Game Notes

OPENING TIP
The UTEP men's basketball team (10-18, 6-11 CUSA) will look to get back on track when it plays at surging WKU (17-11, 10-7 CUSA) in its final regular-season road game of the year at 1 p.m. MT/2 p.m. CT Saturday. The Miners sustained a third consecutive setback when they were upended at Middle Tennessee, 77-67, last time out on Feb. 26. The Hilltoppers kept rolling by running their winning streak to five with a 93-70 dismantling of NM State on Feb. 26. It marked their second straight win by 20+ points, something WKU hasn't achieved against CUSA foes since the quarterfinals and semifinals of the 2024 league championships. UTEP will be striving to earn a season split in the series after falling previously, 68-56 (1/8). The Miners are also in search of their first victory on the road against WKU in program history (0-7). The contest is the third of three straight away from home for UTEP, marking the second time this season the Orange and Blue have endured three consecutive CUSA road tilts. The last time the Miners had multiple roadswings of at least three in a road on the row in league play was during head coach Joe Golding's first year (2021-22). UTEP is 2-10 on the road this season (2-7 CUSA) while the Toppers sport a mark of 11-4 at home (6-3 CUSA). It is a critical contest for the Orange and Blue, who sit in a three-way tie for ninth place in the CUSA standings (FIU, NM State) with three games remaining in the regular season. The top-10 finishers in the league will qualify for the 2026 CUSA Championships (March 10-14). WKU, which has locked up a spot in the tournament, currently sits alone in third place. Jon Teicher (45th year) will be describing the action on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. It will also be streamed on ESPN+ with Barry Gresham and Tyler Olden on the call.
 
GET TO KNOW WKU (17-11, 10-7 CUSA)
WKU raced out of the gates with four straight wins on the way to finishing at 7-4 in nonconference play. The Hilltoppers then claimed four of their first six CUSA contests before falling in four in a row and five of the next six. WKU has righted the ship with a five-game surge, including handing league-leading Liberty its first loss in CUSA action in a 94-73 road rout (2/21). Last time out, the Toppers blasted NM State, 93-70, to improve to 17-11 overall and 10-7 in league play. They have won back-to-back games vs. CUSA foes by 20+ points for the first time since the quarterfinals and semifinals of the 2024 CUSA Championships. The last time the Toppers achieved the feat during the regular season of conference action was in 2009-10 when they were members of the Sun Belt. The bounce back has been fueled by the offense shifting into high gear. After being kept to less than 70 points in six straight and nine of 10, WKU has gotten hot. It has surpassed 80 points in all five games of the winning streak, including notching consecutive contests with 90+ points, to account for 87.4 ppg in the stretch. A key to the Toppers' high-flying attack (79.0 ppg-fourth CUSA) comes with their ability to get downhill. WKU makes 19.2 free throws/game (first CUSA/16th NCAA) on 25.1 FTA/game (second CUSA/22nd NCAA) for a readout of 76.3 percent at the charity stripe (second CUSA/47th NCAA). It is also among the CUSA leaders and top-100 nationally for bench scoring (32.9-first/15th), field-goal percentage defense (42.6-sixth/85th),  offensive rebounds/game (13.4-third/19th), defensive boards/contest (26.4-third/63rd), overall rebounds/game (39.8-third/28th), steals per game (7.7-second/88th), turnover margin (2.3-second/60th) and fewest turnovers per contests (10.4-second/65th). WKU is last in CUSA and 347th nationally for field-goal percentage (40.4), but it makes up for that by getting to the line a ton, turn, crashing the boards and getting out in transition with 12.4 fastbreak points/game (fourth CUSA/101st NCAA). WKU also boasts a top-four league rating in 3-pointers attempted/game (25.5-fourth), turnovers forced (12.7-second) and winning percentage (60.7-third). Teagan Moore, the second-leading scorer in the league (18.5 ppg-68th NCAA) paces the attack, but Grant Newell (12.3 ppg-22nd CUSA), Ryan Myers (11.1 ppg) and Armelo Boone (11.0 ppg) join him in double figures.  Boone is the top rebounder (6.2 rpg-18th CUSA) on the unit, and he is especially good at clearing the defensive glass (4.56 drpg-11th CUSA). Moore is a pest at the other end with 2.2 offensive rebounds per game (11th CUSA). Boone (1.4 spg-seventh CUSA) and LJ Hackman (1.3 spg-14th CUSA) get after it with steals. Myers is the top sharpshooter for WKU, nailing 2.3 treys per tilt (sixth CUSA). In fact, 65 (fifth CUSA) of his 92 FGM on the season have come from beyond-the-arc. Moore has a knack for getting to the charity stripe, making 139 (third CUSA/59th NCAA) of 174 (third CUSA/70th NCAA) for a readout of 79.9 percent (seventh CUSA). Myers (62-67, 92.5 percent), Terrion Murdix (40-48, 83.3 percent), Hackman (76-96, 79.4 percent) and Newell (81-106, 76.4 percent) also excel in that department. Notable university alumni include Romeo Crennel (former head coach of the Cleveland Browns & KC Chiefs), the late Duncan Hines (pioneer of restaurant ratings for travelers) and the late Cordell Hull (Secretary of State under FDR).
 
