Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (11-3, 1-0 CUSA) will shoot for its first 2-0 start to CUSA play in nine years when it challenges defending regular-season league champion Sam Houston (7-7, 0-1 CUSA) at 7 p.m. MT at the Don Haskins Center Saturday. The Miners are flying high, having won five straight and eight of nine, including taking out preseason CUSA favorite LA Tech, 70-60, in the "Bear's Den" in the conference opener for both squads on Jan. 2. The effort moved the Orange and Blue to 8-0 at home on the campaign for the second time in the past three years. At 11-3 overall, UTEP is off to its best overall start in 14 years (11-3, eventually 13-3 in 2010-11). The Bearkats, who played the toughest out-of-conference schedule (NET No. 86) among all CUSA programs, were held off at NM State 75-71, on Jan. 2. It is the first of two meetings on the season, with UTEP set to visit Huntsville, Texas, on March 6, during the final week of the regular season. The contest continues a seven-game homestand (5-0 thus far), the longest since having eight in a row in 2017-18. Sam Houston, which was picked third in the preseason poll, is 2-6 on the road, including a trio of setbacks at power five programs, two of which were nationally ranked. The game marks the second straight matchup against an opponent which swept the Miners during last year's regular season, although UTEP did send the top-seeded Bearkats packing with a 65-63 victory in the semifinals of the CUSA Championships on March 15, 2024. 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. 
 
TAKING AIM AT 2-0 START IN LEAGUE PLAY
UTEP is vying to post a 2-0 start in Conference USA play for the first time in nine years. The Miners began 2-0 under Tim Floyd in the 2016 CUSA slate, besting Rice (61-60, Jan. 1) and North Texas (84-75, Jan. 3) in a pair of home matchups. UTEP also opened CUSA action with consecutive victories in 2015, 2013, 2008, 2007 and 2006. 
 
MAKE ROOM FOR THE MINERS
UTEP, winners of five straight and eight of nine, 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.
 
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 9-2
UTEP won the first eight matchups with Sam Houston-with each of them in El Paso- before the Bearkats swept the series in the regular-season last year. The Miners avenged both of those losses while ousting No. 1 seed Sam Houston from the tournament following a 65-63 victory in the semifinals of the Conference USA Championships on March 15, 2024. UTEP stormed back from 14 points down (46-32) with 13:11 remaining in regulation to punch its ticket to the title tilt for the first time since 2011. Prior to last year, UTEP last locked up with the Bearkats in an 87-68 Miners' victory in the championship contest of the 2015 WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational on Dec. 22, 2015. 
 
GET TO KNOW SAM HOUSTON (7-7, 4-0 HOME, 2-6 AWAY, 1-1 NEUTRAL)
Defending CUSA regular-season champion Sam Houston was predicted to finish third in the preseason poll. It went 7-6 before league play, but the Bearkats are the only member of Conference USA to have a top-100 NET non-conference strength of schedule (No. 86). The Bearkats faced three power-five programs, falling at No. 12 Baylor (104-67, Nov. 12), at No. 14 Indiana (97-71, Dec. 3) and at Pitt (110-78, Dec. 21). Sam Houston won three of its final four nonconference contests, but it was upended at NM State, 75-71, in the CUSA opener for both squads on Jan. 2. SHSU only had seven players hit the court against the Aggies. The Bearkats play up-tempo, putting up 80.4 points per game (fourth CUSA/80th NCAA), aided by shooting a deadly 39.6 percent (second CUSA/17th NCAA) from distance. They get up and down the court, producing 14.1 fastbreak points per game (second CUSA/54th NCAA), in addition to hitting the offensive glass hard (12.1 per game-fourth CUSA/97th NCAA). Sam Houston shoots it well overall at 46.9 percent (fourth CUSA), but it is last in CUSA in both field-goal percentage defense (45.9 percent-303rd NCAA) and 3-point percentage defense (36.3-318th NCAA). The Bearkats also have the worst scoring defense in the league (78.0-317th NCAA), which in part is a reflection of their fast-paced approach on offense. 2024 All-Conference USA first team honoree Lamar Wilkerson sets the tone for the high-octane attack, pouring in 19.0 points per game (third CUSA/39th NCAA), and he loves the 3-point shot. Wilkerson has gone 50-108 (46.3 percent-first CUSA/16th NCAA) to top the league and rate in the top-20 nationally for qualifiers. More than half (108 of 203) of his total field-goal attempts have come from distance. His 3.6 triples per tilt tops CUSA and is ninth in the country. Cameron Huefner (14.7 ppg-ninth CUSA) provides a strong one-two punch while Dorian Finister (11.0 ppg-23rd CUSA) is also in double figures for scoring. Finister is the top rebounder on the team at 6.4 boards per game (11th CUSA). Point guard Marcus Boykin is back in the lineup after missing six contests due to injury, and he is putting up 8.1 points per game to go along with 5.8 assists per contest. Kalifa Sakho makes a living on the offensive glass with 2.4 offensive rebounds per game (sixth CUSA). Sam Houston is under the direction of second-year head coach Chris Mudge, who directed the Bearkats to the 2024 CUSA regular-season crown in their first campaign as members of CUSA. Notable university alumni include retired Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell, who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart and inspired the movie, Lone Survivor, Dan Rather (famed national news anchor) and Charlie Wilson, member of US House of Representatives who was portrayed in the movie Charlie Wilson's War featuring Tom Hanks.
 
