OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (3-7) will lock up with North Dakota State (10-4) in the third/fourth-place contest of the 64th-Annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational at 5 p.m. MT Monday. Both the Miners and the Bison fell by one point in their respective opening-round games on Dec. 21. UTEP was edged, 72-71, by Norfolk State while NDSU was clipped by UC Irvine, 74-73. The Miners will be attempting to stop a five-game skid while also trying to secure their initial DI victory of the campaign. NDSU is looking to get back into the win column after the Anteaters stopped its five-tilt winning streak. UTEP is 3-2 at home while the Bison stand 3-3 on the road. They lost their first three in hostile territory but are perfect in the situation since, including outlasting Drake, 99-94, on Dec. 13. The Orange and Blue had been aiming to secure their third straight title at the event, but they will now be competing in their third/fourth-place affair for the first time since 2018. Coincidentally, UTEP also fell to Norfolk State that year (L, 75-62, 12/21/18) in the opening round. The game against Norfolk State was the first in the Sun City in 32 days for UTEP, which was the longest gap between games since a 34-day stretch without a contest in El Paso during the 1962-63 campaign. That was the second year with Don Haskins on the sidelines. Following the matchup with the Bison, 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. North Dakota State. It will also be streamed on the Sun Bowl Association's YouTube channel and broadcast locally on KFOX.
 
TALKING TOURNAMENT HISTORY
UTEP slipped to 94-31 all time in the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, including 50-13 in the first round, following the one-point setback to Norfolk State. The Miners had been aiming for their third straight and 35th tournament title (34-15 in championship contest) in program history. Instead, they will now be relegated to playing in the third/fourth-place game for the first time since 2018 and 13th occasion overall. UTEP is 9-3 in that situation.
 
GET TO KNOW NORTH DAKOTA STATE (10-4)
North Dakota State is off to a stellar start in 2025-26, entering the matchup against the Miners with a mark of 10-4. The Bison had a five-game winning streak stopped with a 74-73 setback vs. UC Irvine on Dec. 21. NDSU is 3-3 on the road, aided by claiming three straight in hostile territory. That includes a wild 99-94 victory at Drake (12/13). It is the longest road winning streak for the Bison since they peeled off five in a row in the situation last year. NDSU is halfway toward securing its second straight 20+ win season (21-11 in 2024-25), something that hasn't happened since a four-year run of such campaigns (2012-16). The Bison are well rounded and excel at both ends of the court. They are among the Summit League leaders and top-100 nationally for assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4-second/95th), fastbreak points/game (13.8-first/90th), fewest fouls per game (15.2-first/35th), offensive rebounds per game (12.7-second/91st), scoring defense (69.8-second/96th), scoring margin (+12.1-first/70th), steals per game (9.8-first/27th), 3-pointers per contest (9.2-third/90th), turnover margin (+4.6-first/17th), turnovers forced per game (16.0-second/21st) and winning percentage (71.4-first/83rd). Damari Wheeler-Thomas (14.9 ppg-seventh Summit), Markhi Strickland (14.5 ppg-ninth Summit) and Trevian Carson (11.9 ppg-16th Summit) are all in double figures to lead the way offensively while Andy Stefonowicz (9.6 ppg) is just shy. Stefonowicz paces the Summit League and is 101st nationally with 4.6 assists per game while Wheeler-Thomas drops 3.4 dimes per tilt (fourth Summit). Noah Feddersen tops the Summit League in blocks per game (1.4). Strickland is an efficient scorer, knocking down 64.4 percent of his shots (first Summit League/18th NCAA). Carson gets after it on the glass (7.0 rpg-Summit League). The 2025-26 campaign marks the 126th in program history (first year, 1897-98), with the Bison boasting an all-time record of 1740-1221. The school, located in Fargo, N.D., opened its doors in 1890. Notable university alumni include Alf Clausen (composer who did shows/movies such as The Simpsons, ALF, The Naked Gun and Ferris Bueller's Day Off) and Humayun Ahmed (renowned Bangladeshi author and playwright).
 
SERIES HISTORY: NORTH DAKOTA STATE LEADS, 1-0
North Dakota State won the only prior meeting between the programs. The Bison upended the Miners, 63-51, in the championship contest of the 2017 WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational.
 
BRUTAL NONCONFERENCE DI SLATE
Including the matchup vs. North Dakota State, the Miners' seven DI opponents have a combined record of 72-28 (.720 winning percentage). Utah State (10-1, NET 17), William & Mary (9-3, NET 72) and Seattle U (10-2, 94 NET) are in the top 100 of the NET. Norfolk State is UTEP's only DI foe to stand below .500 on the year.
 
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 (NORFOLK STATE 72, AT UTEP 71, 12/21/25)
Jamal West Jr. registered his second double-double (16 points, 13 rebounds) of the year while Caleb Blackwell (career-high 18 points, career-best seven assists), Kaseem Watson (17 points) and Elijah Jones (10 points) got after it as well, but UTEP suffered a hard-fought 72-71 loss at the hands of the defending MEAC champions Norfolk State in the opening round of the 2025 WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational on Dec. 21. After the Miners bolted to 21-15 lead midway through the first half, the Spartans punched back and closed the period on a 27-11 surge to send UTEP down by 10 (42-32) at the break. The deficit eventually swelled to as many as 13, but the Orange and Blue refused to quit and fought all the way back to tie the tilt at 68 with 1:06 remaining in regulation. NSU scored the next four points at the line to regain the advantage, allowing it to hold on even after Blackwell banged home a 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds left.
 
