Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (17-12, 7-9 CUSA) will open its final week of the regular season by playing at Sam Houston (11-18, 4-12 CUSA) at 5:30 p.m. MT/6:30 p.m. CT Thursday. The Miners are coming off a hard-fought 76-75 OT loss at the hands of Middle Tennessee. The Bearkats have lost two straight after winning three in a row. UTEP will be looking to complete the season sweep of Sam Houston, in addition to getting back into the win column. The Orange and Blue have dropped five straight, but they been competitive in those contests. UTEP held leads late in both regulation and OT against the Blue Raiders before coming up just shy. The Miners are 4-6 on the road (3-4 CUSA). Sam Houston is 7-4 at home (3-4 CUSA). UTEP bested the Bearkats, 81-72, on the opening week of the conference slate. It marked the Miners' sixth straight victory at the time. Otis Frazier III, who surpassed 1,000 career points in his collegiate career vs. FIU on Feb. 13, has 985 points in a Miner uniform. He's seeking to be the 36th member of the 1,000-point club at UTEP, and the 17th to do so in three seasons or less. The game is vital for the Miners, who are still mathematically alive for finishing in the top six for CUSA and locking in a spot in the quarterfinals of the CUSA Tournament. Currently UTEP is tied for seventh in the standings with WKU at 7-9, but the Hilltoppers hold the tiebreaker. LA Tech, which will host the Miners in the regular-season finale for both squads at 1 p.m. MT/2 p.m. CT Saturday, sits alone in sixth place in CUSA with a mark of 8-8. Teams that finish 7-10 the CUSA standings will play a first-round contest at the CUSA Championships on March 11, with the winner from the No. 8/9 taking on the top seed and the victor of No. 7/10 battling the second seed in the quarterfinals on March 12.  Jon Teicher (44th year) will be on the call for Thursday's matchup 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).

SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 10-2
UTEP won the first eight matchups with Sam Houston-with each of them in El Paso- before the Bearkats swept the series in the regular season last year. The Miners have won the past two meetings, ousting No. 1 seed Sam Houston from the 2024 CUSA Championships in the semifinals. More recently, UTEP downed the Bearkats, 81-72, in El Paso on Jan. 4, 2025, on the first weekend of league play this year. This will be the second meeting all time between the programs in Huntsville, Texas. Last year, Sam Houston successfully defended its home court, 60-56. Prior to last season, UTEP hadn't faced the Bearkats since an 87-68 Miners' victory in the championship contest of the 2015 WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational on Dec. 22, 2015. 
 
