Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
Fresh off becoming the first Conference USA team to post a road sweep in league play this season, the UTEP men's basketball team (14-4, 4-1 CUSA) returns to the Don Haskins Center to challenge Jax State (11-7, 3-2 CUSA) at 7 p.m. MT Thursday. The game is the first of two at home on the week for the Miners, who will cap the mini homestand by welcoming Kennesaw State (11-7, 3-2 CUSA) to town at 7 p.m. MT Saturday. UTEP enters the matchup in a three-way tie for first place in CUSA play alongside Middle Tennessee and NM State at 4-1 while Jax State and Kennesaw State share fourth place at 3-2 within the league. Both UTEP and Jax State are riding two-game winning streaks, with UTEP capping its road sweep with an 81-73 victory at FIU on Jan. 18. The Gamecocks bested Sam Houston, 70-62, last time out on Jan. 18 to put the finishing touches on a perfect home week. The Miners are 14-4 overall, continuing their best start at the school through 18 games in 14 years. They were 14-4 at the same point of the season in 2010-11 (got to 17-4) in Tim Floyd's first year on the sidelines. The 4-1 beginning to CUSA action ties as the second best in school history since joining the league in 2005-06 (opened CUSA 5-0 that year). UTEP is 9-1 at the Haskins Center on the season, with the lone loss coming in its most-recent home affair at the hands of I-10 rival NM State, 85-57, on Jan. 11. Jax State stands 3-5 on the road (1-2 CUSA play), including an impressive 73-67 vanquishing of WKU on Jan. 9. It is the first of two meeting on the year between the programs, with UTEP making the return visit to Jax State on Feb. 22. 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.
 
FIFTH STRAIGHT WEEK IN COLLEGE INSIDER INC. MID MAJOR POLL
For the fifth consecutive week, UTEP has a spot in the College Insider Inc. Mid-Major Top-25 poll. The Miners jumped from No. 24 to No. 21 after sweeping Liberty (now No. 10 in the poll) and FIU on the road. NM State, the third and final squad from CUSA to be recognized, slipped from No. 23 to No. 25 after splitting the road trip with FIU and Liberty. The poll is voted on by 31 Division I head coaches.
 
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 3-0
UTEP is 3-0 against Jax State, aided by sweeping the season series with the Gamecocks last year. The Miners posted a 79-71 wire-to-wire win at home on Feb. 1, 2024, before holding on for a 72-65 road triumph on Feb. 29, 2024, a game in which Otis Frazier III poured in a career-high 24 points to lead the way. The only other meeting occurred nearly 30 years ago, when the Orange and Blue derailed Jax State, 76-53, in the Sun City on Dec. 18, 1995.
 
GET TO KNOW JAX STATE (11-7, 3-2 CUSA, 7-0 HOME, 3-5 AWAY, 1-2 NEUTRAL)
Jax State, which stands at 11-7 overall, put together a solid mark of 8-5 in nonconference play. Four of those losses came by single digits. After falling in their CUSA opener, the Gamecocks have won three of four to grab a share of fourth place in the league alongside Kennesaw State at 3-2 in conference contests. That includes going 2-0 at home last week to improve to 7-0 in Jacksonville, Ala., on the season. They defeated both preseason league favorite LA Tech, 63-61, on Jan. 16 and defending regular-season conference champion Sam Houston, 70-62, on Jan. 18. Another impressive victory was besting 2024 CUSA Tournament champ, WKU, 73-67, on the road on Jan. 9. The Gamecocks are keyed by the league's leading scorer, Jaron Pierre Jr. at 21.6 points per game (fourth NCAA). The former Southern Miss and Wichita State standout has reached double figures in every game of the year, including an impressive 13 contests with 20+ points. He also tops the team in assists per game (4.4-third CUSA/93rd NCAA) while Jamar Franklin (10.4 ppg) joins him in double figures for scoring. Both Pierre (2.44-seventh CUSA) and Franklin (2.36-eighth CUSA) connect on multiple triples per game. JSU puts up 77.8 ppg while allowing just 70.0 ppg. It is a tremendous rebounding team, with a +8.2 margin (40.6-32.4) to pace the league (15th NCAA).  That includes a CUSA-best 29.0 defensive boards per game (eighth CUSA). Michael Houge (8.4-second CUSA/51st NCAA) and Mason Nicholson (7.7-fifth CUSA) set the tone on the glass, with each grabbing better than five defensive caroms and two defensive rebounds per tilt. It had a +20 (50-30) advantage in its win at WKU. Nicholson is also a menace with 1.4 blocks per game (third CUSA). Jax State locks up foes by keeping them to 40.2 percent shooting (third CUSA/42nd NCAA) despite committing only 12.6 fouls per game (first CUSA/fourth NCAA). It is the top free-throw shooting team in the league at 77.1 percent (34th NCAA), with Pierre filling up 78.9 percent. He is third in the conference in both makes (71) and attempts (90). They also are the best at CUSA in taking care of the ball, committing only 9.7 per game (15th NCAA). JSU doesn't force giveaways, though, with opponents making a mere 7.6 per game (10th CUSA/354th NCAA). JSU is led by Ray Harper (588-244, 157-119 at Jax State), who is fifth in DI NCAA coaches with 500+ career victories with 23.1 wins per season. Notable alumni include Ashley Martin (became the first woman to play and score in an NCAA Division I American football game) and Cary Guffey (star of the 1977 Steven Spielberg film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind").
 
