Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (16-7, 6-4 CUSA) will shoot for its second straight victory while also attempting to sweep the season series when it plays host to FIU (8-16, 2-9 CUSA) at 7 p.m. MT Thursday. The Miners are coming off a 66-63 wire-to-wire win at NM State on Feb. 8, their fifth such triumph this season. It marked the Miners' first win at the Pan-American Center since the 2010-11 campaign (W, 72-70, Nov. 30). It was also the initial occasion since the 1977-78 season that UTEP knocked off the Aggies (12-11, 5-5 CUSA) in Las Cruces after dropping the first meeting of the campaign in El Paso (L, 85-57, Jan. 11). The Panthers were 1-1 last week, dispatching Sam Houston, 85-82, in OT on Feb. 6 before falling, 82-71, at home to LA Tech on Feb. 8. There are eight contests remaining in the regular season (four home, four away), with two in the Sun City this week to start off the stretch run. UTEP, which swept the Eastern Time Zone roadswing through Liberty (W, 72-70, Jan. 16) and FIU (W, 81-73, Jan. 18), will try to complete the season sweep of the Panthers on Thursday before turning their attention to the Flames for the 7 p.m. matchup on Saturday. The Miners are 10-2 at home (3-2 CUSA) while FIU stands at 1-8 on the road (0-4 CUSA). UTEP is also search of third two-game winning streak within CUSA action this year. The Miners sit alone in fourth place in CUSA, a half a contest back of both Liberty and Middle Tennessee. Individually, Otis Frazier III enters the contest at 999 points in his collegiate career (including time with George Mason), with 912 of those coming as a Miner. Additionally, Baylor Hebb's next appearance will serve as his 100th game played at the collegiate level. 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.
 
STEALING THE SHOW
UTEP, San Diego and Ole Miss are the only schools in the country to boast two players producing at least 2.0 steals per game. Otis Frazier III (2.39, first CUSA/13th NCAA) and Corey Camper Jr. (2.33, second/17th) are leading the way for the Miners in that department. UTEP has never had two players average at least 2.0 spg in the same season.
 
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 18-3
UTEP leads the series with FIU, 18-3, including a record of 10-1 at home. The Miners are 16-3 (including the CUSA Tournament) against the Panthers since they joined the league. UTEP bested FIU, 81-73, on the road on Jan. 18, and it is now looking to complete the season sweep. The past four games have all been decided by single digits (UTEP is 3-1 in stretch), which bucks a trend where the Orange and Blue had posted four double-digit wins in a row. 
 
GET TO KNOW FIU (8-16, 2-9 CUSA, 2-5 HOME, 0-4 AWAY, 1-1 NEUTRAL)
FIU compiled a mark of 6-7 in nonconference play, aided by winning four of the last five prior to CUSA action started. The Panthers went 1-1 in the first week of league competition, but they proceeded to lose the next seven. FIU ended the streak with an 85-82 OT victory against Sam Houston on Feb. 6 before falling last time out to LA Tech, 81-72, on Feb. 8. The Panthers enter the matchup with the Miners at 8-16 overall, including 2-9 in CUSA action, but that doesn't tell the full story. They have endured 11 setbacks by single digits, and six of their nine losses in CUSA play fall into that category. Jayden Brewer tops the team in scoring (14.9 ppg-eighth CUSA) while sharing the top spot for rebounding at 5.0 rpg (tied 22nd CUSA) with Jonathan Aybar. Aybar (10.8 ppg) and Vianney Salatchoum (10.4 ppg) are also in double figures for scoring, with Asim Jones (9.8 ppg) Dashon Gittens (8.5 ppg) and Ashton Williamson (7.2 ppg) all above 7.0 ppg. Salatchoum is a menace with his shot blocking, rating second in CUSA and 25th in the country at 2.0 bpg. Williamson can set up teammates nicely (2.8 apg-13th CUSA) while also making it difficult on the opposition with his defense (1.6 spg-tied fifth CUSA). The Panthers put up 72.1 ppg, aided by the second-most fastbreak points per game in the league at 11.5. They top the conference with 4.8 blocks per game (35th NCAA) and crash the offensive boards hard with 12.0 offensive rebounds per contest (second USA/85th NCAA). FIU also pressures well, forcing 15.5 turnovers per game (second USA/18th NCAA) to go along with 9.2 steals per game (second CUSA/23rd NCAA). FIU doesn't shoot the 3-point ball great, making 30.2 percent (ninth CUSA/328th NCAA). Its 5.3 triples per tilt is last in the league and 345th out of 355th nationally. Notable school alumni include Andy Garcia (actor who starred in Ocean's 11) and Dennis Lehane (author of Mystic River). 
 
LOOKING BACK (UTEP 66, at NM STATE 63, FEB. 8)
Devon Barnes tallied 18 points, Otis Frazier III added 16 while the Miners won the rebounding battle (36-35) and held the Aggies to 30.4 percent shooting (opponent season low) in UTEP's wire-to-wire 66-63 victory at NM State on Feb. 8. Kevin Kalu came within one point of a double-double (nine points, 10 rebounds) while Frazier was one rebound shy (nine boards) of doing so as well. David Terrell Jr. was credited with a game-high six assists to go along with two rebounds and five points, including a step-back 3-pointer to put the Miners up five (59-54) with 1:19 left. He had been 0-3 from distance to that juncture. After NM State cut it to two, Kalu slammed home a dunk on an out of bounds play to stretch the margin to four (61-57) with 38 seconds remaining. Frazier III and Barnes proceeded to make five straight free throws to answer every Aggie score. One miss late at the line kept the door cracked for NM State to tie it at the buzzer, but a long trey from the Aggies' leading scorer Christian Cook was off target. 
 
