Local bar hosting viewing party for Miners semifinal matchup

The Miners are tasked with their biggest game of the season, and it also happens to be a rematch with Middle Tennesse. UTEP handed the Blue Raiders their sole conference loss all season back in February, and will play the team again, but this time in the C-USA semifinals.

Tip-off for the game is earlier than usual at 10:30 a.m. MT and several bars are opening their doors early, including the local Miner themed bar in Spirit of 66.

Doors opened at 9:30 a.m. for the big game, in hopes of a great Miner turnout and a win advancing the team to the C-USA finals.

But UTEP is 13-11 in C-USA Championship games, reaching the semifinals in 2006, 2008, 2013, 2015 and 2017 and the final in 2010 and 2011. And it’s no secret both teams are red-hot entering this matchup, as UTEP has won 13 of its last 16 games while Middle Tennessee has won 18 of its last 19.

The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network, with full highlights at 6 and 10 p.m. on ABC 7.