We are just hours away from the 18th UTEP-Houston matchup since the two programs became conference rivals in 2005. Before you take in what is likely to be another excellent game, here are some statistics I've compiled on arguably the 2 most storied basketball programs in the state of Texas...
Conference Tournament Championships:
UTEP: 5 (WAC)
HOUSTON: 6 (5 in Southwest Con, 1 in CUSA)
Conference Regular Season Championships:
UTEP: 9 (8 in WAC, 1 in CUSA)
HOUSTON: 7 (3 in Lone Star Con., 1 in Missouri Valley, 3 in Southwest Con.)
NIT Appearances:
UTEP: 9
HOUSTON: 9
NCAA Tournament Appearances:
UTEP: 17
HOUSTON: 19
NCAA Tournament Record:
UTEP: 14-16
HOUSTON: 26-24
Final Four Appearances:
UTEP: 1
HOUSTON: 5
National Championships:
UTEP: 1
HOUSTON: 0
YEAR BY YEAR UTEP-UH GAME RESULTS
2005-2006
57 UTEP at
63 HOUSTON
63 HOUSTON at
69 UTEP
2006-2007
71 HOUSTON at
79 UTEP
67 UTEP at
74 HOUSTON
2007-2008
72 UTEP at
77 HOUSTON
81 HOUSTON at
87 UTEP
80 UTEP v
77 HOUSTON **
2008-2009
94 HOUSTON at
86 UTEP
62 UTEP at
55 HOUSTON
89 HOUSTON v
85 UTEP (Overtime) **
2009-2010
75 HOUSTON at
65 UTEP
65 UTEP at
58 HOUSTON
81 HOUSTON v
73 UTEP ***
2010-2011
57 UTEP at
52 HOUSTON
64 HOUSTON at
76 UTEP
2011-2012
50 HOUSTON at
70 UTEP
76 UTEP at
81 HOUSTON (OT)
?? UTEP v
?? HOUSTON
Record in Houston: HOUSTON leads 4-3
Aggregate Score in Houston: HOUSTON 460, UTEP 456
Average Score in Houston: HOUSTON 65.7, UTEP 65.1
Record in El Paso: UTEP leads 5-2
Aggregate Score in El Paso: UTEP 532, HOUSTON 498
Average Score in El Paso: UTEP 76, HOUSTON 71.1
Record in C-USA Tournament: HOUSTON leads 2-1
Aggregate Score in C-USA Tourney: HOUSTON 247, UTEP 238
Average Score in C-USA Tourney: HOUSTON 82.3, UTEP 79.3
Overall C-USA Record: UTEP leads 9-8
Overall Aggregate Score: HOUSTON 1205, UTEP 1161
Overall Average Score: HOUSTON 70.8, UTEP 68.3
Average Margin of Victory for Cougars: 6.6
Average Margin of Victory for Miners: 7.7
Without a doubt, UTEP v Houston has been one of the most exciting rivalries forged in C-USA. The numbers paint this picture a little bit, but when it's all said and done, rivalries are about intangible moments. In just 7 short years of conference play, these two schools managed to create some intense moments. Who can forget the high scoring battles between Aubrey Coleman's Cougars and Stefon Jackson's Miners? What Miner fan still isn't sick to his/her stomach when they realize if it weren't for 2 losses to the Cougars, the 2010 Miners would have swept C-USA and avoided the National runner-up Butler Bulldogs in the first round? It's a real shame the two might not play each other once the Cougars bolt for the Big East. Here's hoping Coach Floyd and Coach Dickey can work out a deal to continue playing in the future...
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