Game Notes

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (7-14, 3-7 CUSA) will look to get back into the win column while also attempting to complete a season sweep of first-year league member Delaware (6-14, 2-7 CUSA) at 7 p.m. MT Saturday. The contest will also put the finishing touches on a four-game homestand, the longest in league action for the Miners since the 2019-20 campaign. The matchup is part of a doubleheader with the UTEP women's basketball team, which plays host to I-10 rival NM State at 2 p.m. Fans who purchase a ticket for the contest vs. the Aggies will get in free later that night for the matchup between the Miners and Fightin' Blue Hens. The Miners were held off by LA Tech, 69-59, on Jan. 28, to slip to 6-5 at home (2-3 CUSA). UD, meanwhile, snapped a five-game losing streak in addition to securing its first league road win of the campaign with an impressive 73-64 triumph against NM State in the Pan-American Center on Jan. 28. The Blue Hens, who are making their first trek to the Sun City, now stand 2-6 on the road (1-3 CUSA) this year. The contest also continues a stretch with six of eight at home (1-2 thus far). The Miners have dropped consecutive home contests for the first time this year. Even with the little skid, UTEP has been playing better basketball of late. It had an 0-3 start to league action, but it is 3-4 in the past six tilts. In each of the setbacks during the mini skid the Orange and Blue bolted to advantages of at least nine points, but they were unable to hold on for the victory. For information on all ticket specials, call (915) 747-UTEP. Prices start as low at $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. It will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required), with Andy Morgan and former Miner assistant coach Bobby Braswell describing the action.
 
GET TO KNOW DELAWARE (6-14, 2-7 CUSA)
Delaware is in its first year as a member of Conference USA after joining the league from the Coastal Athletic Association. After an 1-4 start to the year, the Fightin' Blue Hens regrouped to go 3-3 over the next six games to wrap nonconference play at 4-7. UD began league play at 1-2, including a 67-52 drubbing of Kennesaw State (1/4). The Blue Hens proceeded to lose five straight, including the Miners pulling out a one-point win (70-69) in Newark, Del., in the first meeting between the programs earlier this year (1/15). They put an end to the skid by posting an impressive 73-64 win at NM State on Jan. 28. The Aggies had routed the Blue Hens, 97-68, in the first matchup between the schools this year before UD avenged it last time out. It marked the first league road victory (1-3) for the Blue Hens and second road triumph overall (2-6) this year. The effort allows Delaware to enter the tilt at UTEP at 6-14 overall (2-7 CUSA) with momentum, but the Blue Hens have not claimed consecutive contests this year. Iron Man Christian Bliss (39.1 mpg-first NCAA) is the unquestioned leader for the squad. He paces the team in scoring (15.6 ppg-eighth CUSA), assists (6.0-second CUSA/32nd NCAA) and steals (1.85-second/88th) while adding 5.5 rpg (second on team). He tops the squad in field goals made (99), 3-pointers hit (44) and free throws made (70) and attempted (86). Justyn Fernandez (14.5 ppg-10th CUSA), Tyler Houser (13.3 ppg-16th CUSA) and Macon Emory (11.4 ppg) buoy him with offensive output. Emory gets on the glass (7.0 rpg-10th CUSA) and is a deterrent at the rim with 0.7 blocks per game. Bliss isn't the only one to play heavy minutes. In fact, UD has the top three players in the league for playing time and four among the top 10. They are in the form of Bliss (39.1), Emory (36.1-second CUSA/12th NCAA), Fernandez (35.6-third CUSA/20th NCAA) and Houser (32.3 mpg-eighth CUSA). Emory has produced a quartet of double-doubles (second CUSA). Both Bliss (2.2-ninth CUSA) and Fernandez (2.18-12th CUSA) connect on more than two triples per game. Delaware does a good job of defending without fouling, in part to its defensive scheme, committing only 14.2 fouls per contest (second CUSA/10th NCAA). The Blue Hens shoot it well from distance by nailing 36.0 percent (second CUSA/73rd NCAA). UD is also among the top five in CUSA for free-throw percentage (73.3-second) and 3-pointers made per game (8.5-fifth). UD hasn't gotten much scoring from its bench (7.55-12th CUSA/361st NCAA). It is also in the lower part of the league and national ratings for fastbreak scoring (4.4-12th/360th), free throws made (10.4-12th/355th) and attempted (14.3-12th/358th) per game, rebounding margin (-3.4-12th/322nd), offensive rebounds per game (6.7-11th/359th), total rebounds per contest (31.6-11th/337th), scoring margin (-5.8-12th/316th), scoring offense (65.8-12th/348th), steals per game (5.5-12th/314th), turnover margin (-2.9-12th/339th) and turnovers forced per game (9.3-12th/351st). The program has existed since the 1905-06 season and has played in the NCAA Tournament six times (1992, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2014, 2022, 0-6 record). It also has earned one NIT bid (2000, 0-1 mark) while making one appearance in the CBI (2012, 0-1). The University of Delaware has origins to 1743. Notable alumni include Joe Biden (former President of the USA), Chris Christie (former New Jersey Governor), Richard Heck (Nobel Prize-winning organic chemist) and Joe Flacco (Super Bowl MVP who later led the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs).
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 1-0
This year is the first time the two programs have squared off on the hardwood, with the Miners dispatching the Fightin' Blue Hens on the road, 70-69 (1/15/26) earlier in the season. Saturday's contest will mark the first between the programs in El Paso.
 
