposition to key on just any one player. There's still plenty of basketball left, but the Miners haven't had four players average double figures in scoring since the 2018-19 season.
 
UNSELFISH PLAY
Part of the reason for the balanced offensive attack has been UTEP making the extra pass. The Miners have recorded an assist on 54.5 percent (181-332) of their field goals.  Otis Frazier III (3.1 apg-tied ninth CUSA), Corey Camper Jr. (2.6 apg-13th CUSA), David Terrell Jr. (2.3 apg-tied 14th CUSA) and Devon Barnes (1.8 apg-tied 22nd CUSA) have all shown the ability to find open teammates.
 
FRAZIER III DOING IT ALL
Preseason All-CUSA honoree Otis Frazier III has been stuffing the stat sheet across the board while setting the tone for the Miners in 2024-25. He is among the top 15 in CUSA for scoring (13.6 ppg-13th), assists (3.1 apg-tied ninth), steals (2.0 spg-fifth CUSA/66th NCAA), blocks (0.9-tied seventh) and free-throw percentage (79.4-eighth), making him the lone player in the league to do so. The senior tops the Miners in scoring, assists and blocks while rating second for free-throw percentage and steals. He also leads the team in both free throws made (50) and attempted (63) and double-digit scoring efforts (10).
 
CAN'T CONTAIN COREY
Corey Camper Jr. has been a handful for the opposition at both ends of the court this year. He tops the team in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7), free-throw percentage (84.4-not enough attempts to qualify for rankings), minutes played (30.8-seventh CUSA) and steals (2.5-first CUSA/18th NCAA). Camper Jr. is second on the team in assists (2.6 apg-13th CUSA) and scoring (11.9 ppg-17th CUSA). He has reached double figures in scoring in eight contests, which ties for second on the squad. 
 
SIMPLY THE BEST
Ahamad Bynum has put on a dazzling shooting display in 2024-25, leading the nation at 60.8 percent (31-51) from 3-point range. He has connected on at least two 3-pointers nine times total (12 appearances) on the year. The JUCO All-American transfer's 2.5 triples per game are fifth in CUSA. He is averaging 11.8 ppg (tied 18th CUSA) to pace UTEP reserves and sit third overall on the squad while logging only 19.9 minutes per game. 
 
DT SETTLING IN
David Terrell Jr., the 2024 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, is settling into a starting role as a sophomore. He is pitching in 6.8 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per contest, 2.3 assists per game (tied 15th CUSA) and 1.3 steals per contest (tied 14th CUSA) while logging 26.2 minutes per game (third on team). His mom (Kiana Taylor) was a standout on the women's basketball team (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 the football team from 1994-96.
 
BARNES BACK HOME
Tarleton State transfer Devon Barnes chose UTEP in part because he lived in the Sun City from kindergarten through fifth grade while his dad was stationed at Ft. Bliss. He has settled in nicely, tallying 10.4 ppg to go along with 1.8 steals per game (sixth CUSA). He has drilled 21 triples (second on the team), including a critical trey during the second half in the win vs. Tarleton State on Dec. 16. Barnes is second on the team lead in free throws made (38) and attempts (55).
 
SWATTING SHOTS
UTEP heads into the matchup against LA Tech at 3.8 blocks per game, with Otis Frazier III (0.9 bpg- tied seventh CUSA) and Kevin Kalu (0.8-10th CUSA) leading the way. The Miners have blocked at least five shots six times, equaling the amount of such games from 2023-24. 
 
1TALKING DOUBLE-DIGIT STEALS UNDER GOLDING
UTEP has produced 46 games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing so seven times this year. To put the 46 tilts with 10+ thefts into perspective, consider that the Miners amassed 48 such contests in the previous 14 seasons combined prior to Golding's arrival. 
 
THAT MAKES SENSE
Given UTEP's ability to pressure the ball and come away with steals thus far in 2024-25, it is not a surprise to see that the Miners are leading the country at 11.5 steals per contest. They are also forcing a NCAA-best 19.2 turnovers per tilt.
 
COMING AT YOU FROM EVERY ANGLE
There's not just one player that teams have be aware of when it comes to the Miners' pressure defense that leads the country in both steals per game (11.5) and turnovers forced per game (19.2). UTEP accounts for four of the top 15 in the CUSA ratings for steals. Corey Camper Jr. is first in the league at 2.5 spg (18th NCAA), followed by Otis Frazier III (2.0-fifth CUSA/66th NCAA), Devon Barnes (1.8-sixth CUSA) and David Terrell Jr. (1.3 spg-tied 14th CUSA).
 
