Game Notes

OPENING TIP
On the heels of the longest road trip (three games) to start CUSA play in nine years, the UTEP men's basketball team (4-10, 0-3 CUSA) will welcome league co-leader Middle Tennessee (9-5, 3-0 CUSA) to the Don Haskins Center for its CUSA home opener in a nationally-televised contest (CBS Sports Network) at 7 p.m. MT Thursday. The Miners have a chance to snap a three-game skid and showcase their talents and passionate fan base on a national stage. With that in mind, UTEP Athletics is offering a special '915' promotion for this game, with all seats only $9.15. Fans can purchase the $9.15 tickets by visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets. These seats ordinarily sell for up to $50. If 915 of the $9.15 tickets are sold by game time on Thursday, the same ticket price will also be instituted for UTEP's game versus WKU on Saturday at 2 pm. The Orange and Blue will have their work cut out against the Blue Raiders, who sit in a tie for first place in CUSA at 3-0 in league play. MT has won three straight and five of the past six, with the lone loss in that timeframe coming by just nine points at No. 8 Houston (L, 69-60, 12/29). The recent surge has elevated its NET to 102. This is the first of two meetings on the year between the programs, with the Orange and Blue set to make a visit to Murfreesboro, Tenn., for the rematch on Feb. 26. It is the first of two games at home on the week for UTEP, as WKU invades El Paso for a matinee 2 p.m. MT tip on Saturday. The contest also starts a stretch of six of the next eight at home for UTEP, which is 4-2 in the Sun City this year. MT is 1-2 in hostile territory. Jon Teicher (45th year) and Steve Yellen (23rd year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners' App. Jake Schrantz and Pete Gillen will be describing the action for the broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
 
GET TO KNOW MIDDLE TENNESSEE (9-5, 3-0 CUSA)
Middle Tennessee is rolling, having won three straight and five of the past six to enter the matchup at UTEP at 9-5 overall, including 3-0 in CUSA play. That affords it a share of first place in the league. The only loss in the stretch was by nine points (69-60) at No. 8 Houston (12/19). The Blue Raiders are under the direction of eighth-year head coach Nick McDevitt, who stands 114-123 in that timeframe and 212-189 overall in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach. MT has done the bulk of its work at home this year, boasting a nearly flawless record of 7-1 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. It is 1-2 in neutral sites and 1-2 on the road, with contest in El Paso serving as the first of 10 on the road in league action for the Blue Raiders. MT holds opponents to just 69.4 points per game (fifth CUSA/90th NCAA), aiding by foes nailing only 27.9 percent (first CUSA/11th NCAA) from 3-point range. Another factor is that it blocks 4.8 shots per game (third CUSA/41st NCAA). The Blue Raiders are also in the leaders for CUSA and top-100 nationally for 3-pointers attempted (29.1-second/33rd) and made per game (10.3-second/38th). They boast the second-best winning percentage (64.3 percent) in CUSA. MT is only among the bottom 300 nationally for free throws made (11.0-339th) and attempted (15.9-338th) per contest. Sean Smith runs the offensive effectively with 3.6 assists per game (seventh CUSA) while Jahvin Carter (3.2-14th) is also among the top 15 in CUSA for the category. Six players average at least 9.5 ppg (one has only one game played), with Kamari Lands (12.9 ppg), Carter (12.2 ppg) and Torey Alston (11.9 ppg) all in double figures for scoring. Alston is a beast on the boards (7.9 rpg-fourth CUSA/88th NCAA). Alec Oglesby is lights out from distance at 47.9 percent (second CUSA/eighth NCAA). Oglesby (2.6-fifth CUSA) and Lands (2.0-13th CUSA) knock down multiple 3-pointers on average per game. Alston has produced a trio of double-doubles (third CUSA/102nd NCAA). Notable university alumni include Kelly Holcomb (NFL QB, including with the Cleveland Browns, from 1995-2007) and James McGill Buchanan (Nobel Prize Winner).
 
SERIES HISTORY: MIDDLE TENNESSEE LEADS, 13-7
Middle Tennessee has a 13-7 cushion in the series with UTEP, aiding by claiming the past three matchups. Two of those three games went to OT, and the three tilts were decided by a combined 10 points (96-90, 2OT, 2/17/24, 71-68, 2/1/25 and 76-75, OT, 3/1/25). The Miners had won three in a row at home against the Blue Raiders before falling by one on "Senior Day" last year. UTEP had a chance to win it in the waning seconds but a shot at the rim didn't go.  All 20 matchups between the programs have occurred since the Blue Raiders joined Conference USA for the 2013-14 campaign. With UTEP departing for the Mountain West next year, the meetings this year (two scheduled, possible CUSA Tournament matchup) could be the last for a while unless the programs can work out something in nonconference action. 
 
DAUNTING DI SCHEDULE TO DATE
UTEP has endured a challenging slate against its DI foes in 2025-26, with the 10 opponents boasting a combined record of 111-57. Of the 10, only Norfolk State is below .500. Both MT and WKU the week at 9-5 overall. Utah State (NET 16) and William & Mary (NET 93) are in the top 100 of the NET. 
 