LAST GAME (LA TECH 69, AT UTEP 59, 1/28/26)
Elijah Jones (career-high 25 points) and Kaseem Watson (20 points) both had big offensive nights while Jamal West Jr. posted his fourth double-double of the year (10 points, 11 rebounds) but it wasn't enough as UTEP was clipped by LA Tech, 69-59, at the Don Haskins Center on Jan. 28. After a strong start by the Miners that put them ahead by nine (13-4), the Bulldogs found their footing by countering with a 16-2 surge to pull in front. As it turned out, UTEP would never lead again. The deficit was nine (36-27) at the break. LA Tech led by as many as 14 (52-38, 12:20, 2H) at one point, and the Miners couldn't fully recover. They showed heart by whittling the margin all the way down to three (61-58, 4:24, 2H), but the visitors were able to hold on. 
 
JONES WENT OFF ON OFFENSE
Elijah Jones had a career night offensively against LA Tech, setting career bests for points (25), 3-pointers made (five) and attempted (eight) and free throws made (eight) and attempted (10). He achieved all of this in 31 minutes and drilled his first four treys (all in the first half) to set the tone.
 
BEST 3-POINT STREAK In 23 YEARS
Elijah Jones has nailed at least four triples in three straight games to become the first Miner to achieve the feat in 23 years. El Pasoan Omar Duran ran off four such contests in 2002-03. Jones is a combined 13-18 (72.2 percent) in the timeframe. He was a perfect 4-4 vs. FIU (1/22), went 4-6 against Missouri State (1/24) and followed that up by setting career highs in makes (five) and attempts (eight) vs. LA Tech last time out. Duran went 5-9 at Nevada (1/9/02), 5-10 at Fresno State (1/11/02), 4-11 vs. Tulsa (1/16/02) and 4-8 vs. Rice (1/18/02) for a combined readout of 18-38 (47.3 percent).
 
THREE-HEADED MONSTER
Three players (Elijah Jones, career-high 25 points, Kaseem Watson-20 points and Jamal West Jr.-10 points) combined to account for 55 of UTEP's 59 points vs. LA Tech. The other four points were courtesy of fellow starters Caleb Blackwell (two) and KJ Thomas (two). It marked the second time this season that the reserves did not provide any points, with it previously occurring at Delaware (1/15).
 
TURNED THEM OVER
UTEP harassed LA Tech into committing 16 turnovers, the most by a CUSA opponent this year. The Miners converted those giveaways into 23 points, a season high when facing DI competition this year. UTEP has now won the points off turnover category in three straight and four of the past five contests.
 
TURNING UP THE HEAT
The Miners have forced back-to-back opponents into making at least 15 turnovers (31 total). It is the first time this year they've done so in league play and the third occasion overall.
 
TAKING CARE OF THE BALL
UTEP has committed a total of 21 giveaways in the past two tilts. It had 10 vs. Missouri State (1/24) before making 11 last time out against LA Tech. The last time the Orange and Blue had a stretch of at least three contests with 11 or fewer turnovers was a four-game surge late in league play last season.
 
DON'T TAKE HIS SCORING CONSISTENCY FOR GRANTED
Elijah Jones has reached double figures in 19 of 21 games this year (eight and nine points in two others), and he only seems to be getting better. Jones is putting up 19.0 ppg the past three games on a combined 25-47 (53.2 percent) shooting. That includes a ridiculous 13-18 (72.2 percent). The surge has vaulted Jones up to within the top 10 of CUSA for scoring (14.6 ppg-ninth).
 
A GREAT SHOWING AT THE LINE
UTEP nailed 17-19 (89.5 percent) of its shots at the charity stripe against LA Tech. The readout of 89.5 percent was the highest in a contest since the Miners were an identical 17-19 vs. Seattle U last year (12/7/24). The last time the Orange and Blue shot it that well from the stripe in a CUSA game (min. 10 attempts) was a stellar 34-37 effort (91.9 percent) vs. Southern Miss six years ago (1/9/20).
 
DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE
Jamal West Jr.'s double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) vs. LA Tech was the 10th of his career, with four (tied second CUSA) of those coming this year as a Miner. Otis Frazier III also had four double-doubles in 2024-25. The last UTEP player to have at least five such efforts was Bryson Williams (five) in 2020-21.
 
DON'T LEAVE THEM OPEN
Kaseem Watson has nailed a team-leading 35 triples on a squad-best 91 attempts (38.5 percent) from distance on the year, aided by filling up 5-12 (41.7 percent) the past two tilts. Thanks to his hot streak, Elijah Jones is now right on the heels of Watson by making 34-89 (38.2 percent). Watson has drilled at least two treys in four of the past five contests and 10 times total this season. Jones also has 10 tilts of two or more 3-pointers, including doing so the last four games.
 
GIVE ELIJAH Five 20+ POINT GAMES
Elijah Jones went off for a career-high 25 points against LA Tech. It marked his team-leading fifth outburst of at least 20 points this year, with three of those showings coming in league play.  It's the most 20+ point games by a Miner since Tae Hardy (eight) in 2023-24.
 
KASEEM IS CLOSING QUICKLY
Not to be outdone, Kaseem Watson has piled up four 20+ point efforts this year, with all of them occurring in the past eight contests. He's accounting for 15.5 ppg during the streak, aided by six double-digit showings.
 
LOTS OF 20+ POINT SCORERS LATELY
The Miners have had a 20+ point scorer in six of the past eight contests. Kaseem Watson has led the way with four in the stretch, followed by Elijah Jones (three) and one each from Caleb Blackwell and Jamal West Jr. 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.
 
MOVING PAST 800 CAREER POINTS
With his 20-point outing against LA Tech, Kaseem Watson marched past 800 career points at the DI level. Including prior stops with CSUB and Delaware State, Watson enters the matchup with Delaware at 808 points, including 261 this year (12.4 ppg) with the Miners.
 
CASSIUS ON THE VERGE OF 1,000 CAREER POINTS AT THE NCAA LEVEL
Cassius Brooks is six points shy of reaching 1,000 career points at the NCAA level. He sports 994 points, with the majority of those (931) coming during his stellar two-year run with DII program Arkansas Tech.
 
 PILING UP STEALS OF LATE
UTEP has registered 24 total steals the past three games (8.0 spg), as it has started to turn up the heat once again against the opposition. The surged has propelled the Miners up to 7.8 spg (second CUSA/90th NCAA). UTEP has at least seven thefts in each of the past three tilts after doing so once over the first seven CUSA affairs.
 
WATCH OUT FOR JONES AND WEST JR. AT THE RIM
The duo of Elijah Jones (28 blocks, 1.33 bpg-seventh CUSA) and Jamal West Jr. (23 blocks, 1.10 bpg-11th CUSA) has accounted for 51 of UTEP's 78 rejections on the season. No one else on the team has more than seven swats. Jones already has his most rejections in his third year with the program (prior best 23, 2024-25). He is two shy of becoming the first UTEP player to record at least 30 blocked shots in a campaign since Tydus Verhoeven (32). in 2021-22.
 
JONES BLOCKING SHOT IN BUNCHES
Elijah Jones has been a shot-blocking machine of late. He has swatted 16 shots over the past seven games, including multiple blocks in six of those contests. The effort has surpassed his total (13) the first 14 contests of the campaign. Five of those early on were vs. DII WNMU (11/7). He is now sixth in CUSA (1.33 bpg). Jamal West Jr. has been more consistent all year, with at least one rejection in 17 contests
 
THEY CONNECT OFTEN
Jamal West Jr. (58.21percent-second CUSA/41st NCAA) and Elijah Jones (50.2 percent-fourth CUSA) give the Miners two of the top four players in the league rankings for field-goal percentage.
 
GOTTA GET TO 70
The Miners are 7-1 on the season when scoring at least 70 points, most recently doing against FIU (W, 83-77) on Jan. 22.
 
WHAT A LEAP BY ELIJAH
Elijah Jones has stepped things up at both ends of the court this year, topping the team in scoring (14.3 ppg-ninth CUSA) and blocked shots (1.33-seventh CUSA). Jones is also second in rebounding (4.7 rpg), field-goal percentage (117-233, 50.2 percent-fourth CUSA) and 3-pointers made (34). Last year Jones averaged 3.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg in 2024-25 and 3.9 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 2023-24.
 
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).
 
MR AND-1
Jamal West Jr. has posted a squad-leading 12 And-1s on the season. It shouldn't come as a surprise given that he's leads the team in both free throws made (57) and attempted (90).
 