LOOKING BACK (UTEP 81, at FIU 73, Jan. 18)
Otis Frazier III poured in a season-high 22 points while Ahamad Bynum tallied 18 points off the bench (13 in second half) to help lead UTEP to an 81-73 victory at FIU on Jan. 18. The Miners shot 53.8 percent (28-52) from the floor, including 61.1 percent (11-18) in the second stanza. They also were 10-23 (43.5 percent), with Bynum draining four and Frazier III filling up three. UTEP took care of business at the charity stripe, going 15-19 (78.9 percent), including eight straight in the final two minutes. UTEP led for 34 minutes in the contest, and FIU didn't get within a single possession during the final 23 minutes of action. Kevin Kalu came off the bench to score 11 big points, including a pair of clutch free throws in the one-and-one opportunity with UTEP up four late, while also adding four rebounds. Corey Camper Jr. contributed nine points and a team-high six rebounds. Devon Barnes added eight points, four assists and three rebounds while David Terrell Jr. pitched in six points, including four consecutive free throws in the final 1:12, while adding three rebounds.
 
DOMINANT STRETCH FOR BYNUM
Ahamad Bynum, who hit the game-winning shot with 2.9 seconds left at Liberty on Jan. 16, helped keep FIU at bay in the victory on Jan. 18.  He had a stretch where he scored 11 of 12 points for UTEP, including knocking down a 3-pointer on three of four possessions for the Miners.
 
SECOND-HALF MAGIC
Ahamad Bynum scored a combined 31 points in the victories at Liberty and FIU, with 23 of them coming in the second half. He had five points in the final 40 seconds at Liberty on Jan. 16, including the game-winning basket with 2.9 seconds. Left. That was followed up by a 13-point second half at FIU on 4-5 shooting (3-4 on 3-pointers).
 
DID MORE THAN SCORE
Ahamad Bynum wasn't just a threat with his scoring at FIU on Jan. 18. He sliced the Panthers' defense apart with a career-high four assists, all of which came in the first half. Bynum then registered three steals (one shy of career best), with each of those occurring over the final 20 minutes of action.
 
BIG MINUTES OFF THE BENCH FOR KALU
Senior post Kevin Kalu, who missed his first game since his freshman year when he didn't play at Liberty on Jan. 16, made a big difference off the bench in the win at FIU on Jan. 18. He tallied 11 points on 4-5 shooting and helped ice the game by sinking both free throws in a one-and-one situation with UTEP up by four and only 1:19 left.
 
THAT'S HOW YOU CLOSE OUT A GAME
UTEP was a perfect 8-8 at the free-throw line to put the game away at FIU on Jan. 18. Ahamad Bynum and Kevin Kalu each sank a pair before David Terrell Jr. nailed four straight to ice the contest.
 
SHOT WELL IN ALL AREAS
UTEP's offense was locked in at FIU on Jan. 18. The Miners shot better than 50 percent overall (28-52, 53.8 percent), were above 40 percent on 3 pointers (10-23, 43.5) and eclipsed 75.0 percent (15-19, 78.9) at the charity stripe. That's the second time this year (vs. Seattle U, Dec. 7) that UTEP has done so. The last time the Orange and Blue had at least two such games in a season (with min. five 3 pointers and five free throws made) was in 2014-15 (three times).
 
