Game Notes

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (6-12, 2-5 CUSA) will play host to FIU (9-5, 2-5 CUSA) at 7 p.m. MT Thursday. The contest is the first of four straight at home for the Miners, something they haven't experienced in league play since the 2019-20 campaign. The game also initiates a stretch of six of the next eight at the Don Haskins Center. It is a much-needed sequence for the Orange and Blue after they had five of their first seven CUSA tilts and nine of the past 13 tilts (seven road, two neutral) outside of El Paso. UTEP split its road trip to the Eastern Time Zone last week, knocking off Delaware, 70-69, on Jan. 15 before falling last time out to conference leader Liberty, 80-69, on Jan. 17. The win against the Fightin' Blue Hens was the Miners' first on the road this season.  FIU enters the matchup at UTEP having lost four in a row, and the Panthers are seeking their first road triumph (0-6, 0-3 CUSA) of the season. UTEP stands 5-3 at home (1-1 CUSA). The two league home games tie as the fewest with Sam Houston across CUSA. The Orange and Blue will be seeking to avenge a 76-64 setback in Miami against the Panthers on Jan. 4, which incidentally was the last time FIU tasted victory. 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.
 
GET TO KNOW FIU (9-9, 2-5 CUSA)
FIU comes into the game at 9-9 overall, including 2-5 in CUSA play. After a sluggish start to the season, the Panthers enjoyed a 7-2 stretch to march to 9-5, 2-1 in CUSA play. That included a 76-64 win in Miami against UTEP on Jan. 4, but FIU has lost four in a row since to dip to 9-9 overall (2-5 CUSA). The next victory for the Panthers will allow them to match last year's both overall (10-23) and league (3-15) triumph total. Part of the problem for FIU has been its struggles on the road (0-6, 0-3 CUSA). In fact, it has dropped 16 consecutive contests overall on the road dating to last year. The last triumph in the situation came at Stetson (W, 81-72, 12/24/24). It is fallen in 20 straight CUSA road tilts, with the last victory coming at Rice (W, 90-83, 3/4/23). FIU has had some close calls in hostile territory this year, including falling by eight at Missouri State (L, 79-71, 1/10), by seven at Jax State (L, 71-64, 1/7) and by three at Kennesaw State (L, 89-86, 1/14). FIU is in the midst of a brutal stretch with seven of ninth away from home. Jeremy Ballard is in his eighth season (107-133.) The Panthers pressure a lot defensively while getting out in transition on every opportunity they have. The result is them putting up 83.7 ppg (third CUSA/58th NCAA), aided by 15.0 fastbreak points per game (second CUSA/46th NCAA). FIU allows 78.3 ppg (12th CUSA/297th NCAA), but it does come up with 10.1 steals per game (first CUSA/ninth NCAA)  The Panthers are also among the CUSA leaders and top 100 nationally for assists per game (16.9-second/54th), bench scoring (28.1-fifth/77th), blocks per game (5.1-second/24th), free throw made (17.2-third/77th) and attempted (25.4-third/31st) per contest, offensive rebounds per tilt (13.9-fourth/21st), total rebounds per game (39.2-fifth/54th), turnover margin (+2.9-first/45th) and turnovers forced per game (15.8-first/13th). Individually, Corey Stephenson has torched the opposition with 17.5 ppg (fifth CUSA). Julian Mackey (12.8 ppg-18th CUSA), Zawdie Jackson (10.6 ppg) and Hamed Olayinka (10.1 ppg) are also in double figures for scoring while Eric Dibami (9.3 ppg) and Ashton Williamson (8.2 ppg) also can get buckets. Jackson (3.6 apg-10th CUSA) and Williamson (3.2 apg-13th CUSA) have both been playmakers while Olayinka (1.6 bpg-second CUSA/81st NCAA) and Dibami (1.5 bpg-third CUSA/87th NCAA) have defended the rim vigorously. Dibami has produced four double-doubles (second CUSA/95th NCAA). Dibami (6.9 rpg-10th CUSA), Stephenson (6.8 rpg-11th CUSA) and Olayinka (6.6 rpg-15th CUSA) have been all over the boards. All three (Dibami-3.1-second CUSA/39th NCAA, Stephenson-3.2-fifth CUSA/54th NCAA) and Olayinka-2.8-sixth CUSA/86th NCAA) are especially active on the offensive glass. Both Jackson (1.47 spg-eighth CUSA) and Dibami (1.44 spg-10th CUSA) are among the top 10 in the league for steals. Notable school alumni include Andy Garcia (actor who starred in Ocean's 11) and Dennis Lehane (author of Mystic River).
 
