Golding returns to Abilene Christian Sunday as Miners prepare for Wildcats

(Courtesy: UTEP Athletics)

EL PASO, Texas - The UTEP men’s basketball team (6-4) will play for the first time in more than a week when it competes at Abilene Christian (4-6) at 2 p.m./3 p.m. CT Sunday.

It is a homecoming for Miners’ head coach Joe Golding, who directed the Wildcats to a record of 158-144 in 10 years, while leading them to two NCAA Tournament appearances in their final three years.

It is also a return to the school for former Wildcat standout Reggie Miller, in addition to staff member Brandon Decker and Bryen Spriggs. 

UTEP, which started 5-0 on the year, including a win against Pac-12 member Cal, will be looking to regain that early season form.

The Orange and Blue have dropped four of the past five, including coming up shy at perennial power Oregon, 71-49, on Dec. 9 last time out.

UTEP trailed by just three (28-25) at the half before the Ducks pulled away over the final 20 minutes.

The Wildcats defeated Howard Payne, 120-69, on Dec. 10, but they had lost the prior four match-ups. ACU is 1-3 at home, with the win against Howard Payne, while the Miners (0-2) are in search of their first road triumph.

The contest is taking place as part of the Conference USA and WAC scheduling initiative, where each league member will have both a home and an away game. UTEP will play host to Seattle on Dec. 30 for its home tilt in the scheduling initiative between the leagues. 

Jon Teicher (43rd year) will be on the call on “The Home of UTEP Basketball” 600 ESPN El Paso. It will also be broadcast on the ESPN+ (subscription required).

DIFFERENT MONTH, DIFFERENT PACE

After playing a total of eight games in November (most since 2013-14) in a 24-day span (average one contest every three days), the Miners are in the midst of a more reasonable pace in December. UTEP has just six games (1-1 thus far) in the month and will have played just twice from Dec. 5 through Dec. 19 (L, 49-71 at Oregon, Saturday, Dec. 9 and at ACU, Sunday).

GOLDING TWO SHY OF 200 WINS

Third-year UTEP head coach Joe Golding picked up his 198th career victory between his time with Abilene Christian and the Miners following UTEP’s 90-62 thrashing of Division II Western New Mexico on Dec. 4. It was also his 40th career win (40-35) as head coach of the Miners. He is ninth on UTEP’s all-time coaching victories list, needing seven victories to surpass Jason Rabedeaux (46-46, 1999-02)

LOOK FOR LOTS OF TURNOVERS

Both UTEP and Abilene Christian play a hard-nosed pressure style of defense that can cause fits for their opponents. UTEP is second in CUSA and sixth nationally with 18.4 turnovers forced per game while the Wildcats are third in the WAC and 16th in the country by harassing foes into 16.4 turnovers per game. Each program has struggled to take care of the ball, with the Miners committing 14.7 per game (eighth CUSA/317th NCAA) and ACU checking in at 13.2 turnovers per contest (238th NCAA).

SAME FOR BENCH SCORING

UTEP (28.0 bench points per game-second USA/49th NCAA) and ACU (26.0 bench points per game-third WAC/87th NCAA) both rely heavily on production from their reserves.

MIGHT BE A LOT OF FREE THROWS TOO

UTEP paces CUSA and is 19th in the country with 25.8 free throw attempts per contest, but ACU isn’t too far off in that area. The Wildcats take 24.6 free throws per game, which is third in the WAC and 30th in the country. ACU, however, does a better job at the line with a readout of 72.8 percent (third WAC), compared to 66.3 percent (eighth CUSA) by the Miners.

MILESTONE SCORING WATCH FOR TAE & CALVIN

Tae Hardy (962 career points) and Calvin Solomon (940) are both closing in on 1,000 career points at the DI level. Hardy has amassed more than 550 of his points with the Miners while Solomon is six points shy of 400 points in a UTEP uniform.