FIRING FROM DEEP
UTEP drilled 10 triples on 23 tries (43.5 percent) from 3-point range at FIU on Jan. 18, including Devon Barnes and Otis Frazier III each making a four-point play after being fouled. That marked the fourth contest of the campaign with at least 10 treys in a tilt. That surpasses last year's total (three) and is the most in a season since coach Joe Golding's first team at UTEP that did so seven times in 2021-22.  Additionally, the Orange and Blue have knocked down seven or more 3-pointers in four consecutive contests for the second time this year.
 
FROM DOWNTOWN
UTEP has been crisp from beyond-the-arc, connecting on 38.7 percent (141-364) on triples (second CUSA/16th NCAA).  Ahamad Bynum (2.5-sixth CUSA), Devon Barnes-1.7-tied 13th CUSA) and Otis Frazier III (1.4-tied 21st CUSA) are all making at least one 3-pointer per contest.
 
MAKING TRIPLES LEADS TO WINS
UTEP has connected on at least seven 3-pointers in 12 games this year, holding an 10-2 mark in those contests. The Miners filled up 10 from distance last time out at FIU on Jan. 18.
 
TURNOVERS TO POINTS
UTEP forced FIU into 14 turnovers, which it was able to convert into 20 points. That marks the 11th time this season that the Orange and Blue have gotten at least 20 points off opponent giveaways. UTEP, meanwhile, has been harassed into just two such games this season. For the season, the Miners are now accounting for 21.2 points per game off turnovers while foes have managed just 13.1 ppg in the category. UTEP is 13-1 when winning the category this year and 1-3 when failing to do so.
 
STARTING STRONG IN CUSA PLAY
UTEP is off to a 4-1 start in Conference USA play, its best beginning to league action since it was also 4-1 in 2014-15. It ties as the Miners' second-best start to CUSA play through five contests, trailing only the effort by the 2005-06 team (5-0). That was UTEP's first year in the league. If UTEP can derail Jax State, it would secure be 5-1 within the league for the first time since 2013-14 (eventually marched to 8-1).
 
HOW SWEEP IT IS
UTEP swept its road swing last weekend, knocking off Liberty (72-70, Jan. 9) and FIU (81-73, Jan. 11). It marks the first time the Miners swept a trip to the Eastern Time Zone since 2016-17 when they knocked off FAU and FIU in back-to-back tilts.
 
THAT'S HOW YOU START CUSA ROAD PLAY
UTEP is off to a 2-0 start in Conference USA road games for the first time since the 2014-15 season. That year, the Miners won their first three league road contests on the way to finishing at 5-4 in CUSA road matchups.
 
A MILESTONE MARK
UTEP enters the contest against Jax State at 14-4 on the season. It marks the first time that the Miners have been 10 games above .500 since the 2014-15 campaign when they stood 17-7 (got to 12 above .500 at 19-7) that year.
 
STREAKING ON THE ROAD
UTEP has won four straight CUSA road contests dating to last year. That is the longest such surge since the Miners peeled off five in a row in hostile territory in league action during the 2016-17 season (Jan. 28 to Feb. 25, 2017).
 
FLIPPING THE SCRIPT IN HOSTILE TERRITORY
With the two road wins last week, the Miners improved to 3-2 on the road this year. It is a stark contrast from the past two seasons. UTEP was 2-9 on the road last year and 3-10 in 2022-23. The last time the Orange and Blue had a winning road mark was head coach Joe Golding's first season on the sidelines with the Miners when he directed the squad to a 7-6 record.
 
ON A ROLL
UTEP has won eight of nine and 11 of the past 13 on the way to marching to 14-4 on the season. That continues its best start in 14 years. The last time the Miners enjoyed a stretch of at least 11-2 over a 13-game sequence was during the 2016-17 campaign.
 
OTIS IS ON TARGET FROM 3-POINT RANGE
Otis Frazier III has been locked in of late from 3-point range. He is 8-15 (53.3 percent) from beyond-the-arc the past three contests. The effort has lifted his seasonal average to 33.8 percent (25-74). Furthermore, he has connected on at least three triples on four occasions this year. That happened twice in his career prior to this season.
 
