Final Record and Conference Standing
The 2025–26 season for the UTEP Miners men’s basketball ended with a record that reflected a difficult and inconsistent year. The Miners finished 11–20 overall and 7–13 in Conference USA, placing 11th in the 12-team conference.
That position ultimately kept UTEP out of the conference tournament, as only the top ten teams qualified for postseason play. Instead of preparing for a March run, the season ended quietly following the regular-season finale.
The numbers show the challenge UTEP faced throughout the year. The Miners went 9–7 at home, showing flashes of strong play inside the Don Haskins Center, but struggled heavily away from El Paso with a 2–11 road record and 0–2 in neutral-site games.
That contrast between home energy and road inconsistency became one of the defining themes of the season.
A Season Defined by Offensive Inconsistency
One of the most persistent issues for UTEP throughout the year was offensive consistency, particularly in the second half of games.
The Miners frequently started games competitively, often entering halftime within striking distance or holding narrow leads. However, scoring droughts after halftime repeatedly cost them momentum.
Against several conference opponents, UTEP saw games slip away during long stretches where the offense stalled and possessions ended without quality shots. These stretches made it difficult for the Miners to close games against stronger teams in the league.
The pattern appeared early and continued through conference play, making it difficult for the team to climb the standings.
Conference Play and Midseason Results
By mid-January, UTEP had fallen to 6–12 overall and 2–5 in conference play, illustrating the uphill battle the team faced in the competitive Conference USA schedule.
One example came in a road game against the Liberty Flames men’s basketball, where UTEP trailed just 41–38 at halftime before eventually falling 80–69.
The game reflected a trend seen throughout the season: the Miners could compete early but struggled to maintain that level of execution over a full forty minutes.
Despite those setbacks, the team remained competitive in many games and continued to show flashes of potential.
Key Moments and Notable Performances
While the season included many difficult losses, there were also several notable moments that highlighted the team’s talent.
One of the most memorable performances came during UTEP’s 83–77 victory over the FIU Panthers men’s basketball.
Guard Jamal West Jr. led the way with 28 points on 11-for-14 shooting, along with seven rebounds and five assists. His efficient scoring and all-around play helped power one of UTEP’s best offensive performances of the season.
Support also came from Elijah Jones, who scored 14 points, while LA Hayes added 12 points with several three-pointers that helped spark the early offense.
Games like that win over FIU demonstrated the offensive capability UTEP could reach when the team found rhythm.
Late-Season Effort and Improvement
During the final stretch of conference play, UTEP showed signs of improved energy and determination.
Players consistently fought for loose balls, battled for rebounds, and showed greater urgency in late-game situations. In several games, the Miners rallied from deficits by increasing defensive pressure and attacking the basket more aggressively.
Forward Kaseem Watson made one of the notable hustle plays during this stretch, securing a critical loose-ball rebound in overtime after a late three-point attempt by guard Caleb Blackwell.
These moments illustrated the team’s competitiveness even as the standings remained difficult to climb.
A Heartbreaking Season Finale
UTEP’s final game of the season came against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks men’s basketball, ending in a narrow 64–61 loss.
The Miners trailed by as many as twelve points in the second half before rallying late. With eight seconds remaining, Jamal West Jr. made two free throws to tie the game at 61–61, finishing with 19 points.
However, Jacksonville State’s Mostapha El Moutauakkil hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to secure the win and end UTEP’s season.
The loss also eliminated any remaining chance of reaching the conference tournament.
Overall Season Takeaway
Under head coach Joe Golding, the Miners developed an identity built around effort, defensive pressure, and physical play.
The roster showed the ability to compete with conference opponents and occasionally produced strong individual performances. However, offensive inconsistency and road struggles prevented the team from building sustained momentum.
In the end, the 2025–26 season will likely be remembered as a year where the UTEP Miners showed flashes of potential but could not find the consistency needed to turn close games and strong efforts into wins.