LONG TIME COMING
The 66-63 triumph was the Miners' first in 14 years at the Pan-American Center (W, 74-72, Nov. 30, 2010), halting a 12-game skid for UTEP in Las Cruces. It was the first wire-to-wire win in the series for the Miners since 2009-10 (W, 79-58, Dec. 1, 2009.)
 
AVENGED THE HOME LOSS
After falling, 85-57, at home on Jan. 11, the Miners found redemption with a 66-63 win against NM State on Feb. 8. It marked the first time since the 1977-78 season that UTEP lost in El Paso in the first matchup of the year with NM State before going on to beat the Aggies in Las Cruces. That year, UTEP lost 59-52 at home on Nov. 28, 1977, but regrouped for the 63-60 triumph on Dec. 6, 1977. 
 
MAKING THE RIVALRY COMPETITIVE
Since the start of the 2022-23 season, the Miners are 3-3 against the Aggies. UTEP had been 2-15 in the prior 17 matchups, including being swept six times in that timeframe.
 
THE DIME DROPPER
David Terrell Jr. has dished out at least six assists in four straight games (26 assists, 12 turnovers in the stretch). He becomes the first Miner to achieve that feat since Dominic Artis also did so with four in 2016-17. The last UTEP player to enjoy a stretch of six or more helpers in at least five consecutive contests was Malik Alvin in the 2006-07 campaign. He had five in a row that year.
 
ANOTHER SOLID SHOWING FOR HEBB
Baylor Hebb equaled his UTEP high for scoring with eight points off the bench at NM State. It marked the second time in the past three tilts he's done so. Hebb is averaging 5.0 ppg the past four games to double his season average (2.5 ppg). He is 3-6 from distance in the stretch making 2-6 on triples in his first 14 appearances on the season.
 
OTHER WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE
Corey Camper Jr. had an off shooting night (1-6, 0-3 3-pointers) at NM State, but he provided a lift at the other end of the court. He finished with two steals and five defensive rebounds.
 
THAT'S HOW YOU GUARD THE 3-POINTER
UTEP held NM State to just 23.3 percent (7-30) from distance, the lowest by a CUSA opponent in a regular-season league game since the Aggies made only 10.5 percent (2-19) on treys in a 74-49 romp by the Miners at home (Feb. 10, 2024). Foes have now dipped to 30.9 percent (151-488) from 3-point range on the season (fourth CUSA/55th NCAA). 
 
SLOW START, BETTER FINISH AT THE LINE
UTEP was 5-10 (50.0 percent) at the free-throw line in the opening half at NM State. The Miners upped that to a readout of 73.7 percent (14-19) over the final 20 minutes of the contest, including nailing 7-8 in the final 2:30 to play. Devon Barnes, who was 9-11 at the charity stripe in the game, was 5-6 in the sequence. Otis Frazier III, who misfired on his first five tosses in the tilt, drained two clutch shots at the line with 26 seconds left to stretch UTEP's lead to five. 
 
YET ANOTHER CLOSE GAME
The Miners' past four games have been decided by four points or less (2-2 in stretch), including UTEP's 66-63 vanquishing of NM State on the road on Feb. 8.  That is the longest such sequence of contests since the '04-05 season, the Miners' last in the WAC. The stretch that year was at Nevada (W, 83-80, OT Jan. 12, 2005,), at Fresno State (L, 66-63, Jan. 15, 2005,), Hawaii (W, 71-70, Jan. 20, 2005,) and San Jose State (W, 69-65, Jan. 22, 2005). The last time there was a sequence of five such tilts was 1992-93. 
 
WE CAN WIN CLOSE GAMES
UTEP improved to 5-2 on the season in one-possession contests with the 66-63 vanquishing of NM State on Feb. 8. They also marched to 8-4 in two-possession tilts (decided by six points or less).
 
BUCKING A TREND OF TIES
After two straight and three of the past four games featured 10+ ties, the Miners led from start to finish in the 66-63 victory at NM State on Feb. 8. UTEP scored the first five points of the contest. NM State never tied it, let alone pull ahead, at any point.
 
FLIPPED THE SCRIPT ON THE BOARDS
UTEP had its worst rebounding effort of the season (-19 margin, 40-21), in the 85-57 home loss to NM State on Jan. 11. The Miners turned things around on the glass in the 66-63 win on Feb. 8, finishing at +1 (36-35) in the department. A season-high 27 defensive rebounds helped the cause. 
 
CONTINUED A RECENT UPTICK ON THE GLASS
After being outrebounded by a combined total of 31 (42-25 vs. Jax State, 43-29 vs. Kennesaw State), UTEP is just -2 (105-103) in that timeframe, including winning the boards at NM State (36-35). The Miners are 5-0 this year when outrebounding foes.
 
DIGGING DEEPER WITH REBOUNDING
UTEP pulled down 36 rebounds at Middle Tennessee on Feb.1, its highest total vs. a DI opponent this season. The Miners matched that effort with 36 boards at NM State on Feb. 8. The 72 combined rebounds are the most over a two-game stretch since UTEP also had that many rebounds in the final two tilts of the 2023-24 season. 
 
SHUT DOWN THE PAINT
After allowing 35.6 points in the paint per game over the first nine contests in CUSA play, the Miners refused to let NM State get going downhill. The Aggies finished with just 18 points in the paint. That is the fewest total by a UTEP opponent since Jackson State registered 13 points in the paint on Dec. 20 and the fourth-lowest readout on the season.
 