TERRELL JR. UPPING HIS PLAY
UTEP is 8-1 over the past nine games, and David Terrell Jr.'s play has been pivotal. He has averaged 8.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in the hot streak. He has shot 45.5 percent (25-55) from the floor, including 4-9 (44.4 percent) on 3-pointers and 73.5 percent (25-34) at the charity stripe during the surge. He has not fouled out in the stretch after doing so twice in the first eight contests of the year.
 
CONSISTENT SUCCESS
With a victory against Jax State, the Miners would have secured at least five victories in each of the first three months of the season. That hasn't happened since the 2010-11 campaign, which is also the last time UTEP was 14-4. The Orange and Blue eventually moved to 17-4 that year before finishing at 25-10.
 
CAMPER JR. ON THE GLASS
Corey Camper Jr. has registered six rebounds in back-to-back contests. The combined 12 boards are the most over a two-game span of his career, surpassing his prior best of 10 (four times). It also marks the second occasion of his career that he's had at least five rebounds in consecutive tilts. He had five boards in each of the final two contests of last year.
 
TALKING 20-POINT EFFORTS FOR OTIS
Otis Frazier III put together four 20+ scoring efforts over his first 98 collegiate contests (including one at George Mason), with three of those coming as a Miner. After his season-high 22-point outburst at FIU on Jan. 18, he has now posted a trio of 20+ tilts this year alone.
 
THAT'S HOW YOU RESPOND
Twice this season, the Miners have lost by double figures (L, 89-60, at Utah Valley, Nov. 9, L, 85-57, vs NM State, Jan. 11), and both times, they've responded by winning back-to-back games. It's the third time under head coach Joe Golding that the Miners have lost a contest by a least 25 points and then bounced back with a winning streak. UTEP did so in 2021-22, falling at nationally-ranked Kansas, 78-52. The Miners regrouped and claimed the next three contests, a feat they can match when they play host to Jax State on Thursday.
 
WE CAN HIT FREE THROWS IN ANY ENVIRONMENT
Six times this season the Miners have shot at least 75.0 percent from the charity stripe, and four of those have come on the road. UTEP did so in both games on the road last week, nailing 80.0 percent (12-15) at Liberty on Jan. 16 and filling up 78.9 percent (15-19) at FIU on Jan. 18. It marked the first time the Miners connected on better than 75 percent at the line on a two-game roadswing since doing so at LA Tech and Southern Miss, respectively, during the 2021-22 season.
 
TALKING PRESSURE BASKETS
For the second straight season and third time under head coach Joe Golding, the Miners won a game in which they took the lead on their final possession of the game. Ahamad Bynum drilled a pull-up jumper with 2.9 seconds to provide the difference in the 72-70 triumph at Liberty on Jan. 16. In 2023-24, Tae Hardy buried a 3-pointer as the horn sounded to lift UTEP past then Pac-12 member Cal, 75-72, in the SoCal Challenge on Nov. 20, 2024. The only other time it has occurred in the Golding era was his first season when Alfred Hollins tipped in a missed shot to beat the buzzer in a 70-68 home victory against FAU on Jan 27, 2022. Making Bynum's play, unique, is that it came in front of a hostile crowd of more than 3,500 fans.
 
START FAST AND WIN
UTEP scored first and enjoyed an early 7-2 lead at Liberty on the way to the 72-70 vanquishing of the Flames on Jan. 16. The Miners are 10-1 on the year when getting on the board first (4-3 when opponents do so).
 
WE KNOW HOW TO FINISH THINGS OFF
UTEP is a perfect 14-0 when enjoying an advantage with five minutes left in a game this season. That includes a pair of victories last week, most recently dispatching FIU, 81-73, on Jan. 18.
 
ON THE WAY TO 1,000 CAREER POINTS
Otis Frazier III tallied a season-best 22 points at FIU on Jan. 18. He is now at 924 career points (837 as a Miner) in his collegiate career. The senior is averaging a squad-best 14.3 points per game (ninth CUSA), putting him on track to join the 1,000-point club by year's end barring unforeseen circumstances.
 
WINNING CLOSE THE ROAD
With the 72-70 victory at Liberty on Jan. 16, the Miners secured their second road win of the season (now 3-2). Making the matters more impressive is that both were by three points or less. UTEP bested UCSB, 79-76, on Nov. 20. It marks the first time since head coach Joe Golding's opening season (2021-22) to produce two such victories.
 
