Game Notes

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (9-15, 5-8 CUSA) will take aim at back-to-back wins when it locks up at second-place Jax State (13-10, 8-4 CUSA) at 5 p.m. MT/6 p.m. CT on Wednesday. The Miners rallied from 14 points down in an eventual 91-88 OT triumph against I-10 rival NM State last time out on Feb. 7. It marked the second triumph in the past three tilts for the Orange and Blue. The Gamecocks have claimed two straight and five of the last six, including smashing Kennesaw State, 77-58, last time out on Feb. 7. JSU is 9-4 at home on the year (5-1 CUSA). Sam Houston (W, 77-62, 1/14) is the lone CUSA program this year to best the Gamecocks inside Pete Mathews Coliseum. UTEP is 1-8 on the road (1-5), but it is playing much better in the situation of late. The Miners held a lead inside of two minutes before eventually falling at Sam Houston (70-66, 1/4). UTEP also was tied with 16 minutes left at league-leading Liberty (1/17) while knocking off Delaware (70-69, 1/15) prior to that. The contest at JSU begins a stretch with four of the next five away from home for the Orange and Blue. Following the matchup, UTEP will return home to play host to the Flames in a nationally-televised tilt (ESPN2) at 12 p.m. MT Saturday before enduring three straight on the road. UTEP and JSU will be squaring off a second time this year when the Gamecocks make the return visit to El Paso on "Senior Day" on March 7. Jon Teicher (45th year) will be on the call for the matchup between the Miners and Gamecocks on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required), with Eli Gold (play-by-play) and Mickey Shadrix (analyst) describing the action.
 
GET TO KNOW JAX STATE (11-11, 4-8 CUSA)
Jax State opened the year with three consecutive wins before dropping four straight and six of the next seven. The Gamecocks responded by running off three triumphs in a row and emerging victorious in four of five. After falling in back-to-back contests, JSU got hot once again. It has claimed five of its past six games, including securing a pair of wins the most-recent week of league play (W, 71-66, at WKU, 2/5, W, 77-58, Kennesaw State, 2/7). The surge puts the Gamecocks at 13-10 overall, including 8-4 in CUSA play to sit alone in second place in the league. JSU really gets after it defensively by holding foes to 39.4 percent from the floor (second CUSA/15th NCAA), including just 29.2 percent (first CUSA/15th NCAA) from distance, which plays a big role in the Gamecocks yielding only 66.3 ppg (second CUSA/23rd NCAA). JSU is also among the CUSA leaders and top-100 nationally for free-throws made (17.0-fourth/71st) and attempted (24.7-third/34th) per game, rebounding margin (+4.3-fourth/73rd), defensive boards per game (26.4-fourth/68th), total rebounds per contest (37.7-sixth CUSA/80th NCAA) and scoring margin (+6.9-fourth CUSA/90th NCAA). The only category it rates worse than 300th nationally is assists per game (12.1-305th). JSU is led offensively by the top scorer in CUSA, Mostapha El Moutaouakkil, who pours in 18.4 ppg (72nd NCAA). He gets to the free-throw line a ton, pacing the league and checking in among the top-50 in the NCAA for both free throws made (125-41st) and attempted (193-11th CUSA). The Louisiana transfer is also a quality rebounder, using his 6-6 frame to secure 7.4 rpg (sixth CUSA). AC Bryant (12.5 ppg) joins him in double figures for scoring while Jacoby Hill (9.0 ppg) and Emondrek Erkins-Ford (8.8 ppg) also have a knack for putting the ball in the hoop. Jaye Nash runs the offense effectively with 4.0 assists per game (fourth CUSA) while Iaroslav Niagu is a rim protector with 1.4 blocks per tilt (fourth CUSA). El Moutaouakkil has produced a quartet of double-doubles (tied fifth CUSA) and shoots 45.8 percent overall (seventh CUSA). Bryant needs to be checked close, as he drills 39.2 percent (69-176) from 3-point range. That works out to 3.0 triples made per game (second CUSA/35th NCAA). Notable alumni include Ashley Martin (became the first woman to play and score in an NCAA Division I American football game) and Cary Guffey (star of the 1977 Steven Spielberg film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind").
 
SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 3-2
UTEP is 3-2 against Jax State, although the Gamecocks claimed both meetings between the programs last year. It was a revenge of sorts, as the Miners swept the season series in the 2023-24 season. All four matchups between the programs since the Gamecocks joined CUSA have been decided by single digits, with three being eight-point differentials and another a seven-point margin. The only other meeting occurred 30 years ago, when the Orange and Blue derailed Jax State, 76-53, in the Sun City on Dec. 18, 1995.
 
LAST GAME (AT UTEP 91, NM STATE 88, 2/7/26)
Behind 21 points from Caleb Blackwell, double-doubles from Kaseem Watson (18 points, career-high 12 rebounds) and Elijah Jones (17 points, career-best tying 12 boards) and another big game from Jamal West Jr. (20 points, eight boards, four blocked shots), UTEP proved its mettle with a 91-88 overtime win against I-10 rival NM State in front of a season-best 7,862 fans at the Don Haskins Center on Feb. 7.
 
WHAT A COMEBACK
The Miners trailed the Aggies by 10 (66-56) with 6:13 remaining in regulation, but they refused to quit. UTEP closed the second half on a 16-6 run, including a clutch game-tying 3-pointer by Kaseem Watson from the top of the key with 4.4 seconds remaining to force OT with things tied up at 72. The Miners bolted to a nine-point advantage (83-74) over the first three minutes of the extra session, aided by a 10-0 run, and they never relinquished the lead. UTEP now boasts five come-from-behind victories when facing a deficit of 10+ points, the most since at least '08-09. Four of those have been in CUSA play (two against Delaware and one vs. MT and vs. NMSU).
 
BACK-TO-BACK VS. THE AGGIES
Coupled with UTEP's 66-63 wire-to-wire win at NM State (2/8/25) last year and the 91-88 OT home triumph this season, the Miners have claimed back-to-back triumphs against NM State. It marks the first time they've done so since winning consecutive contests spanning the 2011-12 and 2012-13 campaigns. UTEP was victorious in the second matchup between the foes in '11-12 and the first against its rivals in '12-13.
 
OT WARRIORS
UTEP rallied back from as many as 14 down to force OT in the eventual 91-88 victory against NM State. It moved the Miners to 3-0 this year in overtime, the most such victories since the 2016-17 campaign (3-0). UTEP's three-game winning streak in OT affairs is also the longest since that '16-18 season.
 
FIRST OT GAME VS. NM STATE IN 24 YEARS
The 91-88 OT triumph vs. NM State was the first game that required overtime against the Aggies since the 2001-02 season. That year, UTEP bested NM State, 85-81 (2/20/02). 
 
PILED UP THE POINTS
UTEP's 91 points were the most against a DI opponent since lighting up WKU in a 93-87 triumph two years ago (1/20/24).
 
WINNING A SHOOTOUT
UTEP had dropped eight straight games when allowing at least 88 points prior to dispatching NM State, 91-88, in OT last time out. The Miners hadn't secured a win in that situation since dropping Rice, 101-89 (1/8/21) five years ago.
 
GET THAT WEAK STUFF OUT OF HERE
Led by Jamal West Jr.'s season-high four blocked shots, the Miners finished with eight rejections against NM State. That is the most against DI competition since UTEP swatted eight shots at UTSA (1/23/22) in head coach Joe Golding's first season on the sidelines in the Sun City.
 
ANOTHER CLOSE WIN
UTEP marched to 4-1 this year in contests decided by three points or less with the 91-88 OT triumph against NM State, 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).
 
BOMBS AWAY
UTEP banged home a campaign-high tying 11 3-pointers on a season-most 32 tries against NM State. It got better as the game went on, hitting 25.0 percent (4-16) in the first half, 41.7 percent (5-12) in the second frame and 50.0 percent (2-4) in OT.
 
WINNING WITHOUT SHOOTING OUR BEST
After starting the year at 0-9 when falling short of 40.0 percent from the floor, the Miners have now claimed back-to-back contests in the situation.
 
