If the UTEP men's basketball team is going to be good this year, the Miners are going to have to run up turnover margins. They are going to have to create havoc on defense and value the ball on offense.

UTEP is going to have to do what it did in its 98-56 opening win against UT Permian Basin, the nation's No. 9 Division II team, when it took the ball away 20 times while giving it away seven. When UTPB held on to the ball long enough to shoot it, the Falcons shot 34% as the Miner defense was all it was supposed to be.

Leading by 12 at the half, UTEP began the second period with a 17-2 run and emptied its bench.

Sophomore KJ Thomas didn't light up the scoresheet, but his seven assists, zero turnovers and two steals in 20 minutes exemplify what UTEP is looking for from a point guard. K

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