Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (17-11, 7-8 CUSA) will look to send its three seniors out in style while also getting back into the win column when they play host to streaking Middle Tennessee (19-9, 10-5 CUSA) on "Senior Day" at 2 p.m. MT Saturday. As part of "Fan Appreciation Day," all tickets are $9.15 regardless of seat location. A concessions special is also available for Saturday's game. Fans can purchase a hot dog and soda for just $9.15 (regularly priced at $11). The Miners are ensnared in their first four-game losing streak of the campaign, most recently falling to WKU, 80-73. UTEP trailed by 25 in the first half and got the deficit all the way down to three with 7:33 to play before the Hilltoppers held on. The Blue Raiders have won back-to-back games and four of the past five, including an impressive 71-66 vanquishing of NM State in Las Cruces on Feb. 27. UTEP stands 11-4 at home (4-4 CUSA) while MT sports a mark of 7-5 on the road (5-3 CUSA). Seniors Otis Frazier III, Baylor Hebb and Kevin Kalu will be honored in a pregame ceremony for all they've accomplished, both individually and for the team, since venturing to the Sun City. Following the contest against the Blue Raiders, the Miners will hit the road to wrap up the regular season by playing at Sam Houston (March 6) and at LA Tech (March 8). Those contests will conclude a difficult stretch in which UTEP will have had four of six and seven of 11 in hostile territory before turning its attention to the 2025 CUSA Championships in Huntsville, Ala., from March 11-15. The Orange and Blue are currently in a three-way tie for sixth place in the league standings, along with WKU and LA Tech. Jon Teicher (44th year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso, with audio airing 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. For tickets, please visit www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or call (915) 747-UTEP.
 
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. (2.15 spg-second CUSA/24th 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.
 
SECOND-MOST STEALS IN SCHOOL HISTORY
The Miners registered eight steals against WKU on Feb. 27, bringing their season total to 293. The 2024-25 UTEP squad now rates second all time on the school's single-season list for takeaways. The school standard (389) was set last year, making it the most successful run of steals in school history. With three games remaining in the regular season plus at least one contest in the 2025 CUSA Championships (March 11-15), the program record is safe. The Miners, however, are still leading CUSA and are second nationally at 10.5 steals per game, so this year's squad has a chance to tack on plenty of more thefts.
 
SERIES HISTORY: MIDDLE TENNESSEE LEADS, 12-7
Middle Tennessee holds an 12-7 advantage in the series with UTEP, including winning the past two matchups. The Blue Raiders held off the Miners, 71-68, on Feb. 1 in Murfreesboro, Tenn., in the first meeting of the season. UTEP, however, has claimed the past three tilts when squaring off against MT in the Don Haskins Center. Last season, the two sides split the series, with each squad successfully defending its home court. All 19 matchups between the programs have occurred since the Blue Raiders joined Conference USA for the 2013-14 campaign.
 