STILL UNDEFEATED WHEN GIVING UP 70 OR LESS
UTEP limited NM State to 63 points (second-lowest by CUSA foe this year), moving to 10-0 on the year when allowing 70 or less.
 
STREAKING AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
A few different Miners are riding streaks at the free-throw line. Baylor Hebb has drained 13 straight (last miss vs. UTPB, Nov. 12), Ahamad Bynum has hit in 12 in a row (last miss vs. Jackson State, Dec. 20) while David Terrell Jr. has connected on 10 consecutive tosses at the line (last miss vs. Kennesaw State, Jan. 25). 
 
BARNES'S OFFENSE GOING AGAIN
After being held to three points against Jax State, Devon Barnes has reached double figures in scoring in three of the past four. That included putting up 18 points at NM State, his second-best total as a Miner (23 at UCSB, Nov. 20). Interestingly enough, four of his five top-scoring performances on the season have come on the road.
 
FRAZIER III BACK ON THE BOARDS
After finishing with a season-low one rebound while logging a campaign-most 39 minutes at Middle Tennessee, Otis Frazier III got after it on the glass at NM State. He pulled down nine boards, his second-best effort of the year (11 vs. LA Tech, Jan. 2).
 
SHARP SHOOTING CONTINUES FOR JONES
Elijah Jones was 2-3 from the floor in nine minutes at NM State to continue his accurate shooting stretch. He has now made 16-25 (64.0 percent) while pitching in 5.7 ppg in 10.6 minutes per game over the past seven contests. In the prior seven games, he had five points total (2-11, 18.2 percent) while playing 9.9 mpg.
 
 
QUIETLY PUTTING UP POINTS
Kevin Kalu is averaging 10.0 ppg while shooting a sensational 68.0 percent (17-25) over the past four games. He has tallied at least seven points in all four of those contests, the longest such surge of his career. 
 
MORE ON KALU'S SCORING OUTBURST
Kevin Kalu was averaging 3.2 ppg while shooting 57.0 percent from the floor for his career heading into his senior season. He has certainly saved the best for last, contributing 7.0 ppg on 63.5 percent shooting. One factor has been his effort at the line, which has jumped to 66.7 percent (32-48). That's a huge improvement from making 46.6 percent (27-58) last year. Overall, he has produced seven double-digit scoring games after doing so twice over 91 contests in his first three years with the Miners.
 
KALU CLEANING UP THE BOARDS
Kevin Kalu, who tops UTEP in rebounding at 5.6 boards per game (tied 15th CUSA), has pulled down at least eight rebounds in six different games this season. He has a pair of double-digit efforts, including snagging a team-best 10 at NM State on Feb. 11. The only other Miners on the campaign to have recorded at least eight rebounds in a contest are Otis Frazier III (11 vs. LA Tech, Jan. 2, nine at NM State, Feb. 11) and David Terrell Jr. (career-high 11 at Middle Tennessee, Feb. 1, nine at Liberty, Jan. 16). 
 
PRETTY GOOD WITH BALANCED SCORING
UTEP is 10-2 on the season when four or more players reach double figures in scoring. The Miners had been 10-0 in the situation before being clipped at WKU, 78-74, on Jan. 30 and then falling, 71-68, at Middle Tennessee on Feb. 1. 
 
VALUING THE BASKETBALL
UTEP has committed 10 turnovers or less in four of the past seven games. The Miners have produced eight contests with 10 or fewer turnovers, with five of those coming in CUSA action. Coupled with forcing a nation-leading 17.3 turnovers per game, and UTEP enters the matchup at vs. FIU with the ninth-best turnover margin in the country (4.9). The closest to the Miners in terms CUSA foes is Liberty at 3.0.
 
TALKING BENCH PRODUCTION
UTEP's bench has produced 20+ points in five of the past seven contests. The Miners did not hit that figure in any of the first three league matchups. UTEP now received 20 or more points from reserves in 15 of 23 tilts. Overall, the Miners are getting 23.2 ppg from the backups to rate fourth in CUSA.
 
MULTIPLE-STEAL STREAK 
Otis Frazier III has registered at least two steals in seven straight and 12 of the past 13 games. Included in that was tying the school standard with eight steals vs Kennesaw State on Jan. 25. That equals the longest such streak of his career. He had at least two steals in seven consecutive contests last year, which incidentally included a school-record tying eight vs. against Middle Tennessee on Jan. 18, 2024. The longest surge by a Miner this year for the department is Corey Camper Jr. at nine.
 
WHAT A DUO FOR DEFENSE
Otis Frazier III's surge of steals has elevated him to a CUSA-leading 2.39 steals per game (13th NCAA), just in front of teammate Corey Camper Jr. (2.33 spg-second CUSA/17th NCAA). There are still eight games to play in the regular season, but UTEP has never had two players record at least 2.0 spg in the same season. In fact, there have been just six times total where it happened for a Miner. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Tim Hardaway accounted for three of those efforts, doing so in his sophomore (2.19-1986-87), junior (2.41-1987-88) and senior (2.82, 1988-89) seasons. Frazier III accomplished the feat last year (2.21), with former Miners Randy Culpepper (2.03, 2010-11) and Calvin Solomon (2.00, 2022-23) rounding out the list. 
 
IN RARE AIR
Otis Frazier III is the lone player in program history to have multiple games of eight steals, doing so vs. Kennesaw State (Jan. 25, 2025) and vs. Middle Tennessee (Jan. 18, 2024). Furthermore, he joins Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway as the only players in program history with at least seven steals in four games. Frazier III has two with eight and two with seven while Hardaway had four with seven.
 
