EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP Miners men’s basketball team will open its schedule on Monday at 12 p.m. Mountain Time against the Florida A&M Rattlers, after the original Sunday night matchup was disrupted by a nationwide FAA outage on Nov. 13.
Why the change
The FAA outage grounded flights across the country, leaving Florida A&M’s travel arrangements in limbo. With the Miners already prepared to host the game at the Don Haskins Center, the schools agreed to shift the contest to a Monday afternoon slot to ensure both teams could compete safely and fairly.
Ticket information
Fans can take advantage of a special matinee price of $9.15 for all seats. Tickets are available online via the UTEP athletics website or by calling (915) 747‑UTEP. Parking will be free on a first‑come, first‑served basis, though space may be limited because the university is in session.
What’s at stake
The Miners are looking to secure a third straight victory, hoping to build momentum as the season progresses. A win would improve their conference standing and give the team a confidence boost heading into the next stretch of games. Florida A&M, meanwhile, hopes to rebound from the travel disruption and prove they can compete despite the scheduling change.
Community impact
This rescheduling underscores the importance of flexibility for local fans and the university community. The affordable ticket price encourages families, students, and longtime supporters to attend, reinforcing the tradition of strong community backing for UTEP athletics. The Miner Athletic Club will provide additional information for season ticket holders regarding parking and other logistics.
Looking ahead
Both programs will use the Monday game as a stepping stone toward the remainder of their non‑conference schedules. UTEP’s coaching staff emphasized the need for focus and preparation, noting that the team will treat the adjusted timing like any other home contest. Florida A&M’s coach expressed confidence that his players will adapt quickly and compete at a high level despite the travel setback.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to take advantage of the free parking and to support the Miners as they aim for another win on their home court.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