CAREER NIGHT FOR CALEB
Caleb Blackwell had a huge night against Norfolk State, setting career bests for points (18), assists (seven), field goals made (seven) and 3-point attempts (six). He also equaled his career bests for 3-pointers made (three) and free throws attempted (six).
 
IMPRESSIVE FEAT
Caleb Blackwell did it all against Norfolk State, pacing the team in points (18), assists (seven) and steals (four). He became the first Miner to lead them outright in each of those categories in three years when Shamar Givance accomplished the feat in a road victory at FIU (2/23/23). In that game, Givance topped the squad in four major category, doing so in points (22), rebounds (eight), assists (10) and steals (four).
 
HELPING HAND
After registering a total of 14 assists over the first eight games of the season (1.8 apg), Caleb Blackwell has picked up his passing game of late. He has dropped 10 dimes (5.0 apg) the past two tilts, aided by a career-high seven helpers vs. Norfolk State.
 
BIG MO'S BURST FROM THE BENCH
Mouhamed Mbaye brought plenty of energy off the bench against Norfolk State. He blocked a team high and career-best two shots while adding two points and four rebounds in only 10 minutes of action.
 
DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE
Jamal West Jr. produced his second double-double (16 points, 13 rebounds) of the season against Norfolk State. He was almost perfect from the floor (7-8) while five of his 13 boards came at the offensive end.
 
 
 
 
PILED UP THOSE STEALS
After tallying a total of 14 steals the past three games, the Miners came up with 10 thefts against Norfolk State. It marked the fifth time in 10 tilts this season that the Orange and Blue reached double figures for steals. Caleb Blackwell set the tone with four steals followed by a career-best three thefts from Trey Horton III. KJ Thomas, Kaseem Watson and Jamal West Jr. each added one.
 
KASEEM'S ON A HEATER
Kaseem Watson continued his scoring outburst of late, tallying 17 points on 5-11 shooting (2-4 on triples) and a 5-7 effort at the charity stripe against Norfolk State. It marked his fifth double-digit scoring effort in the past six games and sixth such total effort this season. The 17 points were his most against a DI opponent as a Miner.
 
HE GOT IT DONE AT THE LINE
While the Miners struggled as a team at the charity stripe (12-27, 44.4 percent), that wasn't the case for Kaseem Watson. He equaled season highs for both makes (five) and attempts (seven) in the contest, including sinking all three tosses after being fouled on a 3-point attempt.
 
STUFFING THE STAT SHEET
Kaseem Watson filled up the stat sheet across the board vs. Norfolk State. He notched 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Each of those figures set his season high vs. DI competition while rating second overall this year for him regardless of level of the opponent.
 
GOT ON THOSE BOARDS
The Miners won the rebounding battle (38-33) against Norfolk State. It marked the first time in seven tries against DI competition this year that the Orange and Blue have come out ahead in the category. It is another step in the right direction in that department, with UTEP having been even (35-35) at Hawaii (12/13) despite the Rainbow Warriors entering the game with a +11.2 rebounding margin. Jamal West Jr. had a game-high 13 rebounds while Kaseem Watson added seven to lead the way vs. NSU.
 
ENERGY WITH OFFENSIVE REBOUNDING
UTEP was all over the offensive boards against Norfolk State. The Miners came up with 15 offensive rebounds, their most vs. DI opposition since also having 15 against Liberty in the quarterfinals of the 2025 CUSA Championships (3/12/25). In terms of nonconference contests, it was the highest total against a DI foe since pulling down 16 at Abilene Christian (12/17/23) two years ago. Jamal West Jr. (five) and Kaseem Watson (four) keyed the efforts against the Spartans.
 
THE PAINT BELONGED TO US
UTEP controlled the paint vs. Norfolk State, holding a +16 (38-22) advantage down low. It marked the seventh time this season, including the fourth against a DI foe, that the Miners tallied at least 30 points in the paint. The 38 points in the paint are the most against DI competition since they put up 40 at Sam Houston (3/6/25). Looking at DI nonconference contests, it was the highest in the category since UTEP also had 38 at ACC power Louisville last year (12/11/24).
 
LIFE AT THE LINE
The Miners have hit a wall at the charity stripe of late, making a combined 17-37 (45.9 percent) from the line the past two games. UTEP was 5-10 (50.0 percent) at Hawaii (12/13) before dipping to an effort of 12-27 (44.4 percent) last time out against Norfolk State. The readout of 44.4 percent was the lowest by the Orange and Blue in a game (min. 10 attempts) since finishing 4-10 (40.0 percent) against WKU (3/8/23) three years ago. The Miners also were 15-37 (40.5 percent) against LA Tech (12/17/22) earlier that season.
 
