We’re more than half way into the football season, but many University of Texas at El Paso fans are anxious to hear the squeak of basketball kicks on the shiny, hardwood floor.

You can get a first look at the 2008-09 UTEP Miner men’s and women’s basketball teams at “Miner Madness” on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Don Haskins Center.

The event is free!

The festivities start at 1 p.m. with free food at the tailgating party hosted by local bar Three-Legged Monkey.

Coming off a record-breaking season, the UTEP women’s team will have their season-opening workout at 2 p.m. The women, who were 28-4 last season and won the Conference USA championship, will be led by junior guard Jareica Hughes.

The UTEP men’s team, which ended the 2007-08 season 19-14, will hit the Don Haskins court at 3 p.m. The team, which was picked to finish fourth in Conference USA this season by league coaches, will have seven returning letterwinners, including Stefon Jackson, Randy Culpepper and 7-foot Kareem Cooper.

The men’s basketball coaching staff will conduct a free youth clinic at 4 p.m. The clinic is for children eighth grade and younger.

For more information, call (915) 747-6787.

Photo courtesy University of Texas at El Paso