LOOKING BACK (AT UTEP 70, LA TECH 60)
Otis Frazier III registered his second career double-double (21 points, career-high 11 rebounds), and the Miners forced 20 turnovers while committing only three (tied for fewest in four years) in an impressive 70-60 win against preseason Conference USA favorite LA Tech in the league opener for both squads at home on Jan. 2. The Bulldogs who had won four straight and were off to their best start in nine years at 11-2, jumped out to a 14-6 advantage nine minutes into the game. The Miners struck back, closing the half on a 30-13 run to carry a nine-point lead (36-27) into the locker room. LA Tech didn't get within a single possession the rest of the way.
 
GOT IT DONE IN THE OPENER
UTEP's win vs. LA Tech improved it to 11-9 in Conference USA openers, including 7-2 when doing so at home. The Miners have won claimed of their past three league lidlifters, both of which came in the Sun City and against the Bulldogs. UTEP also bested LA Tech, 60-55, on Dec. 17, 2022, inside the Haskins Center.
 
NOTABLE WIN VS THE BULLDOGS
UTEP's 70 points were the most it has scored against the Bulldogs since a 74-72 triumph on Feb. 22, 2018 (10-game span). That was also the last time the Miners had reached 70 vs. LA Tech. Furthermore, it marked the first double-digit triumph against the Bulldogs-this year's preseason favorite to win Conference USA- since besting them, 91-80, on Feb. 20, 2016.
 
WON THE SECOND HALF
After being outpaced in the second half in seven straight games and 10 of the first 13 contests of the campaign, UTEP held a 34-33 advantage over the final 20 minutes of action against LA Tech. The effort kept the Bulldogs at bay while keeping the Miners up by at least seven points for the final 13:33 of action. 
 
THAT'S HOW YOU TAKE CARE OF THE BALL
UTEP committed only three turnovers vs. LA Tech, the fewest since also having three in a 77-62 win vs. Southern Miss on Jan. 2, 2021. The Miners had one offensive foul (9:04, 1H), one shot-clock violation (3:25, 2H) and one lost ball (2:03, 2H) as the shot clock expired. The Bulldogs became the first UTEP opponent to not record a steal (four UTEP turnovers) since Old Dominion in a 78-70 UTEP OT road win on Jan. 15, 2022.
 
DIDN'T GIVE UP MUCH OFF TURNOVERS
UTEP committed three turnovers against LA Tech, which the Bulldogs managed to get only three points out of. That marked the fewest by a Miners' DI opponent since Pacific also notched three in a 73-64 Miners' road victory on Nov. 19, 2021. In terms of league opponents, Charlotte had no points off turnovers (four UTEP giveaways) in a 70-47 rout of the 49ers on Feb. 27, 2021.
 
TALK ABOUT A GOOD TURNOVER MARGIN
UTEP forced 20 turnovers while committing only three against LA Tech, improving its season turnover margin to +6.1 That puts the Miners first in CUSA and among the top-10 nationally (ninth) heading into Saturday's showdown with Sam Houston.
 
ON A HEATER
The Orange and Blue have won eight of their past nine contests, a feat they hadn't achieved since starting the 2019-20 campaign at 8-1. A stretch of claiming nine of 10 hasn't occurred in more than a decade at the program. During the 2013-14 campaign, UTEP posted a sensational surge of 13-1 on the way to finishing at 23-11 (12-4 CUSA) and earning a bid into the CBI.
 
MINERS WIN BATTLE OF MID MAJOR TOP-25 PROGRAMS
Both UTEP (No. 25) and LA Tech (No. 11) were ranked in the College Insiders Inc. Mid-Major Top-25 poll that was released on Dec. 30, but the Miners came out ahead. UTEP is poised to make a leap if it can handle Sam Houston on Saturday. 
 