FRAZIER III FLYING UP THE UTEP CAREER STEALS CHARTS
Otis Frazier III has registered a team-leading 55 steals on the season, with 40 of those coming in the past 13 games. The surge has elevated his career total as a Miner to 157, which has propelled him to take sole possession of fifth place on the career school charts. The late, great Jeep Jackson (165, 1983-87) is fourth at the school. There is a significant gap after that, with career school record holder and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway (262, 1985-89) followed by Randy Culpepper (251, 2007-11) and Julyan Stone (209, 2007-11).
 
ON THE CUSP OF 1,000 CAREER POINTS
Otis Frazier III extended his double-digit scoring streak to 14 games with a 16-point effort at NM State on Feb. 8. That puts him at 999 career points (912 as a Miner) in his collegiate career. 
 
A LOOK AT THE LEAGUE STANDINGS
Jax State has won eight straight to overcome a 1-2 start in league play and vault into first place (9-2) atop the CUSA standings. Just two games separate second through eighth place. Liberty and Middle Tennessee share second at 7-4 while UTEP is alone in fourth a half-game back at 6-4. Kennesaw State and LA Tech are tied for fifth at 6-5, followed closely by NM State (5-5) and WKU (5-6). FIU (2-9) and last year's regular-season champion, Sam Houston (1-10) round out the standings. 
 
TERRELL JR. MAKING LEAPS AND BOUNDS
Since the start of Conference USA play, David Terrell Jr. has dished out 51 assists (5.1 apg-second CUSA) compared to just 23 turnovers (2.3 tpg) for an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.2 (fifth CUSA). He's dropped at least five dimes in seven of 10 league tilts, and he is the first Miner to have strung together four straight contests with six or more assists in eight years (Dominic Artis). In his 12 nonconference appearances (missed one game) Terrell Jr. registered 27 assists while also turning it over 27 times. His scoring is also starting to take off a bit. He is putting up 9.5 ppg in CUSA play, a solid leap from his 6.8 ppg in nonconference action this year. Overall, he's tallying 8.0 ppg on the season, up from the effort of 5.4 ppg as a freshman. 
 
FRAZIER III'S OFFENSIVE TEAR
Otis Frazier III has been piling up the points lately, stringing together 14 straight games of double-digit scoring efforts to nearly triple his prior long such stretch (five to begin the season). The senior, who is averaging 15.4 points per game during the surge, has elevated his seasonal average from 12.9 ppg to 14.4 ppg (ninth CUSA) as result. He has knocked down multiple 3-pointers eight times during the 14-contest sequence (57.1 percent of the tilts) after doing so on three occasions over the first nine tilts (33.3 percent of the games) of the season. 
 
BOMBS AWAY FROM 3-POINT RANGE
Ahamad Bynum enters Thursday's matchup vs. FIU knocking down 49.0 percent (50-102) from 3-point range. That would put him among the best in the nation, but he is shy (2.38 per game) of the NCAA's required standard of 2.50 triples per tilt. His 2.38 3-pointers per contest rates sixth in CUSA. There are still eight games remaining in the regular season, but Bynum is on track to break the UTEP single-season record for 3-point percentage. That mark is currently held by Roy Smallwood (1999-00), who was 28-61 (45.9 percent) as a freshman. 
 
A TRIO TO WATCH
Ahamad Bynum (2.4 per game-seventh CUSA), Devon Barnes (1.5 per game-tied 19th CUSA) and Otis Frazier III (1.4 per game-tied 21st CUSA) have been UTEP's primary threats from on 3-pointers.
 
SHOOTING IT WELL & GUARDING IT TOO FROM DISTANCE
UTEP has been crisp from beyond-the-arc, connecting on 37.4 percent (175-468) on triples (third CUSA/34th NCAA). The Miners have also guarded the 3-point ball well, with foes being held to 151-488 (30.9 percent), which is fourth in CUSA and 55th nationally.
 
MAKING TRIPLES LEADS TO WINS
UTEP has connected on at least seven 3-pointers in 14 games this year, holding an 10-4 mark in those contests. 
 
THE NEED FOR THAT LEAD WITH FIVE MINUTES LEFT
UTEP is 16-0 on the year when leading with five minutes to play, but the Miners are winless when either trailing (0-6) or tied (0-1) at that juncture. 
 
CONVERTING TURNOVERS INTO POINTS
UTEP is accounting for 19.7 points per game off turnovers while foes have managed just 12.7 ppg in the category. UTEP is 14-3 when winning the category this year and 2-4 when failing to do so. Two of those losses came when Corey Camper Jr. was sidelined with an injury.
 
FLIPPING THE SCRIPT IN HOSTILE TERRITORY
The Miners are 4-4 on the road (3-2 CUSA), aided by winning at NM State for the first time in 14 years. It is a stark contrast from the past two seasons. UTEP was 2-9 on the road last year and 3-10 in 2022-23. The last time the Orange and Blue had a winning road mark was head coach Joe Golding's first season on the sidelines with the Miners when he directed the squad to a 7-6 record. 
 
THAT'S CONSISTENT SUCCESS
With the victory against Kennesaw State on Jan. 25, the Miners secured at least five wins in each of the first three months of the season. That hadn't happened since the 2010-11 campaign.
 
