Game Notes

OPENING TIP
The two-time defending tournament champions UTEP men's basketball team (3-6) will begin play at the 64th-Annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational when it locks up with Norfolk State (5-8) at 7 p.m. MT Sunday. UC Irvine and North Dakota State will play prior, with that contest tipping off at 5 p.m. MT. The winners from each game will advance to the championship tilt at 7 p.m. MT Monday. The third/fourth-place affair is slated for a 5 p.m. tipoff on Monday. The Miners were edged at Hawaii, 66-61, last time out on Dec. 13. UTEP will be looking to snap a four-game skid while it also remains in search of its first DI victory of the year. It marks the second time in the past three years that the Orange and Blue will face the Spartans in their first round of the tournament. NSU is in the midst of playing four games in five days. It bested Jackson State, 82-72, on Dec. 19 to snap a four-tilt skid. UTEP is back inside the friendly confines of the Don Haskins Center (3-1 at home) after a four-contest roadswing. The Miners haven't suited up at home since knocking off St. Thomas (Houston) in OT, 84-83, more than a month ago (11/19). The 32-day gap between home games is the longest since a 34-day stretch without a contest in the Sun City during the 1962-63 campaign. That was the second year with Don Haskins on the sidelines. Following the tournament, UTEP will be off the for the holiday break before playing its first three CUSA contests in hostile territory. The Miners will face LA Tech (12/29), first-year CUSA member Missouri State (1/2) and FIU (1/4). That will conclude a brutal stretch that had four straight and seven of nine outside of El Paso. Jon Teicher (45th year) and Steve Yellen (23rd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners' App for the tilt vs. Norfolk State. It will also be streamed on the Sun Bowl Association's YouTube channel and broadcast locally on KFOX.
 
TALKING TOURNAMENT HISTORY
UTEP is 94-30 in the event (50-12 first round). It has won 34 tourney titles (34-15 in title tilt), including taking home the crown the past two years. The last time the Miners claimed the championship in three consecutive campaigns was more than a decade ago (2012-14) under then head coach Tim Floyd. Last year, the Orange and Blue outlasted Yale, 75-74, in the championship contest. Tournament MVP Otis Frazier III blocked a shot with 2.3 seconds left. The Bulldogs then were unable to get a shot off on the ensuing play. The Miners knocked off Wyoming, 78-67, to secure their first title at the tournament of the Joe Golding era in 2023. UTEP used a big second half (53-41) to secure the triumph. There was no championship game played or awarded in 2010, as the match-ups were preset. UTEP is 9-3 in the third/fourth-place contest.
 
GET TO KNOW NORFOLK STATE (5-8)
Defending MEAC champion Norfolk State got off to a 4-4 start on the season before dropping its next four contests. The Spartans got back into the win column last time out, dropping Jackson State, 82-72, on Dec. 19. They are 4-1 at home, 1-1 on neutral courts but 0-6 on the road. NSU is in the midst of playing four games in five days, having competed in the Chris Paul HBCU Classic (Dec. 18-19). UTEP and NSU have a common opponent, with both playing William & Mary in a neutral site. The Miners fell ,74-63, on Nov. 24 while the Spartans were held 81-78, on Nov. 8. NSU thrives at both ends of the court, leading the MEAC in field-goal percentage (46.4), field-goal percentage defense (42.8), rebounding (+3.8), defensive rebounds per game (25.2), offensive boards per contest (12.9-84th NCAA), scoring offense (77.2) and fewest turnovers per game (11.5). It also loves to get out in transition, accounting for 13.9 fastbreak points per tilt (third MEAC/90th NCAA). The Spartans have a one-two scoring punch with Elijah Jamison (16.5 ppg-third MEAC) and Anthony McComb III (16.3 ppg-fourth MEAC) leading the way offensively. Devon Ellis (10.6 ppg-13th MEAC) is also in double figures for scoring. No one else on the team produces more than 6.0 ppg. McComb paces the squad in rebounding (5.2 rpg) and steals per game (1.3) while Jamison dishes out a team-best 3.5 assists per game. NSU is under the direction of 12th-year head coach Robert Jones, who stands 241-167 in that timeframe. He led the squad to the 2025 NCAA Tournament, which came on the heels of claiming the 2024 CIT. NSU has posted four straight 20+ win seasons, competing in the postseason three times in that stretch (two NCAA bids, one CIT berth). Notable university alumni include Pee Wee Kirkland (first-round NBA draft pick, 1969, Chicago Bulls and notable Rucker Park street basketball star) and J.B. Smoove (actor, best known for his role on Curb your Enthusiasm).
 
