New Mexico State and UTEP have officially announced an in-season home-and-home men’s basketball series for the 2026-27 season. The Aggies and Miners will play each other twice in seven days, first on November 12 in El Paso and then on November 19 in Las Cruces.
A Great Decision for Fans
This decision is a great move for the fans, as the Battle of I-10 games are always highly attended and full of passion and energy. The atmospheres in both the Don Haskins Center and the Pan American Center are electric, making for an exciting experience for coaches, players, and spectators alike.
The home-and-home series will not only benefit the fans but also the teams themselves. Both NM State and UTEP will get a quality non-conference game without having to play at a neutral site or enter a multi-team event. Additionally, the teams will save money on travel by busing across the Borderland instead of flying to another part of the country.
A Win-Win Situation
The arrangement is a win-win situation for both teams, as they will preserve the tradition and rivalry of the Battle of I-10. The series will also avoid the narrative that one side of the rivalry is afraid to schedule the other.
NM State athletic director Joe Fields and UTEP AD Jim Senter deserve credit for making this happen. Their goal should now be to schedule an Aggies-Miners football game as soon as possible, which will be harder to do due to fewer non-conference slots in football.
Original reporting: Las Cruces Sun News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