GET TO KNOW MIDDLE TENNESSEE (19-9, 10-5 CUSA, 10-3 HOME, 7-5 AWAY, 0-0 NEUTRAL)
Middle Tennessee stormed out to a 5-1 start to power an eventual 9-4 mark in nonconference play. The Blue Raiders split their first two league contest before peeling off four in a row. After falling in two straight and three of four, with the lone win in the sequence being a 71-68 victory against the Miners in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Feb. 1. MT has gotten back on track. It has won four of the past five contests on the way to marching to 19-9 overall and 10-5 in CUSA action. The Blue Raiders are alone in third place in CUSA, but they are a half-game back of Jax State (11-5) and a full-contest behind league-leading Liberty (11-4). MT has a balanced attack offensively with four different players averaging double figures in scoring. Spearheading the charge is Jestin Porter (15.4 ppg-seventh CUSA), and he is a huge threat from 3-point range. Porter is knocking down 38.1 percent (fourth CUSA/70th NCAA) from distance, standing 72-189 overall. His 2.57 3-pointers per game is fifth in the league and 90th country. He also shares the team lead for steals (1.2-tied 16th CUSA) while topping it in playing time as well (33.5-tied third CUSA). Walking double-double machine Essam Mostafa (11 double-doubles-first CUSA/26th NCAA) buoys Porter by putting up 13.7 ppg (tied 10th CUSA) to go along with a league-best 8.6 rebounds per game (41st NCAA). He is the top offensive rebounder in CUSA (3.26-24th NCAA) while also placing fourth in the conference for defensive boards (5.37-95th NCAA). He is shooting nearly 60.0 percent from the floor, making 155-259 (59.8 percent-second CUSA/17th NCAA). Camryn Weston (11.9 ppg-17th CUSA) and Jlynn Counter (10.7 ppg-20th CUSA) are also in double figures for scoring, in addition to sharing the team lead for assists at 3.5 apg-t7th CUSA). Helping Weston's total was dropping 14 dimes against the Miners on Feb. 1. The Blue Raiders don't pace Conference USA in any category as a team, but they are solid across the board. MT is among the CUSA and national leaders in bench scoring (24.1-second/77th), blocks per game (4.6-second/40th), defensive rebounds per game (26.4-sixth/57th NCAA), 3-point percentage defense (31.1-third/53rd) and most importantly, overall winning percentage (67.9-second/63rd NCAA). It is also among the top-100 in the NCAA for field-goal percentage defense (42.0-81st). MT is third as well in CUSA for scoring offense (75.9), field-goal percentage (45.6) and fewest turnovers per contest (11.2). Notable university alumni include Kelly Holcomb (NFL QB, including with the Cleveland Browns, from 1995-2007) and James McGill Buchanan (Nobel Prize Winner).
 
LOOKING BACK (WKU 80, AT UTEP 73 (2/27/25)
UTEP used a huge second half to reduce a once 25-point deficit all the way down to three with 7:33 left in regulation before visiting WKU managed to hold off the Miners, 80-73, at the Don Haskins Center on Feb. 28. The Orange and Blue found themselves down big (38-13) 17 minutes into the contest, with the Hilltoppers seemingly having everything go their way. UTEP closed the half on a 10-2 run to cut the differential to 17 (40-23) at the break. The Miners kept fighting in the second stanza, fighting to get within three points (59-56). WKU did enough to hold on, including an 8-0 surge late in the affair. UTEP had an off night shooting, finishing 18-61 (29.5 percent) from the floor. That was hindered by beginning the game making four of its first 29 shots. It was also 4-25 (16.0 percent) from 3-point range in the tilt.  WKU nailed 27-54 (50.0 percent), even though the Orange and Blue held them to 2-10 (20.0 percent) from beyond-the-arc. Both the makes and attempts from distance for WKU set UTEP opponent season lows.
 
DT LEFT IT ALL ON THE FLOOR
David Terrell Jr. led UTEP in points (14-tied with Devon Barnes), rebounds (eight), assists (five), steals (three) and minutes played (38) against WKU on Feb. 27. It's the second time this season that he has paced the team or shared the squad lead in all of those categories. He also did so against at Middle Tennessee on Feb. 1, finishing with 15 points, a career-high 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals (two others had two) while playing all 40 minutes of action.
 
HIT THE OFFENSIVE GLASS HARD
UTEP pulled down a season-high 15 offensive rebounds against WKU, with Otis Frazier III, Trey Horton, Kevin Kalu and David Terrell Jr. all snagging three offensive caroms. Elijah Jones (two) and Baylor Hebb (one) also got in on the fun.
 
NOT A NEW TREND
With the 15 offensive rebounds against WKU, the Miners have now registered at least 10 boards on the offensive end of the court in a season-long tying three consecutive contests. The last time UTEP produced 10+ offensive caroms in four games or more in a row was when it did so six straight contests in the stretch run of the 2022-23 campaign.
 
ANOTHER NEW LINEUP
For the second straight game, UTEP trotted out a new starting lineup combination. It marked the seventh unique starting five for the Miners.
 
SOMETIMES SHOT DON'T FALL
UTEP's 29.5 shooting from the floor was hindered greatly by going 4-25 (16.0 percent) on 3-pointer. It played a big role in WKU amassing opponent campaign highs in both defensive (36) and total (48) rebounds.
 