SERIES HISTORY: WKU LEADS, 14-2
WKU leads the series, 14-2, aided by winning five straight against the Miners. The Hilltoppers rallied past UTEP, for a 68-56 triumph at the Haskins Center earlier this year (1/10). The Orange and Blue will be vying to split the season series for the second time in the past three years (1-1 in '23-24 regular season), in addition to striving for their first road vanquishing (0-7) of the Toppers. The Miners' first triumph in the series came in OT (93-89, Feb. 6, 2016) in front of a capacity crowd as part of the 50-year celebration of them winning the 1966 NCAA Championship vs. Kentucky, 72-65.
 
LAST GAME (AT MTSU 77, UTEP 67, 2/28/26)
Kaseem Watson tallied a game-high 24 points (one shy of season high) while Elijah Jones added 19 points, but UTEP sustained a 77-67 setback at Middle Tennessee on Feb. 26. The Miners trailed by eight (34-26) at the break only to have the Blue Raiders get going at both ends to put the Orange and Blue down by 24 (55-31) with 13 minutes remaining in regulation. UTEP dug in and behind a barrage of 3-pointers, cut the margin all the way down to eight (71-63, 3:47, 2H) before MTSU regrouped to hold on. Caleb Blackwell added six points and a pair of steals while Jamal West Jr. was limited to four points due to foul trouble that eventually saw him finish the game from the pine as result. KJ Thomas recorded four assists and chipped in two points before fouling out as well. Trey Horton III (six points), LA Hayes (four points) and Cassius Brooks (two points) made contributions off the bench.
 
SIZZLING SHOOTING FROM KASEEM
Kaseem Watson was sizzling at Middle Tennessee, finishing with his second-most points (24) as a Miner. Watson was especially strong in the second half, tallying 19 of his game-high 24 in the frame. Overall, Watson connected on 7-9 from the floor, including 4-5 from distance.
 
NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT THREE
Kaseem Watson nailed a 3-pointer on three consecutive possessions for UTEP during the second stanza to help fuel the Miners' rally attempt. Trey Horton III nearly matched his feat, with triples on back-to-back possessions down the stretch.
 
ELIJAH GOT IT GOING TOO
Elijah Jones joined Kaseem Watson in going a bit bonkers after the break at Middle Tennessee. Jones finished with 19 points in the contest, with 11 of those coming during the final 20 minutes. Jones connected on 5-6 in the second half on the way to finishing at 8-13 from the field.
 
900+ POINTS AND COUNTING
With his 24-point effort at Middle Tennessee, Kaseem Watson moved past 900 career (903) points at the DI level. Watson has accounted for 356 points as a Miner. 
 
GETTING TO THE RACK
Kaseem Watson did a good job of lowering his head and getting to the line (6-8) at Middle Tennessee. His eight attempts were his most as a Miner. It also tied his collegiate high, which came when he went 7-8 vs. UMES (3/6/25) as a member of Delaware State.
 
JUST NEEDED SOME TIME TO HEAT UP
After a slow start from 3-point range (3-9) in the first half, the Miners got things going after the break. UTEP connected on 6-11 from beyond-the-arc in the second half. Kaseem Watson started the charge with a triple on three straight trips while Trey Horton III filled up a 3-pointer in back-to-back possessions late in the affair. Elijah Jones also buried a trey in the second half.
 