GET TO KNOW SAM HOUSTON (11-18, 4-12 CUSA, 7-4 HOME, 3-13 AWAY, 1-1 NEUTRAL)
Preseason Conference USA favorite Sam Houston put together a 7-6 mark in nonconference play, and it was the lone program in the league to have a top-100 NET nonconference strength of schedule. The Bearkats battled three Power Five programs. Sam Houston dropped its first three league tilts, including an 81-72 loss at UTEP on Jan. 4, before getting in the win column by besting FIU, 81-74, on Jan. 11. Seven consecutive setbacks ensued, with three of those coming in overtime. The Bearkats got back on track by peeling off three triumphs in a row, which started by taking out league-leading Jax State, 66-61. They stacked two more wins on top, besting Kennesaw State at home (78-76, Feb. 15) and drilling WKU on the road (78-62, Feb. 20. Sam Houston has lost the past two tilts, being held off, 74-70, at Middle Tennessee on Feb. 22. Last time out, LA Tech took out the Bearkats, 90-66, in Huntsville. They enter the matchup against the Miners at 11-18 overall, including 4-12 in CUSA action. They stand 7-4 at home (3-4 CUSA). Sharpshooter Lamar Wilkerson is the key cog for Sam Houston, pouring in 19.7 ppg (second CUSA/25th NCAA). He is lights out from 3-point range, nailing 44.0 percent (first CUSA/ninth NCAA). He makes a whopping 3.31 3-pointers per tilt (first CUSA/eighth NCAA). Wilkerson rarely comes off the court, logging 34.4 minutes per contest (second CUSA/88th NCAA). His overall field-goal percentage is also in the CUSA rankings (47.2-fifth CUSA), in addition to his effort at the charity stripe (82.1-fourth CUSA). Cameron Huefner (13.9 ppg-10th CUSA) and Marcus Boykin (11.7 ppg-18th CUSA) are also in double figures for scoring. Sam Houston, along with Kennesaw State, is the only other program in CUSA to have two players in the top 10 of the conference for scoring. It is a team effort on the boards, with five different Bearkats grabbing at least 4.0 rpg. Kalifa Sakho leads the way at 6.3 rpg (10th CUSA), followed by Dorian Finister (5.7-13th CUSA). Boykin runs the offense with 4.8 assists per game (third CUSA-62nd NCAA), in addition to being a nuisance on defense with 1.5 steals per contest (tied sixth CUSA). Buoyed by Wilkerson, Sam Houston leads CUSA and is sixth nationally in 3-point shooting (39.1). It is also in the league and national leaders for 3-pointers per contest (8.7-second CUSA/78th NCAA). Overall, the Bearkats are pouring in 75.2 ppg (fifth CUSA), but they are last in the conference in scoring defense (75.8-287th NCAA). Impacting that is letting opponents connect on 44.7 percent (10th CUSA/229th NCAA) from the floor. Notable university alumni include retired Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell, who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart and inspired the movie, Lone Survivor, Dan Rather (famed national news anchor) and Charlie Wilson, member of US House of Representatives who was portrayed in the movie Charlie Wilson's War featuring Tom Hanks.
 
LOOKING BACK (MIDDLE TENNESSEE 76, AT UTEP 75, OT (3/1/25)
Senior Kevin Kalu poured in a career-high 26 points while snagging nine rebounds and fellow classmate Otis Frazier III registered a double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds), but UTEP was held off by Middle Tennessee in overtime, 76-75, on "Senior Day" at the Don Haskins Center on March 1. The Miners led for nearly 35 minutes of action, including being up by six (66-60) with 3:27 remaining in regulation. The Blue Raiders hit two big 3-pointers to tie the tilt. Frazier III's shot to win it in the waning seconds dropped out, sending the game to OT. UTEP went ahead by four (74-70) with 2:05 remaining in the extra period. The edge was one (75-74) after a David Terrell Jr. free throw. MT jumped back into the lead with a driving layup from Kamari Lands with five seconds left. After a missed free throw, UTEP got the rebound called time out to draw up a potential game-winning play. The Miners raced up the court and got it to Kalu, but his jumper in the paint was blocked and time expired.
 
BIG GAME FROM BIG KEV
Kevin Kalu's 26 points are the most points by a Miner post player since Bryson Williams (28) against LA Tech on Jan. 22, 2021. He was 8-11 from the floor and 10-11 at the charity stripe, all of which set career highs.
 
BACK-TO-BACK GAMES IN DOUBLE DIGITS
Kevin Kalu has registered consecutive contests with double figures in scoring for the second time of his career. He did so earlier this year. The senior has never peeled off three consecutive contests with at 10+ points.
 
BYNUM GOT AFTER IT TOO
Ahamad Bynum netted 16 points, aided by knocking down four 3-pointers. He also grabbed a career-high five rebounds while logging a career-most 30 minutes of playing time.
 
TOP-15 FOR TREYS ON SINGLE-SEASON LIST
Ahamad Bynum has buried 64 triples on the year, which is tied for 13th all time on the UTEP single-season list. He needs to drain five more 3-pointers to crack the program's top-10 charts. His 142 attempts, however, don't even make the top 20 at the school.
 