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 19-4
UTEP leads the series with FIU, 19-4, but the Panthers did knock off the Miners, 76-64, in Miami in the first meeting of the season between the programs on Jan. 4. That ended a three-game winning streak for UTEP in the series. The Orange and Blue are 17-4 (including the CUSA) tournament) vs. the Panthers since they joined the league. The past two tilts have both been decided by double digits, reversing a trend of four in a row where it was a single-digit contest. The Miners boast a mark of 10-1 at home against FIU, with the lone setback coming in the 2015-16 campaign (L, 79-69, 1/23/16).
 
LAST GAME (AT LIBERTY 80, UTEP 69, 1/17/26)
Elijah Jones (21 points) and Caleb Blackwell (career-high 20 points) both put up 20+ points while Kaseem Watson (12 points) also reached double figures in scoring, but league-leading Liberty held off the UTEP men's basketball team, 80-69, inside Liberty Arena on Jan. 17. The Miners showed plenty of fight, closing the opening frame on a 16-2 surge to climb within three (41-38) at the break. UTEP eventually pulled even at 49 after Blackwell bombed home a 3-pointer from way downtown. The deficit was just two (53-51) before the Flames put together a 15-3 run to create some separation, and this time the Orange and Blue were unable to recover.
 
HOT FROM 3-POINT LAND
The Miners were 11-23 (47.8 percent) from 3-point range at Liberty, setting season bests for both triples made and 3-point percentage. It marked the most treys in a road game for UTEP since it went 11-22 (50.0 percent) at UC Santa Barbara (11/20/24). It was also the most triples in a league road tilt since the Miners drilled 14-26 (53.8 percent) at then CUSA member Southern Miss (2/19/22).
 
BLACKWELL WAS SIZZLING
Caleb Blackwell drained a career-best six 3-pointers on the way to a career-most 20 points at Liberty. He was the first Miner to make at least six treys in a tilt since Ahamad Bynum (6-8 vs. Sul Ross State, 11/4/24). Tae Hardy (6-8 vs. FIU, 3/7/24) was the last Miner to do so vs. DI opposition. Jamal Bieniemy (7-11, at Rice, 2/5/22) had been the most-recent UTEP play to hit at least six 3-pointers on the road.
 
TALK ABOUT A TWO-GAME STRETCH
Caleb Blackwell is a combined 10-18 (55.6 percent) from 3-point range the past two games, going 4-7 at Delaware (1/15) and 6-11 at Liberty (1/17). He has tallied 35 points in the sequence, putting him on the verge of averaging double figures (9.9 ppg) for scoring on the season. It's his highest ppg at any point of the year.
 
CB DID MORE THAN JUST SHOOT
In addition to knocking down six three pointers, Caleb Blackwell matched his career high with seven assists at Liberty. He's the first Miner with at least six triples and seven or more assists in a game in eight years. Dominic Artis nailed six treys and dropped 10 dimes vs. Southern Miss (2/11/17).
 
RUNNING WHEN WE CAN
UTEP has a combined advantage of 14-2 in fastbreak points the past two tilts. The Miners won the category at both Delaware (7-0, 1/15) and at Liberty (7-2, 1/17) on their roadswing last week.
 
KASEEM IS PLAYING HEAVY MINUTES
For the second time of his collegiate career, Kaseem Watson has registered at least 35 minutes of playing time in four straight games. He also had a four-game streak of 35+ minutes with Delaware State last year.
 
