Game Notes In PDF Format

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (0-1) will play host to UIW (0-2) in its home opener at GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center at 5 p.m. MT Sunday. The Miners will be looking to bounce back after a narrow 84-76 neutral-site setback at the hands of NKU at the Field of 68 24-Hour Marathon on Nov. 2. The Cardinals have dropped their first two tilts of the campaign, including recently being clipped by Chicago State, 66-54, on Nov. 5. The contest is the first of three straight in the Sun City for UTEP, which will also welcome NM State (7 p.m. MT, Nov. 12) and Florida A&M (Nov. 15). The Miners had played 18 of the past 19 season openers at home prior to playing in Sioux Falls, S.D., for their lidlifter. Tickets for Sunday's contest 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. It will also be streamed on MW+ (subscription required), with Andy Morgan and former Miner assistant coach Bobby Braswell describing the action.
 
WAS EARLIEST START DATE EVER, AGAIN
For the third straight season, UTEP tipped things off on the earliest start date in program history. The date of Nov. 2 topped the campaign opener from a year ago (Nov. 3, 2025), which had bested the beginning in 2024-25 (Nov. 4). The Miners were clipped, 84-76, by NKU.
 
GET TO KNOW UIW
UIW carries a 0-2 record into the matchup with the Miners, and it will be playing for the third time in less than a week on Sunday. The Cardinals were routed, 90-61, in their season opener at Oklahoma State on Nov. 2 before being held off, 66-54, at home against Chicago State on Nov. 5. UIW has a nearly completely new roster, with 14 of the 15 players being new to the program. There are 10 transfers and a quartet of freshmen. Seton Hall transfer Godswill Erheriene tops the team in scoring (15.0 ppg), rebounding (7.0 rpg) and blocks (2.5 bpg) while shooting a stout 58.3 percent from the floor. New Haven transfer Mekhi Connor buoys him with 11.5 ppg and 4.0 apg while Ismail Habib, a transfer from University of Southern Indiana, is third on the squad with 9.5 ppg. He shares the team lead in 3-points made by having sunk a trio through two tilts. Another player to watch is 7-0 center Christophe Pare, who swatted six shots while grabbing six boards against the Cowboys. His efforts have helped the team place second in the Southland and 21st nationally for blocks per game (7.5). UIW has struggled both with scoring and taking care of the ball. In fact, it has more turnovers (40) than made field goals (36) through its two tilts. Individually, Pare is producing 3.0 bpg (second/21st) while Connor is among the SLC leaders and top-100 nationally for assists (eight-third/91st), total free throws made (12-first/24th) and attempted (16-first/24th) and steals per game (3.5-first/57th). There are ample areas of concern for the team where it is in the lower echelon of the league rankings and bottom-300 in the NCAA. They include assist-to-turnover ratio (0.48-10th/338th), assists per game (9.5-eighth/320th), bench scoring (11.0-12th/329th), field-goal percentage (34.6-ninth/329th), rebounding margin (-12.0-ninth/325th), scoring margin (-21.5-ninth/314th), scoring offense (57.0-ninth/329th), 3-point percentage (24.4-eighth/301st), 3-pointers made per game (5.0-ninth/300th), turnover margin (-5.0-12th/304th) and turnovers per game (20.0-11th/340th). UIW is the largest Catholic University in Texas, with its founding going back to 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. That group had arrived in San Antonio in 1869 to help assist with a cholera outbreak. It took on its current name in 1996. Notable alumni include David Robinson (Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee), who earned a master's degree and Tommy Tune (Broadway legend, director, dancer, and 5-time Tony Award winner)
 
SERIES HISTORY
UTEP leads the all-time series with UIW, 2-0, but the two sides have not squared off in nine years. Sunday's matchup will mark the first time that the two teams will battle outside the month of December. The Miners cruised past the Cardinals, 81-65, on Dec. 8, 2014, in the first matchup before taking them down, 72-66, on Dec. 19, 2017. Both prior contests have been held at GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center.
 
LAST GAME
Freshman Youssouf Traore registered 18 points to pace a quartet of Miners in double figures, but UTEP was upended, 84-76, by Northern Kentucky, in the season opener for both squads as part of the Field of 68 24-Hour Marathon at the Sanford Pentagon on Nov. 2. The game was back-and-forth, particularly in the opening stanza, with the Miners (0-1) trailing the Norse (1-0) by four (42-38) at the break. UTEP was within one (46-45) early in the second half before NKU ripped off a 13-4 surge to put the Miners down by double figures (59-49, 12:56, 2H). The Orange and Blue continued to battle from that, making it a one-possession contest on four different occasions, but they couldn't complete the comeback.
 
