Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (17-9, 7-6 CUSA) will look to pick up a split of its road trip when it plays at league-leading Jax State (18-9, 10-4 CUSA) at 3 p.m. MT/4 p.m. 4 p.m. CT Saturday. The Miners dug themselves an early 8-0 hole and could never recover in an eventual 83-73 setback at Kennesaw State on Feb. 20. It was a similar story for the Gamecocks, who trailed by 12 (35-23) at the half in an eventual 61-52 loss at the hands of NM State on Feb. 20. UTEP has dropped four of the past six, and it is aiming to avoid its first three-game skid of the season. Jax State also is reeling a bit, having fallen in two of the past three contests. It had won eight consecutive tilts before the recent drop-off. The Gamecocks are 11-1 at home, including 6-1 within CUSA play, with Saturday's matchup serving as "Senior Day" for JSU. The Miners are 4-5 on the road over, including a solid effort of 3-3 in CUSA action. Jax State bested UTEP, 73-66, in the first meeting between the programs this year on Jan. 23. The Miners were up by two with 2:42 remaining in regulation before the Gamecocks scored the final nine points of the tilt. Jax State enters the contest holding a half-game lead for first place over Liberty while the Miners are tied for fifth place with NM State at 7-6. The game continues a difficult stretch to close the regular season for UTEP, with the Miners playing four of the final six away from home.  Jon Teicher (44th 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),
 
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 (2.35-first CUSA/15th NCAA) and Corey Camper Jr. (2.29 spg-second CUSA/19th NCAA) 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, 3-1
UTEP is 3-1 against Jax State, with the Gamecocks picking up their first win in the series, 73-67, in El Paso on Jan. 23 earlier this campaign. Last year, the Miners swept the season series. They posted a 79-71 wire-to-wire win at home on Feb. 1, 2024, before holding on for a 72-65 road triumph on Feb. 29, 2024, a game in which Otis Frazier III poured in a career-high 24 points to lead the way. The only other meeting occurred nearly 30 years ago, when the Orange and Blue derailed Jax State, 76-53, in the Sun City on Dec. 18, 1995.
 
GET TO KNOW JAX STATE (18-9, 10-4 CUSA, 11-1 HOME, 6-6 AWAY, 1-2 NEUTRAL)
Jax State is 18-9 overall, including 10-4 in CUSA play, to sit in first place in the league as the 2024-25 season enters its stretch run. The Gamecocks were a solid 8-5 in nonconference play, with four of those losses coming by single digits. Jax State split its first two league contests before ripping off eight in a row to vault atop the conference standings. Included in it was a 73-66 vanquishing of UTEP in El Paso on Jan. 23. The Gamecocks have dropped two of three since, with a victory against LA Tech sandwiched between setbacks at Sam Houston (66-61, Feb. 13) and vs. NM State (62-51, Feb. 20) last time out. The loss to the Aggies was the first at home for the Gamecocks, who are a stout 11-1 at Pete Mathews Coliseum. They are led by the nation's second-leading scorer, Jaron Pierre Jr. at 22.0 ppg. The former Southern Miss and Wichita State standout has reached double figures in all but one game, including posting back-to-back 30+ point efforts. He had 30 of JSU's 51 points in the setback to NM State, marking his 17th contest with 20 or more, including five with at least 30. Pierre also tops the team in assists (4.0-fifth CUSA), free throws made (109-third CUSA/98th NCAA) and attempted (135-third CUSA), minutes played (36.4-fourth CUSA/ninth NCAA) and 3-pointers made per game (2.9-second CUSA/45th NCAA). Jamar Franklin (10.4 ppg) is the only other player on the team in double figures for scoring while super subs Jao Ituka (8.9 ppg) and Michael Houge (8.9 ppg) are key threats as well. Mason Nicholson (7.9 rpg-third CUSA/75th NCAA) and Houge (7.6 rpg-fourth CUSA) are all over the boards for the Gamecocks. That helps JSU rate second in CUSA and among the national leaders for both rebounding margin (+5.8-34th NCAA) and total rebounds per game (38.6-37th NCAA). Nicholson also provides a strong defensive presence with 1.6 blocks per contest (third CUSA/61st NCAA). JSU accounts for 75.1 ppg, aided by being the top free-throw shooting team in the league at 77.1 percent (33rd NCAA). The Gamecocks are a problem on defense too, allowing 68.7 points per game (third CUSA/78th NCAA). Opponents shoot just 40.7 percent against them (third CUSA/35th NCAA). Making those stats more impressive is the fact that they commit only 13.1 fouls per contest (second CUSA/sixth NCAA). JSU is also among the league and national leaders for defensive rebounds per contest (27.9-third/19th), scoring margin (+6.4-second/96th), 3-point percentage (35.9-fourth/78th) and fewest turnovers per game (10.0-second/28th). It only forces foes into 8.4 giveaways per game (10th CUSA/351st NCAA). JSU is led by Ray Harper (595-248, 164-121 at Jax State), who is fifth in DI NCAA coaches with 500+ career victories with 23.1 wins per season. Notable alumni include Ashley Martin (became the first woman to play and score in an NCAA Division I American football game) and Cary Guffey (star of the 1977 Steven Spielberg film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind").
 