CHASING BEST PERCENTAGE IN A SEASON
Ahamad Bynum has connected on 45.1 percent (64-142) from distance. That figure would be second all time in a single season at UTEP (min. 1.0 3-pointers made per game). The school standard is held by Roy Smallwood (1999-00), who was 28-61 (45.9 percent) as a freshman. It should be noted that Bynum has nailed more than twice as many treys. Smallwood is the only player in program history to finish at 45.0 percent or better in a season (min. 1.0 triples made per game).
 
ALMOST TOP-FIVE SPOT FOR TREYS AS TEAM
UTEP enters the matchup at Sam Houston having nailed 210 triples on the season. The Miners are three 3-pointers shy of taking over fifth place (212, 2019-20) on the school single-season charts, five away from moving into fourth (214, 1994-95) and eight away from taking over third place (217, 2007-08). The program single-season standard is 259 (2021-22) with 223 makes (2015-16) holding onto second.
 
GUARDING THE 3-BALL WELL
The year isn't finished yet, but UTEP's current 3-point percentage defense of 31.2 (198-635) would place fourth on the program's single-season list. To crack the top five, however, the Miners will have to lock in as the 1992-93 and 2009-10 squads finished with a 3-point percentage defense of 31.3.
 
THAT'S A LOT OF TRIPLES TO DEFEND
Middle Tennessee finished 8-37 (21.6 percent) from 3-point range last time out. It marked the most triple attempts by a UTEP opponent since Colorado State finished 12-41 (29.3 percent) in a 99-90 OT Miners' victory on Nov. 28, 2015.
 
PILED UP THE REBOUNDS
Even though Middle Tennessee finished with 14 offensive boards, it could have been much worse in the overall differential (48-42, MT). The Miners set season highs for both defensive caroms (37) and overall rebounds (42). The 37 defensive boards are the most by UTEP against a CUSA opponent in the Joe Golding era. It equaled the most by the Miners in a conference tilt since they also snagged 37 vs. UTSA on Jan. 30, 2021.
 
FIRST OT GAME OF THE SEASON
The OT contest against MT was UTEP's first since incidentally going to double-overtime against the Blue Raiders on the road during the 2023-24 season. In that matchup, MT held off the Miners, 96-90, in 2OT in Murfreesboro on Feb. 17, 2024.
 
THAT'S 11 STRAIGHT GAMES AS ASSIST LEADER FOR DT
David Terrell Jr. has paced the team in assists in 11 consecutive contests, compiling 62 helpers in the stretch for a readout of 5.6 apg. That's the longest streak by a Miner since Jamal Bieniemy had 16 such games in a row (Dec. 8, 2020-Feb. 6, 2021). Bieniemy had the outright lead in nine tilts while sharing it seven times whereas Terrell Jr. has been the solo top distributor in all 11 games during the surge.
 
TERRELL JR. INTO TOP-FIVE ASSIST LIST FOR UTEP SOPHOMORES
David Terrell Jr. has recorded 111 assists this year which are the fifth-most helpers in a single season by a sophomore at the school. He needs two move dimes to move past Jason Williams (112, 2003-04) on the list. Prince Stewart (126, 1988-89) occupies third. It's also the most assists by a UTEP sophomore since Julyan Stone's (236, No. 1 on sophomore list, No. 2 regardless of class) in 2008-09. Terrell Jr.'s 3.96 apg would be the most since Stone (6.38, 2008-09) and fourth on the program's single-campaign average for sophomores.
 
FOUR DOUBLE-DOUBLES FOR OTIS
Otis Frazier III has posted double-doubles in two of the past three contests and four times total this year. The rest of the team has two on the campaign. The four double-doubles are the most by a Miner since Shamar Givance also registered four in 2022-23, but the Toronto, Ontario, native did so with points and assists that season while Frazier III has used the more conventional points and rebounds. The last UTEP player to have more than four double-doubles in a campaign was Bryson Williams with five in 2020-21.
 
