Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (3-4) will return to action vying to snap a two-game skid when it plays at West Coast Conference member Seattle U (6-2) at 5 p.m. PT/6 p.m. MT Sunday. The Miners have been idle since dropping consecutive contests at the Jacksonville Classic. They were dispatched by No. 52 NET William & Mary, 74-63, on Nov. 24 before falling to former CUSA rival UAB, 75-59, on Nov. 25. The Redhawks, boasting a NET ranking of 102 (through Dec. 4), trounced NCAA DIII program Puget Sound, 97-43, on Dec. 3, improving to 4-1 at home on the year in the process. The Orange and Blue are searching for their first DI triumph of the year and are also looking to turn the page on November where they finished with their first losing record in the month since going 2-4 at the onset of the 2018-19 season. UTEP will have to be in top form, with Seattle U's two losses coming by a combined five points. The Redhawks also boast a notable road win at ACC power Stanford (7-1 on year), their first ever against the Cardinal. The contest continues a ridiculous stretch (0-2 thus far) with four straight and seven of nine outside of El Paso. UTEP has nearly a week off after the matchup at Seattle U before playing at future Mountain West opponent Hawaii (12/13). The Miners have another gap prior to hosting the 2025 WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational (12/21-22). UTEP's first three league contests will also be in hostile territory, facing LA Tech (12/29), new CUSA member Missouri State (1/2) and FIU (1/4). Jon Teicher (45th year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners' App for the tilt at the Redhawks. It will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Russell Brown (play-by-play) and John Impelman (analyst) on the call.
 
 
GET TO KNOW SEATTLE U (6-2)
Seattle U has bolted out the gates at 6-2 (4-1 at home) in its first official year as a member of the West Coast Conference. Plenty of season remains, but it is in search of a fourth 20+ win showing in the past five years (2022-24, longest stretch at school since 1957-59). The Redhawks sport a NET ranking of 102 (through Dec. 4) and are the only team in the nation to defeat ACC power Stanford (7-1) thus far in 2025-26. SU is under the direction of fifth-year head coach Chris Victor (87-55). He is 190-94 (10th year) as a collegiate head coach. Last year, the Redhawks compiled a record of 14-18 (8-8 WAC) in their final campaign as WAC members. SU brought back three starters and five letterwinners overall from that team while adding eight newcomers. It is a potent squad offensively, knocking down 52.6 percent from the floor (first WCC/10th NCAA), which was aided by back-to-back efforts surpassing 60 percent for the first time at the school since at least 2001-02. The Redhawks are lethal from beyond-the-arc, drilling 39.1 percent (second WCC/27th NCAA). SU is also among the league leaders and top-100 nationally for blocks per game (4.9-second/44th), field-goal percentage defense (39.6-fourth/54th), scoring defense (65.6-third/41st), steals per game (8.9-third/59th), turnover margin (4.0-second/41st) and turnovers forced per game (16.4-first/27th). The Redhawks have struggled at the charity stripe at 65.9 percent (12th/315th), in addition to being lower in the ratings for defensive rebounds per game (23.4-11th/283rd), offensive rebounding (9.1 orpg-10th/326th) and total rebounds per game (32.5-10th/322nd). That is in part, though, due to their high shooting percentage, in addition to turnover over the opposition. It is a three-pronged attack on offensive with returning starter Brayden Maldonado (16.4 ppg-sixth WCC), Will Heimbrodt (15.1 ppg-eighth WCC) and Gonzaga transfer and Korean National team member Jun Seok Yeo (13.1 ppg-15th WCC) slicing up opponents. Jojo Murphy (7.4 ppg) is the only other player to pitch in at least 7.0 ppg. Heimbrodt, who is 6-7, is an explosive block shocker with 3.0 rejections per game (first WCC/third NCAA). The 6-8 Seok Yeo is the lone player from Korea in DI while teammates Houran Dan is one of five from China and Yuto Kawashima is one of seven hailing from Japan to compete this year at this level. Ray Adams, who recently returned to the lineup, tops the team in rebounding (5.0 rpg). Returning starter Maleek Arington (5.1 apg-fourth WCC/70th NCAA) does an outstanding job orchestrating the offense. He doesn't give it away either, boasting a +4.1 assist-to-turnover ratio (second WCC/22nd NCAA). Maldonado is a threat from 3-point range, nailing 2.0 triples per tilt (seventh WCC). He is also a ridiculous 31-32 at the charity stripe for readout of 96.9 percent (second/eighth). Notable university alumni include Elgin Baylor (NBA Hall of Famer and GM). Famed actor Clint Eastwood enrolled at the school but did not attend after being drafted into the US military in 1951.
 