TALKING 20-POINT EFFORTS FOR OTIS
Otis Frazier III put together four 20+ scoring efforts over his first 98 collegiate contests (including one at George Mason), with three of those coming as a Miner. After his season-high 22-point outburst at FIU on Jan. 18, he has now posted a trio of 20+ tilts this year alone. 
 
WHAT PRESSURE?
For the second straight season and third time under head coach Joe Golding, the Miners won a game in which they took the lead on their final possession of the game. Ahamad Bynumdrilled a pull-up jumper with 2.9 seconds to provide the difference in the 72-70 triumph at Liberty on Jan. 16. In 2023-24, Tae Hardy buried a 3-pointer as the horn sounded to lift UTEP past then Pac-12 member Cal, 75-72, in the SoCal Challenge on Nov. 20, 2024. The only other time it has occurred in the Golding era was his first season when Alfred Hollins tipped in a missed shot to beat the buzzer in a 70-68 home victory against FAU on Jan 27, 2022. Making Bynum's play, unique, is that it came in front of a hostile crowd of more than 3,500 fans. 
 
START FAST AND NORMALLY WIN
UTEP is 11-3 on the season when getting on the board first, including doing so with a 5-0 run to start the game at NM State.
 
THAT MAKES SENSE
UTEP has been nearly unbeatable (11-1) this year when shooting it better than the opposition, but it's been a tossup (5-6) when foes outshoot the Miners.
 
DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN, BUT WE WIN WHEN IT DOES
UTEP has only won the rebounding battle five times this year, and not surprisingly with how many other things they do well, the Miners are undefeated (5-0) in those contests.
 
GOING STREAKING UNDER GOLDING
For the fourth time in as many years under head coach Joe Golding, the Miners enjoyed a winning streak of at least five games (Dec. 16 through Jan. 4) That is something that hadn't happened since UTEP also produced four consecutive campaigns with winning streaks of five or more in a row from 2013-14 through 2016-17 during the Tim Floyd era. Furthermore, the only other occasion that has occurred in the Sun City in the past 30 years was a four-season sequence from 1997-98 through 2000-01. 
 
Attacking The Rim
UTEP is second in CUSA in both free throws made per game (15.1-101st NCAA) and free throws attempted per contest (21.0-90th NCAA). That aggressive drive to the rim has helped compensate for rating ninth in CUSA and 318th in the country by committing 18.7 fouls per game. In fact, the Miners (483) have taken almost as many free throws than their opponents (489).
 
BUILDING BIG LEADS AND HOLDING ON
UTEP has been up by double digits in 14 different games this year, winning all of those games. The Miners have enjoyed advantages of at least 20 points in eight different contests. 
 
OPPONENTS HAVEN'T DONE THAT
UTEP has only trailed by double figures in three contests (at Utah Valley, Nov. 9, vs. San Jose State, Nov. 25 in Las Vegas, Nev., and against NM State, Jan. 11) with two of those coming within the first six games of the season. Furthermore, the Miners have never been behind in six tilts while facing a deficit of no more than three points in five other games. 
 
SCORING LOTS OF POINTS
The Miners are averaging 72.9 points per game. There are still eight games left in the regular season, but that would be the highest scoring output since the 2015-16 campaign (77.4 ppg). That year's team, however, allowed 74.9 ppg while the 2024-25 edition of the Miners are currently yielding 68.4 ppg (third CUSA/79th NCAA). UTEP is also on track to put up at least 70.0 ppg in back-to-back seasons for the first time since a five-year run from 2006-07 through 2010-11. 
 
GETTING AFTER IT ON DEFENSE TOO
Foes have been held to 68.4 points per game (fourth CUSA/92nd NCAA), in part due to the Orange and Blue pacing the country in both steals per game (11.0) and turnovers forced per contest (17.7). 
 
CONSTANTLY COMING AFTER YOU
UTEP is averaging a nation-leading 10.9 steals per game, a feat it achieved least year at 11.4 spg. Dating to the beginning of last season, the Miners have registered at least seven steals in 53 of the past 56 contests.
 
CONSISTENT AS THEY COME
Otis Frazier III has registered double figures in scoring in 20 of the 23 games this season (87.0 percent), including riding a current 14-contest streak. That nearly triples his prior best surge (first five tilts this season). He has scored in every game this year and the past 71 overall. Last year he had 20 double-digit scoring efforts in 34 appearances (58.8 percent), so he's upped his scoring double-digit output by a significant amount in terms of percentage of games. 
 
STEALS IN BUNCHES FOR CAMPER JR. 
Corey Camper Jr. is second in CUSA and 17th nationally at 2.33 steals per game. He has multiple steals in 16 of his 21 appearances (missed two full contests with an injury), including a career-high five vs. UTPB on Nov. 12.
 
KALU ON VERGE OF 450 CAREER REBOUNDS
UTEP leading rebounder Kevin Kalu (5.6 rpg-tied 15th CUSA) boasts 447 career rebounds. Otis Frazier III has the lead for total DI collegiate rebounds (454), but Kalu has the edge in terms of rebounds as a Miner (447-393).
 
Surpassing 80 Means Good Things
UTEP tallied 81 points at FIU on Jan. 18, tying its second-highest total (also 81 vs. Sam Houston) vs. a DI opponent this season. The effort trailed only the 88 points put up in the triumph against Seattle U on Dec. 7. The Miners are now 4-0 on the year and 20-4 under head coach Joe Golding when putting up at least 80 points. 
 
BOMBS AWAY FROM BARNES
Devon Barnes has been nice addition to the roster for the Miners after transferring in from Tarleton State, where he helped the program compile a school-record 25 DI wins and make a run to the semifinals of the 2024 CIT. He has buried multiple 3-pointers in nine different contests, with his 1.5 triples per tilt rating tied for 19th in CUSA. He has hit a career-high tying four treys twice.
 