GET TO KNOW ABILENE CHRISTIAN

Abilene Christian started the campaign at 3-2, including an impressive season-opening 64-59 victory at Oklahoma State on Nov. 6. The Wildcats then endured a four-game skid, but they got back on track last time out with a 120-69 win against DIII Howard Payne on Dec. 10. ACU is under the direction of third-year head coach Brette Tanner, who is 42-34. He replaced current Miner head coach Joe Golding after serving as his associate head coach for eight seasons. Airion Simmons (13.9 ppg-14th WAC), Ali Abdou Dibba (13.3 ppg-16th WAC) and Hunter Jack Madden (10.9 ppg), help ACU produce 74.8 points per game (fourth WAC). The Wildcats have a similar style to the Miners as detailed in prior notes, with pressure defense, getting to the line and relying on the reserves for some points as well aiding in their success. ACU has struggled on the boards (-4.2 margin-eighth WAC/308th NCAA). It also only connects on 5.7 3-pointers per game (seventh WAC/307th NCAA). Another concern has been yielding 73.7 points per game (243rd NCAA). The Wildcats are 1-3 at home, with their lone victory being the win vs. Howard Payne. It has had close calls in its three home setbacks, falling by five to both Prairie View A&M (79-74, Nov. 14) and SFA (79-74, OT, Dec. 2). It also dropped a two-point tilt to Northern Arizona (78-76, Dec. 6). Notable university alumni include UTEP head coach Joe Golding and famed Christian author Max Lucado

SERIES HISTORY: UTEP LEADS, 9-3

UTEP leads the series with Abilene Christian, 9-3, including an 8-0 mark in El Paso. The Miners, however, are 1-3 when playing in Abilene. Sunday’s match-up will mark nearly 30 years to the date that the two sides last faced off, with UTEP downing the Wildcats, 80-76, on Dec. 18, 1993.

GOING BACK IN TIME

Tae Hardy tallied 16 points and Otis Frazier III added 12 points, but homestanding Oregon pulled away in the second half to down UTEP, 71-49, on Dec. 9. The Miners trailed by just three (28-25) at the break before the Ducks got it going over the final 20 minutes. The Orange and Blue finished at 36.0 percent from the floor (18-50), with pressure from Oregon causing some issues. UTEP also got into foul trouble, with two starters (Kevin Kalu and Zid Powell) missing significant time to disrupt the rhythm on offense.

LOCKING UP THE DUCKS FROM DISTANCE

UTEP kept the Ducks in check from distance. Oregon was only 4-17 (23.5 percent) from beyond-the-arc, a severe drop from its 39.2 percentage (23rd NCAA) heading into the game.

TURNED THEM OVER TOO

UTEP harassed Oregon into 18 turnovers, which tied for the most giveaways by the Ducks since the start of last season. That figure also doubled Oregon’s seasonal average (9.3 tpg) prior to the contest (16th fewest in NCAA).

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END

Calvin Solomon was held scoreless at Oregon on Dec. 9 (only four field-goal attempts), which halted an incredible 96-game scoring streak for the senior dating to his time at SFA.

GET THE LEAD AND WE’RE GOOD

UTEP is 5-0 on the season when leading at the half and a perfect 6-0 this year when holding an advantage with five minutes remaining in regulation. It’s not a recent trend, with the Miners a combined 32-5 under head coach Joe Golding when leading at the break.

TAKING CARE OF THE BALL LEADS TO WINS

The Miners are 5-1 this year when making the same or fewer amount of turnovers in a game against opponents. The lone loss came at Oregon on Dec. 9 when both teams finished with 18 giveaways.

GOTTA GET GOING FROM DISTANCE VS. DI

In its seven games against Division I opponents, UTEP has been held to 23.0 percent (26-113) from beyond-the-arc. The Miners are 29-76 (38.2 percent) from distance against non DI opposition.

KEEP GUARDING THE TREY

UTEP has held its seven DI foes to 29.5 percent (36-122) from distance. Its latest victim was Oregon, which managed to go just 23.5 percent (4-17), from beyond-the-arc. The Ducks were 23rd nationally on 3-point shooting coming into the game. Overall, opponents are making only 29.7 percent (58-195). That places the Miners 61st in the country at defending the three.

STEALS KEEP COMING

UTEP ripped off 10 steals at perennial Pac-12 power Oregon on Dec. 9. The Miners have had at least eight steals in all 10 games this season. The average of 11.4 spg rates second in the league and eighth in the country. UTEP tied the school record for steals with 288 last year, but it is on pace to smash that figure with 365 thefts. That average is likely to drop, but it’s an incredible beginning to the year.

HOLDING THE OPPOSITION DOWN

After allowing 70+ points in the first three contests of the campaign, the Miners kept four straight and five of the next six foes to 67 points or less (two at 63, one at 62). Oregon barely eclipsed that figure in a 71-49 win against UTEP on Dec. 9. It was still an impressive feat as the Ducks had accounted for 82.1 ppg centering the contest, including 84.3 ppg at home. Furthermore, Oregon had surpassed 80 points in all three of its games against other Power Five programs.