SERIES HISTORY: TIED, 2-2
The series is tied, 2-2, between the programs with all four meetings happening in the first round of the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational. UTEP is in search of its second win in the past three seasons against the Spartans. The Miners held them off, 67-65, in a back-and-forth contest that featured 11 ties and 14 lead changes on Dec. 20, 2023. UTEP claimed the initial match-up in a 93-56 rout on Dec. 28, 2009, but the Spartans made up for that by winning the next two meetings. Norfolk State bested the Orange and Blue, 85-76, on Dec. 21, 2015, before staking a 75-62 victory on Dec. 21, 2018.
 
BRUTAL NONCONFERENCE DI SLATE
UTEP has played a ridiculous nonconference slate to date, with the Miners' six DI opponents boasting a combined record of 54-16. Utah State (9-1, NET 31), William & Mary (9-3, NET 79) and Seattle U (10-2, 99 NET) are in the top 100 of the NET. Every foe to this point has a winning record. NSU will be the first DI foe to be below .500.
 
FEWEST HOME GAMES IN DECEMBER SINCE 1959-60
UTEP's two home games in December (both at the 2025 WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational), are the fewest in the month in the Sun City since 1959-60 (one contest). The Miners lost, 68-41, to Oklahoma State (12/9/59) under the direction of first-year head coach Harold Davis. Davis took over for the then winningiest coach in program (George McCarty) before being replaced by the legendary and Naismith Hall of Famer Don Haskins.
 
LAST GAME (AT HAWAII 66, UTEP 61, 12/13/25)
Kaseem Watson (12 points), Jamal West Jr. (12 points), Elijah Jones (10 points) and Trey Horton III (season-high 10 points) all reached double figures in scoring, but UTEP was upended, 66-61, in a physical game in front of 4,000+ fans at Hawaii on Dec. 13.
 
SLOWED DOWN A HIGH-FLYING OFFENSE
The Miners held Hawaii to 66 points, which is 15 points below its seasonal average (81.7) coming into the contest. UTEP kept the Rainbow Warriors to 40.4 percent shooting, which is more than seven percent lower than its campaign figure (47.1) prior to the contest.
 
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT ON DEFENSE
After conceding at least 70 points to seven straight opponents, the longest such stretch in nonconference action in program history, the Miners kept Hawaii to 66 points last time out. Miner foes had averaged 74.7 ppg in that stretch before UTEP tightened up against the Rainbow Warriors.
 
STARTED OFF GREAT
UTEP got the start it was looking for at Hawaii, bolting to a 14-point cushion (24-10) 14 minutes into the affair, with a 15-0 run proving crucial. It marked the first double-digit advantage vs. a DI foe for the Miners this year.
 
HAWAII ANSWERED LATE
UTEP still led by four (49-45) with seven minutes remaining before a 7-0 surge from Hawaii accounted for the game's sixth and final lead change. The Miners battled down the stretch, but they couldn't get closer than five.
 
THAT'S THE REBOUNDING EFFORT WE NEED
After losing the rebounding battle to its first five DI opponents, with an average differential of -13.2 (39.8 to 26.6), the Miners took a step in the right direction at Hawaii. UTEP was even (35-35) on the glass despite the Rainbow Warriors entering the tilt at +11.2 in the department. The 35 rebounds were the most by the Orange and Blue vs. DI competition this season.
 
WHO GOT AFTER IT
Elijah Jones and Jamal West Jr. both notched a game-high tying seven rebounds to lead the efforts on the boards for the Miners at Hawaii. It marked the just the second time this year that at least two UTEP players pulled down seven or more rebounds. It also occurred in the win vs. DIII foe St. Thomas (11/19) when Jones and West Jr. had eight and David Tubek secured seven.
 
KNOCKING IT DOWN FROM DEEP
UTEP filled up eight triples at Hawaii, tying for its second-highest total this season. The Miners were 8-22 (36.4 percent) in the contest. Trey Horton III led the charge by going 3-6, but Elijah Jones (2-4) and KJ Thomas (2-3) also had multiple makes from distance in the contest. The eight treys were also the most in a nonconference road game since the Miners knocked down nine 3-pointers at ACC power Louisville last year (12/11/24).
 
