The men’s matchup tips off at 4:00 with the Countdown to Tip-off Show, followed by a 4:30 local start between UTEP (9th seed) and Western Kentucky (8th seed).
Despite the loss in the championship round of the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, the Miners showed growth in a tough 47-46 loss to Kent State on Thursday night.
On early signing day, UTEP took the same approach as they typically have done under head coach Dana Dimel and signed 17 newcomers to the team with 15 coming from the junior college ranks.