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1986/1987
1/7
The Miners had a strong 85/86 season, winning the WAC, but were beaten by Bradley 83-65 in the first round. With the school’s all-time leading scorer Dave Feitl moving on, the team needed someone to step up.
1/7
The Miners had a strong 85/86 season, winning the WAC, but were beaten by Bradley 83-65 in the first round. With the school’s all-time leading scorer Dave Feitl moving on, the team needed someone to step up.
2/7
This was done by committee as six Miners averaged double figures: Jeep Jackson, Mike Richmond, Chris Blocker, Chris Sandle, Quintan Gates, and Tim Hardaway. After an opening loss to Oregon State, UTEP won 12 of their next 13 games
This was done by committee as six Miners averaged double figures: Jeep Jackson, Mike Richmond, Chris Blocker, Chris Sandle, Quintan Gates, and Tim Hardaway. After an opening loss to Oregon State, UTEP won 12 of their next 13 games
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including wins over Texas and #5 Auburn. The Miners hit a 3-3 skid in a six-game mid season stretch but finished the season on an eight-game winning streak heading into the WAC tournament as the 1 seed. UTEP downed SDSU 85-65 in the first round, but
including wins over Texas and #5 Auburn. The Miners hit a 3-3 skid in a six-game mid season stretch but finished the season on an eight-game winning streak heading into the WAC tournament as the 1 seed. UTEP downed SDSU 85-65 in the first round, but
4/7
fell to WAC Cinderella Wyoming in the next round 77-74. UTEP received an at-large bid into the NCAA tourney with their 24-6 record. The Miners were the 7 seed facing 10 seed Arizona. UTEP was already at a disadvantage given that the game was in Tucson.
fell to WAC Cinderella Wyoming in the next round 77-74. UTEP received an at-large bid into the NCAA tourney with their 24-6 record. The Miners were the 7 seed facing 10 seed Arizona. UTEP was already at a disadvantage given that the game was in Tucson.
5/7
UTEP trailed, 78-73, with 50 secs left in regulation but stormed back to force OT on a jumper from Chris Blocker with one second remaining. This was even more impressive because UTEP was without four players who fouled out in regulation.
UTEP trailed, 78-73, with 50 secs left in regulation but stormed back to force OT on a jumper from Chris Blocker with one second remaining. This was even more impressive because UTEP was without four players who fouled out in regulation.
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UTEP went on a 12-4 run in OT and won 98-91 ( end of regulation and OT).
In the following round, UTEP battled 2 seed Iowa. The Miners made very few mistakes, but Iowa was able to get the final edge to win 78-76.
UTEP went on a 12-4 run in OT and won 98-91 ( end of regulation and OT).
In the following round, UTEP battled 2 seed Iowa. The Miners made very few mistakes, but Iowa was able to get the final edge to win 78-76.
7/7
After the season, tragedy struck the Miners when senior Hernell “Jeep” Jackson collapsed after playing in an exhibition game at Fort Bliss. Reports say that Jackson had a heart attack due to a heart ailment. He was 23.
After the season, tragedy struck the Miners when senior Hernell “Jeep” Jackson collapsed after playing in an exhibition game at Fort Bliss. Reports say that Jackson had a heart attack due to a heart ailment. He was 23.