SHUTTING DOWN HIGH-POWERED OFFENSE
UTEP stifled LA Tech, holding the Bulldogs to 20.5 points below their season average (80.5). The visitors also boasted the nation's 12th-best field-goal percentage (50.1), but the Orange and Blue kept them in check to the tune of 20-50 (40.0 percent). That was aided by holding LA Tech to 29.0 percent (9-31) from distance. The league's preseason player of the year, Daniel Batcho, managed just 10 points and one block after coming into the game at 20.0 ppg (second CUSA/17th CUSA) and 2.7 bpg (first CUSA/ninth NCAA). 
 
SLOW START, STRONG FINISH
UTEP started the game against by making just 3-16, digging itself a 14-6 hole in the process with 11:20 to play in the opening frame. The Miners outpaced the Bulldogs by shooting 44.0 percent (22-50) the remainder of the way. That included finishing the stanza by connecting on 10-19 (52.6 percent), to fuel a 30-13 run to close out the half with UTEP suddenly up by nine (36-27).
 
FRAZIER III HAD HELP
Corey Camper Jr. played a career-high equaling 39 minutes in the contest, buoying Otis Frazier III (19 points, career-high 11 rebounds) with 17 points, a team-high tying four steals, six rebounds and one assist (no turnovers). Devon Barnes added 11 points, including two triples, while Kevin Kalu netted nine points and five boards. David Terrell Jr. ran the offense effectively with six points, a season-high five assists (one turnover) and two turnovers. Ahamad Bynum had an off shooting night (0-8) but recorded a career-high four steals while sticking his nose in among the trees for two boards. Elijah Jones did his part off the bench with three points and five rebounds (one shy of career high) while logging 16 minutes with both Kalu and Derick Hamilton in foul trouble.
 
TAKING AIM AT HALF A DOZEN
If UTEP can knock off Sam Houston on Saturday, it would afford the Miners their first six-game winning streak since head coach Joe Golding's first season on the sidelines in 2021-22. UTEP ripped off six straight in league play (Jan. 15 through Feb. 5, 2021). 
 
GOING STREAKING UNDER GOLDING
For the fourth time in as many years under head coach Joe Golding, the Miners have gotten hot to peel off five straight wins. That is something that hasn't happened since UTEP also produced four consecutive campaigns with winning streaks of at least five 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. 
 
UNBEATEN AT HOME
UTEP is off to an 8-0 start at the Don Haskins Center for first time in two years. The Miners haven't won their first nine contests in the Sun City since the 2019-20 campaign. UTEP has led for all but 19 minutes and 30 seconds out of a possible 320 minutes of action. It hasn't trailed at any point in the second half. Only LA Tech (up 14-6, UTEP won 70-60, Jan. 2), Northern New Mexico College (up 3-0, UTEP won, 79-60, Dec. 28) and Seattle (up 3-0, UTEP won, 88-72, Dec. 7) have managed to hold advantages of at least three points in the Sun City this year against the Miners. The Orange and Blue have a +15.5 (78-3-62.8) scoring margin at home and are shooting 49.3 percent compared to 40.0 percent by the opposition. 
 
NINE STRAIGHT INCLUDING LAST YEAR
Dating to last year, UTEP has won its last nine home games. The last time there was a longer was streak was from Jan. 10 through Nov. 24, 2015, a 12-contest unbeaten surge.
 
CONTINUING THE BEST START IN 14 YEARS
The Miners have won five straight and eight of the past nine to continue the best start at the school in 14 years. The lone setback in that timeframe was by three points (77-74) at perennial ACC power Louisville on Dec. 11. The mark of 11-3 equals their best effort since also opening 11-3 in 2010-11 (eventually got to 13-3). 
 
FRAZIER III IS FLYING HIGH
For the second time this season, Otis Frazier III has reached double figures in scoring in five consecutive contests. He opened the season with five straight games of at least 10 points. The senior has never reached double digits in points in six in a row, something he has a chance to do against Sam Houston on Saturday. He is doing more than just scoring during the hot streak, however. Over the last five games, the senior is averaging 16.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.8 apg and 2.8 spg while shooting 49.1 percent (26-53) from the floor. 
 
MOVING UP THE CAREER STEALS CHARTS
Otis Frazier III has registered 28 steals on the year, including 13 in the past four games alone, which has lifted his total amount of thefts as a Miner (joined team in 2022-23 as a transfer from George Mason) to 130. That currently puts him 10th all time on the UTEP charts. He is three shy of overtaking Roy Smallwood (132, 1999-04) for ninth place and six short of passing Jason Williams (135, 2003-06) for eighth. He is averaging 2.0 steals per game (third CUSA/59th NCAA) this year, which gives him a shot at climbing as high as fourth on the UTEP career charts. 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 2.6 steals per contest, has been a constant pest for the opposition. The senior has registered multiple steals in 11 of 14 contests this season, including a career-high five vs. UTPB on Nov. 12, 2024. 
 
