It's going to be a big Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Don Haskins Center.
First up in the afternoon will be the women's basketball team:
The UTEP women’s basketball team will play host to Texas Southern at 1:05 p.m. at the Don Haskins Center on Sunday. Schedule cards and team posters will be given away, and as part of “El Paso Parks and Recreation Day” anybody with a parks & recreation ID/voucher will receive free admission to the tilt.
The Miners (6-3) are coming off a 54-40 triumph against Grambling State which propelled them to a third-place showing at the 15th-annual Commerce Bank Classic in Manhattan, Kan., last weekend.
Then, in the nightcap, will be the men's basketball team having its second grudge match with New Mexico State. You'll remember, I'm sure, that UTEP beat the Aggies, 79-58, last week in Las Cruces. Sunday's rematch begins at 7:05 p.m. at the Don Haskins Center.
Certainly the Aggies will be inspired to get revenge, but the game will be different for other reasons, as well. From a UTEP news release:
Both teams could look different on Sunday. UTEP is hoping to get Derrick Caracter eligible, and NMSU is awaiting word on whether or not forwards Troy Gillenwater and Wendell McKines will be able to suit up for the second semester.
The addition of Caracter would be an early Christmas present for the Miners. He was regarded as one of the nation's top high school recruits before averaging over eight points per game in two seasons at Louisville (2006-07, 2007-08). The 6-9, 285-pounder scored in double figures 20 times for the Cardinals.
"If he's eligible, he'll play," UTEP coach Tony Barbee said, adding that he should know Caracter's status sometime on Saturday.
Gillenwater and McKines would shore up an Aggie frontcourt that has received limited production outside of Hamidu Rahman's 13.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Gillenwater averaged 12.1 ppg and 4.3 rpg last season, and McKines averaged a double-double with 12.1 ppg and 10.0 rpg.
UTEP was one of only 16 undefeated teams in the country entering play on Wednesday. The Miners are 5-0 for the first time in nine years.
Plenty of reasons to head out to the Don Haskins Center on Sunday night. And though the NMSU game is usually a sell out, playing on an NFL Sunday means tickets will likely be available for you this time.
So don't drink too much while watching the Chargers end the Cowboys' playoff hopes and come check out the Miners afterward.
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