THAT'S A LOT OF FOULS
There were a combined 51 fouls between WKU (29) and UTEP (22). It's the second-most fouls in a contest for the Miners this season, trailing only 58 in the game at Utah Valley (31 on UTEP, 27 against UVU). The 29 fouls by the Hilltoppers were by the most by a CUSA opponent since FIU was tagged for 31 on Feb. 9, 2019.
 
GOT TO THE LINE A LOT
UTEP set season highs for both free throws made (33) and attempted (43) against WKU, including knocking down 25-30 (83.3 percent) in the second half alone. The 33 makes are the most for the Miners against a DI opponent since sinking 34 against Southern Miss on Jan. 9, 2020. The 43 attempts were their highest total vs. a DI foe since also trying 43 against Alcorn State on Nov. 22, 2022. The last time UTEP had at least 43 tries from the charity stripe in a CUSA contest was when it was awarded 45 attempts against LA Tech on Jan. 30, 2014.
 
BOUNCING BACK AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
UTEP's readout of 76.7 percent (33-43) at the free-throw line was a step in the right direction. The Miners had been at 52.9 percent (31-59) in the prior two tilts.
 
TRIPS A PLENTY OF LATE
UTEP has attempted at least 24 free throws in three straight games, which is the longest such streak this season. The last time the Miners enjoyed a longer surge was last year, when they put together four consecutive contests with 24+ attempts late in nonconference action. It's a welcome change for the Orange and Blue. They had attempted a total of 23 free throws in the two previous tilts before making it a priority to get downhill and to the line.
 
MARCH IS A WELCOME MONTH
UTEP has rolled to a 9-5 mark under Joe Golding in the month of March. He is 14-6 in March dating to his final year at Abilene Christian.
 
"SENIOR DAY" SUCCESS
UTEP has won five straight contests on "Senior Day," including standing 3-0 in the situation under head coach Joe Golding.
 
FRAZIER III IN FOURTH PLACE FOR STEALS ON UTEP CAREER CHARTS
Otis Frazier III has registered a team-leading 67 steals on the season, with 52 of those coming in the past 18 games. The surge has elevated his career total as a Miner to 169, which puts him fourth all time at UTEP. He officially took over that spot after posting five steals at Jax State on Feb. 22, as he surpassed the late, great Jeep Jackson (165, 1983-87). There is a significant gap between Frazier III and the top-three individuals, who are in the form of school-record holder and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway (262, 1985-89), Randy Culpepper (251, 2007-11) and Julyan Stone (209, 2007-11).
 
MOVING UP THE SINGLE-SEASON STEAL LIST
Otis Frazier III enters Saturday's contest with 67 steals. That puts him tied for sixth all time on the UTEP single-season charts with Randy Culpepper (67, 2008-09), but he has a chance to move on up. He needs two steals to move into fifth place, which is occupied by Tim Hardaway (68, 1986-87). Randy Culpepper (71, 2010-11) is currently fourth. Hardaway holds both the No. 1 and No. 2 slots for the school single-campaign standard (93, 1988-89, 77, 1987-88), with Frazier III's 75 from last year occupying third.
 
ON VERGE OF ANOTHER CLUB
Otis Frazier III (currently 67 steals) needs three more takeaways to join Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway as the only players in school history with at least 70 steals in multiple seasons. Frazier III had the third-most ever by a Miner (75) last year. Hardaway posted a school-record 93 in 1988-89 while recording the second-highest sum (77) at the school the prior year in 1987-88. Frazier III (currently 2.44-first CUSA/12th NCAA) is also on track to post his second straight season with at least 2.0 spg, which would put him alongside Hardaway (three in a row) as the lone Miners to achieve the feat.
 
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.
 
WHAT A DUO FOR DEFENSE
Otis Frazier III (2.39-first CUSA/13th NCAA) and Corey Camper Jr. (2.15 spg-second CUSA/24th NCAA) provide a lethal one-two punch for steals for the Miners. Three games remain 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.
 
