Oct. 18, 2005

Over the last two years, UTEP has won 51 games.

Putting that in perspective, UTEP owns more victories than Arizona, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Oklahoma, Stanford, Syracuse, Texas, Texas Tech, Wake Forest, Washington or Wisconsin during that span.

The Miners will attempt to keep the momentum going during the 2005-06 campaign. UTEP returns eight letterwinners and two starters from last year's 27-8 squad that won the Western Athletic Conference Tournament title and played in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.

The biggest losses from a year ago are guard Filiberto Rivera and forward Omar Thomas, who combined to average 34 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.7 assists between them.

Returning starters are forwards John Tofi (6.7 ppg/6.3 rpg) and Jason Williams (11.5 ppg/5.7 rpg/2.9 apg). Tofi and Williams are two of the eight seniors on the roster, including a pair of Division I transfers -- forward/center Tremaine Fuqua (via Oklahoma State) and guard Edgar Moreno (via Texas).

How far UTEP goes in 2005-06 may depend on how quickly head coach Doc Sadler can mold an eclectic roster which includes nearly as many newcomers (six) as returnees (eight).

"We have a lot of guys who have won a bunch of basketball games and played in NCAA Tournaments," UTEP coach Doc Sadler said. "And we have some other guys, who we will be counting on, that will be getting their first taste of Division I basketball. I truly feel this team is capable of sustaining what's been done the last two years, but until they do it, it's just me believing."

UTEP is expected to possess greater depth -- particularly inside -- than it did a year ago. The Miners will likely be more balanced offensively than they were in 2004-05, when three players scored 59 percent of the team's points. The Miners and their supporters will usher in a new era this season, as UTEP moves to Conference USA after 36 years in the Western Athletic Conference.

"It's a league that has always been known for exciting basketball, and getting multiple teams in the NCAA Tournament," Sadler said.

UTEP was a dominant force in the WAC, capturing eight regular-season titles and five tournament trophies. The Miners will look to keep the ball rolling in their new home. They'll benefit from continued raucous crowds in the Don Haskins Center. Over the last two years, UTEP has gone 32-3 in "The Bear's Den" while playing before average crowds of 10,000 per game.

The Frontcourt
The Miners overcame a glaring height disadvantage to enjoy success over the last two seasons. UTEP had just one player taller than 6-7 in its regular rotation during the 2003-04 campaign, and three a year ago.

With five players 6-8 or taller on the roster, size isn't expected to be a problem for the 2005-06 Miners.

The most experienced returnee inside is senior John Tofi, who has played in 94 games for UTEP while making 74 starts. Tofi has scored 928 points and pulled down 563 boards for the Miners.

The 6-8, 250-pound Tofi should benefit from a move to power forward -- his natural position -- after toiling at center for most of his first three years with the undersized Miners. A return to perfect health would be another boon for Tofi. He had two foot surgeries in the summer of 2004 and spent most of last season getting into playing shape. He showed signs of returning to form late in the year, including putting up 21 points in the WAC Tournament final versus Boise State.

"John will need to give us more scoring this season than he did a year ago," Sadler said. "He needs to be a leader on the offensive end of the floor."

Another player who should join the 1,000-point club this season is senior Jason Williams. The versatile Williams has compiled 773 points, 393 rebounds, 213 assists and 89 steals in two years at UTEP. A member of the All-WAC Defensive Team last season, Williams is often assigned to lock down the opposing team's top player.

Williams has scored in double figures 41 times in 67 games for the Miners, all starts. He is the only frontcourt player in school history to dish out 100 assists in two seasons (112 in 2003-04, 101 in 2004-05).

"Jason needs to improve his perimeter shooting, but he has a chance to be one of the top 10 players in Conference USA," Sadler said. "For this team to achieve success, Jason and John Tofi will need to have their best year."

UTEP received some good news in May when center Will Kimble was granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA. The Miners' tallest player at 6-10, Kimble contributed 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game a year ago while starting 10 games and coming off the bench for 23. He began his collegiate career at Pepperdine, playing two years for the Waves (2000-01, 2001-02).