UTEP’S TOP SCORERS ACCURATE AT THE LINE

Four of UTEP’s top six scorers are making at least 70 percent from the free-throw line. Elijah Jones (81.8) leads the way, followed by Calvin Solomon (72.3), Corey Camper Jr. (71.4) and Otis Frazier III (72.5) and Zid Powell (69.2) and Tae Hardy (68.3) aren’t far off. Overall, there are six players across the roster better than 70 percent. Last year, UTEP had just three such individuals.

SOLOMON FEASTING AT THE LINE

Calvin Solomon is 34-47 at the charity stripe on the year for a readout of 72.3 percent. The senior is fifth in CUSA for both free throws made and attempted.

TAE DOING IT ALL

Senior Tae Hardy has done it all for the Miners thus far in 2023-24, including hitting the buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Cal on Nov. 20. He paces the team in scoring (14.9-fourth CUSA), assists per game (3.4-sixth CUSA), minutes per game (fourth CUSA), 3-pointers made (21), attempted (51) and percentage (41.2) while tying for the team lead in steals per game (1.9-fourth CUSA/90th NCAA). His 2.1 3-pointers per game is seventh in CUSA.  Hardy has hit double figures in scoring in all but one game (nine vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Nov. 29).

OTIS STEPPING UP

Junior Otis Frazier III connected on 50.3 percent (81-161) from the floor last year while tallying 7.5 points per game in his first season with the Miners after transferring from George Mason. His shooting percentage this year is slightly down (33-77, 48.1 percent), but he has elevated his scoring to rank second on the squad in scoring (11.1-13th CUSA). Frazier III is also getting after it with 1.6 steals per game (tied ninth CUSA). He is doing a better job at the charity stripe, making 70.5 percent (31-44) after finishing at 40-63 from the line (63.5 percent) a season ago. Frazier III was especially aggressive at getting to the rim against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Nov. 29, setting career highs for both free throws made (nine) and attempted (14).

SOLOMON’S ALL-AROUND GAME

Senior Calvin Solomon is displaying the full arsenal of his abilities in 2023-24, ranking fourth on the team in scoring (8.6 ppg), rebounding (3.7 rpg), assists (2.3 apg-17th CUSA) and tied for third in steals (1.6 spg-tied ninth CUSA). He also leads the squad in blocks (0.8-tied ninth CUSA). He is doing all over this despite playing only 22.8 minutes per game.

ZID’S AS ADVERTISED

Buffalo grad transfer Zid Powell has brought a toughness to the squad and is contributing across the board despite having battled through some injuries and foul issues at times. Powell is tied for the team lead in steals (1.9-fourth CUSA/90th NCAA), second on the squad in rebounding (5.1-13th CUSA) and assists (3.3-tied seventh CUSA)) and third in scoring (10.8-15th CUSA. He’s demonstrated the ability to get to the line, going 27 of 39 (fourth on team for makes and attempts). Powell is producing these numbers in 23.8 minutes per game.

KALU CONTROLLING THE BOARDS

Kevin Kalu has been all over the boards for the Miners in 2023-24. The junior is pulling down a team-high 6.1 rebounds per game (tied sixth CUSA). He is also tied for sixth in defensive rebounds per game (4.1) and eighth in offensive rebounds per game (2.0). He has recorded at least four boards in all nine contests, including seven or more three times. Kalu has been an efficient scorer down low, nailing 23-37 attempts (62.2 percent), which is third on the team.

KEEPING A FAMILY TRADITION ALIVE

Freshman David Terrell Jr. is following in the footsteps of both his mom and dad by competing with the Miners. His mom (Kiana Taylor) was a standout on the women’s basketball team at UTEP (1993-96, 97-98), finishing her career as the then school record holder for double-doubles (20) and the then second-leading scorer (1,134) and rebounder (676) in program history. His father, David, was an all-WAC performer for UTEP and played with the football team from 1994-96. Terrell Jr. has adapted well to the college game, rating third in the squad in assists per game (2.6-tied 12th CUSA) and tied for fifth in steals (1.0 spg). He paces Miner reserves in assists while sharing the top spot among back-ups with Sebastian Cole.