SOMETHING ELSE ON DEFENSE
Otis Frazier III is the only player in CUSA to be ranked in the top 10 of the league for both blocked shots per game (0.9-tied eighth CUSA) and steals per contest (2.0-second CUSA/51st NCAA).
 
FREE THROWS STARTING TO DROP
For the first time since head coach Joe Golding's first season on the sidelines, UTEP has made at least 70 percent from the free-throw line in five consecutive contests. The Miners are a combined 72-93 (77.4 percent) during the current stretch. That has brought the season percentage to 71.9 percent (274-381). It's the longest surge since 2021-22 when Golding's squad fired off 10 straight consecutive contests.
 
SPREAD THE WEALTH, WIN GAMES
UTEP had four individuals in double figures for scoring at Liberty on Jan. 16, allowing the Miners to move to 9-0 on the year when at least four players produce 10+ points in a tilt together.
 
THAT MAKES SENSE
UTEP has been nearly unbeatable (10-1) this year when shooting it better than the opposition, but things have been a bit dicier (4-3) when foes connect on a higher percentage of shots in a contest.
 
DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN, BUT WE WIN WHEN IT DOES
UTEP has only won the rebounding battle four times this year, and not surprisingly with how many other things they do well, the Miners are undefeated (4-0) in those contests.
 
GOING STREAKING UNDER GOLDING
For the fourth time in as many years under head coach Joe Golding, the Miners enjoyed a winning streak of at least five games (Dec. 16 through Jan. 4) That is something that hadn't happened since UTEP also produced four consecutive campaigns with winning streaks of five or more in a row from 2013-14 through 2016-17 during the Tim Floyd era. Furthermore, the only other occasion that has occurred in the Sun City in the past 30 years was a four-season sequence from 1997-98 through 2000-01.
 
PRETTY, PRETTY GOOD AT HOME
Even with the home setback on Jan. 11 NM State, the Miners stand an impressive 9-1 at the Don Haskins Center this year. Not only are the Aggies the lone foe this season to have bested UTEP in the Sun City, but they are also the only one to have even held a lead of any kind during the second half. The Miners have been up for 339 minutes and 50 seconds out of a possible 400 total minutes, with NM State (37:26) being the lone foe to hold the lead for the majority of the contest. UTEP's scoring margin in 10 home affairs is +10.5 (76.4-65.9), with the Orange and Blue shooting a 48.6 percent overall compared 42.3 percent by foes.
 
THE BEST START IN 14 YEARS
The Miners have secured their best record (14-4) through 18 games in a season in 14 years. In 2010-11, head coach Tim Floyd's first season at the helm with UTEP, the Miners also produced a mark of 14-4 to this point in the campaign (got to 17-3).
 
Attacking The Rim
UTEP is making 15.2 free throws per game (third CUSA/101st NCAA) on 21.2 attempts per contest (second CUSA/91st NCAA). That aggressive drive to the rim has helped compensate for rating ninth in CUSA and 329th in the country by committing 19.5 fouls per game. Incredibly, the Miners (381) have taken practically the same amount of free throws as their opponents (382).
 
BUILDING BIG LEADS
UTEP has been up by double digits 13 times total (13-0 record) on the campaign. The Miners have enjoyed advantages of at least 20 points in eight different contests.
 
OPPONENTS HAVEN'T DONE THAT
UTEP has only trailed by double figures in three contests (at Utah Valley, Nov. 9, vs. San Jose State, Nov. 25 in Las Vegas, Nev., and against NM State, Jan. 11) with two of those coming within the first six games of the season. Furthermore, the Miners have never been behind in five tilts while facing a deficit of no more than three points in five other games.
 
SCORING LOTS OF POINTS
The Miners are averaging 73.8 points per game. There's plenty of season left, but that would be the highest scoring output since the 2015-16 campaign (77.4 ppg). That year's team, however, allowed 74.9 ppg while the 2024-25 edition of the Miners are currently yielding 67.6 ppg (third CUSA/73rd NCAA). 
 
 
GETTING AFTER IT ON DEFENSE TOO
Foes have been held to 67.8 points per game (third CUSA/73rd NCAA), in part due to the Orange and Blue pacing the country in both steals per game (11.0) and turnovers forced per contest (17.8). The readout of 67.8 ppga would be the lowest in since head coach Joe Golding's first year of (66.6, 2021-22).
 