LIVED AT THE LINE
UTEP relentlessly attacked NM State on the way to setting season bests for both free throws made (26) and attempted (38) in the OT triumph. It was the most such tosses connected and trips to the charity stripe for the Miners since they were 33-43 (76.7 percent) against WKU last year (2/27/25).
 
WEST JR. WAS THERE ALL NIGHT LONG
Jamal West Jr. put his head down and got to the line early and often in the win against NM State. He finished 12-20 at the charity stripe. His 20 attempts tied for seventh all-time in the UTEP record books, fouling out multiple Aggies in the process. He became the first Miner to make that many trips to the charity stripe for the first time in 17 years when program all-time leading scorer Stefon Jackson was an incredible 20-20 against Marshall vs. Marshall (2/14/09). West Jr.'s 12 makes were the most by a UTEP player since Devon Barnes knocked down 12 tosses against WKU last season (2/27/25).
 
CLUTCH FREE THROWS
Caleb Blackwell set career highs for both free throws made (seven) and attempted (eight) vs. NM State. That included going a perfect 6-6 in OT (4-4 in final 16 seconds), with his final two makes giving UTEP a three-point lead with 2.5 seconds left to seal the game.
 
SEEING DOUBLE
Both Kaseem Watson (18 points, career-high 12 rebounds) and Elijah Jones (17 points, career-best tying 12 boards) turned in double-doubles for the Miners in the victory against the Aggies. It marked the first time in three years that the Orange and Blue had a pair of players produce them in the same tilt. During the 2022-23 campaign Calvin Solomon (16 points, 11 boards) and Shamar Givance (17 points, 10 assists) each achieved the feat at UAB (12/29/22).
 
ALL OVER THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS
UTEP racked up 18 offensive boards in the win vs. NM State. That marks the most such rebounds against DI competition since incidentally also snagging 18 caroms at the offensive end in a 74-49 home rout of the Aggies two years ago (2/10/24). Elijah Jones keyed the charge with five, followed by Jamal West Jr. (four) and Kaseem Watson (three).
 
REBOUNDS A PLENTY
The Miners secured 49 total rebounds in the triumph against NM State, marking the most boards vs. a DI opponent since they pulled down 53 in a double-overtime 79-73 setback at UAB three seasons ago (12/29/22).
 
WE LIKE SCORING FIRST
While basketball is a 40-minute game, interestingly enough the Miners are 5-3 on the year when scoring first and 4-12 when the opposition does so. UTEP got on the board first vs. NM State with a 3-pointer from Kaseem Watson, who coincidentally capped the scoring in regulation with a triple to force OT.
 
WHAT A WEEK FOR A CALEB
Caleb Blackwell posted consecutive 20+ point efforts last week (career-high 22 at Sam Houston, 2/4, 21 vs. NM State, 2/7), shooting better than 47.0 percent from the floor in each contest. He did other things as well, finishing the week by averaging 21.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.0 apg (only 1.0 tpg) and 1.5 spg in 38.2 mpg while also making 83.3 percent (10-12) at the charity stripe.
 
DON'T FORGET US
Jamal West Jr. (21 points at Sam Houston, 2/4, 21 vs. NM State, 2/7) also had back-to-back 20+ scoring outings while stuffing the stat sheet in other areas on the way to accounting for 20.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 3.0 bpg. Meanwhile, Kaseem Watson (15.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg) and Elijah Jones (10.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg) nearly averaged a double-double across two contests last year.
 
CALEB LOVING THE ROAD LATELY
In his past three road tilts, Caleb Blackwell has gone off. He is averaging 19.0 ppg while making 20-41 attempts (48.8 percent), including 13-26 (50.0 percent) from 3-point range. Most recently, he lit up Sam Houston (2/4) for a career-high 22 points.
 
RIDICULOUS ROAD DISCREPANCY
UTEP opponents have attempted 111 more free throws than the Miners in their nine road contests this year. UTEP is 78-117 (66.7 percent) while the opposition is a whopping 159-228 (69.7 percent).
 
RUNNING THE OFFENSE AND SNAGGING STEALS
Sophomore KJ Thomas has done a fine job at the point guard slot for UTEP, pacing the squad in assists (3.4-10th CUSA) while sharing it for steals (1.2). The last Miner to top the unit in each of those categories (among qualified players) was Omega Harris eight years ago. Harris had 2.0 apg and 1.0 spg.
 