PICKING OUR SPOTS FROM DISTANCE
UTEP is ninth in CUSA and 322nd in the country by attempting just 19.2 triples per game, but the Miners have been lethal when doing so. UTEP tops the league and is seventh in the nation with a readout of 41.0 percent (102-249) from beyond-the-arc. NCAA 3-point percentage leader Ahamad Bynum sets the tone at a staggering 60.8 percent (31-51). Devon Barnes (21-52, 40.4 percent), Otis Frazier III (15-47, 31.9 percent), Trey Horton III (12-42, 28.6 percent) and Corey Camper Jr. (12-33, 26.4 percent), also have 10+ makes from beyond-the-arc. 
 
TRIPLES FAVORING THE MINERS
UTEP has made equal to or more 3-pointers than the opposition in 10 of 13 contests this year. The result has been the Miners connecting on 102-249 (41.0 percent-first CUSA/seventh NCAA) compared to an effort of 80-258 (31.0 percent) by the opposition. It's a big improvement from last year when UTEP (194-609, 31.9 percent) and its opponents (194-608, 31.9 percent) were practically even in the department. Compared to how UTEP stood two years ago, it is night and day. In 2022-23, Miner foes finished 214-643 (33.3 percent) while UTEP made just 158-337 (29.4 percent).

PRETTY, PRETTY GOOD AT THE LINE
Corey Camper Jr. was a solid free throw shooter in his first year with the Miners, connecting on 71.2 percent (52-73). He has made tremendous strides as a senior, having made 27-32 (84.4 percent, not enough attempts to qualify for CUSA/NCAA ratings).
 
TERRIFIC TRIO AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
Corey Camper Jr. (27-32, 84.4 percent-DNQ), Otis Frazier III (50-63, 79.4 percent, eighth CUSA) and Devon Barnes (38-55, 69.1 percent, 10th CUSA) have been there early and often. 
 
CAN'T HANDLE THE PRESSURE
UTEP's pressure is causing fits for opponents. The Miners head into the tilt vs. LA Tech leading the country in both steals per game (11.5 spg) and turnovers forced per game (19.2). That success in those departments isn't surprising with what happened last year. The Miners led the country in turnovers forced per game (18.7 tpg) while also setting a program record for total turnovers forced (636) in 2023-24. They also established a school standard for total steals (389) last year, which were the second most ever by a CUSA program since the league's inception, while producing a nation-best 11.4 spg.
 
RUN, UTEP, RUN
UTEP's pressure defense has led to plenty of opportunities in transition, and the Miners have taken advantage of the situation. They are producing 15.9 fastbreak points per game, which is first in CUSA and 24th nationally. 
 
SPREADING THE PLAYING TIME
Head coach Joe Golding has done a fine job of spreading the wealth with playing time, with nine different Miners (min. seven games played) averaging at least 10.0 minutes per game. Corey Camper Jr. (30.8 mpg, seventh CUSA), Otis Frazier III (27.4 mpg) and David Terrell Jr. (26.1 mpg) are all above 25.0 mpg. Devon Barnes (23.8), Kevin Kalu (20.7 mpg), Ahamad Bynum (19.8 mpg), Trey Horton III (15.2 mpg), KJ Thomas (11.9 mpg) and Baylor Hebb (10.2 mpg) round out the list. 
 
AN OFFSEASON TO REMEMBER
UTEP had a special offseason to help prepare for the year, which included a foreign tour in The Bahamas, an intra-squad scrimmage in Juárez, an 111-62 exhibition win vs. Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (UACH) on Oct. 19 and a charity exhibition 74-70 setback at New Mexico on Oct. 28. The game in Chihuahua was the first preseason scrimmage in Mexico in program history.
 
EVERY ELIGIBLE GUY CAME BACK
UTEP brought back three starters (Corey Camper Jr., Otis Frazier III and Kevin Kalu) and all eight eligible scholarship players (Camper Jr., Frazier III, Derick Hamilton, Baylor Hebb, Trey Horton III, Elijah Jones, Kalu, David Terrell Jr.) from last year's team that piled up 18 wins and advanced to the program's first Conference USA Tournament Championship contest since 2011. The Miners also have redshirts Antwonne Holmes and Babacar Mbengue. 
 