3X CUSA FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

UTEP forward Elijah Jones was voted as the Conference USA Freshman of the Week for each of the first three weeks of the year. He became the first Miner in program history to win three straight CUSA Freshman of the Week honors. Furthermore, he did it out of the gates to start his collegiate career. Jones is producing 7.2 ppg (second on back-ups/sixth on team) and 2.6 rpg (top among reserves). His scoring output trails only Corey Camper Jr. (8.0 ppg) for highest average among back-ups. He is the most accurate free-throw shooter (min. 10 attempts) on the team by going 9-11 (81.8 percent). Jones also is second on the squad in 3-point percentage (5-13, 38.5 percent).

GETTING TO THE LINE

The Miners’ relentless drive toward to the paint and attacking the offensive glass (12.0 offensive rebounds per game) has led to them rating 19th in the country for free-throw attempts per game (25.8) and 43rd nationally for free-throw makes per game (17.1). UTEP tops CUSA in attempts and is second in makes.

POUNDING THE PAINT

UTEP has demonstrated the ability to get points in the paint in 2023-24. More than half (400-786, 50.9 percent) of the Miners’ points on the season have come in the paint. Through 10 games, the Orange and Blue have a 400-286 advantage for points in the paint. That works out to 40.0 ppg in the paint for UTEP compared to 28.6 by foes.

LET’S GET OUT AND RUN

The Miners are accounting for 19.8 fastbreak points per game, which is first in CUSA and sixth in the country. The Miners have tallied at least 12 points on the break in all nine of 10 contests this year, including a campaign-best 47 against USAO on Nov. 9. UTEP has a remarkable 198-101 cushion against opponents this season in the category, with the 19.8-10.1 ppg differential on average.

SHARING IS CARING

UTEP is dishing out 16.7 assists per contest to lead CUSA and rate 38th in the country. The Miners have surpassed 20 assists three times, including setting a school record with 33 in the opener vs. Division III opponent McMurry on Nov. 6. Tae Hardy (3.4 apg-sixth CUSA) and Zid Powell (3.3 apg-seventh CUSA) lead the charge. Freshman David Terrell Jr. (2.6 apg-tied 12th CUSA) and senior Calvin Solomon (2.3-17th CUSA) have also been good at setting up teammates.

GIVE ME THAT BALL

UTEP has notched at least eight steals in all 10 games, with double-digit totals six times. That effort has led to it rating second in CUSA and eighth nationally at 11.4 thefts per game. Foes have committed 17 or more turnovers six times. The Miners’ 18.4 turnovers forced per game is second in CUSA and sixth in the country.

LOTS ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR OPPOSITION

The Miners’ top four scorers have also gotten after it defensively, with each contributing at least 1.5 steals per game. Tae Hardy and Zid Powell tie for the team lead at 1.9 steals per game (fourth CUSA/90th NCAA), followed by Otis Frazier III and Calvin Solomon at 1.6 spg (tied eighth CUSA). Last season, Solomon joined Randy Culpepper and Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway as the lone Miners in program history to average at least 2.0 steals per game.

HIGH-OCTANE BENCH

UTEP’s reserves have helped it forge a mark of 6-4 on the year, with the bench accounting for 28.2 ppg (second CUSA/49th NCAA). Overall, the Miners hold a 282-212 differential in reserve scoring. That works out to a 28.2-21.2 advantage per contest.

BALANCED ATTACK

Heading into Sunday’s contest at Abilene Christian, three Miners are accounting for double figures in scoring on average while three others are between 7.0 ppg and 8.6 ppg. Senior Tae Hardy (14.9 ppg-fourth CUSA)leads the way. Junior Otis Frazier III (11.1 ppg-13th CUSA) and Buffalo transfer Zid Powell (10.8 ppg-15th CUSA) join him in double digits on average. Senior Calvin Solomon (8.6 ppg), JUCO Honorable-Mention All-American (Tyler JC) Corey Camper Jr. (8.0 ppg) and three time CUSA Freshman of the Week Elijah Jones (7.2 ppg) have also been consistent threats. Kevin Kalu (5.1 ppg) is the only other Miner to be above 5.0 ppg. Aiding the balanced approach were eight different Miners (most on record) hitting double figures in scoring in the 120-71 season-opening win against McMurry on Nov. 6.