BLACKWELL PICKING IT UP AT THE LINE
Caleb Blackwell is a combined 14-16 (87.5 percent) at the free-throw line the past three tilts. It is a significant uptick in both accuracy and attempts from earlier in the year. Blackwell was a combined 14-23 (60.9 percent) over his first 17 games played.
 
THAT'S CONSISTENT
Elijah Jones has reached double figures in 21 of 24 contests this year. He has tallied 15+ points in 11 games and 20 or more in five tilts. He had five double-digit efforts over his first two seasons as a Miner, never reaching 20.
 
DOUBLE THE FUN
After never recording a double-double at the collegiate level through his first 81 appearances, Elijah Jones has now achieved the feat in two of the past three games. He had 15 points and 12 boards vs. Delaware (1/31) while registering 17 points and 12 caroms last time out against NM State.
 
ALL OVER THE BOARDS
Elijah Jones has grabbed 31 total rebounds the past three tilts, which is easily by far the best three-game stretch of his career. His most previously during a three-game stretch was 18 earlier in the year.
 
TALKING DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Jamal West Jr.'s double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) vs. LA Tech (1/28) was the 16th of his career, with four (tied fifth 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. Elijah Jones (two), LA Hayes (one) and Kaseem Watson (one) have also produced double-doubles this year. UTEP's four different players with at least one double-double are also the most in four years (2021-22).
 
DON'T LEAVE THEM OPEN
Kaseem Watson (42-112, 37.5 percent), Elijah Jones (36-98, 36.7 percent) and Caleb Blackwell (35-94, 37.2 percent) have all proven to be threats from 3-point range in 2025-26. The last UTEP team to have three players make at least 35 triples while shooting at a clip of 35.0 percent or better was five years ago thanks to Jamal Bieniemy (68-188, 36.2 percent), Souley Boum (64-174, 36.8 percent) and Jorell Saterfield (49-113, 43.4 percent).
 
TALKING 20+ POINT SCORERS
Caleb Blackwell (22 at Sam Houston, 2/4 and 21 vs. NM State, 2/7), Kaseem Watson (25 at FIU, 1/4 and Middle Tennessee 1/8) and Jamal West Jr. (21 at Sam Houston and 20 vs. NM State, 2/7) all have produced back-to-back games with at least 20 points this year. Blackwell's and West Jr.'s streak is current. It's the first time since the 2020-21 season that a trio of Miners (Souley Boum, Jamal Bieniemy and Bryson Williams) have all enjoyed consecutive contests of 20+ points in a campaign.
 
BEEN LOTS OF THEM THIS YEAR
Across the board, the Miners have had 17 separate showings with 20+ points this year. Elijah Jones and Jamal West Jr. lead the way with five each, followed by four from Kaseem Watson and three by Caleb Blackwell. It's the most combined 20+ point efforts at the school since 2021-22 (28). That year was also the last time three different players had four or more 20+ outings. In '21-22 Souley Boum racked up 17, followed by six by Jamal Bieniemy and four courtesy of Keonte Kennedy.
 
CASSIUS SURPASSES 1,000 CAREER POINTS AT THE NCAA LEVEL
Cassius Brooks chipped in four points against NM State, moving him past 1,000 career points (1,003) at the NCAA level. The majority of those came during his stellar two-year run with DII program Arkansas Tech.
 
WATCH OUT FOR JONES AND WEST JR. AT THE RIM
The duo of Elijah Jones (30 blocks, 1.25 bpg-ninth CUSA) and Jamal West Jr. (30 blocks, 1.25 bpg-ninth CUSA) has accounted for 60 of UTEP's 82 rejections on the season. No one else on the team is in double digits. It marks the first time 2021-22 that multiple Miners posted 30+ blocked shots. That year it was courtesy of Jamari Sibley (34) and Tydus Verhoeven (32).
 