MIX AND MATCHING THE STARTING FIVE
While UTEP deployed the same starting five (Caleb Blackwell, Trey Horton III, Kaseem Watson, Elijah Jones and Jamal West Jr.) for the second straight contest, the Miners have had five different combinations through 10 games this season. No group has been used more than three times.
 
CLOSE CALLS
The Orange and Blue have dropped the past two tilts by a combined six points. There was a five-point setback at Hawaii (12/13) before the Miners fell to Norfolk State, 72-71, last time out. It marked the first one-point setback in the Sun City since UTEP was held off by Middle Tennessee, 76-75, on "Senior Day" last year (3/1/25).
 
 
 
 
TALKING ONE-POINT BALLGAMES
UTEP has now had two games be decided by just one point at the Don Haskins Center this season. UTEP came out ahead against St. Thomas (Texas), 84-83, in OT on Nov. 19, but it was on the short end last time out against Norfolk State, 72-71. It marks the second straight year that the Orange and Blue had at least two contests with a margin of just one point in the Sun City in the same season. Last year, UTEP held off Yale, 75-74, in the championship contest of the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational. It also was edged by Middle Tennessee, 76-75, in OT on "Senior Night" (3/1/25).
 
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 three tilts. UTEP was tied with 1:06 left against Norfolk State before the Spartans did enough to hold on, 72-71, on Dec. 21. The Miners were 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
For the second straight game, four players hit double figures in scoring for the Miners in the narrow setback to Norfolk State. 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 most consistent by doing so in all 10 games, while Jamal West Jr. (seven contests) and Kaseem Watson (six tilts) have buoyed his efforts.
 
TEN UP AND 10 DOWN FOR JONES
Elijah Jones has hit double figures in all 10 contests this year, the longest such streak to begin a season by a Miner since the legendary Randy Culpepper ran off 14 straight out of the gates in 2009-10.
 
PUT THE BALL IN THE HOOP
UTEP enjoyed its best scoring output against DI competition this season, putting up 71 points against Norfolk State. The Miners shot 47.3 percent (26-55) from the floor. It marked the second time in the past three tilts that the Orange and Blue have nailed at least 47.0 percent of their shots.
 
THREE STRAIGHT STARTS FOR TREY
Trey Horton III secured his third consecutive start in the contest vs Norfolk State. He had only one start in his first two years as a Miners (57 games played). Horton III had 19 points combined, helped by going 5-11 on 3-pointers, in the first two starts before going scoreless last time out against Norfolk State (0-7 FG, 0-6 on triples).
 
NEARLY PERFECT FROM THE FLOOR
Jamal West Jr. knocked down 7-8 of his shots against Norfolk State. He misfired on his first look in the affair but then connected on his final seven attempts in the field.
 
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 North Dakota State. Jamal West Jr. (65.1 percent, first CUSA/13th NCAA) is atop the list, and he's followed by Elijah Jones (56.3 percent, second CUSA/75th NCAA).
 
GETTING OFFENSIVE
Elijah Jones (13.6 ppg-11th CUSA) and Jamal West Jr. (13.4 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 (10.2 ppg) is also in double figures on average while Caleb Blackwell (8.9 ppg) and Tyreese Watson (8.0 ppg) and 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 10 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, 10 and 10) this year.
 
WEST IS THE ALPHA ON THE BOARDS
Three different Miners are contributing at least 4.0 rebounds per game, but Jamal West Jr has emerged as the true leader in the department. He is securing a team-best 6.5 rpg while Kaseem Watson (4.5 rpg) and Elijah Jones (4.2 rpg) are also getting after it on the glass.
 
PENCIL HIM IN FOR MULTIPLE STEALS
Tyreese Watson leads CUSA and would be among top-30 nationally (not enough games to qualify) 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 has missed the past two tilts.
 
STEALS ARE SECONDARY IN NATURE TO US
UTEP piled up a season-high 15 steals against William & Mary on Nov. 24, and the Miners enter the matchup vs. North Dakota State at 9.1 spg (second CUSA/44th 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 59 games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing so five times in 10 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 (1.2-seventh CUSA) and scoring (13.6-11th CUSA). He is also second in field-goal percentage (56.3 percent-second CUSA/75th NCAA) and third for rebounding (4.2 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. North Dakota State with the opposition committing 15.5 giveaways per game (second CUSA/32nd 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 15.5 turnovers per game (second CUSA/32nd NCAA), the Miners enter the matchup vs. North Dakota State with a quality turnover margin. UTEP boasts a +2.7 figure in the category, which places it fourth in CUSA and 69th nationally.
 
JAMAL DOESN'T MISS MUCH
Jamal West Jr. is connecting on a ridiculous 65.1 (54-83) of his shots on the year to lead CUSA and rank 13th nationally. Overall, he is second on the team in scoring at 13.4 ppg (12th CUSA), helped by a squad-leading six And-1s.
 
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 3-2 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 3-2 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 231-214 in his 15th season as a collegiate head coach, including 73-70 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 fourth place or even 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 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).
 

---

Join the 915 Campaign