BLOCK PARTY
UTEP rejected six shots at Hawaii, its most against DI competition since also rejecting six attempts at Jax State last season (2/22/25). Kaseem Watson and Jamal West Jr. each had a pair while Elijah Jones and Mouhamed Mbaye got involved in the fun as well with one block each.
 
MAKING STRIDES, BUT GOTTA FINISH
After not holding a lead at any point in the second half at Utah State (11/15), vs. William & Mary (11/25) and vs. UAB (11/25) the Miners have put themselves in position to win the past two tilts. UTEP was up by four with seven minutes left at Hawaii before a 7-0 run sent the home side in front for good. The Orange and Blue had a two-point edge with 4:41 remaining at Seattle (12/7), but an 8-0 run let the Redhawks take a lead they'd never relinquish. UTEP also enjoyed a four-point halftime cushion against LMU (11/11), but the Lions scored the first nine points of the second stanza and the Miners never got back in front.
 
SCORING FROM LOTS OF PLAYERS
Four different Miners hit double figures in scoring at Hawaii. It marked the sixth time in nine contests this season that at least four UTEP players tallied 10+ points in a game. Elijah Jones has been the constant, doing so in every tilt this season.
 
NINE UP AND NINE DOWN FOR JONES
Elijah Jones has hit double figures in all nine contests this year, the longest such streak to begin a season by a Miner since Lee Moore also had nine in a row in 2015-16. Souley Boum posted 10+ points in his first nine appearances of 2021-22, but that came over a 13-game stretch (DNP four times due to injury). The last time UTEP had a longer such streak to start the campaign was Randy Culpepper with 14 straight in 2009-10.
 
COLD, HARD FACTS ON THE DIFFERENCE IN THE GAME
UTEP hit three more shots (24-60, 40.0 percent, 8-22 3PT, 36.4 percent) than Hawaii (21-52, 40.4 percent, 6-19, 31.6 percent), committed only nine turnovers and kept the rebounding even (35-35). Free throws swung it to the home side. The Miners were tagged with 21 fouls compared to eight by the Rainbow Warriors, resulting in Hawaii finishing 18-22 (81.8 percent) at the free-throw line as opposed to UTEP going 5-10 (50.0 percent).
 
NOT MANY FREE THROWS FOR UTEP
UTEP set season lows for both free throws made (five) and attempted (10) at Hawaii last time out. It's the lowest such outputs since the Miners were 5-6 at the charity stripe at Middle Tennessee (2/1/25) last year. In terms of nonconference play, it's the fewest tries since UTEP was 6-9 against Kent State (12/22/22) while the five makes are the lowest since the Orange and Blue finished 3-6 at the line against Lamar (11/27/17) eight years ago.
 
ABOUT THOSE WHISTLES
Hawaii was called for just eight fouls, the fewest by a UTEP opponent since LA Tech was whistled for seven infractions in a 64-52 Miner setback at home (1/6/22) in the first year of the Joe Golding era. For nonconference contests, it marked the lowest such total by a UTEP foe since at least 2000.
 
SECOND STRAIGHT START FOR TREY
Trey Horton III secured his second consecutive start in the contest at Hawaii, surpassing the total of starts (one) in his first two years as a Miner (57 games played). He made the most of it, knocking down 3-7 from the floor (3-6 on 3-pointers) in addition to sinking a free throw on the way to a season-high 10 points. He has 19 points total the past two games, helped by sinking 5-11 from distance.
 
TOP TWO IN CUSA & AMONG NATION'S BEST FOR MAKING SHOTS
UTEP boasts the top two players in Conference USA for field-goal percentage heading into the contest against Norfolk State. Jamal West Jr. (62.7 percent, first CUSA/26th NCAA) is atop the list, and he's followed by Elijah Jones (56.8 percent, second CUSA/67th NCAA)
 
GETTING OFFENSIVE
Elijah Jones (14.0 ppg-ninth CUSA) and Jamal West Jr. (13.1 ppg-12th CUSA) are hitting shots at a high rate, so it comes as no surprise that the pair sits first and second, respectively for scoring on the team. Kaseem Watson (9.4 ppg) is on the verge of double figures on average while Tyreese Watson (8.0 ppg) and Caleb Blackwell (7.9 ppg) have also been threats on offense.
 
