Game Notes

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (6-11, 2-4 CUSA) will take its shot at first-place and undefeated in conference play Liberty (14-3, 6-0 CUSA) on the road at 1 p.m. MT/3 p.m. ET Saturday. The Miners are coming off an exciting 70-69 victory at Delaware, their first on the road of the season, on Jan. 15. UTEP trailed by 10 late in the first half and was down six at the break before rallying for the win. The Flames also pulled out an exhilarating triumph by holding off NM State, 73-71, to march to 9-0 at home and secure their best start in league play (6-0) since 2018-19. It is the first of two meetings on the season between the programs, with LU set to visit the Sun City for a Valentine's Day matinee (12 p.m., 2/14). The Miners have claimed two of their past three games after enduring a 2-10 stretch. The contest will put the finishing touches on a brutal sequence of nine of 13 outside of El Paso (two neutral, seven road), including five of seven in hostile territory to begin league action. Liberty is rolling at home (9-0) while the Orange and Blue stand 1-6 on the road, but the Miners are undefeated (2-0) against the Flames inside Liberty Arena. UTEP is aiming for consecutive road league victories for the first time since last year (W, 72-70, at Liberty, 1/16/25 and W, 81-73, at FIU 1/18/25), which is almost a year ago to the date. If UTEP can pull off the upset, it would also be the initial two-game winning streak (vs. DI opposition) since knocking off NM State on the road (W, 66-63, 2/8/25) and FIU at home (W, 77-63, 2/13/25). Jon Teicher (45th year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners' App. It will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required), Matt Warner (play-by-play), Paul Nazigian (analyst) and Emily Austen (sideline reporter) describing the action.
 
GET TO KNOW LIBERTY (14-3, 6-0 CUSA)
Defending CUSA regular-season and tournament champion Liberty is enjoying another fantastic campaign in 2025-26. The Flames are white hot, entering the matchup against UTEP riding an eight-game winning streak and stand 14-3 overall (second straight year to be 14-3). LU is atop CUSA at 6-0 (every other team with at least two losses), with that start being its best in conference play since 2018-19 when it was a member of the ASUN. The Flames are a flawless 9-0 at home and have claimed 14 of the last 15 contests inside Liberty Arena dating to last year, including holding off NM State, 73-71, on Jan. 15. They boast a +25.2 scoring margin (88.1-62.9) in Lynchburg, with seven of those wins by double figures. Only Kennesaw State (W, 81-73, 1/2) and the Aggies have kept it to single digits. That has been aided by outscoring foes by an average of 45.0-26.7 in the opening frame when playing in Lynchburg. The average is 43.6-36.2 in the second half at home. Once again, the Flames have tormented the opposition with lights out shooting throughout the season. They pace CUSA in 3-point percentage (40.1-sixth NCAA) and treys made per game (10.5-25th NCAA), along with overall field-goal percentage (52.3-fourth NCAA). LU is also among the league leaders and top-100 nationally for assist-to-turnover ratio (+2.01-first/third), assists per game (17.8-first/32nd), fewest fouls per game (14.1-first/11th), scoring defense (67.9-third/50th), scoring margin (+12.4-first/47th), 3-point attempts per game (26.2-second/96th), turnover margin (+2.5-third/63rd), fewest turnovers per game (8.9-first/third) and winning percentage (82.4-first/25th). All five starters for the Flames are in double figures for scoring, with Brett Decker Jr (17.6 ppg-fifth CUSA/91st NCAA), Kaden Metheny (13.1-13th CUSA), Colin Porter (11.2-28th CUSA), Zach Cleveland (11.1 ppg-29th CUSA) and JJ Harper (10.8-38th CUSA) making life tough for the opposition. Decker Jr. (49.6 percent, first CUSA/fourth NCAA) and Metheny (37.8-third CUSA/91st NCAA) are lights out from distance. Decker Jr. nails 3.5 triples per tilt (first CUSA/11th NCAA) while Metheny knocks down 2.7 on average (fourth CUSA/91st NCAA). Cleveland does it all, topping the team in assists per game (7.6-first CUSA/third NCAA), blocks per game (1.4-fourth CUSA), double-doubles (six-first CUSA/35th NCAA) and rebounding (8.4-first CUSA/54th NCAA). He does the bulk of his work on the defensive boards (7.6-first CUSA/sixth NCAA). Due to getting so much from its starting five, Liberty doesn't have a lot of bench scoring (16.4-ninth CUSA/323rd NCAA). It also is among the lower part of the rankings for fastbreak points (7.9-11th CUSA/317th NCAA), free-throw attempts per game (16.3-11th CUSA/335th NCAA), free throws made per game (11.3-11th CUSA/339th NCAA), rebound margin (-2.8-11th CUSA/305th NCAA) and offensive rebounds per game (6.4-12th CUSA/360th NCAA). The Flames boast a proud history with seven conference crowns and seven bids to the NCAA Tournament (1994, 2004, 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2025). LU has been especially successful since the 2018-19 season, rating among the top 10 nationally for most wins (190). Notable university alumni include Terry Fator (Ventriloquist who won America's Got Talent, former Vegas Headliner), Toby Mac (hip-hop artist) and Phil Snyder (voice actor known for Disney's Jiminy Cricket.
 
