El Paso, Texas – UTEP men’s basketball released its 2026‑27 schedule on Tuesday, marking the program’s first full season as a member of the Mountain West Conference. Head coach Joe Golding highlighted the blend of high‑profile non‑conference events and a robust conference slate, noting that eight games will be broadcast nationally on FS1, the CW and CBS Sports Network.
Key non‑conference events
The season kicks off on Nov. 2 with the Field of 68 24‑Hour Marathon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where the Miners face Horizon League semifinalist Northern Kentucky. The marathon will feature 16 mid‑major programs competing in a single‑day showcase.
Following the opening, UTEP will travel to Cancun, Mexico for the two‑day Cancun Challenge (Nov. 24‑25). The Miners will meet College of Charleston and either Eastern Michigan or Kennesaw State, the latter a recent NCAA Tournament participant.
Dec. 20‑21 brings the 65th Annual WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational at home, with opponents including Howard (a recent NCAA Tournament team), Kent State, Omaha and UTPB.
Mountain West conference play
UTEP’s first Mountain West game arrives on Jan. 2, when longtime rival New Mexico hosts the Miners at the GECU Arena. The Miners will then host Wyoming (Jan. 5), Nevada (Jan. 12), UC Davis (Jan. 23), San Jose State (Jan. 30), Grand Canyon (Feb. 9), UNLV (Feb. 17), Hawai’i (Feb. 27) and Air Force (Mar. 6). All of these home contests will be televised nationally.
The road schedule includes trips to New Mexico (Jan. 9), UNLV (Jan. 15), Wyoming (Jan. 19), Nevada (Jan. 26), Hawai’i (Feb. 6), UC Davis (Feb. 13), New Mexico again (Feb. 20), Grand Canyon (Feb. 23) and San Jose State (Mar. 2). Each away game will also receive national coverage.
Roster and fan experience upgrades
Golding and his staff have assembled a 15‑man roster featuring a mix of Division I transfers, junior‑college standouts and international talent. Notable additions include 6‑10 forward Reid Cason from East Carolina, 6‑8 forward Augusto Cassia from Ole Miss, and 6‑5 guard Cam McDaniels, a second‑team All‑American from John A. Logan College.
The Miners will also debut a new court design and upgraded fan amenities inside the GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center, enhancing the game‑day experience for supporters during this inaugural Mountain West campaign.
Ticket information
Season tickets are now on sale through the UTEP Miners website or by calling (915) 747‑UTEP. Fans are encouraged to secure seats early, as the schedule promises numerous marquee matchups and national television exposure.
With a challenging lineup that includes up to 13 opponents who posted 20 or more wins last season and seven teams that earned postseason berths, the 2026‑27 Miners are poised to test themselves against top competition while representing El Paso on a national stage.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