WE'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE
The Miners have been saddled with four consecutive losses. Three games remain in the regular season, with two of those coming on the road. If that situation sounds familiar, it's because it's what UTEP was facing at this time last year. The Miners had dropped four straight before getting hot. They won back-to-back road games (at Jax State and at Liberty) before besting FIU on "Senior Day." That momentum carried over to the CUSA Tournament, with the Orange and Blue picking up come-from-behind victories in both the quarterfinals (Liberty) and semifinals (Sam Houston) to advance to the CUSA Championship contest for the first time since 2011. The only difference in the schedule breakdown this year is that the Miners have a chance to halt the slide at home before heading out to the road for the final two contests of the regular season.
 
REGROUP AND LOCK IN ON DEFENSE
After keeping consecutive opponents to just 63 points, the Miners have allowed the last four foes to all record more than 70 points (76/83/73/80). That's a key measuring stick for UTEP, which is 7-11 when the opposition tallies at least 70 points. It remains undefeated (10-0) when opponents do not hit 70 points, but that has happened just twice in CUSA action.
 
GETTING IT DONE IN THE SECOND HALF
UTEP has outscored the opposition in the second half for three straight contests for the first time this year. Most recently, the Orange and Blue had a 50-40 advantage after the break against WKU. The 50 points were the most in any half for the Miners against a DI opponent since incidentally going off for 51 points in the final 20 minutes of action in a 93-87 win against the Hilltoppers last season (Jan. 20, 2024).
 
PLENTY OF BENCH PRODUCTION
Led by Ahamad Bynum's 10.3 ppg (tied second on team, 24th CUSA), UTEP is getting 23.8 ppg from its bench. That is fifth in CUSA and 87th in the country. Aiding those numbers was a 37-point effort at Kennesaw State on Feb. 20, the most vs. a CUSA opponent since Miner back-ups contributed 39 points in a double-overtime loss at Middle Tennessee on Feb. 17, 2024.
 
THE DIME DROPPER
David Terrell Jr. has embraced running the point, especially since the onset of CUSA play. He is dishing out 3.9 apg on the year (sixth CUSA), which is aided by 5.2 apg in league action (second for CUSA only games). He boasts 73 assists and 32 turnovers in 15 CUSA contests, working out to a +2.3 assist-to-turnover ratio (second in CUSA only tilts). His overall assist-to-turnover ratio is +1.7 (ninth CUSA)
 
TERRELL JR.'S SCORING TAKING OFF TOO
 David Terrell Jr. has registered double figures in scoring in six of the past eight games, including a team-high tying 14 points last time out vs. WKU. He is accounting for 12.0 ppg while connecting on 37-65 (56.9 percent) from the floor in the hot streak. Overall, he boasts 11 double-digit scoring efforts this season, with eight 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 15 CUSA contests, Terrell Jr. is grabbing 5.0 rebounds per game. That includes pacing the Miners with 69 defensive rebounds in league play. 
 
FRAZIER III PRETTY CONSISTENT WITH STEALS
Otis Frazier III has recorded at least one steal in 27 of 28 contests this season, including 17 with two or more thefts. Six times he has produced at least four takeaways, including tying the school record (eight) vs. Kennesaw State on Jan. 25.
 
KALU HAS BOUNCED BACK ON THE BOARDS
After UTEP's leading rebounder Kevin Kalu (5.5 rpg-tied 14th CUSA) equaled his second-lowest total for boards of the year with two vs. FIU on Feb. 13, he has posted four straight games with five or more rebounds.
 
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 in an eventual 76-69 setback on Feb. 15.
 
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 19 straight free throws, with his last miss coming in the third game of the season against UTPB on Nov. 12.
 
BYNUM IS LOCKED IN FOR FREE THROWS
After going 5-10 at the charity stripe through the first six contests, Ahamad Bynum has locked in. He has made 31-33 since that point on the way to standing a stout 83.7 percent. (36-43). He has hit 14 straight at the, including going 2-2 last time out vs. WKU.
 
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 7.4 ppg on 62.2 percent shooting (79-127). One factor has been his effort at the line, which has jumped to 62.1 percent (41-66). That's a huge improvement from making 46.6 percent (27-58) last year. Overall, he has produced nine double-digit scoring games to more than 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 14 games this year with at least eight points, and the Miners are 10-4 in those contests. 
 