TALK ABOUT A LEAP
After registering a total of five double-digit scoring games through 60 contests played in his first two seasons with the Miners, Elijah Jones has done so in all nine tilts in 2025-26. That effort also more than triples his prior career-long streak (two, twice). He lit up UAB for his first 20+ point career (21 points) showing on Nov. 25 before nearly reaching that figure again at Seattle U on Dec. 7. Overall, he has respective point totals of (13, 16, 10, 13, 15, 10, 21,18 and 10) this year.
 
USING A GROUP EFFORT TO REBOUND
Three different Miners are contributing at least 4.0 rebounds per game, but it appears that Jamal West Jr is emerging as the true leader in the department. He is securing a team-best 5.8 rpg while Elijah Jones (4.4 rpg) and Kaseem Watson (4.2 rpg) are also getting after it on the glass.
 
PENCIL HIM IN FOR MULTIPLE STEALS
Tyreese Watson leads CUSA and is 29th nationally with 2.3 steals per contest. He has been the epitome of consistency in the department this year. Watson had two or more in each of his first five tilts (2/5/3/2/2) he appeared in (missed first game) before coming up with one against both UAB and at Seattle U. He did not play last time out at Hawaii.
 
STEALS ARE SECONDARY IN NATURE TO US
UTEP piled up a season-high 15 steals against William & Mary on Nov. 24. Even with a combined total of 14 the past three tilts, the Miners enter the matchup vs. Norfolk State at 9.0 spg (second CUSA/48th NCAA). UTEP has been among the very best in the nation for the category the past few years under Joe Golding. The Orange and Blue were second nationally for steals per game in 2024-25 (10.2), led the country in 2023-24 (11.4) and were 12th in the NCAA in 2022-23 (9.0). They topped CUSA in each of those campaigns.
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DIGIT STEALS UNDER GOLDING
UTEP has produced 58 games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing so four times in six contests this year. To put that figure into perspective, consider that in the prior 15 seasons to Golding's arrival (started for 2021-22), the Orange and Blue amassed 60 total such efforts.
 
DOING IT ALL
Elijah Jones has stepped things up at both ends of the court this year. He tops the team in blocked shots (1.3-sixth CUSA) and scoring (14.0-ninth CUSA). He is also second in field-goal percentage (56.8 percent-second CUSA/67th NCAA) and rebounding (4.4 rpg).
 
TURNING TEAMS OVER IS WHAT WE DO
UTEP is up to its old tricks with forcing turnovers in 2025-26. The Miners enter the game vs. Norfolk State with the opposition committing 15.6 giveaways per game (second CUSA/33rd NCAA). The Miners have led CUSA and been among the best, if not the best in the country, in that area the past three years (2024-25, 16.0-sixth, 2023-24, 18.7-first and 2022-23,16.8-10th).
 
THAT'S A MARGIN WE LIKE
Thanks in large part to forcing 15.6 turnovers per game (second CUSA/33rd NCAA), the Miners enter the matchup vs. Norfolk State with a quality turnover margin. UTEP boasts a +3.1 figure in the category, which places it second in CUSA and 54th nationally.
 
JAMAL DOESN'T MISS MUCH
Jamal West Jr. is connecting on a ridiculous 62.7 (47-75) of his shots on the year to lead CUSA and rank 26th nationally. He has also delivered at the charity stripe, connecting on 73.3 percent. West Jr. paces the team in both makes (22) and attempts (30). Overall, he is second on the team in scoring at 13.1 ppg, helped by a squad-leading six And-1s.
 
THREE ABOVE 50.0%
Three Miners are connecting on at least 50.0 from the floor (min. 20 FGA), with two rating first and second, respectively, in CUSA. Jamal West Jr. leads the with way with a stunning 62.7 percent (47-75, first CUSA/26th NCAA), followed by Elijah Jones at 56.8 percent (50-88, second CUSA/67th NCAA) and Cassius Brooks at 57.7 percent (15-26).
 
QUICK RUNDOWN
- Lost all five starters and 11 letter winners overall from last year.
- Lost 89.0 percent of scoring, 77.7 percent of the rebounding, 90.3 percent of its assists, 90.8 percent of the steals and 74.7 percent of its blocks.
- Returned four players from last year, including two who started the opener (Elijah Jones & KJ Thomas), and another (Jordan Hernandez) who made his UTEP debut.
- Ten newcomers joined the squad, including DI transfers C.J. Smith (Oklahoma State), David Tubek (Seton Hall), Tyreese Watson (ULM), third-team All-MEAC member Kaseem Watson (Delaware State) and back-to-back All-Southland Conference second-team honoree Jamal West Jr. (Nicholls State). Second-team NJCAA All-American and the No. 12 JUCO player nationally Caleb Blackwell (South Plains), first-team all-conference and NJCAA All-Tourney team LA Hayes (Frank Phillips College) and 2025 NJCAA National Champion Mouhamed Mbaye (Trinity Valley CC) venture from the JUCO ranks. Three-star recruit Bobby Montgomery Jr. (Mt. Zion Prep) is a true freshman. DII transfer and second-team All-GAC recipient Cassius Brooks (Arkansas Tech), who scored more than 900 points in two years, rounds out the list of newcomers.
 
