A uniquely challenging season for the UTEP basketball teams began last week with the first "official practices," ones that looked much like months of unofficial conditioning workouts before them. Little has gone wrong so far.
The teams have passed their COVID tests, the men learned two key first-year transfers would be immediately eligible and all but one of the women's team's foreign recruits are in El Paso.
"The guys came in with a great attitude, a great approach," men's coach Rodney Terry said after a productive offseason that saw point guard Jamal Bieniemy and forward Kristian Sjolund gain eligibility for 2020-21.