NEWCOMERS IN THE HOUSE
JUCO All-American Ahamad Bynum, Tarleton State transfer Devon Barnes, three-star HS recruit KJ Thomas and JUCO Region XIV regular-season champion DaCannon Wickware joined the Miners in the offseason. El Paso native and JUCO transfer Jordan Thomas and freshman Raijon Dispensa are also new to UTEP, with each set to redshirt this season. 
 
AWARD CENTRAL
UTEP brought back the 2024 Conference USA Freshman of the Year David Terrell Jr., along with fellow 2024 CUSA All-Freshman team members Trey Horton III and Elijah Jones. Otis Frazier III, who was a member of the 2024 CUSA All-Defensive team and a CUSA Honorable-Mention honoree, was tabbed to the 2024-25 CUSA Preseason Team.
 
THE BEST FANS IN CONFERENCE USA
UTEP has led Conference USA in attendance for either total number of fans or average attendance for three straight years. Last year, the Miners had a league-best 85,566 fans pass through the turnstiles while averaging 4,754 fans (second in the conference). Thus far in 2024-25, UTEP is leading the league in both overall attendance (31,813) and average attendance (4,544).
 
HOME COOKING
UTEP entered the 2024-25 campaign having ripped off at least 10 wins at home in five straight years. The Orange and Blue were 13-5 at the Bear's Den last year, including winning the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the first time under head coach Joe Golding. They repeated as champions this year and stand 7-0 in El Paso thus far. 
 
PRESEASON PREMONITIONS
UTEP was predicted to finish tied for fifth in the Conference USA preseason poll, as voted upon the league's 10 head coaches. It was a relatively close poll, with only 25 points separating the first six teams. LA Tech (87) was tabbed the favorite, followed by WKU (85), Sam Houston (83), Middle Tennessee (69), Liberty (62) and UTEP (62). NM State (39-seventh), Jax State (29-eighth), FIU (17-tied ninth) and Kennesaw State (17-tied ninth). LA Tech (three), Sam Houston (three), WKU (two), Middle Tennessee (one) and Liberty (one) all received at least one first-place vote. 
 
A YEAR IN REVIEW
-              Finished the year at 18-16 for the second winning seasons in three years under head coach Joe Golding.
-              Made the program's first appearance in the conference tournament championship contest since 2011.
-              Beat the No. 1 seed Sam Houston in the semifinals, the Miners' first win against a top seed at the league tournament since the 1993 WAC Championships.
-              Became the first team in school history to come back from double-digit deficits to win consecutive contests in a league tournament. UTEP overcame a 12-point deficit vs. Liberty while roaring back from 14 against Sam Houston.
-              Won multiple games at the CUSA tournament for the first time since 2011.
-              Became the lowest seed in school history to advance to the championship contest of the league tournament. 
-              Won a game at the league tournament by two points or less for the first time since 1992 after ousting top seed Sam Houston
-              Led the nation in both steals per game and turnovers forced per game.
-              Set school record for total steals and total turnovers forced. UTEP's 389 total steals are the second most ever by a CUSA program since the league's inception.
-              Tae Hardy earned All-District and All-CUSA honors.
-              UTEP had three of the five players on the CUSA All-Freshman Team, including Freshman of the Year David Terrell Jr. Terrell Jr. was joined on the All-Freshman squad by Trey Horton III and Elijah Jones
-              Otis Frazier III was All-CUSA Honorable-Mention and voted to the CUSA All-Defensive Team, the first selection to the squad for UTEP since 2015.
-              Won the 2023 Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the first time under head coach Joe Golding.
 
THE BASIC FACTS ON UTEP'S PROGRAM
-              This is the 104th 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.
 
GET TO KNOW COACH GOLDING
Joe Golding is in his fourth year at UTEP, and he 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 220-195 in his 14th season as a collegiate head coach, including 62-51 at UTEP. He has enjoyed two winning campaigns in three years and is on his way to another at 10-3 thus far in 2024-25. Golding is two victories shy of passing Marshall Pennington (63-83, 1937-43) to move into fifth place on the school's career charts. In 2021-22 he 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 challenges defending Conference USA regular-season champion Sam Houston State inside the Don Haskins Center at 7 p.m. MT Saturday. Jon Teicher (44th year) and Steve Yellen (22nd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso, with audio also airing on the UTEP Miners app. The contest will also stream on ESPN+ (subscription required), with Andy Morgan and former Miner assistant coach Bobby Braswell describing the action. For tickets, please visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or call (915) 747-UTEP.