UTEP Women's Basketball Will Join Mountain West Conference
The Miners will officially transition into the Mountain West conference for the upcoming 2026-2027 season.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Basketball
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The UTEP women's basketball team will join the Mountain West conference, with their new season opener scheduled for November 2, 2026. This move follows a previous season where the team finished with a 13-17 record.
Why it matters
Joining the Mountain West provides UTEP with a new competitive landscape and conference alignment. This transition is set to reshape the team's schedule and regional rivalries as they prepare to face new conference opponents.
Head coach Keitha Adams enters her 20th season leading a squad that features players from 4 states and 6 countries. Newcomer Imani Warren joins the team after averaging 12.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2 steals per game last season.
The players
Keitha Adams
Keitha Adams is the long-serving head coach of the UTEP women's basketball team now entering her 20th season.
Imani Warren
Imani Warren is a transfer player from New Mexico State who joins the Miners after a strong statistical performance last season.
Mary Moses Amaniyo
Mary Moses Amaniyo is a key player expected to provide rebounding and leadership for the team this season.
The details
The team will play its home games at the GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center and plans to implement a high-tempo playing style. Leadership expectations for the upcoming season are focused on Mary Moses Amaniyo for her rebounding and locker room presence.
Timeline
The 2025-26 season ended in the first round of the conference tournament.
The 2026-2027 season opener against Western New Mexico is November 2, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This conference transition fundamentally changes the Miners' path toward postseason qualification and tournament eligibility. The shift into the Mountain West alters the competitive landscape of the team's schedule compared to their previous conference standing.
Fans in El Paso can expect a high-tempo offensive style and a heavily retooled roster featuring ten new players. The reliance on returning veterans will be critical as the team navigates the challenges of a new conference schedule.
The takeaway
The upcoming season serves as a litmus test for the effectiveness of the team's recent recruiting and coaching stability. Fans should look for early signs of chemistry between the returning players and the large influx of new talent during the non-conference slate.
What happens next
The UTEP women's basketball team will face Western New Mexico in their season opener on November 2, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local sports, visit the Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KFOX.
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