BENCH BUNCH
UTEP was even (12-12) in bench scoring at MTSU. It halted a five-game surge where the Miners' bench was outscored by the opposition (combined 54 points during the stretch).
 
SHARP SHOOTING FROM DISTANCE
UTEP nailed 9-20 (45.0 percent) from 3-point range at Middle Tennessee, marking its second-highest percent from beyond-the-arc this year. It trailed only the effort of 11-23 (47.8 percent) at Liberty (1/17).
 
BEEN DOING THAT LATELY
Thanks to the sharpshooting (9-20, 45.0 percent) at MTSU, the Miners have now surpassed 40 percent from 3-point range in three of the past four contests. UTEP has now nailed at least 40.0 percent from distance nine times this year, seven of which have come during league play. That's the most such efforts in conference action since 2021-22 (10).
 
MAKING 3-POINTERS IN BUNCHES
The Miners have banged home at least eight triples in five straight and 10 of the past 12 tilts. Overall, there have been 17 such efforts. That is the most since 2021-22 (18). Thirteen of those have happened in league play, the highest such amount of league contests since at least 1999.
 
NO BLOCKING US
Middle Tennessee did not block any shots against the Miners. It is the first time since a matchup at Charlotte (1/23/22) four years ago that UTEP played a road tilt without having a shot rejected. It had occurred twice previously at home this year (vs. Delaware, 1/31 and vs. Norfolk State, 12/21).
 
BLOCK PARTY FOR WEST JR. AND JONES
UTEP swatted three shots at Middle Tennessee, with two by Elijah Jones and one from Jamal West Jr. West Jr. now sports 37 (fourth CUSA) on the year, followed by 35 (seventh CUSA) by Jones. It's the first time in 25 years ('00-01) that multiple Miners had 35+ blocks in a season. Brian Stewart (48) keyed the charge, followed by Leonard Owens (35).
 
SURPASSED 200 STEALS ON THE SEASON
For the fifth time in as many years under head coach Joe Golding, UTEP has tallied 200+ steals. The Miners head into the game at WKU with 212 thefts. Prior to his arrival, UTEP hadn't surpassed 200 takeaways in a year since an eight-year streak from 2003-04 through 2010-11.
 
MAKE IT 100 BLOCKS THIS SEASON
For the first time in four years, the Miners have reached the century mark for blocked shots. UTEP enters the game at WKU with 103 rejections, the most since posting 121 swats during head coach Joe Golding's first season (2021-22) on the sidelines.
 
200+ TRIPLES AGAIN
After going 9-20 (45.0 percent) from 3-point distance at Middle Tennessee, the Miners now stand 207-608 from distance. It marks the third time in five seasons under head coach Joe Golding that UTEP posted 200+ triples made.  The Miners had three such seasons (2015-16, 2017-18, 2019-20) in the prior 11 campaigns to Golding's arrival.
 
THREE MINERS WITH AT LEAST 5.0 RPG
Jamal West Jr. (6.5 rpg-15th CUSA), Elijah Jones (5.5 rpg) and Kaseem Watson (5.0 rpg) are all recording at least 5.0 rpg. The last time the Orange and Blue had a trio of players finish with at least 5.0 rpg in a season was in 2018-19 with Efe Odigie (10.1 rpg), Paul Thomas (5.2 rpg) and Jordan Lathom (5.0 rpg).
 
KASEEM IS COOKING
Kaseem Watson has reached double figures in scoring in eight of nine (14.1 ppg), 12 of 15 (13.9 ppg) and 19 of the past 24 contests (13.7 ppg). The effort has vaulted his scoring average from 6.8 ppg (through four tilts) to 12.7 ppg. The surge has also moved him in as the top scorer (14.4) in CUSA contests for the Miners.
 
JUST PENCIL HIM IN FOR AT LEAST ONE TREY BUT PROBABLY MORE
Kaseem Watson has nailed a 3-pointer in 15 straight contests, including knocking down multiple triples 12 times in the stretch. He was 4-5 from distance at Middle Tennessee, marking his fifth game this year with at least four treys. Overall, Watson has drilled a team-best 52-133 (39.1 percent) from beyond-the-arc this year, including going 42-104 (40.4 percent) in CUSA play.
 
