Game Notes

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (1-1) will continue its three-game homestand when it challenges I-10 rival NM State (1-1) at GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center at 7 p.m. MT Thursday. The Miners are coming off a 79-60 drubbing of UIW on Nov. 8 while the Aggies most recently fell at No. 15 Gonzaga, 109-68, on Nov. 7. The contest is the second of three in a row in the Sun City, with the Orange and Blue set to welcome Florida A&M to town on Nov. 15. It is also the first of two meetings within the span of a week between the longtime rivals. UTEP is set to make the visit to the Pan-American Center at 7 p.m. MT on Nov. 19. Fans will get to experience the state-of-the-art new sound system, in addition to new lights, both of which will enhance the gameday experience for the Orange and Blue faithful. Blue rally towels will be given away, and a special Simon Sez Guy halftime show, led by Steve Max, is on tap. A win would be the second straight for UTEP while also moving head coach Joe Golding into third all-time at the school for career victories. He is currently tied with Tony Barbee with 82 wins. Tickets for Thursday's contest may be obtained by visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/tickets or calling (915) 747-UTEP. Jon Teicher (46th year) and Steve Yellen (24th year) will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will also be streamed on MW+ (subscription required), with Andy Morgan and former Miner big man Hooper Vint describing the action.
 
BATTLE OF I-10 IS BACK IN NONCONFERENCE
After three straight years of the Battle of I-10 being contested as part of league play, the Miners and Aggies will once again be squaring off in nonconference play. Both matchups will happen within the span of a week, with the Orange and Blue paying a return visit at 7 p.m. MT on Nov. 19.
 
GET TO KNOW NM STATE
NM State stands 1-1 on the season, having defeated DII program Western New Mexico, 73-66, before falling at No. 15 Gonzaga, 109-68. Mark Lavrenov tops the team in scoring (18.0 ppg-sixth CUSA) and rebounding (7.0 rpg). All-CUSA performer and LA Tech transfer DJ Dudley (16.0 ppg-11th CUSA) joins him in double figures for scoring. Gabe Pickens, one of two returnees on the squad, has been running the offense effectively with 5.0 apg (eighth CUSA). Overall, NM State has 12 newcomers and two veterans back in the fold. Eight of those newcomers boast DI experience. Jae'Coby Osborne (8.0 ppg) and Jermaine Washington (7.0 ppg) round out the top scoring threats. Washington has also made an impact with a team-leading 2.0 spg (sixth CUSA). Adrame Diongue provides another dimension to the Aggies' lineup, standing 7-0. No one else on the squad is taller than 6-9. Dudley has been lights out from distance, making 3.0 triples per tilt (sixth CUSA) on 50.0 percent shooting from downtown (eighth CUSA/97th NCAA). The Aggies are under the direction of fourth-year head coach Jason Hooten who sports a mark of 47-51 in that timeframe. Overall, Hooten stands 308-220 in his now 18th year as a collegiate head coach. The Aggies are one of the best free-throw shooting teams in the country, nailing 87.0 percent (second CUSA/fifth NCAA). NM State is also among the league leaders and top-100 nationally for fewest fouls per game (16.0-fifth/68th) and free throws made per game (20.0-first/54th). There have been plenty of areas where the Aggies have struggled, with the numbers taking a hit having played at Gonzaga. NM State is in the lower echelon of CUSA and in the 300s nationally for assist-to-turnover ratio (0.66-10th/337th), assists per game (9.5-10th/340th), field-goal percentage defense (47.7-10th/302nd), rebounding margin (-6.5-10th/310th), scoring defense (87.5-10th/327th) and scoring margin (-17.0-10th/323rd). Notable alumni include actor Scott Bailey, who is best known for his playing the role of Sandy Foster on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light, and former Olympic basketball player Chito Reyes. Additionally, Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered the planet Pluto (since reclassified to a dwarf planet), taught astronomy at the school from 1955 until his retirement in 1973.
 
SERIES HISTORY: NM STATE LEADS, 124-107
NM State holds a 124-107 advantage in the all-time series. The two sides have split the season series the past four years, including each program successfully defending home court a year ago. The Miners rallied from 10 down to force OT with a 3-pointer with 4.1 seconds left on the way to an eventual 91-88 home victory on Feb. 7, 2026. The Aggies avenged that with a 67-63 victory at the Pan-American Center on Feb. 21, 2026. It halted a two-game winning streak in the ledger for UTEP against NM State, something that hadn't occurred since the Miners claimed contests spanning the 2011-12 and 2012-13 campaigns. It is UTEP's oldest series while rating as the second oldest for the Aggies. It started in 1914 and the two squads squared off at least twice annually every year since 1944-45 before Covid interrupted that. The 2024-25 season was the first campaign that the two foes locked up in a conference contest since the 1961-62 season when both teams were members of the Border Conference.
 