ANOTHER TURNOVER-FREE GAME FOR BARNES
Devon Barnes dished out two assists with no turnovers last time out against Middle Tennessee. It marked his fifth consecutive contest without any giveaways. He has logged 101 minutes in that timeframe. Overall, he boasts the top assist-to-turnover ratio on the team (min. 30 assists), standing at +2.26. He has 61 helpers to 27 giveaways. In league contests, that improves to +3.7 (37-10).
 
GOT BACK TO SHARING THE BALL BETTER
UTEP had good ball movement against Middle Tennessee, racking up 16 assists on 27 made field goals. That equals the Miners' third-highest total in CUSA action. It was also UTEP's most helpers since compiling 22 vs. FIU on Feb. 13.
 
BACK-TO-BACK GAMES WITH 70+ POINTS
UTEP has scored 70+ points in consecutive contests for the first time since doing so vs. Kennesaw State (W, 73-71, Jan. 25) and at WKU (L, 78-74, Jan. 30). The Miners haven't eclipsed 70 points in three straight games since a four-tilt stretch spanning the end of nonconference play and the beginning of league action (Dec. 21, 2024-Jan. 4, 2025).
 
DEFENSE THE KEY TO GETTING ON TRACK
UTEP is undefeated this season (10-0) when allowing less than 70 points, but 7-12 when yielding above that figure. Five straight foes have topped 70 points, although Middle Tennessee did have 66 at the end of regulation last time out on March 1.
 
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT AT THE LINE
UTEP has connected on 75.4 percent (49-65) at the charity stripe the past two tilts. The Miners had struggled to the tune of 52.9 percent (31-59) in two contests before the turnaround.
 
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 (2.38-first CUSA/11th NCAA) and Corey Camper Jr. (2.07 spg-second CUSA/31st 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 posted seven steals last time out vs. Middle Tennessee, elevating their seasonal total to 300. The 2024-25 UTEP squad is second all time on the school's single-season list for takeaways. The program standard (389) was set last year, making it the most successful run of steals in school history. With two 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 third nationally at 10.5 steals per game, so this year's squad has a chance to make it harder for future teams to catch it.
 
MARCH IS A WELCOME MONTH
UTEP has rolled to a 9-6 mark under Joe Golding in the month of March. He is 14-7 in March dating to his final year at Abilene Christian. The Miners had a close call last time out, falling in OT, 76-75, to Middle Tennessee.
 
"SENIOR DAY" STREAK IS HALTED
With the narrow setback to Middle Tennessee last time out, it stopped a five-game winning streak for the Orange and Blue on "Senior Day." UTEP is now 3-1 in the situation under head coach Joe Golding.
 
LEADING WITH FIVE MINUTES LEFT STREAK STOPPED TOO
UTEP lost for the first time this year (17-1) when leading with five minutes to play in the contest against Middle Tennessee.  Dating to last season, the Orange and Blue had won 21 in a row when up with five minutes remaining in regulation. Incidentally, the last time UTEP had sustained a setback in the situation was in a double-overtime defeat (96-90) at Middle Tennessee on Feb. 17, 2024.
 
FRAZIER III IN FOURTH PLACE FOR STEALS ON UTEP CAREER CHARTS
Otis Frazier III has registered a team-leading 69 steals on the season, with 54 of those coming in the past 19 games. The surge has elevated his career total as a Miner to 171, which puts him fourth all time at UTEP. He officially took over that spot after posting five steals at Jax State on Feb. 22, surpassing 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 Thursday's contest with 69 steals this season. That puts him fifth place on UTEP's single season charts. With two takeaways last game, he vaulted past both Randy Culpepper (67, 2008-09) and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway (68, 1986-87). He is three thefts away from taking sole possession of fourth place. 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 69 steals) needs just one steal 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 2.38-first CUSA/11th 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 only 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 (2.38-first CUSA/11th NCAA) and Corey Camper Jr. (2.07 spg-second CUSA/31st NCAA) provide a lethal one-two punch for steals for the Miners. Two 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.
 