CONSTANTLY COMING AFTER YOU
UTEP is averaging a nation-leading 11.0 steals per game, a feat it achieved least year at 11.4 spg. Dating to the beginning of last season, the Miners have registered at least seven steals in 49 of the past 52 contests.
 
A FIRST FOR FRAZIER III
For the first time of his career, Otis Frazier III has reached double figures in scoring in nine consecutive contests, which nearly doubles his prior best (first five games this year). He has put his name in the scoring column every game this year and the past 66 tilts overall. Frazier III has registered 15 double-digit efforts (in 18 contests) after doing so 20 times out of 34 appearances in 2023-24.
 
CRACKING THE TOP 10 FOR CAREER STEALS
Otis Frazier III has piled up 36 steals on the year, including 21 in the past eight games alone, which has vaulted him into eighth place at the school with 138 (joined team in 2022-23 as a transfer from George Mason). He is three shy of passing Stefon Jackson (140, 2005-09) for seventh place. He is averaging 2.0 steals per game (second CUSA/51st NCAA) this year, which gives him a shot at climbing as high as fourth on the UTEP career charts by year's end. That is occupied by the late, great Jeep Jackson (165, 1983-87).
 
STEALS IN BUNCHES FOR CAMPER JR.
Corey Camper Jr., who leads CUSA and is 13th nationally at 2.4 steals per contest, has been a constant pest for the opposition. The senior has registered multiple steals in 14 of 18 contests, including a career-high five vs. UTPB on Nov. 12, 2024.
 
KALU MOVES PAST 400 CAREER REBOUNDS
UTEP leading rebounder Kevin Kalu (5.3 rpg-18th CUSA) pulled down a team-high seven rebounds against Sam Houston on Jan. 4, moving past 400 for his collegiate career. He enters the matchup vs. Jax State with 412 total boards. Otis Frazier III has the lead for career boards (426) for players on the squad, but Kalu has the edge in terms of rebounds as a Miner (412-365).
 
Surpassing 80 Means Good Things
UTEP tallied 81 points at FIU on Jan. 18, tying its second-highest total (also 81 vs. Sam Houston) vs. a DI opponent this season. The effort trailed only the 88 points put up in the triumph against Seattle U on Dec. 7. The Miners are now 4-0 on the year and 20-4 under head coach Joe Golding when putting up at least 80 points.
 
CAMPER JR. IS COOKING
Corey Camper Jr. has hit double figures in four of the past six games, lifting his seasonal total to 12 times. His next such game will match (13) the amount of contests with 10+ points from a year ago. Camper Jr. is putting up 11.8 ppg (second on team/tied 16th CUSA). Camper Jr. is also sharing the ball effectively with 2.6 assists per game (third on squad/15th CUSA). The senior has really made a name for himself with his defense as well, topping CUSA and checking in 13th nationally with 2.4 steals per game.
 
BOMBS AWAY FROM BARNES
Devon Barnes has been nice addition to the roster for the Miners after transferring in from Tarleton State, where he helped the program compile a school-record 25 DI wins and make a run to the semifinals of the 2024 CIT. He has buried multiple 3-pointers in eight different contests, with his 1.7 triples per tilt rating tied for 13th in CUSA. Twice he has matched his career high with four 3-pointers, including most recently doing so against Sam Houston on Jan. 4. Overall, he is fourth on the team in scoring (10.6). He is second on the team for 3-pointers made (30), attempted (76) and percentage (39.5, minimum 15 makes).
 
FRAZIER III GETTING AFTER IT ON THE GLASS
Otis Frazier III, who is second on the team in overall rebounding (4.9 rpg-tied 21st CUSA), is on track to lead the Miners in offensive boards for the second straight season. He is pulling down 1.9 orpg (tied 11th CUSA), up a bit from his effort of 1.7 (tied 13th CUSA) last year.
 
PILED 10 WINS OUT OF CONFERENCE
UTEP (now 14-4 overall, 4-1 CUSA) entered Conference USA action at 10-3. It marked 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).
 
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.
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Otis Frazier III (19 points, career-high 11 rebounds vs. LA Tech, Jan. 2, 2025) and Kevin Kalu (12 points, 12 rebounds vs. Jackson State, Dec. 20, 2024) both have double-doubles on the campaign. Frazier III now boasts two career double-doubles, having also previously done so last year (11 points, 10 rebounds, vs. Western New Mexico, Dec. 4, 2023). They are the lone Miners on this year's roster to record a double-double at the DI level (including previous stops for transfers).
 