LAST GAME
Cam McDaniels poured in a career-high 27 points, Youssouf Traore registered his first career double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) while Reese Miller (11 points, career-best seven assists) and Augusto Cassia (nine points, nine boards) both stuffed the stat sheet to help UTEP drill UIW, 79-60, in its home opener at GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 8.
 
FIRST WIN AS MEMBERS OF THE MOUNTAIN WEST
UTEP's 19-point triumph against UIW was its first while representing the Mountain West. The Miners joined the league after most recently playing in Conference USA.
BIG FIRST HALF
The Miners bolted out to their largest halftime lead against a DI opponent in two years, carrying a 17-point cushion (46-29) into the locker room against UIW. The last time the Orange and Blue led by more points vs. a DI foe through 20 minutes of action was when they had a 25-point cushion (48-23) against Seattle U on Dec. 7.
 
NEVER TRAILED
The game was tied once (2-2) before an 11-1 run broke the contest open in favor of the Orange and Blue. UTEP enjoyed a double-digit advantage for the final 31:35 of the contest.
 
BOMBS AWAY
UTEP drilled 11-29 (37.9 percent) from 3-point land, equaling its season high from a year ago. It marked the most 3-pointers in nonconference play since the Miners drained 11 triples against Yale in a 75-74 victory in the championship contest of the 2024 WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational. Cam McDaniels (4-10) and Reese Miller (3-6) keyed the charge from distance.
 
SHOT IT WELL
UTEP connected on a stout 50.9 percent (29-57) from the floor against UIW. It marked the first time since 2023-24 (54.0 percent, vs. UCSB, Nov. 13) that the Miners have connected on at least 50.0 percent of their shots against one of their first two DI opponents of the season. 
 
TOOK CARE OF BALL AGAIN
UTEP was credited with 17 assists while committing only 10 turnovers. The Miners have registered 33 helpers compared to just 20 giveaways thus far. That equates to a +1.94 assist-to-turnover ratio, which is third in the Mountain West and 37th nationally.
 
GIVE US THAT
UTEP recorded its first double-digit steal performance on the year with 11 thefts against UIW. The 11 takeaways led to 17 points off turnovers for the Orange and Blue.
 
OFFENSIVE OUTBURST
UTEP has topped 75 points in each game, marking the first time to do so against DI opposition out of the gates since 2016-17. The last time it did so vs. at least three straight DI foes to begin the year was in 1994-95 (three).
FRESH START
It is a new era for UTEP men's basketball in 2026-27, with the Miners renewing old rivalries as part of joining the Mountain West Conference. Head coach Joe Golding is in his sixth year at the helm of the program, and he enters Thursday's matchup with 82 wins during his time with the Orange and Blue. His next triumph will allow him to surpass former bench boss Tony Barbee and move him into third all-time at UTEP for career victories. The Miners have a completely-revamped 15-man roster (14 players healthy) compiled by Golding and staff. There's a ton of size (school-record five players 6-10 or taller) and a quality backcourt too. There are proven players from the high major, mid major and international levels, in addition to some highly-touted high school recruits.
 
POWER CONFERENCE FLAVOR
Ole Miss transfer Augusto Cassia boasts starting experience in both the SEC (Rebels) and the BIG EAST (Butler). The senior 6-10 forward has made a smooth transition to the Miners. He has started both contests and nearly had a double-double (nine points, nine rebounds) last time out vs. UIW. Cassia shares the team lead for steals (2.0-seventh MW), while ranking second in rebounding (6.5-fifth MW) and third in scoring (9.5 ppg).
 
ALL-AMERICAN CAM
6-5 guard Cam McDaniels, who joined UTEP after earning second-team All-American honors with John A. Logan College, is living up to the hype. He is pouring in a team-leading 19.0 ppg, aided by being one of two Miners to hit double figures in scoring in both contests on the campaign. He had 11 points in the opener before going off for 27 points last time out against UIW. He drilled 10-18 shots, including 4-10 from distance against the Cardinals. The effort had him on the verge of the first 30-point outing by a Miner in three years (Zid Powell, 32 points, vs. Wyoming, Dec. 21, 2023).
 