SHARING THE LOAD ON THE BOARDS
Otis Frazier III and Kevin Kalu share top honors on the team with 5.6 rebounds per contest (tied 14th CUSA). Kalu is snagging 4.0 defensive rebounds per contest (14th CUSA while Frazier III stands at 3.5 drpg (23rd CUSA). Frazier III (2.1-eighth CUSA) tops the squad at the other end of the court. Frazier III paced UTEP in offensive rebounds per game last night.
 
PLENTY OF BENCH PRODUCTION
Led by Ahamad Bynum's 10.5 ppg (tied second on team, 23rd CUSA), UTEP is getting 23.7 ppg from its bench. That is fourth 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 4.0 apg on the year (fifth CUSA), which is aided by 5.3 apg in league action (second for CUSA only games). He boasts 84 assists and 36 turnovers in CUSA play, working out to a +2.3 assist-to-turnover ratio (third in CUSA only tilts). His overall assist-to-turnover ratio is +1.8 (tied eighth CUSA)
 
TERRELL JR.'S SCORING TAKING OFF TOO
 David Terrell Jr. has registered double figures in scoring in six of the past nine games. He is accounting for 11.0 ppg while connecting on 38-69 (55.1 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 CUSA action, Terrell Jr. is grabbing 4.9 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 28 of 29 contests this season, including 18 with two or more thefts. Six times he has produced at least four takeaways, including tying his own school record (eight) vs. Kennesaw State on Jan. 25.
 
KALU HAS BOUNCED BACK ON THE BOARDS
Kevin Kalu (5.6 rpg-tied 14th CUSA) equaled his second-lowest total for boards of the year with two vs. FIU on Feb. 13, he has posted five straight games with five or more rebounds. He had nine caroms last time out to go along with his career-high 26 points, making him just one board shy of another double-double.
 
GET THE LEAD AT THE HALF AND IT GENERALLY GOES WELL
UTEP is 14-4 on the campaign when leading at the half. The Miners, however, had been 14-2 on the season when up at the break before losing the past two times (up 35-32 vs. Liberty, L, 76-69, Feb. 15 and up, 33-31, vs. Middle Tennessee, L, 76-75, OT, March 1) in the situation.
 
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
 
PRETTY SOLID IN ONE-POSSESSION GAMES
UTEP is 5-3 on the season in one-possession contests, but it did fall last time out in that situation (L, 76-75, in OT, vs. Middle Tennessee on March 1).
 
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 line.
 
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 8.0 ppg on 63.0 percent shooting (87-138). One factor has been his effort at the line, which has jumped to 66.2 percent (51-77). That's a huge improvement from making 46.6 percent (27-58) last year. Overall, he has produced 10 double-digit scoring games, including a career-best 26 points last time out vs. Middle Tennessee. That is five times as many double-figure efforts (two) over 91 appearances in his first three years with the Miners.
 
PRETTY GOOD WITH BALANCED SCORING
UTEP is 11-2 on the season when four or more players reach double figures in scoring, but the Miners haven't accomplished the feat since doing so vs. FIU on Feb. 13. 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 Sam Houston with the eighth-best turnover margin in the country (4.5). The closest to the Miners in terms CUSA foes is Liberty at 2.4. The Orange and Blue rate sixth in the nation for turnovers forced per game (16.4), which helps the cause greatly. UTEP has also registered 12 or fewer giveaways in eight straight and 10 of the past 11 contests.
 
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 22nd 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 1,072 (including time with George Mason), with the majority of those (985) coming as a Miner.
 
CLOSING IN ON 1,000 POINTS AS A MINER
Otis Frazier III enters the game at Sam Houston with 985 points in a UTEP uniform, giving him a shot to join the Miners' 1,000-career point club as early as Thursday's tilt. He would become the 36th member at the school, and the 17th to accomplish the feat in three seasons or less.
 