LOOKING BACK (AT KENNESAW STATE 83, UTEP 73, FEB. 20)
Ahamad Bynum poured in a career-high 24 points off the bench while David Terrell Jr. added 16 points (one shy of career best), but a slow start loomed large in UTEP's 83-73 setback at Kennesaw State on Feb. 20. The Miners dug themselves an 8-0 early hole, and they were forced to play catch-up the rest of the way against the Owls. UTEP trailed by 14 (47-33) at the break and fell behind by as many as 19 (56-37, 16:44, 2H) three minutes into the second half. The Orange and Blue refused to quit, though. They fought back to whittle the deficit down to six (71-65) with 6:04 remaining in regulation, but they were unable to complete the comeback.
 
BIG OUTBURST BY BYNUM FROM THE BENCH
Ahamad Bynum poured in a career-high 24 points while coming off the bench at Kennesaw State. It marked the most points by a Miner from the pine since Souley Boum racked up 27 points at Rice on Jan. 23, 2020. Coincidentally, both Boum and Bynum were 11-12 at the charity stripe in their respective efforts.
 
TWENTY-FOUR POINTS IN 22 MINUTES
Ahamad Bynum lit up Kennesaw State for a career-high 24 points in just 22 minutes of action. He's the first Miner with a 20+ point game to finish with at least as many points as minutes played vs. a DI opponent in 13 seasons. Cedrick Lang scored 22 points in 22 minutes vs. SWAC member Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Dec. 29, 2011.
 
PLENTY OF BENCH PRODUCTION
Led by Ahamad Bynum's career-high 24 points, UTEP's bench poured in 37 points in the game at Kennesaw State. That is the second-highest total vs. a DI foe this year (44 vs. Seattle U, Dec. 7). It is also the most against a CUSA opponent since Miner back-ups contributed 39 points in a double-overtime loss at Middle Tennessee on Feb. 17, 2024.Overall, UTEP's bench is tallying 23.7 ppg (fourth CUSA/89th NCAA).
 
BYNUM GOT DOWNHILL
Ahamad Bynum set career highs for both free throws made (11) and attempted (12) at Kennesaw State. The 11 makes are the most by a Miner since Zid Powell went 14-18 in the championship contest against Wyoming in the 2023 WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational on Dec. 21, 2023. In terms of CUSA games, it's the most tosses converted at the line since Shamar Givance also went 11-12 at FIU on Feb. 23, 2023. Bynum's 12 attempts are the second-highest total by a UTEP player this year, trailing only Devon Barnes (10-14, at UCSB, Nov. 20, 2024).
 
LOCKED IN AT THE LINE
After going 5-10 at the charity stripe through the first six contests, Ahamad Bynum has locked in. He has made 27-29 since that point on the way to standing a stout 82.1 percent. (32-29) He was 11-12 at Kennesaw State, with the miss being his first since going 1-2 against Jackson State on Dec. 20.
 
BACK-TO-BACK DOUBLE FIGURES FOR COREY
Corey Camper Jr. has scored 10 points in consecutive contests, making a combined 10-19 from the floor. It's the first time he has posted back-to-back such efforts since a three-game surge vs. Northern New Mexico (15 points, Dec. 28), LA Tech (17 points, Jan. 2) and Sam Houston (16 points, Jan. 4).
 
MADE ADJUSTMENTS ON GUARDING THE TREY
After KSU managed to hit 7-11 from distance over the first 10 minutes, UTEP dug deep to hold the Owls to 3-16 on 3-point tries the rest of the way.
 
BETTER EFFORT IN THE SECOND HALF
After allowing the most first-half points (47) in five years (48 in 86-70 loss at UTSA on Jan. 18, 2020), the Miners regrouped to outpace KSU, 40-36, over the final 20 minutes of action. Otis Frazier III registered three of his four steals in the frame while the Miners forced nine of the Owls' 14 giveaways after the break.
 