SERIES HISTORY: TIED, 3-3
The series with UTEP is tied, 3-3, with the Flames having claimed the most-recent two matchups to even the ledger. That includes the then No. 1 seed Liberty knocking off the Miners, 81-60, in the quarterfinals of the 2025 CUSA Tournament. UTEP is 2-0 against the Flames inside Liberty Arena, besting them 67-51 in 2023-24 before pulling out a 72-70 victory last season. All six matchups have occurred since the Flames joined CUSA.
 
LAST GAME (UTEP 70, AT DELAWARE 69, 1/15/26)
Kaseem Watson poured in 20 points, including the go-ahead score on an And-1 with 55 seconds left, while Jamal West Jr. posted a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) to help lead UTEP to a 70-69 victory at Delaware on Jan. 15. Caleb Blackwell (15 points), Elijah Jones (10 points) and KJ Thomas (nine points) also got after things offensively to help the Miners rally past the homestanding Fightin' Hens for their second win in the past three tilts. It also marked their first road triumph of the campaign.
 
ERASING DOUBLE-DIGIT DEFICIT AGAIN
UTEP overcame a 10-point deficit (25-15, 5:41, 1H) in the 70-69 win at Delaware. It marked the third time this season the Miners have rallied from a double-digit deficit (tied most since '21-22). They previously did so against North Dakota State (trailed 14-2, 15:50, 1H, W, 76-66, 12/22) and vs. St. Thomas of Houston (down, 41-28, 00:36, W, 84-83, OT, 11/19).
 
DOESN'T MATTER HOW MUCH YOU LEAD FOR
UTEP's largest edge was three points (3-0, 19:15, 1H), and it only was up for 6:26 total in the contest, but it stayed composed throughout on the way to the one-point victory at Delaware.
 
BIG RUN FUELED BIG SECOND HALF
UTEP opened the second half on a 17-9 run on the way to outscoring Delaware, 40-30, after the break to erase a six-point halftime deficit. Kaseem Watson gave the Miners the lead for good with an And-1 with 55 seconds left to put them up 68-66.
 
TOOK GREAT CARE OF THE BALL
The Miners finished with only four turnovers (one in first half) in the win at Delaware, the fewest in a game since committing three vs. LA Tech last year (1/2/25). It is the lowest amount of giveaways in a road tilt since UTEP also committed at Old Dominion (1/15/22).
 
BOMBS AWAY FOR CB
Caleb Blackwell, in his second game back from injury, equaled his career high in both 3-pointers made (four) and attempted (seven) in the win at Delaware. He finished with 15 points in the game, and he was one of four Miners to reach double figures in scoring.
 
KASEEM HIT THEM TOO
Kaseem Watson also got after it from 3-point range, nailing 3-7 from distance to help fuel his team-high 20 points.
 
ALL 70 POINTS FROM THE STARTERS
Every point (70) in the win at Delaware came from the starters, with Miner reserves finishing a combined 0-3 from the floor in roughly 30 minutes of playing time across the board from the four backups.
 
WON WITHOUT REBOUNDING WELL
UTEP lost the boards (39-32) at UD, but it found a way to win. It marked just the second time this season that the Miners have emerged victorious when failing to win the battle of the boards.
 
GOTTA GET TO 70
The Miners improved to 6-1 on the season when reaching 70 points with the 70-69 win at Delaware.
 
WE CAN WIN THEM CLOSE
UTEP improved to 3-1 on the year in contests decided by three points or less, with two of those triumphs coming by a single point (W, 84-83, OT, vs. St Thomas, 11/19 and W, 70-69, at Delaware, 1/15). It's the first time in six years that the Miners have picked up multiple wins by one point (W, 71-70, vs. Ball State, 12/23/19 and W, 67-66, at Middle Tennessee, 1/30/20).
 
