SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Men's Basketball team is set to host the UTEP Miners in their lone game this week. The Gauchos are currently one of 50 schools that are still undefeated and have four or more wins.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Santa Barbara pulled out a 64-59 win against San Jose State on Sunday afternoon. Stephan Swenson hit a three-pointer with 20 seconds left and then sealed the game on the defensive end with a block.

LOOKING AT THE GAUCHOS
UC Santa Barbara comes into the contest as one of the top offensive teams in the country. The Gauchos are averaging over 85 points per contest, and rank top 40 in both field goal percentage and three-point field goal percentage. The 4-0 start for the Gauchos is their best four-game start to a season since the 2011-12 season.

The Gauchos currently have five players averaging double figures through their first four games. Jason Fontenet II currently leads the way with 14.8 points per contest. Also in double figures are Deuce Turner (11.8), Stephan Swenson (10.3), Colin Smith (10.3) and Kenny Pohto (10.0). Santa Barbara is also dominating the glass as they are out-rebounding their opponents by nearly 10 boards per game.
 
SCOUTING THE MINERS
UTEP comes into the contest with a 2-1 record. The Miners earned wins over Division II opponents Sul Ross State and University of Texas Permian Basin. Their lone loss came at Utah Valley, falling 89-60.
 
The Miners are averaging 80.0 points per game coming into the contest and are shooting over 47 percent from the field and over 43 percent from beyond the arc. UTEP currently ranks 14th in the country in three-point field goal percentage. Leading the way offensively for the Miners is senior forward, Otis Frazier III. The Buckeye, Arizona native is averaging 15.0 points per game, 3.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
 
UTEP also has three other players scoring in double figures through its first three games of the season. Ahmad Bynum, who has played in two games, is averaging 14.5 points per game, along with Devon Barnes and Corey Camper Jr., who are averaging 10.7 and 10.0, respectively.
 
Over their last three games, the Miners have forced at least 19 turnovers in every contest. The defensive pressure from last year by the Miners has carried over to this season. At the end of the 2023-24 season, UTEP led the nation in turnovers forced per game and they continue to consistently force turnovers.
 
HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, UC Santa Barbara will be partnering with Santa Barbara Food Bank for a Holiday Food Drive. Fans who bring a non-perishable food item will receive a complimentary voucher to an upcoming UC Santa Barbara men's and women's basketball game.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
The Gauchos and Miners will tip off at 7 p.m. inside The Thunderdome on Wednesday, Nov. 20. For those unable to attend in person the game will be streamed on ESPN+.