SAME GOES FOR PLAYING TIME

Nine different Miners have earned double figures in playing time on average, including eight who have played in all 10 contests. Tae Hardy (30.8 mpg-fourth CUSA) is the only one on the squad to be earning more than 30.0 minutes per contest. In fact, no one other than Hardy is even above 25.0 mpg. Otis Frazier III (24.3 mpg) and Zid Powell (23.9 mpg) and are just shy of 25.0 mpg.

UTEP IN THE RANKINGS

UTEP leads Conference USA in four major stat categories while placing second in the league in five others. The Miners top the league in assists per game (16.7-38th NCAA), fastbreak scoring (19.8-sixth NCAA), free throw attempts per game (25.8-19th NCAA) and turnover margin (3.7-34th NCAA). The Orange and Blue are second in CUSA for bench scoring (28.2-49th NCAA), field-goal percentage (47.1-94th NCAA), free throws made per game (17.1-43rd NCAA), steals per game (11.4-eighth NCAA) and turnovers forced per game (18.4-sixth NCAA).

DERICK HARDLY MISSES

Derick Hamilton hasn’t attempted enough field goals per game to qualify nationally for field-goal percentage, but he has done enough to show off his talents thus far in 2023-24. Hamilton is 13-17 from the floor in 46 total minutes of action. That was aided by starting the season 12-12. The high-percentage shooting shouldn’t come as a surprise given he was 22-33 last year (66.7 percent) in 20 appearances.

FIVE TIMES THIS CENTURY

The Miners got out of the gates at 5-0 this year before dropping their last two games, including most-recently, 67-47, at LMU on Nov. 25. It marked the fifth time since 2000 that the Orange and Blue had posted a start of least 5-0. It happened previously in 2019-20 (5-0), 2015-16 (6-0), 2009-10 (5-0) and 2000-01 (6-0).

TAE CALLED GAME AGAINST CAL

UTEP defeated Cal, 75-72, on Nov. 20, in a wild and memorable finish. After a couple of missed free throws by Tae Hardy (was 7-7 to that point), the Bears tied the game at 72 with a 3-pointer from Jalen Cone with six seconds left. Rather than sulk, Otis Frazier III inbounded the ball to Zid Powell, who raced up the court. He then dished it to Hardy, whose 3-point attempt spun around the rim before dropping through for the buzzer-beating victory. It was his lone 3-point try of the night.

FIRST BUZZER BEATER SINCE 2021-22

When Tae Hardy beat the clock, it marked the Miner’s first buzzer beater since Alfred Hollins’s tip-in as the horn sounded in a 70-68 triumph against Florida Atlantic on Jan. 27, 2022.

GOT IT DONE VS. POWER PROGRAM

UTEP took down Pac-12 member Cal, 75-72, on Nov. 20, thanks to the heroics of Tae Hardy’s buzzer beater. It marked the initial win against a Power Five program under head coach Joe Golding and first since knocking off Arizona State on the road, 76-63, on Dec. 16, 2020.

BESTING A POWER PROGRAM ON A NEUTRAL COURT

UTEP’s win against Cal marked the first time that it bested a Power Six program (Power Five + Big East) at a neutral site since taking out Xavier (Big East) on Nov. 28, 2014. It was also the initial occasion to defeat a Power Five foe in a neutral match-up since toppling SEC foe Tennessee, 78-70, on Nov. 28, 2013, in the Battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island, Bahamas.

TAKING OUT A PRESEASON FAVORITE

UC Santa Barbara has been to two of the past three NCAA Tournaments and set a school record for wins (27) last year, but the Miners weren’t intimidated. UTEP led for 25 minutes, including never trailing in the second half, on the way to taking out the in the 2023-24 preseason favorites in the Big West, 89-76, on Nov. 13.

COMING OUT PARTY FOR ZID

Zid Powell record a season-high 23 points, including 17 in the first half, to produce his first 20-point game as a Miner and seventh overall at the DI level in the 89-76 win against UC Santa Barbara on Nov. 13. The Buffalo transfer eclipsed 20 points six times in his lone season with the Bulls, including torching the mighty Falcons of Bowling Green for a career-high 27 points on Jan. 17, 2023.

FIVE TIMES THIS CENTURY

The Miners got out of the gates at 5-0 this year dropping consecutive contests. It marked the fifth time since 2000 that the Orange and Blue had posted a start of least 5-0. It happened previously in 2019-20 (5-0), 2015-16 (6-0), 2009-10 (5-0) and 2000-01 (6-0).