NEXT REBOUND IS NUMBER 400 FOR KALU
UTEP leading rebounder Kevin Kalu (5.4 rpg-18th CUSA) enters the Sam Houston game with 399 career rebounds. Only Otis Frazier III has more career boards (408) for players on the squad, but Kalu has the edge in terms of rebounds as a Miner (399-347).
 
TURNING UP THE HEAT
UTEP has forced 20+ turnovers while also recording 15+ steals in consecutive contests for the first time this season. The Orange and Blue pulled off that combination twice last year, producing a three-game streak to go along with a separate back-to-back streak. The Miners have a +30 points off turnover advantage in the timeframe, including standing +21 (24-3) vs. LA Tech last time out. 
 
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. has reached double figures in scoring in back-to-back games, lifting his total number of such contests to 10. The senior is shooting 50.0 percent (13-26) from the floor in the stretch while averaging 16.0 points (15 vs. NNMC; 17 vs. LA Tech). 
 
BOMBS AWAY FROM BARNES
Devon Barnes has connected on at least three triples in three consecutive contests, nailing 4-7 vs. Yale, knocking down 3-5 against Northern New Mexico College and 2-6 vs. LA Tech last time out. His first triple against the Bulldogs ignited a game-changing 30-13 run that turned a 14-6 deficit into a 36-27 halftime lead, and UTEP never trailed from that point on.
 
FRAZIER III LEADING THE CHARGE ON THE OFFENSIVE GLASS
UTEP has recorded 10+ offensive rebounds in back-to-back contests, putting it one game shy of its season-long streak of three. Otis Frazier III led the charge vs. LA Tech with a career-high tying seven, the most by a Miner since he also had seven vs. Western New Mexico on Dec. 4, 2023. Frazier III now boasts a team-best 29 offensive boards. His 2.1 offensive rebounds per game puts him tied for 10th in CUSA. It should come as no surprise given that he topped the Orange and Blue in the category a year ago with 58 (1.7 per game-tied 13th CUSA).  
 
MAKE IT 10 WINS OUT OF CONFERENCE
UTEP 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).
 
BOXED OUT BETTER
After allowing three straight and nine of the first 13 opponents to secure 10+ offensive rebounds, the Miners kept LA Tech to single digits (nine) in the department. In fact, UTEP had more second-chance points (11-7) and more offensive rebounds (11-9) than the Bulldogs. The Miners had been outscored on second-chance points by a total of 69-36 in the prior five contests. 
 
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. 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 12-17 in the four games 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 65.5 ppga (second CUSA/50th NCAA) heading into the matchup with Sam Houston.
 
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 14 games this year, and five different individuals have led the team in scoring. Otis Frazier III (five) and Corey Camper Jr. (four) have set the tone. That is followed by Devon Barnes (two), Ahamad Bynum (two) and David Terrell Jr. (one). 
 
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 (62) and Devon Barnes (44) both have long streaks for consecutive games scored. Corey Camper Jr. at 19 and David Terrell Jr. (16) each have put up points in at least 10 straight contests. 
 
HOME, SWEET HOME
UTEP's matchup with Sam Houston is the sixth (5-0 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 8-0 at home with a +15.5 scoring margin (78.3-62.8). UTEP is shooting 49.3 percent, including 39.1 percent from distance, compared to respective numbers of 40.0 and 29.4 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 (11.8) 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, 14.1 ppg-11th CUSA, Corey Camper Jr., 12.2 ppg-16th CUSA, Ahamad Bynum-10.8 ppg-25th 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 54.1 percent (193-357) of their field goals.  Otis Frazier III (3.1 apg-10th CUSA), Corey Camper Jr. (2.5 apg- tied 14th CUSA), David Terrell Jr. (2.5 apg-tied 14th CUSA) and Devon Barnes (1.9 apg-tied 21st 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 (14.1 ppg-11th), assists (3.1 apg-10th), steals (2.0 spg-third CUSA/59th NCAA), blocks (0.9-tied ninth) and free-throw percentage (79.7-seventh), 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 (51) and attempted (64) and double-digit scoring efforts (11).
 