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 7-6
UTEP leads the series, 7-6, including an 88-72 victory in El Paso on Dec. 7, 2024, last season. It is the third straight year that the foes will be facing off, with SU emerging victorious in the Sun City (73-61) on Dec. 30, 2023. Prior to that, the sides hadn't met since 1996-97. The matchup that comes to mind for most Miner fans, though, was a 74-72 setback at Seattle U on March 5, 1966. That proved to be the lone loss on the season for the Miners' 1966 NCAA Championship team.
 
BRUTAL NONCONFERENCE DI SLATE
Including the matchup at Seattle U, the Miners' five nonconference DI opponents boast a combined record of 34-11 and none of them has more than three setbacks.  Utah State (7-1, NET 41) and William & Mary (8-2, NET 52) are high in the NET rankings while Seattle U (102) sits just outside the top 100. Up next after Seattle U is Hawaii, which is 7-2 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 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 (UAB 75, UTEP 59, 11/24/25)
Elijah Jones poured in a career-high 21 points while Kaseem Watson added 13 off the bench, but UTEP was upended by former Conference USA rival UAB, 75-59, in its second and final game of the Jacksonville Classic, presented by Just Play Solutions, on Nov. 25. The Miners led by four (16-12) eight minutes into the contest before an 18-5 surge from the Blazers put them in front for good. UTEP whittled the deficit to three (37-34) at the break. The difference was five (45-40) five minutes into the second half before the UAB finally pulled away for good with a 20-4 surge over the next few minutes of action.
 
POP-A-SHOT
Elijah Jones was a sizzling 9-12 (75.0 percent) from the floor overall on the way to his 21-point outing against UAB on Nov. 25. It marked the first 20+ point effort by a Miner who hit at least 75.0 of their shots since Otis Frazier III was at 80.0 percent (8-10 overall) for a 22-point burst at FIU last year (1/18/25).
 
VAULTING INTO NATIONAL LEADERS
Elijah Jones's performance vs. UAB on Nov. 25 elevated him to a sensational 39-65 (60.0 percent) from the field this year. The readout 60 percent is second in CUSA and 50th in the nation.
 
TOP OF TEAM FOR SCORING TOO
Elijah Jones enters Sunday's contest at Seattle U pacing the Miners in scoring at 14.0 ppg (11th CUSA). Jamal West Jr. is also in double figures on average (12.1 ppg-19th CUSA). Kaseem Watson (9.4 ppg), Caleb Blackwell (8.9 ppg) and Tyreese Watson (8.7 ppg) have also been consistent threats on offense.
 
SEVEN UP AND SEVEN DOWN FOR JONES
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 seven tilts thus far in 2025-26. It also more than triples his prior career-long streak (two, twice). He lit up UAB for his first 20+ point career (21 points) last time out on Nov. 25. Overall, he has respective point totals of (13, 16, 10, 13, 15, 10 and 21) this year.
 
 
 
 
 
KASEEM FROM DEEP
Coming off the bench for the first time this season, Kaseem Watson made his presence felt at the offensive end of the floor. He joined Elijah Jones (career-high 21 points) in double figures with a 13-point outing. Watson was locked in from distance, nailing a career-best 4-6 from beyond-the-arc.
 
BEST SHOOTING VS. DI FOE ON THE YEAR
The Miners filled up 40.8 percent (20-49) of their shots against UAB on Nov. 25, their top effort against a DI opponent this year. It surpassed the showing at Utah State (11/15/25) when UTEP connected on 37.3 percent (19-51).
 
BLOCK PARTY
UTEP registered five blocks against UAB on Nov. 25, its most vs. a DI opponent on the year. Elijah Jones recorded a team-high two followed by one each from LA Hayes,
 
SOLID SHOWING AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
UTEP nailed 73.3 percent (11-15) of its in free throws against UAB, its second-best effort of the season (75.0 percent vs. LMU, 11/11). The Blazers had the identical rate of makes (73.3 percent), but they earned plenty of more trips throughout the tilt (25-34).
 