ONE-POINT ROAD WIN
The Miners' 70-69 win at Delaware marked their first victory by a single point on the road since they derailed then CUSA member Charlotte, 87-86, eight years ago (2/15/18).
 
BLOCK PARTY
UTEP has blocked six shots in back-to-back contests. It marks the first time since the 2021-22 season that the Miners have rejected at least six shots in consecutive contests. That year the Orange and Blue achieved the feat vs. UTSA (seven, 1/20/21) and at the Roadrunners (11, 1/23/21). The effort has lifted the Miners to 3.9 bpg, which is fifth in CUSA and approaching the top-100 nationally (110th).
 
WATCH OUT FOR JONES AND WEST JR.
The duo of Elijah Jones (22 blocks, 1.3 bpg-sixth CUSA) and Jamal West Jr. (21 blocks, 1.2 bpg-ninth CUSA) has accounted for 43 of UTEP's 66 rejections on the season. No one else has more than six swats. With two more blocked shots, Jones will surpass his total (23) from a year ago.
 
JONES BLOCKING SHOT IN BUNCHES
Elijah Jones has recorded three blocked shots in three consecutive contests. He's the first Miner to reject at least three attempts in three straight games in 12 years. In 2013-14, Matt Willms blocked a trio of shots in three straight tilts down the stretch at North Texas (3/2/14), at UTSA (3/6/14) and vs. East Carolina (3/12/14).
 
WEST JR. SWATTING SHOTS NIGHTLY
Jamal West Jr. has rejected at least one shot in 12 consecutive contests. That is the longest streak by a Miner since John Bohannon's 12-game surge in 2013-14. West Jr. has piled up 16 swats during the stretch.
 
JAMAL DOESN'T MISS MUCH
Jamal West Jr. is connecting on 59.7 (79-135) of his shots on the year, which leads CUSA and is 30th in the nation. Overall, he is second on the team in scoring at 13.0 ppg (14th CUSA), helped by a squad-leading 11 And-1s. He has nailed better than 65 percent from the floor nine times total this season, including going 7-9 (77.8 percent) at Delaware.
 
WE LIKE THURSDAYS
UTEP marched to this year when playing on Thursdays with the win at Delaware. The Miners will be in search of their first victory on a Saturday (0-3) of the campaign at Liberty.
 
HEALTH CHECK
With two Miners (David Tubek and Tyreese Watson), sidelined to injuries at Delaware, UTEP has now lost 17 man-games to injury after having only three such contests a year ago. It's the most such man-games lost to injury since the 2023-24 campaign when that figure also was 17. The last time they had more was in '22-23 (34). Watson has been out for nine in a row while it's five straight for Tubek.
 
TALK ABOUT A LEAP
Elijah Jones has stepped things up at both ends of the court this year. He tops the team in scoring (13.5-11th CUSA). He is also second in field-goal percentage (50.9 percent-third CUSA) and tied for second in blocked shots (1.2-eighth CUSA) and rebounding (4.5 rpg). He has hit a triple in 10 straight games, the longest streak since Otis Frazier (12) and Ahamad Bynum (12) last year. Jones averaged 3.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg in 2024-25 and 3.9 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 2023-24.
 
KASEEM IS COOKING
Kaseem Watson has reached double figures in scoring in 10 of the past 13 contests, including 20+ points in three of the past four games. Watson is the first Miner to do so since Souley Boum tallied 20+ points in four of the final five contests of the 2021-22 campaign. Watson is accounting for 14.2 ppg during the hot streak, which has raised his seasonal output from 8.4 to 12.5 ppg (19th CUSA).
 
DROPPING THOSE DIMES
KJ Thomas has registered at least four assists in six of the past eight games. He has recorded 34 assists (4.3 apg) compared to just 18 turnovers (2.3 tpg) while securing 31.1 mpg on average in the stretch. Thomas has vaulted to a squad-best 3.6 apg (eighth CUSA). Thomas's assist-to-turnover ratio has also improved to +1.97 (eighth CUSA).
 
STILL FINDING A WAY TO SCORE TOO
While defense, ball-handling and setting up teammates for success has been his focus, KJ Thomas has found a way to score as well of late. He has tallied at least six points in five straight games after failing to produce back-to-back such efforts (vs. DI competition) over his first 41 contests played. He had nine points last time out (4-6 FG, 1-1 FT) at Delaware.
 