1988/89
1/7
The Miners made the NCAA tournament in 1988 with strong regular season wins over ranked Wyoming and BYU, but they were let down in the postseason by a revenge loss from Wyoming and a first round exit at the hands of Seton Hall. The ‘88/89 Miners, now in Don Haskins’
1/7
The Miners made the NCAA tournament in 1988 with strong regular season wins over ranked Wyoming and BYU, but they were let down in the postseason by a revenge loss from Wyoming and a first round exit at the hands of Seton Hall. The ‘88/89 Miners, now in Don Haskins’
2/7
28th season at the helm, had a playmaker step up that could truly do it all, senior Tim Hardaway. The Miners started the season 13-1 with blowout wins over Maryland, Utah, and BYU. The only loss coming @ Indiana. Full Indiana game:
28th season at the helm, had a playmaker step up that could truly do it all, senior Tim Hardaway. The Miners started the season 13-1 with blowout wins over Maryland, Utah, and BYU. The only loss coming @ Indiana. Full Indiana game:
3/7
The non-conference success didn’t exactly translate to conference play as UTEP started 9-5 in the WAC. UTEP entered the WAC tournament as the 2 seed. After an overtime win over Wyoming, UTEP blew out UNM, setting up a matchup with 1 seed Colorado State. CSU came into the game
The non-conference success didn’t exactly translate to conference play as UTEP started 9-5 in the WAC. UTEP entered the WAC tournament as the 2 seed. After an overtime win over Wyoming, UTEP blew out UNM, setting up a matchup with 1 seed Colorado State. CSU came into the game
4/7
on an 11-game winning streak. After CSU led most of the first half, UTEP managed to make a late first half run to lead 36-31 at half. Once the Miners gained a double-digit lead in the 2nd half it was basically over. UTEP won 73-60. Full game:
on an 11-game winning streak. After CSU led most of the first half, UTEP managed to make a late first half run to lead 36-31 at half. Once the Miners gained a double-digit lead in the 2nd half it was basically over. UTEP won 73-60. Full game:
5/7
In the NCAA tournament, UTEP faced LSU in the first round. Midway through the first half, LSU missed 14 straight shots, opening the door for UTEP to take a 15 point lead. UTEP slowed down LSU All-American freshman Chris Jackson in the first half,
In the NCAA tournament, UTEP faced LSU in the first round. Midway through the first half, LSU missed 14 straight shots, opening the door for UTEP to take a 15 point lead. UTEP slowed down LSU All-American freshman Chris Jackson in the first half,
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but Jackson went on to score 25 of his 33 points in the second half. UTEP still used the cushion to their advantage and never allowed LSU to get closer than 7. UTEP won 85-74. You can watch most of the LSU game here: . Start at 3:17:25.
but Jackson went on to score 25 of his 33 points in the second half. UTEP still used the cushion to their advantage and never allowed LSU to get closer than 7. UTEP won 85-74. You can watch most of the LSU game here: . Start at 3:17:25.
7/7
The following round, LSU faced Indiana in a rematch. Despite 3 LSU starters getting into early foul trouble, Indiana won with ease 92-69. “We just got beat in every way. We were never in it,” said Don Haskins.
The following round, LSU faced Indiana in a rematch. Despite 3 LSU starters getting into early foul trouble, Indiana won with ease 92-69. “We just got beat in every way. We were never in it,” said Don Haskins.
1991/92
1/9
UTEP went to the NCAA tournament in 1990 after winning the WAC title, but lost to Minnesota by three in the first round. After struggling in ‘90/91 (16-13), the Miners had a few question marks going into ‘91/92. JUCO transfer Eddie Rivera helped answer some questions.
1/9
UTEP went to the NCAA tournament in 1990 after winning the WAC title, but lost to Minnesota by three in the first round. After struggling in ‘90/91 (16-13), the Miners had a few question marks going into ‘91/92. JUCO transfer Eddie Rivera helped answer some questions.
2/9
Rivera had help from David Van Dyke (avg’d 13.9 pts and 6 rbs a game), Prince Stewart (11.5 PPG), and Marlon Maxey (15 PPG, 7 RPG). UTEP had no players taller than 6’9”, but despite the short roster, UTEP set a school record for blocked shots with 217. UTEP surprisingly
Rivera had help from David Van Dyke (avg’d 13.9 pts and 6 rbs a game), Prince Stewart (11.5 PPG), and Marlon Maxey (15 PPG, 7 RPG). UTEP had no players taller than 6’9”, but despite the short roster, UTEP set a school record for blocked shots with 217. UTEP surprisingly
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opened the season 16-1 and climbed as high as 19 in the AP poll. These wins included Texas, Washington, Texas Tech, BYU, and Utah. Both the Utes and the Cougars would get their revenge in the reg. season as UTEP hit a skid in the 2nd half of the season losing 4-of-6 games.
opened the season 16-1 and climbed as high as 19 in the AP poll. These wins included Texas, Washington, Texas Tech, BYU, and Utah. Both the Utes and the Cougars would get their revenge in the reg. season as UTEP hit a skid in the 2nd half of the season losing 4-of-6 games.