One game into his junior season (2002-03), he was diagnosed with a heart condition. Cleared by doctors to resume his career, he was a key contributor inside in his first year with the Miners.

"Will got back into the flow last season after being away from basketball for a couple of years," Sadler said. "He needs to continue to improve his lateral quickness and low-post scoring."

Senior Brent Murphy is an excellent three-point shooter at 6-8. He has hit over 40 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc in 42 appearances for the Miners.

"Brent brings a great work ethic and a great attitude, always putting the team first," Sadler said. "He'll have a chance to contribute more minutes as a senior."

Newcomer Tremaine Fuqua is expected to make an immediate impact down low. He was a top junior college prospect at Skyline College in San Bruno, Calif., averaging 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds as a sophomore (2002-03 season). Fuqua enjoyed a brief stint at Oklahoma State before opting to finish his collegiate career at UTEP. He will have one year of eligibility with the Miners.

"Tremaine adds experience and offensive scoring at the low post position," Sadler said. "We need him to be a player who can score in double figures."

A rugged rebounder, Maurice Thomas was rated a national top-150 player as a prep and could provide help as a true freshman. He and Stefon Jackson -- another incoming freshman -- guided Lutheran Christian Academy in Philadelphia to a 35-3 record and No. 5 national ranking in 2004-05.

"Maurice is extremely athletic and has a great work ethic," Sadler said. "He has a chance to be an exceptional offensive and defensive rebounder. He can become a very good college player as his scoring develops."

The Backcourt
UTEP has a lot of talent in the backcourt, but not a lot of experience, with just two players (Miguel Ayala and Edgar Moreno) who have seen more than 150 minutes of action at the Division I level.

Despite playing just one season for the Miners -- primarily as a reserve -- Ayala is the team's most experienced guard. He logged 822 minutes in 2004-05 (23 per game), averaging 7.5 points and 2.1 rebounds. The native of Tepic, Mexico cashed in on 38 percent of his three-point field goal attempts, and scored in double figures 12 times.

"We'll look for Miguel to score more than he did last season," Sadler said. "I'd like to see him improve his mid-range game and become a complete offensive threat, not just a three-point shooter."

Vernon Carr played in 12 games as a true freshman, and made an emergency start in place of the injured Rivera versus IPFW. He suffered a stress fracture in his shin prior to the start of the season, hindering his development.

"Vernon will add depth at both the point and off guard positions," Sadler said. "His quickness will improve if he can stay healthy."

Kelvin Davis tallied 43 points in 24 games as a rookie, flashing his athletic ability by ranking second on the team with five dunks.

He also started a game, registering six points in 23 minutes against Oklahoma Panhandle State.

"Kelvin is as good of an athlete as we have," Sadler said. "He needs to become more consistent with his perimeter shooting. He could be as good of a defensive player as we've had in my two years at UTEP."

Moreno appeared in 33 games off the pine for Texas in 2003-04 after playing for two seasons at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas. A great shooter who can also handle the ball, he could see time at both guard slots this year. Moreno had a stellar 81-28 assist to turnover ratio with the Longhorns while hitting 55.4 percent of his shots.

"He'll bring some experience, having played at a major university before," Sadler said. "We need him to step in and pick up some of the scoring load that we lost. He has a great work ethic."

Kevin Henderson posted exceptional numbers (18.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.1 apg) last season at San Bernardino Valley College. He has been a winner at every level he has played, directing his high school team to a state championship and San Bernardino Valley College to the state title game.

"Kevin can definitely make an immediate impact at UTEP," Sadler said. "He just needs to get some experience at this level."

Jackson was a heralded prep player who averaged 19 points per game at Lutheran Christian Academy last season, earning third team All-Prep School recognition.

"Stefon really knows how to score," Sadler said. "If he improves his three-point shooting and ball-handling skills, he has a chance to be one of the better offensive players that UTEP has had in recent years."

Senior Josh Gutierrez, a native El Pasoan, will add backcourt depth. He missed most of last season with a broken foot.

"Josh brings a great work ethic to practice every day, and sets a level of intensity that does nothing but help the team as a whole," Sadler said.