THE TRIO BRINGS IT EVERY NIGHT
UTEP's top three scorers (Elijah Jones, 13.5 ppg-11th CUSA, Jamal West Jr., 13.0 ppg-14th CUSA and Kaseem Watson, 12.5 ppg-19th CUSA) bring it offensively every single night. Jones has recorded double figures in scoring in 15 of 17 contests (lowest output has been eight) while West Jr. boasts 12 such efforts and Watson has 11 double-digit efforts. Watson has done so in seven of the past nine games while West Jr. has achieved the feat in eight of the last 10.
 
TALK ABOUT A DISCREPANCY AT THE LINE ON THE ROAD
Opponents have made a living at the charity stripe during the Miners' seven road games. Foes have gone 129-190 (67.9 percent) compared to UTEP's effort of 66-99 (66.7 percent). In the Orange and Blue's four league road tilts, the opposition is 71-108 (65.7 percent) as opposed to the Miners standing 42-57 (73.7 percent).
 
TURNING THE CORNER AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
After making a combined 17-37 at the free-throw line between games at Hawaii (12/13) and against Norfolk State (12/21), UTEP has locked in during its trips to the charity stripe. The Miners are 100-136 (73.5 percent) in the past seven games.
 
ICE IN THE VEINS
Kaseem Watson was a perfect 2-2 at the line (one-and-one opportunity) for two huge insurance points in the win at Delaware. He previously went 4-4 from the stripe in the final five seconds to help hold off Middle Tennessee, 83-80, in OT on Jan. 8. Watson enters the matchup at Liberty having made 14 straight free throws to move to 76.8 percent (43-56) on the season.
 
WEST JR. SURGING ON THE BOARDS
Jamal West Jr. has piled up 84 rebounds (8.4 rpg) over the past 10 games, aided by three double-doubles (at Delaware, 1/15, vs. Norfolk State, 12/21 and at Seattle U, 12/7) during the stretch. The effort has vaulted his rebounding average to 6.8 rpg (12th CUSA), which would be the highest by a Miner since Bryson Williams's readout of 7.4 rpg in 2020-21. West Jr. put up 4.4 rpg in the first seven contests of the campaign. Overall, West Jr. has shared or led the squad outright in the category 10 times, and he has been a beast on the offensive boards (2.7 orpg-seventh CUSA).
 
KJ SETTLED IN AS A STARTER
KJ Thomas has started seven straight games, contributing 6.6 ppg, 4.1 apg and 3.1 rpg in 32.1 mpg to help the Miners go 3-4 in the stretch. Overall, Thomas has earned 10 starting nods after coming off the bench in all 28 appearances as a true freshman.
 
CONSISTENCY WITH SCORING
Elijah Jones (15), Jamal West Jr. (12) and Kaseem Watson (11) have been the most consistent scorers in terms of double-digit point totals this year. Jones reached double figures the first 13 contests, which was the longest streak out of the gates by a Miner since the legendary Randy Culpepper (14, 2009-10).
 
MIX AND MATCHING THE STARTING FIVE
UTEP has deployed seven different starting lineups in 17 contests this year. The Miners' most common unit is also their most successful one. The quintet of Caleb Blackwell, KJ Thomas, Kaseem Watson, Elijah Jones and Jamal West Jr. stands 4-2 in the situation, which was how the Miners tipped things off last time out at Delaware.
 
SCORING FROM LOTS OF PLAYERS
In 10 of the 17 contests this year, at least four UTEP players have reached double figures in scoring. Elijah Jones has been the most consistent with 15 such efforts. That included the first 13 games, which was the longest such stretch to start a season by a Miner in 16 years (Randy Culpepper, 16, 2009-10). Jamal West Jr. (12) and Kaseem Watson (11) have buoyed his efforts. Caleb Blackwell (five in 14 GP), KJ Thomas (four) and Tyreese Watson (three in seven GP) also have multiple games with 10+ points.
 
