The University of Texas at El Paso’s men’s basketball team is set to travel to the Caribbean for an early‑season test, the Cancun Challenge, scheduled for November 24‑25. The Miners will open the tournament against the College of Charleston before facing either Kennesaw State or Eastern Michigan in the second round, with the championship game to follow two days later.
Adding to the non‑conference slate, UTEP will host North Dakota on December 5 at the Don Haskins Center, a venue that has become a focal point for the program’s home schedule. Earlier in August, the Miners played two exhibition matches in Mexico, defeating local university squads in Juarez on August 4 and in Chihuahua City on August 5, providing a preview of the team’s chemistry.
Coach’s outlook
Coach Joe Golding said the upcoming games represent a valuable opportunity to gauge the squad’s progress before conference play begins, emphasizing the importance of building momentum heading into the Mountain West Conference slate.
Golding highlighted the excitement of competing against seasoned opponents, noting that the experience will help the younger players adapt to higher‑level competition and that the team is eager to translate practice intensity into game‑day performance.
The Miners are still awaiting the full Mountain West Conference schedule, which will determine the remainder of the 2026‑27 season’s matchups, but the early slate already offers a clear picture of the team’s non‑conference roadmap.
College of Charleston entered the previous season with a 21‑11 record, capturing a second‑seed in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament before bowing out in the first round, setting a competitive tone for the challenge.