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 (1.8), free-throw percentage (86.1-not enough makes to qualify for rankings), minutes played (31.4-sixth CUSA) and steals (2.6-first CUSA/13th NCAA). Camper Jr. is tied for second on the team in assists (2.5 apg-tied 14th CUSA) and scoring (12.3 ppg-16th CUSA). He has reached double figures in scoring in back-to-back games and 10 total contests, which is second on the squad. 
 
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 6.7 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per contest, 2.5 assists per game (tied 14th CUSA) and 1.4 steals per contest (tied 11th CUSA) while logging 26.7 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 (fourth on team) to go along with 1.8 steals per game (sixth CUSA). He has drilled 23 triples (second on the team). Barnes is second on the team in free throws made (41) and attempted (59). He has been a consistent scorer with eight double-digit efforts. 
 
BYNUM FROM DOWNTOWN
Ahamad Bynum failed to connect on a 3-pointer (0-5) for the first time this year in the win against LA Tech on Jan. 2, but he has still been sensational. The JUCO Al-American has made 31-56 (55.4 percent), which would lead the nation but his 2.4 makes per game is just shy of the qualifying standing (2.5/game). He has hit multiple 30pointers in nine of his 13 appearances, with three games of four or more made. He has shot 50 percent or better from distance 10 times. Overall, Bynum is third on the team in scoring at 10.8 ppg (25th CUSA). That has been aided by eight double-digit efforts off the bench. The other reserves have four such games.
 
KALU'S SCORING NUMBERS UP
Kevin Kalu averaged 3.2 points per game through his first three seasons, but he is doubling (6.5 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 64.8 percent (35-54) from the floor while still playing his patented outstanding defense, particularly on ball screens.  He tops the team in rebounding (5.4 rpg-18th CUSA) and is second for blocked shots (0.7-14th CUSA).
 
SWATTING SHOTS
UTEP heads into the matchup against Sam Houston at 3.5 blocks per game, with Otis Frazier III (0.9 bpg- tied ninth CUSA) and Kevin Kalu (0.7-14th 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 47 games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing so eight times this year. To put the 47 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 11.8 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 (11.8) and turnovers forced per game (19.5). UTEP accounts for four of the top 12 in the CUSA ratings for steals. Corey Camper Jr. is first in the league at 2.6 spg (19th NCAA), followed by Otis Frazier III (2.0-third CUSA/59th NCAA), Devon Barnes (1.8-sixth CUSA) and David Terrell Jr. (1.4 spg-tied 11th CUSA).
 
PICKING OUR SPOTS FROM DISTANCE
UTEP is ninth in CUSA and 311th in the country by attempting just 19.9 triples per game, but the Miners have been lethal when doing so. UTEP is third in the league and 21st in the nation with a readout of 38.8 percent (108-278) from beyond-the-arc. Ahamad Bynum sets the tone at a stout 55.4 percent (31-56). Devon Barnes (23-58, 39.7 percent), Otis Frazier III (17-56, 30.4 percent), Corey Camper Jr. (13-36, 36.1 percent) and Trey Horton III (12-44, 27.3 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 14 contests this year. The result has been the Miners connecting on 108-278 (38.8 percent-third CUSA/21st NCAA) compared to an effort of 89-289 (30.8 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 31-36 (86.1 percent, not enough makes to qualify for CUSA/NCAA ratings).
 
TRIPS A PLENTY FOR THIS TRIO AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
Corey Camper Jr. (31-36, 86.1 percent-DNQ), Otis Frazier III (51-64, 79.7 percent, eighth CUSA) and Devon Barnes (41-59, 69.1 percent, ninth CUSA) have been there early and often throughout the year. 
 
CAN'T HANDLE THE PRESSURE
UTEP's pressure is causing fits for opponents. The Miners head into the tilt vs. Sam Houston leading the country in both steals per game (11.8 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 16.5 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 nine different Miners (min. seven games played) averaging at least 10.0 minutes per game. Corey Camper Jr. (31.4 mpg, sixth CUSA), Otis Frazier III (27.7 mpg) and David Terrell Jr. (26.6 mpg) are all above 25.0 mpg. Devon Barnes (23.9), Kevin Kalu (20.7 mpg), Ahamad Bynum (19.6 mpg), Trey Horton III (14.7 mpg), KJ Thomas (11.3 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 (36,505) and average attendance (4,563).
 
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 8-0 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 221-195 in his 14th season as a collegiate head coach, including 63-51 at UTEP. He has enjoyed two winning campaigns in three years and is on his way to another at 11-3 thus far in 2024-25. Golding is one victory 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 wraps up its three-game homestand to start league play when it plays host to I-10 rival NM State at 7 p.m. MT on Jan. 11. It is the lone contest of the week for the Miners, who have a bye on Thursday (Jan. 9). 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.