PLENTY OF PLAYERS STOOD OUT
Youssouf Traore flirted with a double-double (18 points and a team-high seven rebounds) to set the tone against NKU. Freshman Donovan Criss came off the bench to score 13 points, making all his shots from the floor (4-4) in addition to sinking three of his eight tries at the charity stripe. JUCO All-American Cam McDaniels registered 11 points while Ole Miss transfer Augusto Cassia added 10 points and four caroms. Cassia also dished out a career-most five assists. His passing efforts matched Leif Moeller (five dimes), who also had eight points in the affair.
 
CRASHING THE GLASS
UTEP pulled down 14 offensive rebounds vs. NKU, the most vs. a DI nonconference opponent since it registered 15 against Norfolk State on Dec. 21, 2025. That figure was the highest in an opener vs. a DI foe since the Miners secured 16 against Washington State on Nov. 14, 2014. Youssouf Traore (four), Isaiah Ward (three), Reid Cason (two) and Augusto Cassia (two) all had multiple offensive boards.
 
DROPPING DIMES
Both forward Augusto Cassia and point guard Leif Moeller were credited with five assists in the season opener vs NKU. It marked the first time since the Miners best FIU, 83-77, last season (Jan. 22, 2026) that multiple UTEP players dished out at least five helpers in the same contest.  As far as season openers, that hadn't occurred for UTEP in seven years when Eric Villa (six) and Jordan Lathon (five) teamed up to achieve the feat in a 90-73 rout of New Mexico Highlands on Dec. 5, 2019.
 
TOOK CARE OF THE BALL
UTEP treasured the basketball against NKU, committing only seven turnovers in the contest. It marked the fewest amount of giveaways against a nonconference DI foe since the Miners also had seven three years ago in an 89-76 vanquishing of UC Santa Barbara on Nov. 13, 2023. The last time the Orange and Blue pulled that off in the lidlifter vs. a DI opponent was 14 years ago. The Miners finished with seven turnovers against Oral Roberts in a 69-49 rout on Nov. 9, 2012.
 
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 Sunday's matchup with 81 wins during his time with the Orange and Blue. He needs two triumphs to surpass former bench boss Tony Barbee (82), who occupies third on the career charts. UTEP has a completely-revamped 15-man roster 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 had a solid UTEP debut, tallying 10 points while grabbing four boards vs. NKU.
 
ALL-AMERICAN CAM
6-5 guard Cam McDaniels, who joined UTEP after earning second-team All-American honors with John A. Logan College, put up 11 points in Miners' debut. He drilled a team-high three triples while adding four rebounds and a pair of assists.
 
CAME BACK TO THE LONE STAR STATE
Round Rock, Texas, native and William & Mary transfer Reese Miller ventured back to the Lone Star State for his senior season. He chipped in four points along with an assist in the opener while earning the starting nod. That was noteworthy given he led the Tribe in scoring (12.1 ppg) last year while coming off the bench.
 
RUNNING THE POINT
Evansville transfer and 6-7 point guard Leif Moeller was comfortable operating the offense for the Miners in their opener against NKU. He dished out five assists while turning it over just once, with that assist-to-turnover ratio (5.0) rating fourth in the Mountain West and 57th nationally.
 
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 was in top form vs NKU, making 7-10 shots from the floor and four of his five free throws for an 18-point performance. He added a squad-best seven boards, including four at the offensive end (fourth MW/69th NCAA)
 
BLOCK PARTY
East Carolina transfer Reid Cason is a 6-10 post who provides a defensive presence in the paint. He blocked 30 shots last year, with at least two in nine games. Cason also shot it well, drilling 56.1 percent from the floor. He was 2-6 from the floor vs. NKU but did not block any shots.
 
FOUR-STAR DON
Donovan Criss was a four-star recruit (ESPN.com) and a top-150 player nationally. He looked the part vs. NKU. He provided the Miners with a spark off the bench, tallying 13 points off the pine while adding a blocked shot and an assist.
 
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.
 
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. Four of those, a team high, were at the defensive end, despite being the shortest player on the team.
 
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 did not appear vs. NKU.
 
CROATIAN CONNECTION
6-8 forward Ivan Perasovic will make his collegiate debut for UTEP in 2026-27 after playing 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.
 
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.
 
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 didn't compete against NKU.
 
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. Ward's energy resulted in four rebounds in just 10 minutes.
 
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 62 games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing so 10 times last season. 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.
 
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 (81-84) at the helm of UTEP and his 16th campaign (239-228) 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 239-228 in his 16th season as a collegiate head coach, including 81-84 at UTEP. He has enjoyed three winning seasons in five years, piling up at least 18 triumphs in those campaigns above .500. He is fourth all-time at UTEP. Golding needs two triumphs to surpass Tony Barbee (82-52, 2006-10, third place). 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 play host to I-10 rival NM State in game two of the three-contest homestand at GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center at 7 p.m. MT on Nov. 12. The contest will be streamed on MW+ (subscription required), in addition to being carried on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso