UTEP men's basketball is seeking its first victory against a Division I team, with their best recent game being a close road loss to Seattle. The team has struggled with slow starts, rebounding issues, and offensive efficiency, partly due to a roster with 10 new players and four returners. Coach Joe Golding emphasizes improving rebounding, offensive execution, and defense, particularly on the boards. UTEP has a 3-5 record, currently on a three-game losing streak, and ranks last in Conference USA according to NCAA NET ratings. Hawaii, with a 9-2 record, is favored in their upcoming game against UTEP, with a spread of 12.5 points and a total of 138.5 points. Hawaii excels in scoring margin (+18.4), rebounding (+9.2), and three-point shooting (7.0 per game at 30.8%). Key players include Isaac Johnson and Hunter Erickson. UTEP's main contributors are Elijah Jones and Jamal West, with offensive struggles and rebounding deficits being critical issues. The game presents an opportunity for UTEP to build momentum, especially if they can improve their rebounding and offensive consistency. Hawaii's strong defense and rebounding advantage make them slight favorites, but UTEP's recent improvements in shooting and effort suggest the game could be competitive. The outcome will depend on UTEP's ability to mitigate Hawaii's rebounding and shooting strengths.