The absolute worst formula UTEP needs to avoid all year formulated in the opening minutes of the Miners' first major test against Wake Forest to open the Charleston Classic.
The Miners got in early foul trouble, were horrible in transition defense, particularly rotating and communicating at the 3-point line, and turned it over 18 times in the game as Wake Forest cruised to an easy 103-81 win.
Offense was flowing early on as both teams put together runs in the opening 10 minutes or so.
Wake broke open a 4-4 tie with a 9-0 run fueled by a trio of 3-pointers, two coming from Austin Arians, and the third from Keyshawn Woods which gave the Demon Deacons an early 13-4 lead.