REESE CAME BACK TO THE LONE STAR STATE
Round Rock, Texas, native and 2025-26 William & Mary leading scorer (12.1 ppg) Reese Miller ventured back to the Lone Star State for his senior season. He has started both contests. He registered his first double-digit effort as a Miner (11 points) to go along with a career-best seven assists in 32 minutes of action vs. UIW last time out. Miller tops the team in assists (4.0 apg-ninth MW) and shares it for steals per game (2.0-seventh MW) to go along with his 7.5 ppg.
 
RUNNING THE POINT
Evansville transfer and 6-7 point guard Leif Moeller provides the Miners with good size at the position. The Germany native who played at the ProB level and also competed with his U18 national team has settled in nicely, boasting a team-best +3.50 assist-to-turnover ratio (10th MW) while playing the most minutes on the squad (30.2 mpg-ninth MW). He is second on the squad for helpers (3.5 apg-12th MW) while fourth in scoring (8.0 ppg).
 
MALI MADNESS
6-10 post Youssouf Traore is a standout for Mali on the youth national team level who is in his first season at the collegiate level. The 2024 AfroBasket MVP has been stellar thus far for the Miners. He is one of two players on the squad to hit double figures in scoring for both games, including posting a double-double (12 points, career-high 10 rebounds) vs. UIW. That came on the heels of an 18-point, seven-board effort vs. NKU in the opener on Nov. 2. Overall, Traore tops the team in rebounds per game (8.5-second MW/70th NCAA), aided by 4.0 offensive rebounds per contest (second MW/28th NCAA), and is second in scoring (15.0 ppg-15th MW).
 
CASON CONNECTS
East Carolina transfer Reid Cason is a 6-10 post who can impact the game at both ends of the floor. He blocked 30 shots a year ago while also shooting 56.1 percent. Cason has appeared in both contests off the bench, including sinking all three attempts to pitch in six points in only 12 minutes against UIW.
 
FOUR-STAR DON
Donovan Criss was a four-star recruit (ESPN.com) and a top-150 player nationally. He has come off the bench in both contests, including providing a big spark by tallying 13 points in the season opener vs. NKU. He has also showed off some defense with a block in each game.
 
ACTION JACKSON JR.
William & Mary transfer Ryan Jackson Jr. put up 7.0 ppg on 67.9 percent shooting while adding 3.0 rpg last year. The field-goal percentage was third all-time on the school's single-season list. He logged four minutes vs. NKU in his UTEP debut, but he did not see the floor against UIW.
 
SHARPSHOOTING JACE
Jace Whiting is a 6-3 sharpshooter transfer from Weber State who also played a combined 68 games in the Mountain West between stops at Boise State and UNLV. He drilled a pair of triples but also got after it on the glass with five rebounds in the opener vs. NKU before running into foul trouble last time out.
 
KALEB'S CORNER
Kaleb Jackson is a 6-7 guard who was tabbed as a three-star recruit coming out of Kingdom Collegiate. He averaged 16.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.6 spg last year. He made his collegiate debut against UIW, helping force a turnover in his two minutes of action.
 
CROATIAN CONNECTION
6-8 forward Ivan Perasovic played 115 games in the first division of the ABA League in Croatia. He accounted for 6.5 ppg (57.1 percent shooting) and 3.1 rpg in 2025-26 with KK Split. After missing the season opener with an injury, he played three minutes, drawing a foul and grabbing a rebound in his collegiate debut against UIW.
 
RATOWSKI ROUNDING INTO FORM
Janusz Ratowski is a 6-11 forward who nailed 63.2 percent of his shots last year after transferring from SEC foe Texas A&M. He has international experience, previously notching 9.6 ppg and 9.4 rpg with SMS PZKosz Wladyssalwowo in Poland in 2023-24. He has yet to make his UTEP debut.
 
CENTER OF ATTENTION
Three-star center signee Delano Tarpley accounted for 10.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg (6.1 drpg), 1.9 apg and 1.2 bpg in a sensational senior campaign with San Antonio William J. Brennan HS. He is still waiting to play in his first game as a Miner.
 
THE WARDEN
6-6 forward signee Isaiah Ward is a three-star prospect who earned TABC All State and All-Region accolades following his senior season with San Antonio William J. Brennan HS. His uncle (Kevin Ward) was a four-year letterwinner for the UTEP football team (1981-84) and the first starting black QB in program history. Ward has been an impact player off the bench thus far. He had four rebounds in just 10 minutes in the opener vs. NKU. Last time out he drilled a pair of triples while grabbing two rebounds vs. UIW.
 