FRAZIER III GETTING AFTER IT ON THE GLASS
Otis Frazier III, who is second on the team in overall rebounding (5.0 rpg-tied 22nd CUSA), is on track to lead the Miners in offensive boards for the second straight season. He is pulling down 2.0 orpg (tied 10th CUSA), which is a small increase from his effort of 1.7 (tied 13th CUSA) last year. Frazier III is also among the top 25 in the league for defensive rebounds per game at 3.0 (24th CUSA).
 
PILED UP 10 WINS OUT OF CONFERENCE
UTEP (now 15-7 overall, 5-4 CUSA) entered Conference USA action at 10-3. It marked the first time that the Miners hit double figures in victories prior to CUSA play since going 10-5 in 2013-14.  
 
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), Kevin Kalu (12 points, 12 rebounds vs. Jackson State, Dec. 20, 2024) and David Terrell Jr. (15 points, career-high 11 rebounds at Middle Tennessee, Feb. 1) all 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). No other Miners (DI only) has a double-double (including prior schools).
 
TERRELL JR. MORE LIKE HIMSELF AT THE LINE
Sophomore David Terrell Jr. began the season at 5-16 (31.3 percent) on free throws over his first nine games, but he has been much better lately. He is 40-51 (78.4 percent) since the slow start to elevate his season readout to 67.2 (45-67).
 
SHUTTING THEM DOWN
UTEP is 9-0 on the year when allowing 65 points or less in a game, including most recently doing so in a 66-63 win at NM State last time out on Feb. 8. The Miners' scoring defense is at 68.4 ppga (third CUSA/79th NCAA) going into the game vs. FIU.
 
STRIKE FIRST, STRIKE HARD, NO MERCY
The Miners scored the first five points and NM State never tied or took the lead for UTEP's fifth wire-to-wire win this season. It previously did so vs. Tarleton State (W, 67-62, Dec. 16), UNC Greensboro (W, 64-58, Nov. 27), UTPB (W, 78-58, Nov. 12) and Sul Ross State (W, 102-55, Nov. 4). The Miners also never trailed (tied once) at UCSB (W 79-76, Nov. 20).
 
PICK YOUR POISON
UTEP's balance has been an issue for the opposition, with five different individuals having led the team in scoring. Otis Frazier III (nine) has set the tone. That is followed by Corey Camper Jr. and David Terrell Jr. and Devon Barnes at four and Ahamad Bynum (two).
 
SCORING STREAKS
Otis Frazier III (71) and Devon Barnes (53) both have long streaks for consecutive games scored. Corey Camper Jr. (26) and David Terrell Jr. (25) each have put up points in at least 20 straight contests. No one else on the roster has a stretch close to that (DI only).
 
FOUR-HEADED MONSTER ON OFFENSE
UTEP's top-four scorers (Otis Frazier III, 14.4 ppg-ninth CUSA, Corey Camper Jr., 11.1 ppg-21st CUSA, Ahamad Bynum-10.4 ppg and Devon Barnes-10.2 ppg) have made it difficult for the opposition to key on just any one player. The Miners haven't had four players average double figures in scoring in a season since 2018-19, but that is a possibility this year. 
 
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 54.6 percent (315-577) of their field goals. David Terrell Jr.(3.5 apg-tied seventh CUSA), Otis Frazier III (2.7 apg-tied 14th CUSA), Corey Camper Jr. (2.3 apg-16th CUSA) and Devon Barnes (2.0 apg-19th CUSA) have all shown the ability to find open teammates.
 
IN A CLASS OF HIS OWN
Preseason All-CUSA honoree Otis Frazier III has been stuffing the stat sheet across the board while setting the tone for the Miners in 2024-25. He is the only player in CUSA to rate in the top 15 of the league for scoring (14.4 ppg-ninth), assists (2.7 apg-tied 14th), steals (2.39 spg first CUSA/13th NCAA), blocks (0.8-14th) and free-throw percentage (73.0-12th). The senior tops the Miners in scoring, blocks and steals while rating second for assist. He also leads the team in both free throws made (73) and attempted (100) and double-digit scoring efforts (20).
 
CAN'T CONTAIN COREY
Corey Camper Jr. has been one of the top players on the team this season. He is second on the squad for scoring (11.1-21st CUSA) and steals (2.35-second CUSA/17th NCAA) while placing third in assists (2.3-16th CUSA). He has reached double figures in scoring 13 times (missed two contests with an injury). Camper Jr. also tops the team in minutes played (31.6-tied ninth CUSA). 
 
DT SETTLED IN AT THE POINT
David Terrell Jr., the 2024 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, has settled into a starting role as a sophomore, especially while running the offense. A big difference has been his ability to stay out of foul trouble. He had three or more fouls in nine of his first 11 games of the year (missed one), including three foul outs, but hasn't fouled out since. He is dishing out 3.5 assists per game (tied seventh CUSA) to pace the squad, aided by an average of 5.1 apg in league contests (second CUSA only). His scoring has elevated to 8.0 ppg (5.4 as a freshman), and he is putting up 9.5 ppg in league action. Terrell Jr., who often draws the toughest defensive assignment, also rates fourth on the squad in steals (1.4-tied 13th CUSA).
 
A FAMILY TRADITION
David Terrell Jr's mom (Kiana Taylor) was a standout on the women's basketball team (1993-96, 97-98), finishing her career as the then school record holder for double-doubles (20) and the then second-leading scorer (1,134) and rebounder (676) in program history. His father, David, was an all-WAC performer for the football team from 1994-96.
 