A LOOK AT THE LEAGUE STANDINGS
Jax State (12-5) has a half-game lead on both Liberty (11-5) and Middle Tennessee (11-5). NM State (9-7) occupies fourth place, with Kennesaw State (9-8) a half-contest back. LA Tech has sole possession of the sixth place while UTEP and WKU are tied for seventh. The Hilltoppers, however, have the tiebreaker with the Miners. Sam Houston (4-12) and FIU (3-13) 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. Sam Houston and FIU are locked into a first-round contest, but a lot of other things could happen in the final week of league play.
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 in CUSA action, tallying 9.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 5.3 apg (second CUSA only) and 1.7 spg (tied third CUSA only) in 34.5 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 8.6 ppg to go along with 3.9 rpg, 4.0 apg (fifth CUSA) and 1.5 spg (tied sixth CUSA) in 30.9 mpg (15th CUSA). He averaged 5.4 ppg as a freshman.
 
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.
 
CONVERTING TURNOVERS INTO POINTS
UTEP is accounting for 18.6 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, 0-1 when tying for it 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.
 
THAT MAKES SENSE
UTEP has been nearly unbeatable (12-2) 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 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 (15.3-91st NCAA) and free throws attempted per contest (21.5-62nd NCAA). That aggressive drive to the rim has helped compensate for rating seventh in CUSA and 291st in the country by committing 18.3 fouls per game.
 
BUILDING BIG LEADS AND HOLDING ON
UTEP has been up by double digits in 17 different games this year, and it holds a 15-2 mark in those tilts. The Miners have enjoyed advantages of at least 20 points in eight different contests.
 
SCORING LOTS OF POINTS
The Miners are averaging 72.7 points per game. 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 69.8 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. In 2023-24, the Miners accounted for 72.6 ppg.
 
CONSTANTLY COMING AFTER YOU
UTEP is averaging a 10.3 steals per game, which puts it third 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 58 of the past 61 contests.
 
CONSISTENT AS THEY COME
Otis Frazier III has registered double figures in scoring in 24 of the 29 games this season (82.8 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 77 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 2.07 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 MOVES PAST 475 CAREER REBOUNDS
Kevin Kalu, who shares the team lead with Otis Frazier III in rebounding at 5.6 rpg (tied 14th CUSA), pulled down nine boards last time out to elevate his career total to 481 in his fourth year as a Miner.
 
ONE MORE REBOUND TO GET TO 500 FOR OTIS
Including his time with George Mason, Otis Frazier III enters the game at Sam Houston with 499 rebounds in his collegiate career. He has the majority of those (438) as a Miner.
 
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.
 
PILED UP 10 WINS OUT OF CONFERENCE
UTEP (now 17-12 overall, 7-9 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 (13 points, 11 rebounds, vs. Middle Tennessee, March 1, 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 five 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).
 
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 (two).
 
SCORING STREAKS
Otis Frazier III (77) and Devon Barnes (59) both have long streaks for consecutive games scored. Corey Camper Jr. (32) and David Terrell Jr. (31) each have put up points in at least 30 straight contests.
 
BALANCED APPROACH TO OFFENSE
UTEP's top-four scorers (Otis Frazier III, 14.0 ppg-ninth CUSA, Ahamad Bynum-10.5 ppg-23rd CUSA, Corey Camper Jr., 10.2 ppg-25th CUSA and Devon Barnes-9.4 ppg) have made it difficult for the opposition to key on just any one player.
 
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 55.2 percent (401-727) of their field goals. David Terrell Jr. (4.0 apg-fifth CUSA) leads the way, aided by a 5.3 apg in CUSA contests (second league-only games). Otis Frazier III (2.6-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 (2.6 apg-15th), steals (2.38 spg-first CUSA/11th NCAA), blocks (0.7-tied 14th) and free-throw percentage (72.9-13th). The senior tops the Miners in scoring and steals, shares the lead in blocks and rebounding (5.6-tied 14th CUSA) while rating second for assists. He also paces the team in free throws made (97) and attempted (133) and double-digit scoring efforts (24).
 