LAST GAME (AT FIU 76, UTEP 64, 1/4/26)
Kaseem Watson went off for a season-high 25 points, aided by knocking down a career-best five 3-pointers, but a big second half allowed FIU to hold off UTEP, 76-64, at Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Jan. 4.  The game featured seven ties and 18 lead changes. The Miners held a one-point edge (30-29) at the break. The difference was two (46-44, 12:28, 2H) before the Panthers ripped off a contest-altering 13-1 surge over the next few minutes to vault ahead by 10 (57-47, 9:03, 2H). UTEP tried to battle back, but it was not in the cards.
 
THAT'S THE WAY TO START A GAME
UTEP bolted out to a 9-2 edge five minutes into the game at FIU, reversing a trend in which the Miners essentially played themselves out of the contest in their first two league tilts. UTEP led for a combined 31 seconds in those games as opposed to playing from in front for nearly 15 minutes against the Panthers. In the tilt at Missouri State, the Orange and Blue trailed by 15 (19-4) less than six minutes into the game UTEP was down by 20 (35-15) after 13 minutes of action at LA Tech.
 
BOMBS AWAY
Thanks in large part to Kaseem Watson setting career highs from distance at FIU (5-9), the Miners finished with a season-high 10 triples against the Panthers. That was the most in a game for UTEP since it nailed 12 in the opening round of the CUSA Tournament vs Sam Houston (3/11/25). It was also the highest total in a road affair since the Orange and Blue finished with 10 treys on the final weekend of the regular season against the Bearkats in Huntsville (3/6/25). 
 
TOOK PRETTY GOOD CARE OF THE BALL
Considering that FIU entered the game leading CUSA and rating 17th in the country at 16.3 turnovers forced per tilt, UTEP did a pretty solid job in that department at the Panthers. The Miners committed 12 giveaways, but they offset that by forcing FIU into 12 turnovers as well.
 
DEFENDING THE TRIPLE
UTEP became just the third opponent to keep FIU out of the 80's in its road setback on Jan. 4, and a big factor in that was holding the Panthers to a paltry 3-17 (17.6 percent) from 3-point range. That percentage is the lowest by a Miner opponent since Sam Houston went just 2-19 (10.5 percent) in the first round of the 2025 CUSA Championships (3/11/25).
 
KASEEM WAS DIALED IN FROM DISTANCE
Kaseem Watson nailed 5-9 from 3-point range (55.6 percent), both career bests, as Watson became the first Miner to sink at least five treys in a tilt since Ahamad Bynum buried six against Sul Ross State (11/24/24) last year. Prior to Watson, the last UTEP player to accomplish the feat against a DI program was Tae Hardy with five, coincidentally against FIU (3/7/24) at home. Watson is the initial Miner to drill at least five treys on the road vs. DI competition in three years when Shamar Givance connected on five at WKU (2/4/23).
 
A COOL 25 FOR KASEEM
Kaseem Watson went off for a season-high 25 points at FIU thanks to an outstanding shooting day (7-15 overall, career-best 5-9 on treys, 6-6 free throws). It marked his first 20+ point effort as a Miner and eighth at the DI level (prior seven with Delaware State). Furthermore, the 25 points were his most ever scored in a road contest and the second most at this level. They trailed only a 30-point explosion vs. Morgan State (2/3/25).
 
FOUR STRAIGHT STARTS FOR KJ
Thanks in part to injuries at the guard position (Caleb Blackwell and Tyreese Watson and also to how he's been playing, KJ Thomas has logged four straight starts. He has now started in seven of 14 games on the year after coming off the bench in all 28 of appearances as a true freshman last year.
DROPPING THOSE DIMES
KJ Thomas has been racking up the assists of late, recording at least four helpers in four of the past five tilts. That includes 11 assists to just five turnovers the past two contests. The effort has elevated him to a team-leading 3.4 assists per game. Overall, he boasts seven games with at least four helpers after failing to surpass three least year.
 
STILL FINDING A WAY TO SCORE TOO
While defense, ball-handling and setting up teammates for success has been his focus, Thomas has found a way to score here and there as well of late. He has tallied at least six points against DI competition in back-to-back contests for the first time of his collegiate career (42 games played).
 
HE DOES MORE THAN SHOOT
While Trey Horton III draws most of his attention for his long-range shooting with 44 of 58 attempts this year from distance, he turned up the heat defensively at FIU. Horton III registered three steals, matching his career best that he previously accomplished against Norfolk State earlier this year (12/21/25).
 
WEST JR. BRINGS IT EVERY NIGHT
Jamal West Jr. has registered five double-digit scoring efforts in the past seven games, elevating his season total to nine. That ties him with Kaseem Watson (nine) for second for the most 10+ point contests by a Miner this campaign. Only Elijah Jones (first 13) has more. He also has been the dominant force on the glass for UTEP. West Jr. tops the team in rebounding at 6.5 rebounds per game, and he has shared or led the squad outright for the category nine times. He also has been all over the offensive boards, corralling 2.9 orpg (sixth CUSA/90th NCAA).
 