JONES IS DIALED IN FROM DISTANCE
Elijah Jones is a combined 13-24 (54.2 percent) from 3-point range the past five tilts, including making 3-6 last time out at Middle Tennessee. The surge has moved him to 35-82 (42.7 percent) from beyond-the-arc in conference play. His percentage in CUSA action tops the team while his 35 makes trail only Kaseem Watson (42-104, 40.4 percent).  Jones was 12-37 (32.4 percent) on treys in nonconference play.
 
THOMAS ON A STEALING SURGE
KJ Thomas has picked up his defensive pressure by registering a steal in nine of the past 10 games. He has 15 total takeaways in the stretch, aided by at least two thefts in four of those tilts. Thomas had a career-high tying three steals at Jax State (2/11), matching his effort vs. Missouri State (1/24), which was the second game of the current surge. The uptick has elevated him to 1.2 spg, putting him tied for first on the squad with Caleb Blackwell.
 
WE CLOSE THINGS OUT
UTEP is 6-0 on the year when leading with five minutes to play in regulation. The most-recent situation came was when the Miners were ahead by seven (62-55) as the clock hit 5:00, and they did enough down the stretch to hold off Jax State (2/11) on the road, 69-64.
 
IT'S NOT OVER 'TIL THE CLOCK HITS ZERO
UTEP has posted five wins this year when facing a deficit of 10+ points, with four of those coming during CUSA play (two against Delaware, one vs. Middle Tennessee and one vs. NM State). The other came vs. St. Thomas (Houston) in nonconference play. It is the most such come-from-behind triumphs since at least 2004-05.
 
WE LIKE SCORING FIRST
While basketball is a 40-minute game, interestingly enough the Miners are 6-4 on the year when scoring first and 4-14 when the opposition does so.
 
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 (3.1-11th 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 16-19 (84.2 percent) at the free-throw line the past seven tilts, although he hasn't attempted one the last three games. Incredibly, he went 14-23 (60.9 percent) over his first 17 games played.
 
THAT'S CONSISTENT
Elijah Jones has reached double figures in 24 of 28 contests this year. He has tallied 15+ points in 14 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 done so twice this year. Both have come withing the past seven contests. He had 15 points and 12 boards vs. Delaware (1/31) while registering 17 points and 12 caroms against NM State (2/7).
 
ALL STREAKS COME TO A CLOSE
Caleb Blackwell's career-long six game scoring streak of 10+ points was ended when he finished with six points at Middle Tennessee. Kaseem Watson had two streaks that were halted. He had recorded at least seven boards in a career-most five consecutive contests before grabbing four last time out. Watson also had hit 35 straight free throws, the most in a row by a Miner since Antoine Gillespie (42 straight in 1993-94), before going 6-8 against the Blue Raiders.
 
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 seventh 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 performances 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 (52-133, 39.1 percent), Elijah Jones (47-119, 39.5 percent) and Caleb Blackwell (43-116, 37.1 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 40 triples while shooting at a clip of 35.0 percent or better was in 2021-22 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 at some point this season. 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 19 separate showings with 20+ points this year. Jamal West Jr. leads the way with six such outings. Elijah Jones and Kaseem Watson follow with five each while Caleb Blackwell has done so three times this season. 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 1,000+ CAREER POINTS AT THE NCAA LEVEL
Cassius Brooks enters the matchup at WKU at 1,011 career points at the NCAA level. The majority of those came during his stellar two-year run with DII program Arkansas Tech (933 points from 2023-25).
 
WATCH OUT FOR JONES AND WEST JR. AT THE RIM
The duo of Jamal West Jr. (37 blocks, 1.32 bpg-fifth CUSA) and Elijah Jones (35 blocks, 1.25 bpg-ninth CUSA) has accounted for 72 of UTEP's 103 rejections on the season. No one else on the team is in double digits. They become the first pair of Miner teammates since Brian Stewart (48) and Leonard Owens (35) in 2000-01 to have at least 35 blocked shots in a season. It is also the sixth occasion (2021-22, 2014-15, 2008-09, 2000-01, 1993-94) dating to 1990 that two Miners had 30+ blocked shots in a campaign.
 