THEY CONNECT OFTEN
Jamal West Jr. (56.6 percent-second CUSA/51st NCAA) and Elijah Jones (49.1 percent-fifth CUSA) give the Miners two of the top five players in the league rankings for field-goal percentage.
GOTTA GET TO 70
The Miners are 9-1 this season when tallying 70+ points, most recently doing so with the 91-88 OT triumph vs. NM State.
 
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) while sharing it for blocked shots (1.25-ninth CUSA). Jones is also second in rebounding (5.4 rpg), field-goal percentage (132-269, 49.1 percent-fifth CUSA) and 3-pointers made (36). Last year Jones averaged 3.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg in 2024-25 and 3.9 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 2023-24.
 
MR AND-1
Jamal West Jr. has posted a squad-leading 14 And-1s on the season. It shouldn't come as a surprise given that he's leads the team in both free throws made (79-11th CUSA) and attempted (124-sixth CUSA).
 
KASEEM IS COOKING
Kaseem Watson has reached double figures in scoring in nine of the past 11 games and 16 of the last 20 contests. He is accounting for 13.8 ppg in the stretch, elevating his season scoring average from 6.8 ppg (through four tilts) to 12.3 ppg. Furthermore, he is UTEP's leading scorer for CUSA play at 14.6 ppg, aided by drilling 38.6 (32-83) from distance and 30-31 (96.8 percent) at the charity stripe.
 
THIS TRIO BRINGS IT EVERY NIGHT
UTEP's top three scorers (Elijah Jones, 14.3 ppg-ninth CUSA, Jamal West Jr., 14.0 ppg-12th CUSA and Kaseem Watson, 12.6 ppg-21st CUSA) bring it offensively every single night. Jones has recorded double figures in scoring 21 times followed by West Jr. (18) and Watson (17). 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 73.8 percent (180-244) 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 25 consecutive free throws and 30-31 (96.8 percent) in CUSA action. The last Miner to make at least 25 straight at the stripe was Bryson Williams (28-28, '19-20). The most-recent UTEP player to have a stretch of at least 30 in a row was Miner Hall of Famer Brandon Wolfram ('99-00).
 
WEST JR. ON THE BOARDS
Jamal West Jr. has secured a team-leading 6.9 rebounds per game (10th CAA), aided by 7.2 rpg in CUSA only action. He has been a menace on the offensive boards (2.54 orpg-eighth 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 7-5 in the situation.
 
SCORING FROM LOTS OF PLAYERS
Twelve times this year, at least four UTEP players have reached double figures in scoring in the same game. As individuals, Elijah Jones has been the most consistent with 21 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. (18) and Kaseem Watson (17) have buoyed his efforts. Caleb Blackwell (eight in 20 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. (14.0 ppg-12th CUSA) and Kaseem Watson (12.6 ppg-21st CUSA) 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).
 
STEALS HAVE BEEN SECONDARY IN NATURE TO US
The Miners enter the game at Jax State averaging 7.8 spg (second CUSA/87th 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 61games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing seven times this year. That overall figure under Golding surpasses the total number of such efforts (60) in the prior 15 seasons combined prior to his arrival (started for 2021-22 season).
 
TURNING TEAMS OVER IS WHAT WE'VE DONE
UTEP enters the game at Jax State with the opposition committing 13.3 giveaways per game (second CUSA/86th 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).
 
WAS A DAUNTING NON D1 SCHEDULE
UTEP endured a challenging nonconference vs. DI foes. Through Feb. 9, those eight opponents have combined to go 126-68.
 
HEALTH CHECK
With two Miners (David Tubek and Tyreese Watson), sidelined to injuries vs. NM State, UTEP has now lost 31 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 8-5 at home (4-3 CUSA), giving them a shot still to secure 10+ wins in the Sun City for a sixth straight year if they can claim two of their final three home tilts.
 
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 237-222 in his 15th season as a collegiate head coach, including 79-78 at UTEP. He has enjoyed three winning seasons in four years, piling up at least 18 triumphs in those campaigns above .500. He is fourth all time at UTEP, and if UTEP 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 returns home to play host to league-leading Liberty for a special 12 p.m. tipoff on ESPN2 on Saturday. Jon Teicher (45th year) and Steve Yellen (23rd year) will also be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. For ticket specials for the tilt against the Flames, call (915) 747-UTEP.
 

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