KEPT THE OWLS OFF THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS
Kennesaw State entered the matchup vs. UTEP pacing CUSA and 20th in the nation at 13.6 offensive rebounds per game. The Miners did a good job boxing out, however, holding the Owls to seven offensive boards, which tied their single-game low for the year.
 
GRABBED THAT LOOSE BALL
Elijah Jones equaled his second-highest rebounding effort this season with four boards at Kennesaw State. That included three defensive caroms, which trailed only Corey Camper Jr. (four defensive rebounds) in that category.
 
CONTINUED PROGRESS IN BOXING OUT
For the first time this season, the Miners have held three consecutive opponents to single digits in offensive rebounds, including boxing out the best team in the league (KSU-13.6 orpg-20th NCAA), pretty well last time out. It is a nice reversal, as five of the prior six foes had pulled down at least 11 offensive rebounds, the past two opponents have been held to single digits in the category.
 
COMPETITIVE ON THE GLASS OVERALL
After being outrebounded by Kennesaw State, 43-29, in the matchup in El Paso on Jan. 25, UTEP put in a much better effort on the boards vs. the Owls last time out. KSU, the top-rebounding team in the league in every category, managed only a two-rebound advantage (32-30).
 
FOLLOW UP THE SHOT
The Miners pulled down 10 offensive rebounds at Kennesaw State, marking their most in a game since tallying 11 at Middle Tennessee on Feb. 1. Kevin Kalu led the way with a season-high tying three while Trey Horton pulled down a campaign-most two offensive boards.
 
HORTON III STARTING TO PICK UP ACTIVITY
Trey Horton III is being more of a difference maker off the bench the past two tilts. He followed up a nine-point, three-rebound effort vs. Liberty on Feb. 15 by scoring seven points to go along with three boards in 17 minutes at Kennesaw State. He is 6-11 shooting from the floor overall in the stretch, including 4-9 from distance. Aiding the 3-point shooting was going 3-4 vs. Liberty, which was his third tilt this year with multiple treys made.
 
TWO STREAKS COME TO A CLOSE
Otis Frazier III's 16-game streak with double digits for scoring, the longest by a Miner since Omega Harris (16 straight in 2016-17), was halted with his three-point effort at Kennesaw State. David Terrell Jr. registered four assists, halting a six-contest surge with at least six helpers. That had been the longest by a UTEP player since Fili Rivera posted eight straight games with six or more assists during the '04-05 campaign.
 
THE DIME DROPPER
David Terrell Jr. has embraced running the point, especially since the onset of CUSA play. He is dishing out 3.8 apg (sixth CUSA), which is aided by 5.3 apg in league action (second for CUSA only games). He boasts 69 assists and 29 turnovers in 13 CUSA contests, working out to a +2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio (fourth in CUSA only tilts).
 
TERRELL JR.'S SCORING TAKING OFF TOO
 David Terrell Jr. has registered double figures in scoring in five of the past six games, including three consecutive contests for the first time of his career. He is putting up 12.2 ppg in the hot streak while connecting on 29-49 (59.2 percent) from the floor. He put up 16 points (one shy of career high) at Kennesaw State last time out. Overall, he boasts 10 double-digit scoring efforts this season, with seven of those happening in CUSA play. That doubles the amount of such contests (five) during his 2024 CUSA Freshman of the Year campaign.
 
DON'T FORGET ABOUT HIS REBOUNDING
David Terrell Jr. snagged 2.7 rebounds per game during nonconference action, putting him fourth on the squad. Similar to other areas, he has picked his game up on the glass as well. In 13 CUSA contests, Terrell Jr. is grabbing 4.6 rebounds per game. That includes pacing the Miners with 55 defensive rebounds since the onset of league play. 
 
ON A STREAK WITH STEALS TOO
David Terrell Jr. has registered multiple steals in three straight games, equaling his longest stretch of his career. He also did so as a freshman (Jan. 7-Jan. 18, 2024). The Dallas native is now producing 1.5 steals per game to tie for third on the team and share a spot of seventh in the CUSA rankings.
 
GOT TO CUT DOWN ON DIFFERENCE FROM DISTANCE
Even though the Miners have advantages on the season for both 3-pointers made (197-181) and 3-point percentage (36.9 percent to 32.0 percent), the opposition has a significant edge the past two contests (both UTEP losses). Liberty and KSU have combined to outscore the Miners, 72-42, on 3-point shots. UTEP is 14-46 (30.4 percent) in that timeframe while its foes have nailed 24-56 (42.9 percent). To put in perspective how critical that has been, the Miners have a +16 (76-60) cushion on two-point shots while keeping it close (outscored 27-24) at the free throw line in the two tilts.
 