CAN'T CONTAIN COREY
Corey Camper Jr. has been one of the top players on the team this season. He is second on the squad in steals (2.07-second CUSA/31st NCAA), is alone in third for scoring (10.2-25th CUSA) and tied for third on 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 4.0 assists per game (fifth 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 six of the past nine outings. He is putting up 9.9 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 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 been a solid addition, tallying 9.4 ppg (fourth on team) to go along with 1.4 steals per game (tied 10th CUSA). He is third on the team for 3-pointers made (38) and attempted (120). That results in 1.3 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 (22 times). He contributes 10.5 ppg (second on team), doing lots of damage from distance. He has made 64-142 (45.1 percent) of his triples, which would be among the national leaders, but he is shy (2.37-sixth CUSA) of the required 2.5 makes per game. He has sunk multiple 3-pointers in 21 of his 27 appearances, including drilling four last time out. He has shot 50 percent or better from distance 15 times. Bynum has compiled 12 double-digit efforts off the bench and 14 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 (8.0 ppg) that output as a senior. Kalu has 10 double-digit scoring efforts on the season, including a career-high 26 points vs. Middle Tennessee last time out. He posted two double-figure efforts in 91 contests played through his junior campaign. The Maryland native is filling up 63.0 percent (87-138) from the floor while still playing his patented outstanding defense, particularly on ball screens.  He ties for the team lead in both rebounding (5.6-tied 14th CUSA) and 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 four 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 third in the country in steals per game (10.3) while rating sixth in turnovers forced per game (16.4). UTEP sports the top-two players in Conference USA for steals, with Otis Frazier III (2.38, first CUSA/11th NCAA) and Corey Camper Jr. (2.07, second/31st NCAA) leading the way. David Terrell Jr. (1.5 tied sixth CUSA) and Devon Barnes (1.4-tied 10th 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 third in the nation in steals per game (10.3) while placing sixth in turnovers forced per contest (16.4). UTEP topped the nation in both categories last season.
 
PICKING OUR SPOTS FROM DISTANCE
UTEP is ninth in CUSA and 267th in the country by attempting 20.5 triples per game, but the Miners have made the most of the limited chances. UTEP is third in the league with a readout of 35.3 percent (210-595) from beyond-the-arc.
 
TRIPLES FAVORING THE MINERS
Even with foes having hit more 3-pointers in four of the past five games, UTEP has drained equal to or more 3-pointers than the opposition in 17 of 29 contests this year. The result has been the Miners connecting on 210-595 (35.3 percent-third CUSA) compared to an effort of 198-635 (31.2 percent-fifth CUSA/53rd 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).
 
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. (31.2 mpg, 12th CUSA), David Terrell Jr. (30.9 mpg-13th CUSA) and Otis Frazier III (29.9 mpg-15th CUSA) are among the CUSA leaders. Devon Barnes (24.7), Kevin Kalu (22.3 mpg), Ahamad Bynum (20.2 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 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
For the first time in three years, UTEP led all Conference USA programs for average home attendance (5,247). It is the fourth consecutive campaign that the Orange and Blue have topped the league for overall total home attendance (83.954).
 
HOME COOKING
UTEP has posted 10+ wins at the Don Haskins Center in six straight years, including finishing at 11-4 in El Paso this 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 for seventh heading to game vs. at Sam Houston), 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 227-204 in his 14th season as a collegiate head coach, including 69-60 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 conclude the regular season by playing at LA Tech at 1 p.m. MT/2 p.m. Saturday. The Miners will be looking for their second win in Ruston in the past four years after going not having done so since the 2003-04 campaign. 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 Will Conerly and Spencer Pattison