STEALS HAVE BEEN SECONDARY IN NATURE TO US
The Miners have been among the best for steals the past few years under head coach 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 had a slight drop off last year but still checked in 90th (7.6 spg). UTEP had six thefts vs. NKU.
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DIGIT STEALS UNDER GOLDING
UTEP has produced 63 games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing once thus far in 2026-27. That overall figure under Golding surpasses the total number of such efforts (60) in the prior 15 seasons combined prior to his arrival (Golding started in the 2021-22 season).
 
TURNING TEAMS OVER IS WHAT WE'VE DONE
The Miners have been among the best, if not the best in the country, in that area the past four years. They were sixth in 2024-25 (16.0), first in 2023-24 (18.7) and 10th in 2022-23 (16.8). UTEP dipped some last year, but it still finished among the top-100 nationally by rating 90th in 2025-26 (12.7). The Miners forced 14 giveaways in the lidlifter vs. NKU and 15 vs. UIW.
 
ROSTER RUNDOWN
The 2026-27 roster was constructed through DI transfers, in addition to the JUCO, prep and international ranks. DI transfers include 6-10 forward Reid Cason (East Carolina), 6-10 forward Augusto Cassia (Ole Miss), 6-6 guard/forward Ryan Jackson Jr. (William & Mary), 6-8 forward Mikey Kelvin II (FIU), 6-5 guard Reese Miller (William & Mary), 6-7 guard Leif Moeller (Evansville), 6-11 forward Janusz Ratowski (Stetson) and 6-3 guard Jace Whiting (Weber State). Second-team All-American 6-5 guard Cam McDaniels (John A. Logan College) is coming out of the JUCO ranks while 6-8 forward Ivan Perasovic (Croatia) and 6-10 forward Youssouf Traore (Mali) venture from international action. There are four additions from the prep ranks, including a trio (6-5 four-star guard Donovan Criss, 6-11 three-star center Delano Tarpley and 6-6 three-star forward Isaiah Ward) that led San Antonio's William J. Brennan HS to runner-up honors at the 2026 state tournament. The Miners also inked 6-7 three-star guard Kaleb Jackson (Kingdom Collegiate).
 
HOW'S THE VIEW UP THERE?
UTEP features five players on this year's team at 6-10 or taller, making it the first such roster on record in school history. The individuals are in the form of Augusto Cassia (6-10, F), Reid Cason (6-10, F), Delano Tarpley (6-11, C), Janusz Ratowski (6-11, F) and Youssouf Traore (6-10, F).
 
SIZE ACROSS THE BOARD
Every player on UTEP's squad is 6-3 or taller, giving the Miners some nice size across the board. It marks the first time in school annals that the Orange and Blue have rostered a squad where everyone stands at least 6-3. Weber State transfer Jace Whiting holds that distinction at 6-3 while the rest of his teammates check in at 6-5 or taller.
 
TAKING THEIR TALENTS TO EL PASO
A unique part to UTEP's roster in 2026-27 is the fact that three standouts from the same high school all signed with the Miners to continue their careers together. 6-5 four-star guard Donovan Criss, 6-11 three-star center Delano Tarpley and 6-6 three-star forward Isaiah Ward all ventured to the 915 after leading San Antonio's William J. Brennan HS to incredible success. The program went to the Final Four in three of the past four years, including earning runner-up honors at the 2026 state tournament.
 
QUICK RUNDOWN
- Lost all five starters for the second straight season.
- No returning players whatsoever from the 2025-26 squad, marking the first time in school history that UTEP didn't bring back at least one individual from the prior year.
- Joe Golding is in his sixth season (82-84) at the helm of UTEP and his 16th campaign (240-228) overall as a collegiate head coach.
- There are eight DI transfers, four from the high school ranks, two out of the international pool and one via junior college.
- School-record five players listed at 6-10 or more.
- Playing 17 home games, including nine conference contests, in the first season as members of the Mountain West.
 
THE BASIC FACTS ON UTEP'S PROGRAM
-    The 2026-27 campaign is the 106th year 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 27 seasons with 20+ victories (last in 2022). 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 sixth 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 240-228 in his 16th season as a collegiate head coach, including 82-84 at UTEP. He has enjoyed three winning seasons in five years, piling up at least 18 triumphs in those campaigns above .500. He is tied for third all-time at UTEP. Golding needs one triumph to surpass Tony Barbee (82-52, 2006-10, third all-time). 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 will wrap up the three-game homestand when it plays host to Florida A&M at GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center at 6 p.m. MT on Sunday. The contest will be streamed on MW+ (subscription required), in addition to being carried on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso.
 

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