KALU CLEANING UP THE BOARDS
Kevin Kalu, who tops UTEP in rebounding at 5.5 boards per game (t14th 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 (10 at Jax State, Feb. 22, career-high 12 vs. FIU, Feb. 13, nine at NM State, Feb. 8 and 11 vs. LA Tech, Jan. 2) and David Terrell Jr. (eight vs. WKU, Feb. 27, career-high 11 at Middle Tennessee, Feb. 1 and 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 vs. Middle Tennessee with the ninth-best turnover margin in the country (4.7). The closest to the Miners in terms CUSA foes is Liberty at 2.4. The Orange and Blue rate seventh in the nation for turnovers forced per game (16.5), which helps the cause greatly. UTEP has also registered 12 or fewer giveaways in seven straight and nine of the past 10 contests. That includes making just seven turnovers last time out.
 
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 20th nationally at 14.3 fastbreak points per game.
 
1,000 CAREER POINTS AND COUNTING FOR OTIS
Otis Frazier III surpassed 1,000 for his collegiate career with his first basket against FIU on Feb. 13. He heads into the game vs. Middle Tennessee with 1,059 (including time with George Mason), with the majority of those (972) coming as a Miner.
 
CLOSING IN ON 1,000 POINTS AS A MINER
Otis Frazier III enters the match-up vs. Middle Tennessee with 972 points in a UTEP uniform, giving him a shot to join the Miners' 1,000-career point club. If he can do so, the senior would become the 36th member at the school.
 
A LOOK AT THE LEAGUE STANDINGS
Liberty (11-4) has a half-game lead on Jax State (11-5) for first place in CUSA, followed by Middle Tennessee (10-5) one full game in back. NM State (8-7) occupies fourth place, with Kennesaw State (8-8) a half-contest back. LA Tech, WKU and UTEP are all tied for sixth at 7-8. Sam Houston (4-11) and FIU (3-12) round out the standings. The top-six finishers in the conference advance to the quarterfinals of the CUSA Tournament while teams seven through 10 have to compete in a first-round matchup to earn the right to face the top-two seeds in the quarterfinals.
 
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 10.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 5.2 apg (second CUSA only) and 1.7 spg in 34.3 mpg (fifth CUSA only). The sophomore has registered eight of his 11 double-digit scoring efforts this year in conference play. Overall, he is now producing 8.8 ppg to go along with 4.0 rpg, 3.9 apg (fifth CUSA) and 1.6 spg (tied fourth CUSA) in 30.7 mpg (13th CUSA). He averaged 5.4 ppg as a freshman.
 
BOMBS AWAY FROM 3-POINT RANGE
Ahamad Bynum enters Thursday's matchup making a team-leading 45.8 percent (60-131) from 3-point range, which would be fifth in the nation, but his 2.31 triples per game (seventh CUSA) falls short of the NCAA's requirement of 2.50 treys per tilt. He also has a shot to set 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 (2.3 per game-tied sixth CUSA) has led the charge on 3-pointers. Otis Frazier III and Devon Barnes are at 1.4 treys per tilt to also factor in from distance by tying for 18th in the conference.
 
SHOOTING IT WELL & GUARDING IT TOO FROM DISTANCE
On the season, UTEP has connected on 35.8 percent (205-572) on triples (third CUSA/79th NCAA). The Miners have also guarded the 3-point ball decently, with foes at 31.8 percent (190-598). That puts them at 78th in the nation for 3-point percentage defense.
 
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 (0-10) or tied (0-1) at that juncture.
 
CONVERTING TURNOVERS INTO POINTS
UTEP is accounting for 18.9 points per game off turnovers while foes have managed just 12.6 ppg in the category. UTEP is 15-6 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.
 
IMPROVEMENT IN HOSTILE TERRITORY
The Miners are 4-6 on the road (3-4 CUSA), including winning at NM State for the first time in 14 years 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 a career-high 25-point effort at Jax State on Feb. 22, he has produced four 20+ point tilts this season.
 
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 11-5 on the season when getting on the board first. The Miners have dug themselves early holes the past three tilts, with Kennesaw State, Jax State and WKU urging out of the gates.
 