4/9
The Miners carried a 5-game winning streak into the WAC tournament and defeated Colorado St and New Mexico in the first games. UTEP faced BYU in the championship. The game came down to the wire as BYU nailed a three to go up 70-69 with 30 seconds left.
The Miners carried a 5-game winning streak into the WAC tournament and defeated Colorado St and New Mexico in the first games. UTEP faced BYU in the championship. The game came down to the wire as BYU nailed a three to go up 70-69 with 30 seconds left.
5/9
Maxey put back a missed layup with two seconds left to appear to give UTEP the WAC title. However, BYU’s Kevin Nixon nailed a miracle 3/4 court shot at the buzzer. BYU won 73-71.
Through the heartbreak, UTEP still had games to play as an at-large bid.
Maxey put back a missed layup with two seconds left to appear to give UTEP the WAC title. However, BYU’s Kevin Nixon nailed a miracle 3/4 court shot at the buzzer. BYU won 73-71.
Through the heartbreak, UTEP still had games to play as an at-large bid.
6/9
The Miners were given the 9 seed facing 8 seed Evansville. Maxey’s double-double lifted UTEP over Evansville 55-50. In the next game, UTEP faced 1 seed (#2) Kansas. The Bear had another trick up his sleeve using a spread offense for the first time that season to throw off KU
The Miners were given the 9 seed facing 8 seed Evansville. Maxey’s double-double lifted UTEP over Evansville 55-50. In the next game, UTEP faced 1 seed (#2) Kansas. The Bear had another trick up his sleeve using a spread offense for the first time that season to throw off KU
7/9
and slow them down. UTEP controlled the score & pace of the game. KU crept back into it as the Jayhawks’ Richard Scott scored with 16 secs left to cut UTEP’s lead to 62-60. UTEP hit two free throws, forced a turnover, and made 15-footer as time expired to twist the knife
and slow them down. UTEP controlled the score & pace of the game. KU crept back into it as the Jayhawks’ Richard Scott scored with 16 secs left to cut UTEP’s lead to 62-60. UTEP hit two free throws, forced a turnover, and made 15-footer as time expired to twist the knife
8/9
as the Miners won 66-60.
In the Sweet 16, UTEP faced Cincinnati. UTEP’s slow start put them in a hole that they had to dig out. In the final minutes UTEP appeared to tie the game, but due to the loud arena, no one heard the ref’s whistle
as the Miners won 66-60.
In the Sweet 16, UTEP faced Cincinnati. UTEP’s slow start put them in a hole that they had to dig out. In the final minutes UTEP appeared to tie the game, but due to the loud arena, no one heard the ref’s whistle
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and traveling call. Cincinnati hung on to win 69-67. This would be the last NCAA team under Don Haskins.
In his career, Haskins surmounted 719 wins.
and traveling call. Cincinnati hung on to win 69-67. This would be the last NCAA team under Don Haskins.
In his career, Haskins surmounted 719 wins.
He won 7 WAC regular season titles, four WAC tournament titles, had fourteen NCAA tournament berths and seven trips to the NIT. Haskins was inducted into the basketball hall of fame in 1997 and the college basketball HOF in 2006. Haskins died at his home at the age of 78 in 2008.
UTEP also went to the NCAA tournament in 2004, 2005 and 2010. UTEP has also been to the NIT and CBI many times.