TALKING 100-POINT GAMES

UTEP finished with the second-most points (120, now third) in program history in the win vs. McMurry on Nov. 6. The Miners followed that up with a school-record 123 points in routing USAO. It was the first time UTEP started a season with consecutive 100+ point showings. In fact, the only other time the Orange and Blue ever posted back-to-back 100-point games came during the 1968-69 season when they blasted Montana (103-90, 12/28/68) and then drilled Tahoe Paradise (109-63, 1/2/69). Prior to the outbursts this year, the Miners hadn’t topped 100 since besting Rice, 101-89, on Jan. 8, 2021. UTEP now stands at 33-2 all time when surpassing 100 points in a contest, including 31-0 in El Paso (22-0 at the Haskins Center). UTEP has won 18 straight games when hitting the century mark.

AN OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION TO BEGIN THE YEAR

The Miners enjoyed a three-game scoring stretch with at least 89 points to begin the year. The last time UTEP did so at any point in the season was 14 years ago. That year, the Orange and Blue also had a three-contest span (12/19/09-12/28/09). Making this season’s effort stand out a bit is that the Miners had back-to-back 100-point outings for just the second time in school history. It also happened in 1968-69.

DUST OFF THE RECORD BOOKS

UTEP dented the record book in the first two games of the season.

-School-record 123 points vs. USAO (11/9) and third-most points (120) vs. McMurry (11/6). The 243 points are the most in a two-contest span in program history.

- Dished out a program-best 33 assists vs. McMurry, smashing the prior standard of 29.

- School-record 50 field goals vs. McMurry, crushing the previous mark (46) that had happened in both 1979 (vs. Illinois Tech, 12/22/79) and in 1966 (vs. NM State, 2/1/66).

- Second-most second-half points (71) at the school vs. USAO and tied for seventh-highest total (61) after the break against McMurry.

- Tied for fourth-most first-half points (59) against McMurry.

- Won back-to-back games by at least 49 points for first time ever, including tying for the seventh-biggest margin of victory (51) vs. USAO (W, 123-71).

- Posted 19 steals vs. McMurry, tying as the third most at the school, while the 18 thefts against USAO earned a share of fifth place.

STAYED HOME EARLY

UTEP played four straight (4-0) to start the season at home, something that hadn’t happened since the 2019-20 campaign when it had five consecutive home games out of the gate (5-0 record). That included knocking off rivals NM State and New Mexico within the span of a week that year.

THE BEST FANS IN CONFERENCE USA

UTEP led Conference USA in attendance last year in both total number of fans (81,941) and average attendance (4,552). It marked the second straight season that the Miners have paced CUSA in at least one of those categories. Last year, UTEP’s advantage for per-game average was noticeable, with WKU more than 500 fans behind on average at 4,026. The Miners are off to a good start in the area in 2023-24, topping the league in total fans (27,615) while rating second for average attendance (4,603).

MORE THAN A MILLION FANS

UTEP has attracted more than one million fans to the Don Haskins Center over the past decade. A total of 1,116,176 individuals have passed through the turnstiles from the beginning of the 2012-13 campaign to the end of the 2022-23 season. That figure makes the Miners the only school out of the nine members in Conference USA to have topped one million fans in that timeframe.

HOME COOKING

UTEP is in search of its fifth straight season with at least 10 wins at home. The Miners compiled 11 victories at the Haskins Center last year, including going 3-0 at the inaugural Jim Forbes Classic Presented by Speaking Rock to claim the crown. The Orange and Blue are 5-1 on the year at home this season, with the lone setback coming against back-to-back Southland Conference Tournament Champions Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Nov. 29.

ROSTER RUNDOWN

UTEP returned its leading scorer (Tae Hardy-12.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.2 spg) and rebounder (Calvin Solomon-6.0 rpg, 9.6 ppg, 2.0 apg, 2.0 spg) from last year’s team. Overall, the Miners brought back 54.3 percent of their scoring and 50.5 percent of their rebounding. It is a stark difference from the situation the Orange and Blue faced going into the 2022-23 campaign, when they had just 20.8 percent of the rebounding and 11.1 percent of the scoring back. UTEP has seven lettermen in the fold, including three starters (Hardy, Solomon and Otis Frazier III; 7.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg). Jon Dos Anjos (4.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg), Derick Hamilton (2.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg), Antwonne Holmes and Kevin Kalu are the other returning lettermen. The Miners landed six newcomers, including junior-college All-American Corey Camper Jr. (19.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg at Tyler JC) and DI transfers Zid Powell (13.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.9 spg at Buffalo) and Baylor Hebb (Colorado State). UTEP also has a pair of true freshmen (Trey Horton III, David Terrell Jr.) and another JUCO transfer (Sebastian Cole). Garrett Levesque (Tarleton State) and Elijah Jones (ECU) have also made their respective Miner debuts after redshirting the 2022-23 campaign.