THAT MAKES SENSE
UTEP has been nearly unbeatable (12-1) this year when shooting it better than the opposition, but it's been a struggle (5-10) 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 second in CUSA in both free throws made per game (15.3-89th NCAA) and free throws attempted per contest (21.5-65th NCAA). That aggressive drive to the rim has helped compensate for rating eighth in CUSA and 301st in the country by committing 18.3 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 on Feb. 15). The Miners have enjoyed advantages of at least 20 points in eight different contests.
 
SCORING LOTS OF POINTS
The Miners are averaging 72.6 points per game, which is equal to last season's squad. There are still three games left in the regular season, but that gives them a chance to have 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 69.6 ppg (fifth CUSA). 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 10.5 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 57 of the past 60 contests.
 
CONSISTENT AS THEY COME
Otis Frazier III has registered double figures in scoring in 23 of the 28 games this season (82.1 percent). That included a streak of 16 straight double-digit efforts (halted at Kennesaw State, Feb. 20), in addition to four 20+ scoring outbursts. He has scored in every contest this year and the past 76 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 24th nationally at 2.15 steals per game. He has multiple steals in 18 of his 26 appearances (missed two full contests with an injury), including a career-high five vs. UTPB on Nov. 12.
 
KALU CLOSING IN ON 475 CAREER REBOUNDS
UTEP leading rebounder Kevin Kalu (5.5 rpg-tied 14th CUSA) is on the verge of 475 career rebounds. He enters the matchup against Middle Tennessee with 472 boards in his fourth year as a Miner. Otis Frazier III has the lead for total DI collegiate rebounds (488, including time at George Mason), but Kalu has the edge in terms of rebounds as a Miner (472-427).
 
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 1.4 triples per tilt rating tied for 18th 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 (5.4 rpg-16th CUSA), is on track to lead the Miners in offensive boards for the second straight season. He is pulling down 2.0 orpg (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 3.3 (22nd CUSA).
 
PILED UP 10 WINS OUT OF CONFERENCE
UTEP (now 17-11 overall, 7-8 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 (career-high 25 points, 10 rebounds at Jax State, Feb. 22, 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 four 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).
 
SHUTTING THEM DOWN
UTEP is 10-0 on the year when allowing 65 points or less in a game.
 
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 (11) has set the tone. That is followed by David Terrell Jr. and Devon Barnes at five, Corey Camper Jr. at four, Ahamad Bynum (three) and Kevin Kalu (one).
 
SCORING STREAKS
Otis Frazier III (76) and Devon Barnes (58) both have long streaks for consecutive games scored. Corey Camper Jr. (31) and David Terrell Jr. (30) each have put up points in at least 20 straight contests.
 
BALANCED APPROACH TO OFFENSE
UTEP's top-four scorers (Otis Frazier III, 14.0 ppg-ninth CUSA, Corey Camper Jr., 10.3 ppg-tied 24th CUSA, Ahamad Bynum-10.3 ppg-tied 24th and Devon Barnes-9.6 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 55.0 percent (385-700) of their field goals. David Terrell Jr. (3.9 apg-fifth CUSA) leads the way, aided by a 5.2 apg in CUSA contests (second league-only games). Otis Frazier III (2.5-apg-15th CUSA), Corey Camper Jr. (2.1-tied 19th CUSA) and Devon Barnes (2.1-tied 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 (2.5 apg-15th), steals (2.39 spg-first CUSA/13th NCAA), blocks (0.7-tied 14th) and free-throw percentage (74.2-13th). The senior tops the Miners in scoring and steals, shares it in blocks while rating second for assists. He also leads the team in free throws made (92) and attempted (124) and double-digit scoring efforts (23).
 