MULTIPLE 20+ POINT SCORERS AGAIN
For the second time this season, the Miners had multiple players put up 20+ points in the contest at Liberty. Elijah Jones led the way with 21 while Caleb Blackwell added 20. It previously happened in the OT win vs. MTSU (1/8/26) when Kaseem Watson notched 23 points and Elijah Jones added 20.
 
DIDN'T NEED OT THIS TIME FOR THE 20+ POINT SCORERS
UTEP had two players (Elijah Jones, 21 and Caleb Blackwell, 20) tally at least 20 points at Liberty. It marked the first time the Miners had two or more players do so in a non OT contest since last year in the 79-76 victory at UCSB (11/20/24). That game Devon Barnes (23) and Otis Frazier III (21) both led the charge.
 
LOTS OF 20+ POINT SCORERS LATELY
The Miners have had a 20+ point scorer in four of the past five contests, with a pair of those games featuring multiple players with 20+ points. That is the best such stretch at the school since there was a 20+ point scorer in eight out of nine contests late in the 2021-22 season. That year it was courtesy of both Souley Boum (seven) and Jamal Bieniemy (two) during that sequence, with both reaching 20+ points in the same game once in stretch.
 
WATCH OUT FOR JONES AND WEST JR. AT THE RIM
The duo of Elijah Jones (24 blocks, 1.33 bpg-seventh CUSA) and Jamal West Jr. (21 blocks, 1.17 bpg-11th CUSA) has accounted for 45 of UTEP's 68 rejections on the season. No one else on the team has more than six swats. With two blocked shots at Liberty, Jones has now registered his most in a single season as a Miner. His prior best was 23, a year ago. The last time the Orange and Blue had an individual record at least 30 blocked shots was in 2021-22 with Tydus Verhoeven (32).
 
JONES BLOCKING SHOT IN BUNCHES
Elijah Jones has been a shot-blocking machine of late. He has swatted 11 shots over the past four games (3/3/3/2). Jones had a total of 13 blocks in his first 14 contests of the campaign, with five of those coming vs. DII WNMU (11/7). The surge has lifted him to 1.3 bpg (seventh CUSA). His total of 24 rejections rank fifth in the league.
 
WEST JR. SWATTING SHOTS NIGHTLY
Jamal West Jr.'s streak of at least one block in 12 consecutive contests was halted at Liberty (1/17). It had been the longest streak by a Miner since John Bohannon also had a 12-game surge in 2013-14. Overall, West Jr. has produced at least one rejection in 15 of the 18 tilts this season.
 
THIS TEAM CAN RALLY
UTEP has won three different games this year in contests when it trailed by double figures. The Miners overcame a 10-point deficit (25-15, 5:41, 1H) in the 70-69 win at Delaware (1/15). 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).
 
WE CAN WIN THEM CLOSE
UTEP is 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).
 
TALKING ONE-POINT ROAD WINS
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, nearly eight years ago (2/15/18).
 
GOTTA GET TO 70
The Miners are 6-1 on the season when reaching 70 points, most recently doing so in the 70-69 win at Delaware (1/15).
JAMAL DOESN'T MISS MUCH
Jamal West Jr. is connecting on 59.1 (88-149) of his shots on the year. He's been in and out of the CUSA and national rankings due to sometimes not qualifying for the category. Overall, he is second on the team in scoring at 12.6 ppg (19th CUSA), helped by a squad-leading 11 And-1s. He has nailed better than 65 percent from the floor nine times total this season.
 
WE LIKE THURSDAYS
UTEP is 2-0 year when playing on Thursdays, most recently toppling Delaware 70-69 (1/15).
 
HEALTH CHECK
With two Miners (David Tubek and Tyreese Watson), sidelined to injuries vs. Liberty, UTEP has now lost 19 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 2022-23 season (34).
 