GOTTA CLEAN UP THE GLASS
UTEP ran into issues rebounding against UAB on Nov. 25, which finished at +24 (46-22) in the contest. It marked the first 20+ advantage on the boards for a Miner opponent since North Dakota State (50-30, 12/22/17) eight years ago.
 
USING A GROUP EFFORT TO REBOUND
Five different Miners are contributing at least 3.0 rebounds per game, but no one as of yet has emerged as the true leader in the department. Jamal West Jr. (4.4 rpg) leads the way. He is followed immediately by Elijah Jones (4.3 rpg) and Kaseem Watson (4.3 rpg). David Tubek (3.3) and Cassius Brooks (3.0) have also contributed. The last time the Miners failed to have a player record at least 5.0 rpg on the year was in 1952-53 (Jim Babers, 3.9 rpg). 
 
PENCIL HIM IN FOR MULTIPLE STEALS
Tyreese Watson leads CUSA and is 20th nationally with 2.5 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 due to injury) before coming up with one theft last time out against UAB on Nov. 25.
 
STEALS ARE SECONDARY IN NATURE TO US
UTEP piled up a season-high 15 steals against William & Mary on Nov. 24. Even with finishing at four thefts vs. UAB last time out on Nov. 25, the Miners enter the matchup at Seattle U at 10.1 spg (second CUSA/22nd 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.
 
PRACTICALLY PERFECT AT THE LINE
Caleb Blackwell has been nearly flawless at the free-throw line thus far on the season. He has knocked down 11-12 attempts for a team-best readout of 91.7 percent. That was aided by nailing a career-most five tries (in five attempts) to help UTEP snap a five-game OT losing skid in an 84-83 vanquishing of St. Thomas (Texas) on Nov. 19.
 
DOING IT ALL
Elijah Jones has stepped things up at both ends of the court this year. He leads the team in scoring (14.0 ppg-11th CUSA) and blocks per game (1.4-fifth CUSA). He is also second on the team in field-goal percentage (60.0 percent-second/50th) and is also tied for second on the squad in rebounding (4.3 rpg).
 
TURNING TEAMS OVER IS WHAT WE DO
UTEP is up to its old tricks with forcing turnovers in 2025-26. The Miners enter Sunday's showdown at Seattle U at 17.1 opponent giveaways per game (first CUSA/15th 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 17.1 turnovers per game (first CUSA/15th NCAA), the Miners enter the matchup at Seattle U with one of the best turnover margins nationwide. UTEP boasts a +4.3 turnover margin, which places it first in CUSA and 34th nationally.
 
JAMAL DOESN'T MISS MUCH
Jamal West Jr. is connecting on a ridiculous 62.3 (33-53) of his shots on the year. He would be among the top-50 nationally for the category but hasn't made enough shots to qualify. He has also been solid at the charity stripe, connecting on 70.8 percent. West Jr. has hit a team-best 17 makes at the line on 25 attempts (second on squad). Overall, he is second on the team in scoring (12.1 ppg). West Jr. also boasts a team-high four And-1s.
 
HE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE SHOOTING IT WELL
Three Miners are connecting on at least 50.0 from the floor (min. 10 FGA). Jamal West Jr. leads the with way with a stunning 62.3 percent (33-53,), followed by Elijah Jones at 60.0 percent (39-65, second CUSA/50th NCAA) and Cassius Brooks at 60.0 percent (15-25). 
 
THE BEST DEFENDERS ARE CONSISTENT THREATS
UTEP boasts for players in the top 25 in Conference USA for steals per game. League-leading Tyreese Watson (2.5 spg-first CUSA/20th NCAA) sets the tone followed by Jamal West Jr. (1.4-tied 16th), KJ Thomas (1.3-tied 21st) and Caleb Blackwell (1.3-tied 21st).
 
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 231-211 in his 15th season as a collegiate head coach, including 73-67 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 very good 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 has nearly a week off after the matchup at Seattle U before playing at future Mountain West opponent Hawaii at 7 p.m. HT/10 p.m. MT on December 13. The Rainbow Warriors are off to a strong start at 7-2 on the season, including a stout 7-1 at home. It will be streamed on ESPN+ and Jon Teicher (45th year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners' App.
 

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