KASEEM IS COOKING
Kaseem Watson has reached double figures in scoring in six of the past eight games and 13 of the past 17 contests. Watson is accounting for 13.7 ppg in the stretch, elevating his season scoring average from 6.8 ppg (through four tilts) to 12.4 ppg.
 
THE TRIO BRINGS IT EVERY NIGHT
UTEP's top three scorers (Elijah Jones, 14.3 ppg-ninth CUSA, Jamal West Jr., 13.5 ppg-15th CUSA and Kaseem Watson, 12.4 ppg-22nd CUSA) bring it offensively every single night. Jones has recorded double figures in scoring 19 times followed by West Jr. (15) and Watson (14). Incredibly, in the two games Jones failed to hit double figures this year he had eight in one and nine in the other. Furthermore, 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).
 
TURNED THE CORNER AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
UTEP has connected on 74.3 percent (124-167) from the free-throw line in CUSA play. It is a notable improved from nonconference action when the Miners were just 64.5 percent (147-228).
 
STREAKING AT THE LINE
Kaseem Watson has made 23 consecutive free throws and 28-29 (96.6 percent) in CUSA action. The last Miner previously to sink 23 straight free throws was Souley Boum (first four games in 2020-21). Boum ripped off 24 in a row in 2019-20 while Bryson Williams knocked down 28 straight (also in '19-20). The most-recent UTEP player to have a stretch of at least 30 straight was Miner Hall of Famer Brandon Wolfram ('99-00).
 
WEST JR. SURGING ON THE BOARDS
Jamal West Jr. has piled up 114 rebounds (8.1 rpg) over the past 14 games, a marked improvement from his first seven contests (4.4 rpg). The surge has elevated him to 6.9 rpg (11th CUSA), aided by 2.57 orpg (seventh CUSA). His overall average would be the highest by a Miner since Bryson Williams's readout of 7.4 rpg in 2020-21.
 
LOOKING AT THE STARTING FIVE
UTEP has deployed eight different starting lineups 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 5-4 in the situation.
 
SCORING FROM LOTS OF PLAYERS
Ten times this year, at least four UTEP players have reached double figures in scoring. Elijah Jones has been the most consistent with 19 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. (15) and Kaseem Watson (14) have buoyed his efforts. Caleb Blackwell (six in 15 GP), KJ Thomas (three), LA Hayes (three) Tyreese Watson (three in seven GP) also have multiple games with 10+ points.
 
GETTING OFFENSIVE
Elijah Jones (14.3 ppg-ninth CUSA), Jamal West Jr. (13.3 ppg-15th CUSA) and Kaseem Watson (12.4 ppg-22nd) all average better than 12.0 ppg. 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 thanks to Souley Boum (19.9 ppg), Jamal Bieniemy (14.7 ppg) and Keonte Kennedy (14.1 ppg).
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Jamal West Jr. (four) 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 (1/8). West Jr. has two in league play (10 pts, 11 rbs, LA Tech, 1/28 and 16 pts, 10 rbs, at Delaware, 1/15) and two in nonconference (16 pts, 13 rbs, Norfolk State, 12/21 and 21 pts, 14 rbs, at Seattle U, 12/7).
 
STEALS HAVE BEEN SECONDARY IN NATURE TO US
The Miners enter the game vs. Delaware averaging 7.8 spg (second CUSA/90th NCAA), aided by a total of 24 the past three tilts. 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. Delaware with the opposition committing 13.4 giveaways per game (second CUSA/83rd NCAA), helped by forcing a total of 31 the past two tilts. 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. 26, those eight opponents have combined to go 112-62.
 
HEALTH CHECK
With two Miners (David Tubek and Tyreese Watson), sidelined to injuries vs. LA Tech, UTEP has now lost 25 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).
 
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 6-5 thus far at home (2-3 CUSA), but they need to get hot to secure 10+ wins in the Sun City for a sixth straight year (five 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.
 
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 235-221 in his 15th season as a collegiate head coach, including 77-77 at UTEP. He has enjoyed three winning seasons in four years, piling up at least 18 triumphs in those campaigns above .500. He is tied for fourth all time with George McCarty (77-58, 1954-59). If the Miners can get hot, he could tie or surpass Tony Barbee (82-52, 2006-10, third place) by year's end. 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 has a split week, with one road game and one home contest. The Miners open things up by playing at Sam Houston (5:30 p.m. MT/6:30 p.m. CT) on Wednesday before locking up with I-10 rival NM State (at 7 p.m. MT on Feb. 7). Fans who buy a ticket for UTEP's matchup with the Aggies will be able to get in free to the women's contest at 2 p.m. vs. Sam Houston. For further ticket information for the matchup with the Aggies, call (915) 747-UTEP.
 

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