TERRELL JR. MORE LIKE HIMSELF AT THE LINE
Sophomore David Terrell Jr. began the season at 5-16 (31.3 percent) on free throws, but he has started to regain his form. He is 25-32 (78.1 percent) since.
 
SHUTTING THEM DOWN
UTEP moved to 8-0 on the season when allowing 65 points or less in a game in the 70-60 defeat of LA Tech on Jan. 2. The Miners' scoring defense is at 67.6 ppga (third CUSA/73rd NCAA) heading into the matchup against Jax State.
 
WINNING CLOSE
With the two-point victory at Liberty on Jan. 16, UTEP improved to 6-2 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.
 
CONTINUED BOUNCING BACK TREND
UTEP has won its past five games when coming off a loss, including standing 4-0 in the situation this year.
 
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's balance has been an issue for the opposition, with five different individuals having led the team in scoring. Otis Frazier III (seven) and Corey Camper Jr. (four) have set the tone. That is followed by Devon Barnes (three), Ahamad Bynum (two) and David Terrell Jr. (two).
 
STEPPING UP
Corey Camper Jr. tied for or led the team outright in scoring twice last year. He's 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 (66) and Devon Barnes (48) both have long streaks for consecutive games scored. Corey Camper Jr. (23) and David Terrell Jr. (20) each have put up points in at least 20 straight contests. No one else on the roster has a stretch or three or more (DI tilts only).
 
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 (11.0) and turnovers forced per contest (17.8). UTEP topped the nation in both categories last season.
 
FOUR-HEADED MONSTER ON OFFENSE
UTEP's top-four scorers (Otis Frazier III, 14.3 ppg-tied ninth CUSA, Corey Camper Jr., 11.8 ppg-tied 16th CUSA, Ahamad Bynum-10.8 ppg-tied 23rd and Devon Barnes-10.6 ppg) have made it difficult for the opposition to key on just any one player. There's still a good chunk 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 (249-457) of their field goals. David Terrell Jr. (2.9 apg-tied 11th CUSA), Otis Frazier III (2.8 apg-tied 13th CUSA), Corey Camper Jr. (2.6 apg-15th CUSA), and Devon Barnes (1.9 apg-tied 22nd CUSA) have all shown the ability to find open teammates.
 
IN A CLASS OF HIS OWN
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 the only player in CUSA to rate in the top 15 of the league for scoring (14.3 ppg-tied ninth), assists (2.8 apg-tied 13th), steals (2.0 spg-second CUSA/51st NCAA), blocks (0.9-tied eighth) and free-throw percentage (79.0-sixth). The senior tops the Miners in scoring and blocks while rating second for assists, free-throw percentage and steals. He also leads the team in both free throws made (64) and attempted (81) and double-digit scoring efforts (15).
 
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 free-throw percentage (79.6-not enough makes to qualify for rankings), minutes played (32.3-fifth CUSA) and steals (2.4-first CUSA/13th NCAA). Camper Jr. is second on the team for scoring (11.8 ppg-tied 16th CUSA) and third in assists (2.6-15th CUSA). He has reached double figures in scoring in four of the past six and 12 total contests this year (second on team).
 
DT SETTLING IN AT THE POINT
David Terrell Jr., the 2024 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, is settling into a starting role as a sophomore, especially while running the offense. A big difference has been his ability to stay out of foul trouble. He had three or more fouls in nine of his first 11 games of the year (missed one), including three foul outs. He has a total of 15 fouls the last six games. Terrell Jr. has recorded four or more assists in six of the past seven tilts, helping him lead the squad at 2.9 apg (tied 11th CUSA). He is pitching in 7.5 ppg (fifth on team) while rating fourth in steals (1.3-tied 12th CUSA).
 
A FAMILY TRADITION
David Terrell Jr's 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 10.6 ppg to go along with 1.6 steals per game (tied seventh CUSA). He is second on the team for both 3-pointers made (30) and 3-pointers attempted (76). That results in 1.7 treys made per contest (tied 13th CUSA). Barnes is also good at getting to the line, rating second on UTEP in free throws made (52) and attempted (75). He has been a consistent scorer with 10 double-digit efforts.
 