FRAZIER III PRETTY CONSISTENT WITH STEALS
Otis Frazier III has recorded at least one steal in 25 of 26 contests this season, including 16 with two or more thefts. He finished with four at Kennesaw State, including three over the final 20 minutes of play. For the season, he compiled 12 steals in two tilts vs. the Owls, including a school-record tying eight on Jan. 25 earlier this season.
 
FACED ADVERSITY AT THE LINE HEAD ON
After enduring a three-game stretch where he was a combined 3-11 (27.2 percent) at the free-throw line, Otis Frazier III dug deep and responded. He is 11-12 his past three tilts while making 13 of his last 14 tries overall. That included nailing two clutch tosses late in the contest at NM State to help seal the Miners' first win in Las Cruces in 14 years with a 66-63 vanquishing of the Aggies on Feb. 8.
 
BETTER REBOUNDING EFFORT FROM KALU
After UTEP's leading rebounder Kevin Kalu (5.4 rpg-tied 14th CUSA) equaled his second-lowest total for boards of the year with two vs. FIU on Feb. 13, he has posted back-to-back contests with five rebounds.
 
HEBB SHOOTING IT WELL
Baylor Hebb has made 4-9 from distance in the past five contests, including knocking down a 3-pointer to ignite a game-sealing 10-0 run vs. FIU on Feb. 13. He had been 2-6 on triples over his first 14 appearances. He added a season-high tying two assists against the Panthers. He was 1-1 from the floor last time out at Kennesaw State, making a driving layup.
 
GET THE LEAD AT THE HALF AND IT GENERALLY GOES WELL
UTEP is 14-3 on the campaign when leading at the half. The Miners, did however, fall in the most-recent situation they enjoyed an advantage heading to halftime. They had a 35-32 edge at the break before Liberty outscored them, 44-34, over the final 20 minutes of action.
 
BACK-AND-FORTH GAMES IN CUSA
Five different UTEP games this season have had nine or more lead changes, with four of those happening in league play. There were 11 lead swaps in the victory vs. FIU on Feb. 13. The only nonconference game to go back-and-forth like that was at Louisville (L, 77-74, Dec. 11). There was a season-most 13 lead changes in that tilt.
 
WE CAN WIN CLOSE CONTESTS
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)
 
HEBB STREAKING AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
Baylor Hebb has drained 15 straight free throws, with his last miss coming in the third game of the season against UTPB on Nov. 12.
 
SHARP SHOOTING CONTINUES FOR JONES
Elijah Jones has nailed 19-31 (61.3) from the floor over the past 10 games. He made 2-5 last time out at Kennesaw State. In the prior seven contests, he connected on just 2-11 (18.2 percent).
 
AN INCREDIBLE OFFENSIVE JUMP
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 7.1 ppg on 61.7 percent shooting (71-115). One factor has been his effort at the line, which has jumped to 63.6 percent (35-55). That's a huge improvement from making 46.6 percent (27-58) last year. Overall, he has produced eight double-digit scoring games to quadruple his total such contests (two) over 91 appearances in his first three years with the Miners.
 
GOOD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN BIG KEV GETS HIS OFFENSE GOING
Kevin Kalu has 12 games this year with at least eight points, and the Miners are 10-2 in those contests. 
 
KALU CLEANING UP THE BOARDS
Kevin Kalu, who tops UTEP in rebounding at 5.4 boards per game (tied 14th 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 (career-high 12 vs. FIU, Feb. 13, nine at NM State, Feb. 8 and 11 vs. LA Tech, Jan. 2) and David Terrell Jr. (career-high 11 at Middle Tennessee, Feb. 1, nine at Liberty, Jan. 16).
 
PRETTY GOOD WITH BALANCED SCORING
UTEP is 11-2 on the season when four or more players reach double figures in scoring. The Miners most recently accomplished that feat vs. FIU on Feb. 13, with Kevin Kalu (14 points), Devon Barnes (13 points), Otis Frazier III and David Terrell Jr. (12 points) each doing so. The lone losses in the situation this year came at Middle Tennessee (L, 71-68, Feb. 1) and at WKU (L, 78-74, on Jan. 30).
 
VALUING THE BASKETBALL
UTEP enters the matchup at Jax State with the ninth-best turnover margin in the country (4.9). The closest to the Miners in terms CUSA foes is Liberty at 2.7. The Orange and Blue rate third in the nation turnovers forced per game (16.9), which helps the cause greatly. UTEP has also registered 12 or fewer giveaways in five straight and seven of the past eight contests.
 
