Conference USA Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2019-20 season

#3 — TEXAS EL PASO

2018-19 IN REVIEW

• Record: 8-21 (3-15, 14th in C-USA)
• Rankings: #290 in NET, #299 in KenPom
• Postseason: none

2019-20 AT A GLANCE

HEAD COACH

• Rodney Terry (2nd year)
• School W-L: 8-21 (.276)
• Career W-L: 134-129 (.510)

PROJECTED STARTERS

• Jordan Lathon, G, So. — 32.9 MPG (27 starts), 10.9 PPG, 2.7 APG
• Nigel Hawkins, G, So. — 33.9 MPG (27 starts), 12.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG
• Daryl Edwards, G, Gr. — 6.8 PPG, 0.371 3P% in ’17-18 at LSU
• Bryson Williams, F, Jr. —13.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG in ’17-18 at Fresno State
• Efe Odigie, F/C, So. — 27.3 MPG (21 starts), 12.7 PPG, 10.1 RPG

NON-CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

• 11/12 vs New Mexico State
• 11/19 vs New Mexico
• 12/03 @ New Mexico State
• 12/17 vs UC Irvine/Kent State (Sun Bowl Invitational)
• 12/19 @ Houston
• Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu, HI)
  • 12/22 vs Hawaii
  • 12/23 vs Washington/Ball State
  • 12/25 vs Houston/Boise State/Georgia Tech/Portland
• Full schedule at official team website

2019-20 SEASON OUTLOOK

UTEP could be one of the most improved teams in the country if head coach Rodney Terry can find a way to put all of the pieces together into something cohesive in 2019-20. After a catastrophic season in which the Miners won just eight games and finished dead-last in the conference, there’s really nowhere to go but up for the program. But their rise may have been accelerated with the additions of transfers Bryson Williams (Fresno State) and Daryl Edwards (LSU). Williams’ move to the C-USA from the Mountain West immediately puts him into the conversation for the league’s best big man. One of his teammates, Efe Odigie, is also on that shortlist.

It’s not just the frontcourt that will look imposing to opponents next year, though. The guard tandem of Jordan Lathon and Nigel Hawkins could be a strong one. Both scored in double digits for the Miners but also contributed heavily to the team’s abysmal 22.7% turnover rate (13th-worst in the country). Shooting the ball, in general, was a problem point for UTEP in 2018-19. The team’s 45.8% effective field goal percentage was among the lowest in the nation. Hawkins bears the brunt of that mark, failing to reach the 40% and 30% marks on two- and three-point shooting, respectively. But freshmen often struggle before they eventually figure it out. Ball security and shooting accuracy have to be on the top of UTEP’s to-do list.

There is a lot of talent on this roster — and even more coming down the pipeline, with the Miners also adding some talent sit-out transfers this offseason. While the backcourt obviously needs to improve, the real key is how dominant the pairing of Odigie and Williams will be down low. If they both turn in all-league performances, then watch out. UTEP could be a dark horse to win the league.