BYNUM FROM DOWNTOWN
Ahamad Bynum has been sensational off the bench, pacing all Miner reserves and rating third on the squad at 10.8 ppg (tied 23rd CUSA). He has been locked in from 3-point range, filling up 41-82 (51.9 percent), including 7-15 the past two tilts. That would lead the nation, but his 2.47 makes per game (sixth CUSA) is shy of the qualifying standing (2.5/game). He has hit multiple 3-pointers in 12 of his 17 appearances, with four games of four or more made. He has shot 50 percent or better from distance 12 times. He has compiled 10 double-digit efforts off the bench. The other reserves have five such games.
 
KALU'S GETTING IT DONE
Kevin Kalu averaged 3.2 points per game through his first three seasons, but he is doubling it (6.5 ppg) that output as a senior. Kalu has five 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 64.2 percent (43-67) from the floor while still playing his patented outstanding defense, particularly on ball screens.  He tops the team in rebounding (5.2 rpg-18th CUSA) and is second for blocked shots (0.7-tied 14th CUSA).
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DIGIT STEALS UNDER GOLDING
UTEP has produced 48 games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing so nine times this year. To put the 48 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 11.0 steals per contest. They are also forcing a NCAA-best 17.8 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 (11.0) and turnovers forced per game (17.8). UTEP accounts for three of the top seven and four of the top 15. Corey Camper Jr. is first in the league at 2.4 spg (13th NCAA), followed by Otis Frazier III (2.0-second/CUSA/51st NCAA), Devon Barnes (1.6-tied seventh CUSA) and David Terrell Jr. (1.3-tied 12th CUSA).
 
PICKING OUR SPOTS FROM DISTANCE
UTEP is ninth in CUSA and 287th in the country by attempting 20.2 triples per game, but the Miners have been lethal when doing so. UTEP is second in the league and 16th in the nation with a readout of 38.7 percent (133-364) from beyond-the-arc. Ahamad Bynum sets the tone at a stout 51.9 percent (42-81), which would lead the nation, but he is shy of qualifying for the 2.5 makes per game (2.47-sixth CUSA). Devon Barnes has been a difference maker as well, filling up 39.5 percent (30-76) from beyond-the-arc for 1.7 treys per tilt (tied 13th CUSA).
 
TRIPLES FAVORING THE MINERS
UTEP has made equal to or more 3-pointers than the opposition in 13 of 18 contests this year. The result has been the Miners connecting on 141-363 (38.7 percent-second CUSA/16th NCAA) compared to an effort of 116-373 (31.1 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 strides as a senior, having hit 39-49 (79.6 percent, not enough makes to qualify for CUSA/NCAA ratings). It's a similar story for Otis Frazier III. Last year, he was at 65.5 percent (91-139). As a senior, he's elevated those numbers to 79.0 percent (64-81), which is sixth in CUSA among qualifiers.
 
CAN'T HANDLE THE PRESSURE
UTEP's pressure is causing fits for opponents. The Miners head into the tilt vs. Jax State leading the country in both steals per game (11.0 spg) and turnovers forced per game (17.8). 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 15.2 fastbreak points per game, which is first in CUSA and 18th nationally.
 
SPREADING THE PLAYING TIME
Head coach Joe Golding has done a fine job of spreading the wealth with playing time, with eight different Miners (min. seven games played) averaging at least 10.0 minutes per game. Corey Camper Jr. (32.4 mpg, fifth CUSA), Otis Frazier III (28.7 mpg) and David Terrell Jr. (27.5 mpg) and Devon Barnes (25.1) are all above 25.0 mpg. Kevin Kalu (21.3 mpg), Ahamad Bynum (19.7mpg), Trey Horton III (12.8 mpg) and KJ Thomas (10.5 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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 (54,279) and average attendance (5,428).
 
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 9-1 in El Paso thus far.
 
PRESEASON PREMONITIONS
UTEP was predicted to finish tied for fifth in the Conference USA preseason poll (currently third heading to game at FIU), 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 224-196 in his 14th season as a collegiate head coach, including 66-52 at UTEP. He has enjoyed two winning campaigns in three years and is on his way to another at 14-4 thus far in 2024-25. Golding recently moved past Marshall Pennington (63-83, 1937-43) to take over fifth place on the school's career charts. He needs 12 more to surpass George McCarty (77-58, 1954-59). 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 wraps up the mini two-game homestand when it plays host to first-year league member Kennesaw State 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.