The new year is a time for a fresh slate, and in the case of the UTEP women's basketball team, that is quite literal.
The non-conference part of the schedule, which went close to perfectly, went into the books two weeks ago, and Friday's New Year's Day matinee against Rice will mark the beginning of an 18-game Conference USA grind where UTEP is on a short list of favorites.
It also marks the end of an over-long layoff created by a weather-related cancellation of a game against Eastern New Mexico Monday, and for all sorts of reasons the Miners can't wait to get back on the court to start a new year and a new season.