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The UTEP Miners men's basketball team is an NCAA Division I college basketball team competing in Conference USA. The team plays its home games at Don Haskins Center, located on the University of Texas at El Paso's campus in El Paso. The Don Haskins Center has a capacity of over 11,000 and is known for its close seating, making it a tough place for opponents to win. The Miners have a rich history in basketball, including winning the 1966 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament as Texas Western. UTEP's sports programs have won a total of 21 NCAA Division I national championships, with the men's basketball team being the first Division I Men's National Basketball Champions in the state of Texas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Division | I |
| Conference | USA |
| Nickname | Miners |
| Colours | Dark Blue, Orange & Silver |
| Home | Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas |
| Capacity | 11,892-12,222 |
| Achievements | 1966 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Champions, 1985 win over #5 Georgetown, 1986 wins over Auburn and Wyoming, 7 National Cross Country Championships, 18 National Championship qualifications |
| Players in NBA | 17 |
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What You'll Learn
- The UTEP Miners are an NCAA Division I college basketball team
- They play their home games at Don Haskins Center, nicknamed The Don
- The team has appeared in two College Basketball Invitationals
- The Miners were the first Division I Men's National Basketball Champions in Texas
- The team has appeared in The Basketball Classic once, with a record of 1-1
The UTEP Miners are an NCAA Division I college basketball team
The UTEP Miners play their home games at the Don Haskins Center, located on the University of Texas at El Paso's campus in El Paso. The Don Haskins Center has a capacity of 12,000 to 12,222, depending on the source. The arena is known for its unique seating arrangement, with fans seated extremely close to the playing floor and the UTEP student section located near the opponent's bench, making it a tough place for visiting teams to win. The UTEP Miners men's basketball team has a rich history and has produced several notable players who have gone on to play in professional leagues around the world.
The team has appeared in The Basketball Classic once, with a 1-1 record, and has also competed in two College Basketball Invitationals, with a combined record of 5-3. 17 former UTEP players have played in the NBA, including McKenzie Moore, who now plays in the Israeli Basketball Premier League, and Randy Culpepper, who plays for Scafati Basket in the Italian Serie A2 Basketball League. The UTEP Miners have also had success in other sports, with the men's cross country team winning 7 national championships and the women's cross country team qualifying for the NCAA Division I Women's Cross Country Championships every year from 1987 to 2009.
The UTEP Miners' success in Division I basketball has made them a well-known and respected college basketball program. Their achievements on the court, combined with their ability to develop players who go on to have successful professional careers, have contributed to their reputation as a prominent basketball team in the state of Texas and across the country. The Miners' historic win in 1966, breaking racial barriers in the process, remains a pivotal moment in the team's history and in the broader context of college basketball.
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They play their home games at Don Haskins Center, nicknamed The Don
The UTEP Miners men's basketball team plays their home games at the Don Haskins Center, nicknamed "The Don". The Don Haskins Center is located on the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), and it was originally known as the Special Events Center. The center was renamed in 1998 before what would be the final season of legendary coach Don Haskins, for whom the arena is now named. Haskins was the head coach at UTEP from 1961 to 1999, and during his tenure, he led the Miners to numerous successful seasons and championships.
The Don Haskins Center has a capacity of 11,892 and is known for its unique atmosphere, with fans seated extremely close to the playing floor and the UTEP student section located near the opponent's bench. This has made it a notoriously tough place for opposing teams to win, and UTEP has historically struggled to attract top-rated teams to play there. The center has hosted various events besides basketball games, including concerts and university commencement ceremonies.
The first home game for the Miners men's basketball team in the Don Haskins Center was held on February 3, 1977, against the University of Wyoming Cowboys. The game was played in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 12,222, and the Miners lost a close game in overtime, 62-59. Unfortunately, the Miners were unable to secure a win in their new home during that inaugural season, losing their remaining four games.
The Don Haskins Center has been the site of many memorable moments in UTEP basketball history and has played a significant role in the success of the Miners men's basketball program. The center is adorned with Miner memorabilia, including championship banners and retired player jerseys, serving as a constant reminder of the rich basketball tradition at UTEP.
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The team has appeared in two College Basketball Invitationals
The UTEP Miners men's basketball team is the first Division I Men's National Basketball Champions in the state of Texas. They won the 1966 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, then known as Texas Western, beating Kentucky 72-65. This game is considered one of the most important in the history of college basketball, as it was the first time a team with five African-American starters won a title game. The team has since appeared in 17 NCAA Tournaments, with a combined record of 14-16. They have also featured in ten National Invitation Tournaments.