CUSA HOME TEAMS DOMINATING LEAGUE PLAY
While the Miners are 0-3 in CUSA play for first time in three years, all three of their games came on the road. Kennesaw State and Sam Houston were also dealt the unfortunate slate to begin league action, and both also dropped all three contests. In fact, entering this week, CUSA home teams are a combined 18-3 in league tilts.
 
GOTTA GET THAT FREE THROW DISCREPANCY FIXED
Through the first three CUSA games, UTEP opponents are nearly doubling up the Miners on free throw attempts. The foes are a combined 56-87 (64.4 percent) at the charity stripe as opposed to the Orange and Blue's figure of 36-48 (75.0 percent).
 
CONSISTENCY WITH SCORING
Elijah Jones (13), Jamal West Jr. (nine) and Kaseem Watson (nine) 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). He finished just shy of that total last time out with eight at FIU.
 
GET THAT WEAK STUFF OUT OF HERE
Jamal West Jr. has four games total this year with at least two blocks, having swatted a season-high three shots at Utah State (11/15/25). Furthermore, West Jr. boasts at least one blocked shot in nine straight and 12 of 14 affairs on the season. The consistent effort has helped him pace the team and rate eighth in CUSA with 1.2 blocks per game.
 
KASEEM IS COOKING
Kaseem Watson has reached double figures in scoring in eight of the past 10 contests, including going off for a season-high 25 points last time out at FIU. He is putting up 13.5 ppg in the stretch, which has elevated his seasonal output from 8.4 ppg to 11.6 ppg.
 
CRASHING THAT OFFENSIVE GLASS
UTEP has registered 10+ offensive rebounds in five consecutive contests. The last time the Miners enjoyed a longer streak with 10 or more offensive boards was during a six-tilt surge three years ago in the stretch run of that 2022-23 season.
MIX AND MATCHING THE STARTING FIVE
UTEP has deployed seven different starting lineups in 14 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 3-2 in the situation, but Watson and Blackwell have missed multiple games of late due to injuries.
 
SCORING FROM LOTS OF PLAYERS
In eight of the 14 contests this year, at least four UTEP players have reached double figures in scoring. Elijah Jones has been the most consistent by doing so in 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. (nine) and Kaseem Watson (nine) have buoyed his efforts. Caleb Blackwell (four), Tyreese Watson (three) and KJ Thomas (two) also have multiple games with 10+ points.
 
GETTING OFFENSIVE
Elijah Jones (13.6 ppg-13th CUSA, 51.7 percent shooting) and Jamal West Jr. (12.4 ppg-16th CUSA, 62.4 percent) are hitting shots at a high rate, so it comes as no surprise that the pair sits first and second, respectively, for scoring on the team. Kaseem Watson (11.6 ppg) is also in double figures on average while Caleb Blackwell (9.3 ppg) and Tyreese Watson (8.0 ppg) and have also been threats on offense. Blackwell and Watson, though, have both been sidelined of late with injuries.
 
WEST IS THE ALPHA ON THE BOARDS
Three different Miners are contributing at least 4.0 rebounds per game, but Jamal West Jr has emerged as the true leader in the department. He is securing a team-best 6.5 rpg while Elijah Jones (4.6 rpg) and Kaseem Watson (4.1 rpg) are also getting after it on the glass. West Jr. has shared for the squad lead or paced it outright in rebounding in nine different contests.
 
STEALS HAVE BEEN SECONDARY IN NATURE TO US
The Miners enter the game vs. Middle Tennessee averaging 8.6 spg (second CUSA/63rd NCAA). 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 in 12 contests this year. To put that figure 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).
 
DOING IT ALL
Elijah Jones has stepped things up at both ends of the court this year. He tops the team in scoring (13.6-13th CUSA). He is also second in field-goal percentage (51.7 percent-second CUSA), blocked shots (0.9-13th CUSA) and rebounding (4.5 rpg).
 
TURNING TEAMS OVER IS WHAT WE DO
UTEP is up to its old tricks with forcing turnovers in 2025-26. The Miners enter the game vs. Middle Tennessee with the opposition committing 14.4 giveaways per game (second CUSA/61st NCAA). 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).
 
JAMAL DOESN'T MISS MUCH
Jamal West Jr. is connecting on a ridiculous 62.4 (68-109) of his shots on the year, which would lead the league and be among the top 20 nationally but he doesn't qualify due to shot amounts. Overall, he is second on the team in scoring at 12.4 ppg (16th CUSA), helped by a squad-leading nine And-1s. He has nailed better than 65 percent from the floor eight times total this season.
 
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 4-2 thus far at home, and they are looking for 10+ wins in the Sun City for the sixth straight year. 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 232-216 in his 15th season as a collegiate head coach, including 74-73 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, and he has a chance of taking over fourth place or even third place 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 continues its mini two-game homestand against WKU at 2 p.m. MT on Saturday. Tickets may be obtained by visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or calling (915) 747-UTEP. Jon Teicher (45th year) and Steve Yellen (23rd 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).
 

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