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 (10.3-tied 24th CUSA) and alone in second for steals (2.15-second CUSA/24th NCAA). Camper Jr. is also tied for third in the team in assists (2.1 apg-tied 19th CUSA). He has reached double figures in scoring 15 times (missed two CUSA contests with an injury). Camper Jr. also tops the team in minutes played (30.8-12th 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 fouling out three times, but he hasn't done so since. He is dishing out 3.9 assists per game (sixth CUSA) to pace the squad, aided by an average of 5.2 apg in league contests (second CUSA only). His scoring has elevated to 8.8 ppg (5.4 as a freshman), buoyed by double-digit efforts in six of the past eight outings. He is putting up 10.4 ppg in CUSA play to rate second on the squad. Terrell Jr., who often draws the toughest defensive assignment, comes up with 1.6 spg (tied fourth 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 9.6 ppg (fourth on team) to go along with 1.5 steals per game (tied eighth CUSA). He is third on the team for 3-pointers made (38) and attempted (117). That results in 1.4 treys made per contest (tied 18th CUSA). Barnes is also good at getting to the line, rating second on UTEP in free throws made (78) and attempted (108). He has been a consistent scorer with 16 double-digit efforts.
 
BYNUM'S A BALLER
Ahamad Bynum has been a key cog for UTEP all year, whether starting (five times) or coming off the bench (21 times). He contributes 10.3 ppg (tied second on team), doing lots of damage from distance. He has made 60-131 (45.8 percent) of his triples, which would be among the national leaders, but he is shy (2.31-sixth CUSA) of the required 2.5 makes per game. He has sank multiple 3-pointers in 20 of his 26 appearances. He has shot 50 percent or better from distance 15 times. Bynum has compiled 11 double-digit efforts off the bench and 13 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 (7.2 ppg) that output as a senior. Kalu has nine 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 two times in 91 contests played through his junior campaign. The Maryland native is filling up 62.2 percent (79-127) from the floor while still playing his patented outstanding defense, particularly on ball screens.  He tops the team in rebounding (5.5 rpg-tied 14th CUSA) and shares the lead for blocked shots (0.7-tied 14th 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 is second country in steals per game (10.5) while rating seventh in turnovers forced per game (16.5). UTEP sports the top-two players in Conference USA for steals, with Otis Frazier III (2.39, first CUSA/13th NCAA) and Corey Camper Jr. (2.15, second/24th NCAA) leading the way. David Terrell Jr. (1.6-tied four CUSA) and Devon Barnes (1.5-tied eighth CUSA) are 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 (10.5) while placing seventh in turnovers forced per contest (16.5). UTEP topped the nation in both categories last season.
 
PICKING OUR SPOTS FROM DISTANCE
UTEP is ninth in CUSA and 271st in the country by attempting 20.4 triples per game, but the Miners made the most of the limited chances. UTEP is third in the league and 79th in the nation with a readout of 35.8 percent (205-572) from beyond-the-arc.
 
TRIPLES FAVORING THE MINERS
Even with foes having hit more 3-pointers in three of the past four games, UTEP has drained equal to or more 3-pointers than the opposition in 17 of 28 contests this year. The result has been the Miners connecting on 205-572 (35.8 percent-third CUSA/79th NCAA) compared to an effort of 190-598 (31.8 percent-78th 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. Middle Tennessee second in the country in steals per game (10.5 spg) while rating seventh in turnovers forced per game (16.5). 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. 20 games played) averaging at least 10.0 minutes per game. Corey Camper Jr. (30.8 mpg, 12th CUSA), David Terrell Jr. (30.7 mpg-13th CUSA) and Otis Frazier III (29.7 mpg-15th CUSA) are among the CUSA leaders. Devon Barnes (24.9), Kevin Kalu (21.9 mpg), Ahamad Bynum (19.8 mpg), Trey Horton III (11.2 mpg) and Baylor Hebb (11.0) 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 and KJ Thomas 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 tops the league in overall attendance (78,100) this year while rating second in average attendance (5,207) behind NM State (5,230).
 
HOME COOKING
UTEP has posted 10+ wins at the Don Haskins Center in six straight years, including standing at 11-4 in El Paso this season. The game against Middle Tennessee is the final on tap in El Paso for the season, with the Orange and Blue looking to send their seniors out in style. 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 for sixth heading to game vs. WKU), 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 227-203 in his 14th season as a collegiate head coach, including 69-59 at UTEP. He has enjoyed two winning campaigns in three years and is mathematically assured of another in 2024-25. Golding 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 will open the final road trip of the regular season when it plays at Sam Houston at 5:30 p.m. MT/6:30 p.m. CT Thursday. Jon Teicher (44th year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso, with audio airing on the UTEP Miners app as well. It will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).