DI EXPERIENCE

UTEP has ample DI experience across its roster, with a combined 454 games played (210 starts) among the Miners as of the beginning of the 2023-24 season. Calvin Solomon leads with way with 114 appearances (88 starts).

PRESEASON HONORS

UTEP seniors Tae Hardy and Calvin Solomon were tabbed to the 2023-24 CUSA All-Preseason Team in a vote by the league’s nine head coaches. The Miners joined Middle Tennessee and WKU as the only programs in the conference to have a pair of members on the squad.

NEW-LOOK LEAGUE

UTEP joined Conference USA as the newest school in the league for the 2005-06 campaign. It entered the 2023-24 season as the most-tenured member. The 11 programs who were part of CUSA when the Miners moved to it have since departed to other conferences. Joining UTEP as returning league members are FIU, LA Tech, Middle Tennessee and WKU while Jax State, Liberty, NM State and Sam Houston are all in their first year.

CUSA IS UP FOR GRABS

UTEP was predicted to finish fifth in Conference USA in 2023-24, but it’s anyone’s guess as to who will take home the regular season crown this season with so much turnover in the league. Five of the top six teams from the standings a year ago have departed for other conferences, including regular season and tournament champion Florida Atlantic. FAU made waves nationally by making a run to the Final Four in the NCAA. The second (North Texas) and third-place (UAB) teams squared off in the NIT finale, and fifth-place Charlotte won the CBI. In fact, only one team (Middle Tennessee) that finished among the top six in the regular season last year is back. Incidentally, the Blue Raiders and newcomer Liberty were picked to win the league, followed by WKU (third), LA Tech (fourth), the Miners (fifth), Sam Houston (sixth), FIU (seventh), NM State (eighth) and Jax State (ninth).

A YEAR IN REVIEW

-    UTEP had a new-look squad in 2022-23 with head coach Joe Golding having to overhaul the roster after the Miners returned just one starter and three letterwinners total from a 20-win team a year prior.

-    The Orange and Blue managed a 14-18 record, including a 67-64 victory against NM State on Nov. 12, 2022, for their first win against the Aggies in three years. That was the start of a five-game winning streak, which was aided by back-to-back OT triumphs.

-    The five straight victories in November were the longest in the month in four years, which was aided by a mark of 3-0 in the inaugural Jim Forbes Classic Presented by Speaking Rock.

-    The Miners came within a point of winning the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, falling 47-46 to eventual NCAA Tournament participant Kent State on Dec. 22, 2022. UTEP experienced a tough 1-4 stretch early in league play, with those four setbacks by a combined 14 points.

-    UTEP remained resilient on the way to forging seven league triumphs, capped by a 77-65 “Senior Day” triumph against Middle Tennessee on March 4, 2023.

-    The Orange and Blue tied the single-season school record for overtime games at five, matching the 1994-95 and 2011-12 teams. All five of the OT games were in the regular season, which are the most ever at the school. Both the 1994-95 and 2011-12 Miners had in four OT games during the regular season and one postseason OT tilt.

THE BASIC FACTS ON UTEP

-    This is the 103rd 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 third year at UTEP and 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 198-180 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach, including 40-36 at UTEP. Those 40 wins already place him ninth at the school, having passed current Texas head coach Rodney Terry (37) with the triumph vs. Austin Peay on Nov. 17. Jason Rabedeaux (46 wins, 1999-02) is Golding’s next target. Golding could possibly climb to sixth place by year’s end. In 2021-22, Golding became the fourth head coach (20 total) in program history to have a winning season in their first year on the sideline. Don Haskins was the first 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 take part in the Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational from Dec. 20-21. The Miners start the annual event by squaring off against Norfolk State at 7 p.m. MT on Dec. 20. UTEP will then face either Wyoming or North Dakota State on the second day of the tournament.