THEY CONNECT OFTEN
Jamal West Jr. (55.3 percent-second CUSA/58th NCAA) and Elijah Jones (49.2 percent-sixth CUSA) give the Miners two of the top 10 players in the league rankings for field-goal percentage.
 
IMPORTANT TO 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 (2/7). UTEP is 1-17 when falling shy of that figure, with the triumph in the situation coming at Jax State (W, 69-64, 2/11).
 
WHAT A LEAP BY ELIJAH
Elijah Jones has stepped things up at both ends of the court this year, topping the team in scoring (14.2 ppg-15th CUSA) while rating second for blocked shots (1.25-ninth CUSA), rebounding (5.5), field-goal percentage (49.2-sixth CUSA) and 3-pointers made (47). 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 13 And-1s on the season. It shouldn't come as a surprise given that he's leads the team in both free throws made (93) and attempted (142-seventh CUSA). He's been especially aggressive in CUSA play. He is 64-99 (64.6 percent) in 17 games (5.8 FTA/game) compared to 29-43 (67.4 percent) in 11 nonconference contests (3.9 FTA/game).
 
THIS TRIO BRINGS IT EVERY NIGHT
UTEP's top three scorers (Elijah Jones, 14.2 ppg-15th CUSA, Jamal West Jr., 13.5 ppg-17th CUSA and Kaseem Watson, 12.7 ppg-20th CUSA) bring it offensively every single night. Jones has recorded double figures in scoring 24 times followed by Watson (20) and West Jr. (20). 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 74.0 percent (225-304) from the free-throw line in CUSA play. The Miners have nailed at least 70.0 percent in four straight tilts and 12 times total in league action. It is a stark improvement from nonconference action when the Orange and Blue were just 64.5 percent (147-228) at the stripe.
 
WEST JR. ON THE BOARDS
Jamal West Jr. has secured a team-leading 6.5 rebounds per game (15th CUSA). He has been a menace on the offensive boards (2.29 orpg-10th 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 8-8 in the situation.
 
SCORING ACROSS THE BOARD
Fourteen times this year (9-5 overall), including six occasions in CUSA play (5-1), 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 23 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. (20) and Kaseem Watson (20) have buoyed his efforts. Caleb Blackwell (12 in 24 GP), KJ Thomas (four), LA Hayes (three) Tyreese Watson (three in seven GP) also have multiple games with 10+ points.
 
GETTING OFFENSIVE
Elijah Jones (14.0 ppg-13th CUSA), Jamal West Jr. (13.9 ppg-15th CUSA) and Kaseem Watson (12.3 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 WKU averaging 7.6 spg (third CUSA/100th NCAA), aided by recording at last time out at Middle Tennessee. 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 62 games with at least 10 steals under head coach Joe Golding, including doing so eight times this year (8-2). 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 WKU with the opposition committing 12.7 giveaways per game (second CUSA/106th NCAA). After two foes combined for 11 total, the Miners forced giveaways at Middle Tennessee. UTEP has 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. 26, those eight opponents have combined to go 147-81.
 
OT WARRIORS
UTEP rallied back from as many as 14 down to force OT in the eventual 91-88 victory against NM State (2/7). 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 '16-17 season. The Miners previously bested Middle Tennessee (83-80, 1/8) and St. Thomas (Houston), 84-83 (11/19) in OT earlier this season.
 
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 (2/7), with two of those victories 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).
 
HEALTH CHECK
With two Miners (David Tubek and Tyreese Watson), sidelined to injuries at Middle Tennessee (2/26), UTEP has now lost 39 man-games to injury after having only three such contests a year ago. It's the most such man-games lost to injury since at least 2020-21.
 
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 8-6 at home (4-4 CUSA), meaning they need to win their final two tilts at the Don Haskins Center to secured 10+ victories in the Sun City for a sixth 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.
 
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 238-225 in his 15th season as a collegiate head coach, including 80-81 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. Golding needs three wins to 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 will be back in El Paso for the final week of the regular season. Up first will be a nationally-televised tilt (CBS Sports Network) against Kennesaw State at 7 p.m. MT on Wednesday (3/5). Jon Teicher (45th year) and Steve Yellen (23rd year) will be describing the action on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso. Tickets begin as low as $9.15 and may be purchased by visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets or calling (915) 747-UTEP.
 

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