BARNES BACK HOME
Tarleton State transfer Devon Barnes chose UTEP in part because he lived in the Sun City from kindergarten through fifth grade while his dad was stationed at Ft. Bliss. He has settled in nicely, tallying 9.8 ppg to go along with 1.6 steals per game (tied fourth CUSA). He is second on the team for 3-pointers made (33) and third in 3-pointers attempted (92). That results in 1.5 treys made per contest (tied 19th CUSA). Barnes is also good at getting to the line, rating second on UTEP in free throws made (57) and attempted (86). He has been a consistent scorer with 12 double-digit efforts. 
 
BYNUM'S A BALLER
Ahamad Bynum has been a key cog for UTEP all year, whether starting (past three, four times total) or coming off the bench. He contributes 10.4 ppg, doing lots of damage from distance. He has made 50-102 (49.0 percent) of his triples, which would be among the national leaders, but he is shy (2.38) of the required 2.5 makes per game. He has sank multiple 3-pointers in 15 of his 20 appearances, with four games of four or more made. He has shot 50 percent or better from distance 13 times. Bynum has compiled 10 double-digit efforts off the bench and 11 times total. The other reserves have eight such games.
 
KALU'S GETTING IT DONE
Kevin Kalu averaged 3.2 points per game through his first three seasons, but he is more than doubling that (7.0 ppg) that output as a senior. Kalu has seven double-digit scoring efforts on the season, including a career-best 14 against Kennesaw State on Jan. 25, after doing so twice in 91 contests played through his junior campaign. The Maryland native is filling up 63.5 percent (61-96) from the floor while still playing his patented outstanding defense, particularly on ball screens.  He tops the team in rebounding (5.6 rpg-tied 16th CUSA) and is second for blocked shots (0.5-tied 19th CUSA). 
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DIGIT STEALS UNDER GOLDING
UTEP has produced 51 games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing so 11 times this year. To put the 51 tilts with 10+ thefts into perspective, consider that it is three more than the Miners amassed (48) in the previous 14 seasons combined prior to Golding's arrival. 
 
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 (10.9) and turnovers forced per game (17.3). UTEP accounts for three of the top five and four of the top 15. Otis Frazier III (2.39-first CUSA/13th NCAA) and Corey Camper Jr. (2.33 spg-second CUSA/17th NCAA) are atop the league, followed by Devon Barnes (1.6-tied fifth CUSA) and David Terrell Jr. (1.4-tied 12th CUSA).
 
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 (10.9) and turnovers forced per contest (17.3). UTEP topped the nation in both categories last season. 
 
PICKING OUR SPOTS FROM DISTANCE
UTEP is ninth in CUSA and 279th in the country by attempting 20.3 triples per game, but the Miners have been locked in when doing so. UTEP is third in the league and 34th in the nation with a readout of 37.4 percent (175-468) from beyond-the-arc. 
 
TRIPLES FAVORING THE MINERS
UTEP has made equal to or more 3-pointers than the opposition in 15 of 23 contests this year. The result has been the Miners connecting on 175-468 (37.4 percent-second CUSA/34th NCAA) compared to an effort of 151-468 (30.9 percent-fourth CUSA/55th NCAA) by the opposition. It's a major 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).
 
CAN'T HANDLE THE PRESSURE
UTEP's pressure is causing fits for opponents. The Miners head into the tilt vs. FIU leading the country in both steals per game (10.9 spg) and turnovers forced per game (17.3). 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 13.9 fastbreak points per game, which is first in CUSA and 36th nationally. 
 
SPREADING THE PLAYING TIME
Head coach Joe Golding has done a fine job of spreading the wealth with playing time, with eight different Miners (min. 15 games played) averaging at least 10.0 minutes per game. Corey Camper Jr. (31.6 mpg, tied ninth CUSA), Otis Frazier III (30.0 mpg-14th CUSA), David Terrell Jr. (29.4 mpg-15th CUSA) and Devon Barnes (25.8) are all above 25.0 mpg. Kevin Kalu (21.6 mpg), Ahamad Bynum (20.2 mpg), Trey Horton III (11.1 mpg) and Baylor Hebb (11.0) round out the list. Elijah Jones (9.9 mpg) is just shy.
 
AN OFFSEASON TO REMEMBER
UTEP had a special offseason to help prepare for the year, which included a foreign tour in The Bahamas, an intra-squad scrimmage in Juárez, an 111-62 exhibition win vs. Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (UACH) on Oct. 19 and a charity exhibition 74-70 setback at New Mexico on Oct. 28. The game in Chihuahua was the first preseason scrimmage in Mexico in program history.
 
EVERY ELIGIBLE GUY CAME BACK
UTEP brought back three starters (Corey Camper Jr., Otis Frazier III and Kevin Kalu) and all eight eligible scholarship players (Camper Jr., Frazier III, Derick Hamilton, Baylor Hebb, Trey Horton III, Elijah Jones, Kalu, David Terrell Jr.) from last year's team that piled up 18 wins and advanced to the program's first Conference USA Tournament Championship contest since 2011. The Miners also have redshirts Antwonne Holmes and Babacar Mbengue. 
 
AWARD CENTRAL
UTEP brought back the 2024 Conference USA Freshman of the Year David Terrell Jr., along with fellow 2024 CUSA All-Freshman team members Trey Horton III and Elijah Jones. Otis Frazier III, who was a member of the 2024 CUSA All-Defensive team and a CUSA Honorable-Mention honoree, was tabbed to the 2024-25 CUSA Preseason Team.
 