GETTING OFFENSIVE
Elijah Jones (13.5 ppg-11th CUSA), Jamal West Jr. (13.0 ppg-14th CUSA) and Kaseem Watson (12.5 ppg-19th) are all in double figures for scoring on average to lead the charge on offense for the Orange and Blue. The last time UTEP had at least three players produce 12.0 ppg or more in a season was during Joe Golding's first year (2021-22) on the sidelines. That campaign, it was in the form of Souley Boum (19.9 ppg), Jamal Bieniemy (14.7 ppg) and Keonte Kennedy (14.1 ppg).
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Jamal West Jr. (three) and LA Hayes (one) are the lone Miners on the year to have produced double-doubles. Hayes came off the bench to register his first career double-double with 10 points and a career-high 10 rebounds (four offensive) in the 83-80 OT win vs. Middle Tennessee on Jan. 8. West Jr. put up 16 points and grabbed 10 boards in the win at Delaware (1/15). He posted a pair over the course of a three-game span in nonconference play (21 points, Miner season-high 14 rebounds at Seattle U, 12/7 and 16 points, 13 boards vs. Norfolk State, 12/21).
 
STEALS HAVE BEEN SECONDARY IN NATURE TO US
The Miners enter the game at Liberty averaging 7.9 spg (third CUSA/91st NCAA), although that figure has dipped of late. UTEP has been among the very best in the nation for the category the past few years under Joe Golding. The Orange and Blue were second nationally for steals per game in 2024-25 (10.2), led the country in 2023-24 (11.4) and were 12th in the NCAA in 2022-23 (9.0). They topped CUSA in each of those campaigns.
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DIGIT STEALS UNDER GOLDING
UTEP has produced 60 games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing so six times this year. To put that overall figure under Golding into perspective, consider that it matches the total such efforts (60) in the prior 15 seasons combined prior to Golding's arrival (started for 2021-22 season).
 
TURNING TEAMS OVER IS WHAT WE'VE DONE
UTEP enters the game at Liberty with the opposition committing 13.6 giveaways per game (second CUSA/76th NCAA), although that has dropped off of late. The Miners have led CUSA and been among the best, if not the best in the country, in that area the past three years (2024-25, 16.0-sixth, 2023-24, 18.7-first and 2022-23,16.8-10th).
 
WAS A DAUNTING NON D1 SCHEDULE
UTEP endured a challenging nonconference DI foes. Through Jan. 15, those eight opponents have combined to go 98-48, with three (Hawaii, North Dakota State and No. 23 Utah State) currently in first place of their respective leagues
 
QUICK RUNDOWN
- Lost all five starters and 11 letter winners overall from last year.
- Lost 89.0 percent of scoring, 77.7 percent of the rebounding, 90.3 percent of its assists, 90.8 percent of the steals and 74.7 percent of its blocks.
- Returned four players from last year, including two who started the opener (Elijah Jones & KJ Thomas), and another (Jordan Hernandez) who made his UTEP debut.
- Ten newcomers joined the squad, including DI transfers C.J. Smith (Oklahoma State), David Tubek (Seton Hall), Tyreese Watson (ULM), third-team All-MEAC member Kaseem Watson (Delaware State) and back-to-back All-Southland Conference second-team honoree Jamal West Jr. (Nicholls State). Second-team NJCAA All-American and the No. 12 JUCO player nationally Caleb Blackwell (South Plains), first-team all-conference and NJCAA All-Tourney team LA Hayes (Frank Phillips College) and 2025 NJCAA National Champion Mouhamed Mbaye (Trinity Valley CC) venture from the JUCO ranks. Three-star recruit Bobby Montgomery Jr. (Mt. Zion Prep) is a true freshman. DII transfer and second-team All-GAC recipient Cassius Brooks (Arkansas Tech), who scored more than 900 points in two years, rounds out the list of newcomers.
 
WINNING WAYS WITH GOLDING
UTEP head coach Joe Golding has led his squad to three winning seasons in four years, securing 18+ wins in each of them. That hadn't happened since the Miners claimed 18+ games in four straight seasons from 2012-16. UTEP has also posted consecutive campaigns with 18 wins for the first time since that stretch.
 
HOME COOKING
The Miners are 5-3 thus far at home (1-1 CUSA), and they are looking for 10+ wins in the Sun City for the sixth straight year (eight home games left). UTEP was 11-5 at the Bear's Den last year, including winning the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the second straight year.
 
WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE
UTEP went 4-2 in nonconference play this year on the way to improving to 26-4 at home in nonconference games dating to the start of the 2022-23 campaign. The Miners were 7-0 in the Sun City in the situation last year. It was the first undefeated effort (min. five games) in the area since 2019-20 (8-0).
 