TALK ABOUT A LEAP
Elijah Jones has stepped things up at both ends of the court this year, topping the team in scoring (13.9 ppg-10th CUSA) and blocked shots (1.33-seventh CUSA). Jones is also second in rebounding (4.7 rpg). Last year. He is shooting 50.2 percent (fourth CUSA). 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 11 of the past 14 contests, including 20+ points in three of the last five games. Watson is accounting for 14.1 ppg in the stretch, elevating his season scoring average from 6.8 ppg (through four tilts) to 12.4 ppg (20th CUSA).
 
DROPPING THOSE DIMES
KJ Thomas has registered at least four assists in seven of the past nine games. He has recorded 39 assists (4.3 apg) compared to just 19 turnovers (2.1 tpg) while securing 31.4 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 +2.03 (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 six straight games after failing to produce back-to-back such efforts (vs. DI competition) over his first 41 contests of his career.
 
THE TRIO BRINGS IT EVERY NIGHT
UTEP's top three scorers (Elijah Jones, 13.9 ppg-10th CUSA, Jamal West Jr., 12.6 ppg-19th CUSA and Kaseem Watson, 12.4 ppg-20th CUSA) bring it offensively every single night. Jones has recorded double figures in scoring in 16 of 18 contests (lowest output has been eight) while West Jr. and Watson each have 12 double-digit efforts.
TALK ABOUT A DISCREPANCY AT THE LINE ON THE ROAD
Opponents have made a living at the charity stripe during the Miners' eight road games. Foes have gone 138-201 (68.7 percent) compared to UTEP's effort of 68-103 (66.0 percent). In the Orange and Blue's five league road tilts, the opposition is 80-119 (67.2 percent) as opposed to the Miners standing 44-61 (72.1 percent). UTEP was 2-4 compared to Liberty's 9-11 last time out.
 
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 102-140 (72.9 percent) in the past eight 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 (1/15). He previously went 4-4 from the stripe in the final five seconds to help hold off Middle Tennessee, 83-80, in OT (1/8). Watson enters the matchup vs. FIU 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 88 rebounds (8.0 rpg) over the past 11 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 6.6 rpg (14th 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 very active offensive boards (2.6 orpg-seventh CUSA).
 
KJ SETTLED IN AS A STARTER
KJ Thomas has started eight straight games, contributing 6.5 ppg, 4.1 apg and 3.1 rpg in 32.2 mpg to help the Miners go 3-5 in the stretch (1-7 prior eight tilts). Overall, Thomas has earned 11 starting nods after coming off the bench in all 28 appearances as a true freshman.
 
CONSISTENCY WITH SCORING
Elijah Jones (16), Jamal West Jr. (12) and Kaseem Watson (12) 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 4-3 in the situation, which was how the Miners tipped things off last time out at Liberty.
 
SCORING FROM LOTS OF PLAYERS
In 10 of the 18 contests this year, at least four UTEP players have reached double figures in scoring. Elijah Jones has been the most consistent with 16 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 (12) have buoyed his efforts. Caleb Blackwell (six in 15 GP), KJ Thomas (four) and Tyreese Watson (three in seven GP) also have multiple games with 10+ points.
 
GETTING OFFENSIVE
Elijah Jones (13.9 ppg-11t0 CUSA), Jamal West Jr. (12.6 ppg-19th CUSA) and Kaseem Watson (12.4 ppg-20th) 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 vs. FIU averaging 7.7 spg (fourth CUSA), 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 vs. FIU with the opposition committing 13.2 giveaways per game (second CUSA), 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. 20, those eight opponents have combined to go 101-54, with both Hawaii and North Dakota 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 234-219 in his 15th season as a collegiate head coach, including 76-75 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
The Miners continue their four-game homestand by locking up with Missouri State at 2 p.m. MT on Saturday. They will then wrap it up against LA Tech (7 p.m. MT, 1/28) and vs. Delaware (7 p.m., 1/31). Entering this week, 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 each contest. They will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required), with Andy Morgan and former Miner assistant coach Bobby Braswell describing the action.