NEWCOMERS IN THE HOUSE
JUCO All-American Ahamad Bynum, Tarleton State transfer Devon Barnes, three-star HS recruit KJ Thomas and JUCO Region XIV regular-season champion DaCannon Wickware joined the Miners in the offseason. El Paso native and JUCO transfer Jordan Thomas and freshman Raijon Dispensa are also new to UTEP, with each set to redshirt this season. 
 
THE BEST FANS IN CONFERENCE USA
UTEP has led Conference USA in attendance for either total number of fans or average attendance for three straight years. Last year, the Miners had a league-best 85,566 fans pass through the turnstiles while averaging 4,754 fans (second in the conference). Thus far in 2024-25, UTEP is leading the league in both overall attendance (64,002) and average attendance (5,333).
 
HOME COOKING
UTEP has posted 10+ wins in six straight years, including standing at 10-2 in El Paso this season. There are four home games left on the docket for the regular season. A highlight of nonconference play was the Miners winning the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, marking the second straight campaign that they've taken home the title.  
 
PRESEASON PREMONITIONS
UTEP was predicted to finish tied for fifth in the Conference USA preseason poll (currently fourth heading to game vs. FIU), as voted upon the league's 10 head coaches. It was a relatively close poll, with only 25 points separating the first six teams. LA Tech (87) was tabbed the favorite, followed by WKU (85), Sam Houston (83), Middle Tennessee (69), Liberty (62) and UTEP (62). NM State (39-seventh), Jax State (29-eighth), FIU (17-tied ninth) and Kennesaw State (17-tied ninth). LA Tech (three), Sam Houston (three), WKU (two), Middle Tennessee (one) and Liberty (one) all received at least one first-place vote. 
 
A YEAR IN REVIEW
-              Finished the year at 18-16 for the second winning seasons in three years under head coach Joe Golding.
-              Made the program's first appearance in the conference tournament championship contest since 2011.
-              Beat the No. 1 seed Sam Houston in the semifinals, the Miners' first win against a top seed at the league tournament since the 1993 WAC Championships.
-              Became the first team in school history to come back from double-digit deficits to win consecutive contests in a league tournament. UTEP overcame a 12-point deficit vs. Liberty while roaring back from 14 against Sam Houston.
-              Won multiple games at the CUSA tournament for the first time since 2011.
-              Became the lowest seed in school history to advance to the championship contest of the league tournament. 
-              Won a game at the league tournament by two points or less for the first time since 1992 after ousting top seed Sam Houston
-              Led the nation in both steals per game and turnovers forced per game.
-              Set school record for total steals and total turnovers forced. UTEP's 389 total steals are the second most ever by a CUSA program since the league's inception.
-              Tae Hardy earned All-District and All-CUSA honors.
-              UTEP had three of the five players on the CUSA All-Freshman Team, including Freshman of the Year David Terrell Jr. Terrell Jr. was joined on the All-Freshman squad by Trey Horton III and Elijah Jones
-              Otis Frazier III was All-CUSA Honorable-Mention and voted to the CUSA All-Defensive Team, the first selection to the squad for UTEP since 2015.
-              Won the 2023 Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the first time under head coach Joe Golding.
 
THE BASIC FACTS ON UTEP'S PROGRAM
-              This is the 104th season of UTEP men's basketball. The Miners made history by starting five African-Americans to defeat Kentucky, 72-65, and win the 1966 NCAA Championship on the way to inspiring the Disney hit movie Glory Road. 
-              UTEP has 17 NCAA Tournament appearances (last in 2010), 11 NIT bids (last in 2015), 12 conference championships (last in 2010) and 26 seasons with at least 20+ victories (last in 2015). The Miners have won five league tournaments (last in 2005).
-              The Miners have a strong presence in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with Don Haskins, Nate Archibald, Nolan Richardson, the 1966 team and Tim Hardaway all representing UTEP.
 
GET TO KNOW COACH GOLDING
Joe Golding is in his fourth year at UTEP, and he is the 20th head coach in program history. He is the eighth head coach for the Miners since legendary Hall of Fame Coach Don Haskinsretired following the 1998-99 season. Golding is 225-199 in his 14th season as a collegiate head coach, including 67-55 at UTEP. He has enjoyed two winning campaigns in three years and is looking good to secure another in 2024-25. Golding recently moved past Marshall Pennington (63-83, 1937-43) to take over fifth place on the school's career charts. He needs 12 more to surpass George McCarty (77-58, 1954-59). In 2021-22 he became the fourth head coach (20 total) in program history to have a winning season in their first year on the sideline. Don Haskins was the first when he directed the Miners to a mark of 18-6 in 1961-62. Doc Sadler (27-8, 2004-05) and Tim Floyd (25-10, 2010-11) also achieved the feat. Overall, the prior 19 head coaches combined to forge an average record of 9-13 in their first year with UTEP. Previously Golding spent 10 years at Abilene Christian (158-144), helping it transition from a Division II to a Division I program. Golding led the Wildcats to the 2019 and 2021 NCAA Tournaments, including a stunning upset as a 14-seed of third-seeded Texas in the first round of the 2021 Big Dance.
 
UP NEXT
UTEP will conclude the week at home by playing host to tied for second place Liberty at 7 p.m. MT Saturday. The Miners will be looking to complete the season sweep against the Flames after an exciting 72-70 win against the Flamers in Lynchburg, Va., on Jan. 16 earlier this year. 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.