THE BEST FANS IN CONFERENCE USA
UTEP has led Conference USA in attendance for either total number of fans or average attendance for all four years of head coach Joe Golding's tenure. In 2024-25 the Orange and Blue topped the league in both categories. UTEP averaged a CUSA-best 5,247 fans and had a league-most 83,954 pass through the turnstiles.
 
PRESEASON PREMONITIONS
UTEP was predicted to finish eighth in Conference USA for the 2025-26 season, as voted upon by the league's head coaches. Defending regular-season and tournament champion Liberty (143) led the way, followed by Kennesaw State (113), NM State (113), Middle Tennessee (103), LA Tech (82), WKU (79), Jax State (67), the Miners (66), Sam Houston (56), FIU (36) and league newcomers Delaware (35) and Missouri State (30). UTEP did not land anyone on the league's All-CUSA Preseason Team.
 
A YEAR IN REVIEW
-                Compiled a record of 18-15 in 2024-25, marking the third season of at least 18 triumphs in four years under head coach Joe Golding.
-                Outlasted I-10 rival NM State, 66-63, on the road, for its first victory against the Aggies in the Pan-American Center in 14 years.
-                Won the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational for the second straight season.
-                Surged out to the best record through 20 games (15-5) in 15 years.
-                Won at least one contest at the CUSA Championships for the second consecutive campaign. That hadn't happened since an eight-season run (2010-17).
-                Nailed 241 triples, the second-most in a single season in program history.
 
 THE BASIC FACTS ON UTEP'S PROGRAM
-                This is the 105th season of UTEP men's basketball. The Miners made history by starting five African-Americans to defeat Kentucky, 72-65, and win the 1966 NCAA Championship on the way to inspiring the Disney hit movie Glory Road.
-                UTEP has 17 NCAA Tournament appearances (last in 2010), 11 NIT bids (last in 2015), 12 conference championships (last in 2010) and 26 seasons with at least 20+ victories (last in 2015). The Miners have won five league tournaments (last in 2005).
-                The Miners have a strong presence in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with Don Haskins, Nate Archibald, Nolan Richardson, the 1966 team and Tim Hardaway all representing UTEP.
 
GET TO KNOW COACH GOLDING
Joe Golding is in his fifth year at UTEP, and he is the 20th head coach in program history. He is the eighth head coach for the Miners since legendary Hall of Fame Coach Don Haskins retired following the 1998-99 season. Golding is 234-218 in his 15th season as a collegiate head coach, including 76-74 at UTEP. He has enjoyed three winning seasons in four years, piling up at least 18 triumphs in those campaigns above .500. He stands fifth all-time on the school's list for career victories. He is two wins shy of taking over fourth place and could get to as high as third by year's end if UTEP can get things going. Tony Barbee (82-52, 2006-10) and George McCarty (77-58, 1954-59) hold third and fourth, respectively. Golding set the tone for his tenure in his first year on the sidelines in the Sun City in 2021-22. He became the fourth head coach in program history to have a winning season in their initial season. Don Haskins was the first to do so when he directed the Miners to a mark of 18-6 in 1961-62. Doc Sadler (27-8, 2004-05) and Tim Floyd (25-10, 2010-11) also achieved the feat. Overall, the prior 19 head coaches combined to forge an average record of 9-13 in their first year with UTEP. Previously Golding spent 10 years at Abilene Christian (158-144), helping it transition from a Division II to a Division I program. Golding led the Wildcats to the 2019 and 2021 NCAA Tournaments, including a stunning upset as a 14-seed of third-seeded Texas in the first round of the 2021 Big Dance.
 
UP NEXT
UTEP returns to the 915 to open a four-game homestand. The Miners will begin it things vs. FIU at 7 p.m. MT on Thursday before locking up with Missouri State at 2 p.m. MT on Jan. 24. They will then wrap it up against LA Tech (7 p.m. MT, 1/28) and vs. Delaware (7 p.m., 1/31). Overall, UTEP has eight home games left in the season, and there are special pricing plans in place. Fans can purchase all eight remaining home games and sit anywhere in the arena for just $73.20 ($9.15 per game). Fans also have the option to purchase all five remaining Saturday home games and sit anywhere in the arena for just $60. Every single-game premium-priced ticket (over $20) will be $20 for the rest of the 2025-26 campaign.  The lowest ticket price continues to be just $9.15.  Jon Teicher (45th year) and Steve Yellen (23rd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso for all four contests. They will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required), with Andy Morgan and former Miner assistant coach Bobby Braswell describing the action.
 

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