The Miners have appeared in three College Basketball Invitationals, with a combined record of 4-4. They advanced to the finals in the 2009 tournament. The team has also appeared in The Basketball Classic once, with a record of 1-1.
UTEP has a strong basketball history, with 17 former players going on to play in the NBA. The Don Haskins Center, with a capacity of 11,892, is known as a challenging venue for visiting teams, with fans seated extremely close to the playing floor. The Miners have achieved notable wins at this venue, including against #5 ranked teams Georgetown in 1985 and Wyoming in 1988.
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The Miners were the first Division I Men's National Basketball Champions in Texas
The UTEP Miners men's basketball team represents the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in El Paso, Texas. The team plays in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and competes in Conference USA.
UTEP's "Don Haskins Center" is the team's home arena, known for being a challenging venue for visiting teams due to the close proximity of fan seating to the playing floor and the enthusiastic UTEP student section near the opponent's bench. The Miners have a rich basketball history, including being the first Division I Men's National Basketball Champions from the state of Texas in 1966, when they were known as the Texas Western Miners.
The 1965-66 season was a landmark one for the Texas Western Miners, who became the first team to win the NCAA national championship game with an all-African-American starting lineup. This achievement was not without adversity, as the team endured abuse throughout their tournament run and afterwards. Their victory over the all-white program of Kentucky by a score of 72-65 on March 19, 1966, at the University of Maryland, holds significant historical value and inspired the book and film "Glory Road."
The Miners' championship run also had broader implications for the desegregation of athletics. The Southeastern Conference, for instance, welcomed its first black basketball player in 1967, signalling a shift towards greater inclusivity in college sports. The 1965-66 Texas Western Miners team was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007, recognising their trailblazing accomplishments both on and off the court.
UTEP has continued to build on its basketball success over the years, with 17 former players going on to play in the NBA. The Miners have appeared in 17 NCAA Tournaments, showcasing their consistent competitiveness on the national stage. "The Don," as the team and its fans affectionately call it, remains a formidable venue for opponents, and UTEP's basketball programme is an integral part of the university's athletic legacy.
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The team has appeared in The Basketball Classic once, with a record of 1-1
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Miners men's basketball team has a rich history in the sport. The team competes in Division I and has achieved notable successes, including being the first Division I Men's National Basketball Champions in the state of Texas back in 1966. Led by coach Don Haskins, the Miners made history with a diverse team that included black, white, and Hispanic players. This team defeated the University of Kentucky Wildcats, an all-white team, to capture the NCAA championship with a final score of 72-65.
The UTEP Miners have also appeared in The Basketball Classic once, with a record of 1-1. This appearance showcases the team's continued competitiveness and participation in notable basketball events. The Miners play their home games at the Don Haskins Center, which has a capacity of 11,892 and is known for being a tough venue for opposing teams to win. The arena's unique design, with fans seated extremely close to the playing floor, creates an intense atmosphere that has made it challenging to convince top-rated teams to play there.
The Miners have a proud tradition in men's basketball, with 17 former players having reached the NBA. The team's success has been characterised by a focus on winning rather than racial issues, as evidenced by their groundbreaking diverse lineup in the 1965-66 season. This commitment to excellence has resulted in notable victories and a lasting impact on the sport, including influencing other college teams to actively recruit black athletes, thus contributing to the end of segregation in college basketball.
UTEP's appearance in The Basketball Classic adds to their basketball legacy. With a record of 1-1 in this tournament, the Miners once again demonstrated their ability to compete on a national stage. The team's performance in this event showcases their resilience and determination to represent UTEP at the highest levels of collegiate basketball. The experience of participating in The Basketball Classic further enriches the history and tradition of excellence associated with UTEP men's basketball.
The UTEP Miners men's basketball team continues to be a source of pride for the university and the city of El Paso. Their achievements, including their appearance in The Basketball Classic, serve as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players, coaches, and staff throughout the team's history. The Miners have left an indelible mark on the sport, both on and off the court, and continue to inspire new generations of athletes and fans alike.
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Frequently asked questions
UTEP Miners is an NCAA Division I college basketball team.
The UTEP Miners have won 21 NCAA Division I national championships.
Their home stadium is the Don Haskins Center, located on the University of Texas campus in El Paso.
The Miners have appeared in two College Basketball Invitationals, with a combined record of 5-3.