LOTS OF STEALS
Otis Frazier III has registered at least two steals in 13 of the past 16 games. Included in that was tying the school standard with eight steals vs Kennesaw State on Jan. 25. He had four steals last time out against the Owls, which came on the heels of back-to-back contests with one steal each.
 
WHAT A DUO FOR DEFENSE
Otis Frazier III (2.35-first CUSA/15th NCAA) and Corey Camper Jr. (2.29 spg-second CUSA/19th NCAA) provide a lethal one-two punch for steals for the Miners. There are still five games to play in the regular season plus at least one contest in the CUSA tournament, 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.
 
DON'T BLINK, YOU MIGHT MISS A SCORE
UTEP is quick to get into its offense, especially off turnovers. The Miners lead CUSA and are 21st nationally at 14.6 fastbreak points per game.
 
FRAZIER III CLOSING IN ON FOURTH-MOST STEALS ON UTEP CAREER CHARTS
Otis Frazier III has registered a team-leading 61 steals on the season, with 46 of those coming in the past 16 games. The surge has elevated his career total as a Miner to 163, 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, with Frazier III now needing just three thefts to pass him. 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).
 
1,000 CAREER POINTS AND COUNTING FOR OTIS
Otis Frazier III, who had a 16 double-digit scoring game streak stopped last time out, surpassed 1,000 for his collegiate career with his first basket against FIU on Feb. 13. He enters the matchup at Jax State at 1,030 (including time with George Mason), with the majority of those (943) coming as a Miner.
 
A LOOK AT THE LEAGUE STANDINGS
Jax State (10-4) holds a half-game lead over Liberty (9-4) for first place in the league, with Middle Tennessee 1.5 in back at 8-5. Kennesaw State is alone in fourth place at 8-6, with UTEP and NM State tied for fifth place at 7-6. LA Tech (7-6) is a half-game behind. There is a bit of a gap after that, with WKU (5-8), Sam Houston (4-10) and FIU (2-11) rounding out the standings. The Bearkats, however, have won three in a row, which trails only Liberty (four straight) for longest current winning streak.
 
TERRELL JR. MAKING LEAPS AND BOUNDS IN LEAGUE PLAY
David Terrell Jr. put up solid number in nonconference play, accounting for 6.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.3 apg and 1.3 spg in 26.2 mpg. He has elevated his game significantly since the onset of CUSA action, tallying 10.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.3 apg and 1.7 spg in 33.9 mpg. The sophomore has registered seven of his 10 double-digit scoring efforts this year in conference play. Overall, he is now producing 8.6 ppg to go along with 3.7 rpg, 3.8 apg (sixth CUSA) and 1.5 spg (tied seventh CUSA). He averaged 5.4 ppg as a freshman.
 
BOMBS AWAY FROM 3-POINT RANGE
Ahamad Bynum enters Saturday's matchup at Jax State knocking down 46.8 percent (58-124) from 3-point range. That would put him among the upper echelon in the nation, but he is shy (2.42 per game-tied sixth CUSA) of the NCAA's required standard of 2.50 triples per tilt. There are still five games remaining in the regular season, but Bynum is on track to just edge out 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. It should be noted that Bynum has made more than twice as many treys.
 
A TRIO TO WATCH
Ahamad Bynum (2.4 per game-sixth CUSA), Devon Barnes (1.5 per game-tied 16th CUSA) and Otis Frazier III (1.4 per game-tied 20th 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 36.9 percent (197-534) on triples (third CUSA/38th NCAA). The Miners have also guarded the 3-point ball decently, with foes at 32.0 percent (181-565), which is top-100 nationally at 91st.
 
MAKING TRIPLES LEADS TO WINS
UTEP has connected on at least seven 3-pointers in 16 games this year, holding an 11-5 mark in those contests.
 
THE NEED FOR THAT LEAD WITH FIVE MINUTES LEFT
UTEP is 17-0 on the year when leading with five minutes to play, but the Miners are winless when either trailing (0-8) or tied (0-1) at that juncture.
 
CONVERTING TURNOVERS INTO POINTS
UTEP is accounting for 19.2 points per game off turnovers while foes have managed just 12.7 ppg in the category. UTEP is 15-4 when winning the category this year and 2-5 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 4-5 on the road (3-3 CUSA), including winning at NM State for the first time in 14 years in their most-recent road game on Feb. 8. 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 home 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 Bynum drilled 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 11-4 on the season when getting on the board first. The Miners dug themselves an 8-0 hole and couldn't recover in a wire-to-wire setback last time out at Kennesaw State.
 