WINNING WAYS WITH GOLDING
UTEP head coach Joe Golding has led his squad to three winning seasons in four years, securing 18+ wins in each of them. That hadn't happened since the Miners claimed 18+ games in four straight seasons from 2012-16. UTEP has also posted consecutive campaigns with 18 wins for the first time since that stretch.
 
HOME COOKING
The Miners are 3-1 thus far at home, and they are looking for 10+ wins in the Sun City for the sixth straight year. UTEP was 11-5 at the Bear's Den last year, including winning the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the second straight year.
 
WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE
UTEP stands 25-4 at home in nonconference games dating to the start of the 2022-23 campaign, including 3-1 this year. The Miners were 7-0 in the Sun City in the situation last year. It was the first undefeated effort (min. five games) in the area since 2019-20 (8-0).
 
THE BEST FANS IN CONFERENCE USA
UTEP has led Conference USA in attendance for either total number of fans or average attendance for all four years of head coach Joe Golding's tenure. In 2024-25 the Orange and Blue topped the league in both categories. UTEP averaged a CUSA-best 5,247 fans and had a league-most 83,954 pass through the turnstiles.
 
PRESEASON PREMONITIONS
UTEP was predicted to finish eighth in Conference USA for the 2025-26 season, as voted upon by the league's head coaches. Defending regular-season and tournament champion Liberty (143) led the way, followed by Kennesaw State (113), NM State (113), Middle Tennessee (103), LA Tech (82), WKU (79), Jax State (67), the Miners (66), Sam Houston (56), FIU (36) and league newcomers Delaware (35) and Missouri State (30). UTEP did not land anyone on the league's All-CUSA Preseason Team.
 
A YEAR IN REVIEW
-                Compiled a record of 18-15 in 2024-25, marking the third season of at least 18 triumphs in four years under head coach Joe Golding.
-                Outlasted I-10 rival NM State, 66-63, on the road, for its first victory against the Aggies in the Pan-American Center in 14 years.
-                Won the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the second straight season.
-                Surged out to the best record through 20 games (15-5) in 15 years.
-                Won at least one contest at the CUSA Championships for the second consecutive campaign. That hadn't happened since an eight-season run (2010-17).
-                Nailed 241 triples, the second-most in a single season in program history.
 
  THE BASIC FACTS ON UTEP'S PROGRAM
-                This is the 105th 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 fifth 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 231-213 in his 15th season as a collegiate head coach, including 73-69 at UTEP. He has enjoyed three winning seasons in four years, piling up at least 18 triumphs in those campaigns above .500. He stands fifth all-time on the school's list for career victories, and he has a chance of taking over third place by year's end. Tony Barbee (82-52, 2006-10) and George McCarty (77-58, 1954-59) hold third and fourth, respectively. Golding set the tone for his tenure in his first year on the sidelines in the Sun City in 2021-22. He became the fourth head coach in program history to have a winning season in their initial season. Don Haskins was the first to do so when he directed the Miners to a mark of 18-6 in 1961-62. Doc Sadler (27-8, 2004-05) and Tim Floyd (25-10, 2010-11) also achieved the feat. Overall, the prior 19 head coaches combined to forge an average record of 9-13 in their first year with UTEP. Previously Golding spent 10 years at Abilene Christian (158-144), helping it transition from a Division II to a Division I program. Golding led the Wildcats to the 2019 and 2021 NCAA Tournaments, including a stunning upset as a 14-seed of third-seeded Texas in the first round of the 2021 Big Dance.
 
UP NEXT
UTEP will compete in either the championship contest or third/fourth-place game against either North Dakota State or UC Irvine Monday. Jon Teicher (45th year) and Steve Yellen (23rd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners' App. It will also be streamed on the Sun Bowl Association's YouTube channel and broadcast locally on KFOX.
 

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