THAT MAKES SENSE
UTEP has been nearly unbeatable (12-1) this year when shooting it better than the opposition, but it's been a challenge (5-8) when foes outshoot the Miners.
 
DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN, BUT WE WIN WHEN IT DOES
UTEP has only won the rebounding battle six times this year, and not surprisingly with how many other things they do well, the Miners are undefeated (6-0) 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 third in CUSA in both free throws made per game (14.6) and free throws attempted per contest (20.4). That aggressive drive to the rim has helped compensate for rating ninth in CUSA and 305th in the country by committing 18.4 fouls per game.
 
BUILDING BIG LEADS AND HOLDING ON
UTEP has been up by double digits in 16 different games this year, winning all but one of those contests (lost vs. Liberty). The Miners have enjoyed advantages of at least 20 points in eight different contests.
 
OPPONENTS HAVEN'T DONE THAT OFTEN
UTEP has only trailed by double figures in four contests (at Utah Valley, Nov. 9, vs. San Jose State, Nov. 25 in Las Vegas, Nev., against NM State, Jan. 11 and at Kennesaw State, Feb. 20) 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 five 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 69.0 ppg (fifth CUSA/97th 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.
 
CONSTANTLY COMING AFTER YOU
UTEP is averaging a 10.7 steals per game, which puts it second in the country. The Miners led the NCAA last year at 11.4 spg. Dating to the beginning of last season, the Miners have registered at least seven steals in 56 of the past 59 contests.
 
CONSISTENT AS THEY COME
Otis Frazier III has registered double figures in scoring in 22 of the 26 games this season (84.6 percent), which included a 16-game double-digit effort that was halted last time out. He has scored in every game this year and the past 74 overall. Last year he had 20 double-digit scoring efforts in 34 appearances (58.8 percent).
 
STEALS IN BUNCHES FOR CAMPER JR.
Corey Camper Jr. is second in CUSA and 19th nationally at 2.29 steals per game. He has multiple steals in 18 of his 24 appearances (missed two full contests with an injury), including a career-high five vs. UTPB on Nov. 12.
 
KALU MOVES PAST 450 CAREER REBOUNDS
UTEP leading rebounder Kevin Kalu (5.4 rpg-tied 14th CUSA) has moved past 450 career rebounds. He enters the matchup at Jax State with 459 boards in his fourth year as a Miner. Otis Frazier III has the lead for total DI collegiate rebounds (471, including time at George Mason), but Kalu has the edge in terms of rebounds as a Miner (459-410).
 
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 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 10 different contests, with his 1.6 triples per tilt rating tied for 16th 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 (5.1 rpg-tied 21st 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 an 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 3.2 (23rd CUSA).
 
PILED UP 10 WINS OUT OF CONFERENCE
UTEP (now 17-9 overall, 7-6 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 (12 points, career-high 12 rebounds vs. FIU, Feb. 13 and 19 points, 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 three 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. HAS MADE SLOW START AT LINE A THING OF THE PAST
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 since. He is 46-62 (74.2 percent) since the slow start to elevate his season readout to 65.4 (51-78).
 
SHUTTING THEM DOWN
UTEP is 10-0 on the year when allowing 65 points or less in a game. The Miners' scoring defense is at 69.0 ppga (fifth CUSA/97th NCAA) going into the game at Kennesaw State.
 
STRIKE FIRST, STRIKE HARD, NO MERCY
The Miners scored the first five points and NM State never tied it or took the lead for UTEP's fifth wire-to-wire win this season on Feb. 8. 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 six different individuals having led the team in scoring. Otis Frazier III (10) has set the tone. That is followed by Corey Camper Jr. and David Terrell Jr. and Devon Barnes at four, Ahamad Bynum (three) and Kevin Kalu (one).
 
SCORING STREAKS
Otis Frazier III (74) and Devon Barnes (56) both have long streaks for consecutive games scored. Corey Camper Jr. (29) and David Terrell Jr. (28) 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, 14.0 ppg-ninth CUSA, Corey Camper Jr., 10.8 ppg-tied 22nd CUSA, Ahamad Bynum-10.8 ppg-tied 22nd and Devon Barnes-9.7 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 54.9 percent (362-659) of their field goals. David Terrell Jr. (3.8 apg-sixth CUSA) leads the way, aided by a 5.3 apg in CUSA contests (second league-only games). Otis Frazier III (2.6-apg-tied 14th CUSA), Corey Camper Jr. (2.2-tied 16th CUSA) and Devon Barnes (2.1 apg-19th CUSA) have also 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 (14.0 ppg-ninth), assists (2.6 apg-tied 14th), steals (2.35 spg-first CUSA/15th NCAA), blocks (0.8-14th) and free-throw percentage (75.0-13th). The senior tops the Miners in scoring, steals and blocks while rating second for assist. He also leads the team in free throws made (84) and attempted (112) and double-digit scoring efforts (22).
 
CAN'T CONTAIN COREY
Corey Camper Jr. has been one of the top players on the team this season. He is tied for second on the squad for scoring (10.8-tied 22nd CUSA) while sitting second in steals (2.29-second CUSA/19th NCAA). Camper Jr. is also third in the team in assists (2.2 apg-tied 16th CUSA). He has reached double figures in scoring 14 times (missed two CUSA contests with an injury). Camper Jr. also tops the team in minutes played (31.5-tied 10th 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 3.8 assists per game (sixth CUSA) to pace the squad, aided by an average of 5.3 apg in league contests (second CUSA only). His scoring has elevated to 8.6 ppg (5.4 as a freshman), buoyed by double-digit efforts in three straight (longest of career) and five of the past six outings. He is putting up 10.2 ppg in CUSA play to rate second on the squad. Terrell Jr., who often draws the toughest defensive assignment, comes up with 1.5 spg (tied seventh 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 9.7 ppg (fourth on team) to go along with 1.5 steals per game (tied seventh CUSA). He is second on the team for 3-pointers made (38) and third in 3-pointers attempted (111). That results in 1.5 treys made per contest (tied 16th CUSA). Barnes is also good at getting to the line, rating second on UTEP in free throws made (66) and attempted (93). He has been a consistent scorer with 14 double-digit efforts.
 
BYNUM'S A BALLER
Ahamad Bynum has been a key cog for UTEP all year, whether starting (four times) or coming off the bench (20 times). He contributes 10.8 ppg (tied second on team), doing lots of damage from distance. He has made 58-124 (46.8 percent) of his triples, which would be among the national leaders, but he is shy (2.42) of the required 2.5 makes per game. He has sank multiple 3-pointers in 19 of his 24 appearances. He has shot 50 percent or better from distance 14 times. Bynum has compiled 11 double-digit efforts off the bench and 12 times total.
 
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 (7.1 ppg) that output as a senior. Kalu has eight double-digit scoring efforts on the season, including twice pouring in a career-high 14 (vs. Kennesaw State & vs. FIU on Feb. 13) after doing so twice in 91 contests played through his junior campaign. The Maryland native is filling up 61.7 percent (71-115) from the floor while still playing his patented outstanding defense, particularly on ball screens.  He tops the team in rebounding (5.4 rpg-tied 14th CUSA) and is second for blocked shots (0.6-tied 17th CUSA).
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DIGIT STEALS UNDER GOLDING
UTEP has produced 52 games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing so 12 times this year. To put the 52 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 steals per game (10.8) while rating second in turnovers forced per game (17.0). UTEP sports the top-three players in Conference USA for steals, with Otis Frazier III (2.35, first CUSA/15th NCAA) and Corey Camper Jr. (2.29, second/19th) leading the way. Devon Barnes and David Terrell Jr. (1.5-tied seventh CUSA) is also among the CUSA leaders.
 
FRENETIC DEFENSE SETTING TONE
UTEP's pressure defense is paying dividends once again in 2024-25, with the Orange and Blue rating second in the nation in steals per game (10.7) while placing third in turnovers forced per contest (16.9). UTEP topped the nation in both categories last season.
 
PICKING OUR SPOTS FROM DISTANCE
UTEP is ninth in CUSA and 269th in the country by attempting 20.5 triples per game, but the Miners have been locked in when doing so. UTEP is third in the league and 45th in the nation with a readout of 36.9 percent (197-534) from beyond-the-arc.
 
TRIPLES FAVORING THE MINERS
UTEP has made equal to or more 3-pointers than the opposition in 16 of 26 contests this year. The result has been the Miners connecting on 197-534 (37.4 percent-third CUSA/45th NCAA) compared to an effort of 181-565 (32.0 percent-98th 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 at Jax State second in the country in steals per game (10.7 spg) while rating third in turnovers forced per game (16.9). 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.
 
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. (31.5 mpg, tied 10th CUSA), David Terrell Jr. (30.2 mpg-14th CUSA), Otis Frazier III (29.7 mpg-15th CUSA) and Devon Barnes (25.3) are all above 25.0 mpg. Kevin Kalu (21.7 mpg), Ahamad Bynum (20.0 mpg), Trey Horton III (11.2 mpg) and Baylor Hebb (10.8) round out the list.
 
AN OFFSEASON TO REMEMBER
UTEP had a special offseason to help prepare for the year, which included a foreign tour in The Bahamas, an intra-squad scrimmage in Juárez, an 111-62 exhibition win vs. Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (UACH) on Oct. 19 and a charity exhibition 74-70 setback at New Mexico on Oct. 28. The game in Chihuahua was the first preseason scrimmage in Mexico in program history.
 
EVERY ELIGIBLE GUY CAME BACK
UTEP brought back three starters (Corey Camper Jr., Otis Frazier III and Kevin Kalu) and all eight eligible scholarship players (Camper Jr., Frazier III, Derick Hamilton, Baylor Hebb, Trey Horton III, Elijah Jones, Kalu, David Terrell Jr.) from last year's team that piled up 18 wins and advanced to the program's first Conference USA Tournament Championship contest since 2011. The Miners also have redshirts Antwonne Holmes and Babacar Mbengue.
 
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). UTEP is leading the league in both overall attendance (73,778) and average attendance (5,270).
 
HOME COOKING
UTEP has posted 10+ wins in six straight years, including standing at 11-3 in El Paso this season. There are two 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 tied fifth heading to game at Jax State), as voted upon the league's 10 head coaches. It was a relatively close poll, with only 25 points separating the first six teams. LA Tech (87) was tabbed the favorite, followed by WKU (85), Sam Houston (83), Middle Tennessee (69), Liberty (62) and UTEP (62). NM State (39-seventh), Jax State (29-eighth), FIU (17-tied ninth) and Kennesaw State (17-tied ninth). LA Tech (three), Sam Houston (three), WKU (two), Middle Tennessee (one) and Liberty (one) all received at least one first-place vote.
 
A YEAR IN REVIEW
-                Finished the year at 18-16 for the second winning seasons in three years under head coach Joe Golding.
-                Made the program's first appearance in the conference tournament championship contest since 2011.
-                Beat the No. 1 seed Sam Houston in the semifinals, the Miners' first win against a top seed at the league tournament since the 1993 WAC Championships.
-                Became the first team in school history to come back from double-digit deficits to win consecutive contests in a league tournament. UTEP overcame a 12-point deficit vs. Liberty while roaring back from 14 against Sam Houston.
-                Won multiple games at the CUSA tournament for the first time since 2011.
-                Became the lowest seed in school history to advance to the championship contest of the league tournament.
-                Won a game at the league tournament by two points or less for the first time since 1992 after ousting top seed Sam Houston
-                Led the nation in both steals per game and turnovers forced per game.
-                Set school record for total steals and total turnovers forced. UTEP's 389 total steals are the second most ever by a CUSA program since the league's inception.
-                Tae Hardy earned All-District and All-CUSA honors.
-                UTEP had three of the five players on the CUSA All-Freshman Team, including Freshman of the Year David Terrell Jr. Terrell Jr. was joined on the All-Freshman squad by Trey Horton III and Elijah Jones
-                Otis Frazier III was All-CUSA Honorable-Mention and voted to the CUSA All-Defensive Team, the first selection to the squad for UTEP since 2015.
-                Won the 2023 Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the first time under head coach Joe Golding.
 
THE BASIC FACTS ON UTEP'S PROGRAM
-                This is the 104th season of UTEP men's basketball. The Miners made history by starting five African-Americans to defeat Kentucky, 72-65, and win the 1966 NCAA Championship on the way to inspiring the Disney hit movie Glory Road.
-                UTEP has 17 NCAA Tournament appearances (last in 2010), 11 NIT bids (last in 2015), 12 conference championships (last in 2010) and 26 seasons with at least 20+ victories (last in 2015). The Miners have won five league tournaments (last in 2005).
-                The Miners have a strong presence in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with Don Haskins, Nate Archibald, Nolan Richardson, the 1966 team and Tim Hardaway all representing UTEP.
 
GET TO KNOW COACH GOLDING
Joe Golding is in his fourth year at UTEP, and he is the 20th head coach in program history. He is the eighth head coach for the Miners since legendary Hall of Fame Coach Don Haskins retired following the 1998-99 season. Golding is 227-201 in his 14th season as a collegiate head coach, including 69-57 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 nine 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 returns home for its final two home contests of the season. Up first is a matchup vs. WKU at 7 p.m. MT on Thursday. The game will be televised nationally by CBS Sports Network. Jon Teicher (44th year) and Steve Yellen (22nd year) will also be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso, with audio airing on the UTEP Miners app as well. For tickets, please visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or call (915) 747-UTEP.