New Mexico Lobos

So, who's the starting point for the Lobos this year?? Don't know if Fenton is the guy to lead this team...

Looks like a 4-3 record for our heroes in November with the losses coming in Tempe and Anaheim. The only possible way for UNM to receive a NCAA at-large bid for the Lobos will be to go 7-0 or 6-1 in November. The MWC is so bad this year that the Lobo's RPI will remain low after the 1st of the year when conference play begins. Of course, UNM can garner the 1 bid by winning the conference tournament, but that's always a dicey situation in Vegas.

We aren't going 4-3.  First, I only count 5 games in November (not including exibition). And in we only have one away game - AZ State.  The Devils are the toughest this month, but I think there's good reason to believe we can beat em (they almost lost to Montana State the other day).    But on the whoe you're right Beso.  Our schedule is really freaking week this year, and the MWC is way worse than last year, so if we don't win against the few big names we play in pre-conference we might be screwed--barring a conference tourney win.  We have a very good team this year, but everyone knows if we slip up just once we won't have much opportunity to make up for it. If we can't play good teams, we have to beat the pants off of the bad teams, so we better steam roll everyone. I think that's why they didn't let up last night, crushing New Orleans by over 50 points.    I'm very happy with the team this year, so many good and capable players, they know if they don't work hard they'll sit, so they'll play with intensity.  Besides Drew, who everyone knows is our man, I'm going to call that Tony Snell is going to have a great year and will have a consitent showing of good play throughout, he has the athleticism and most importantly the right mentality.  The Aussies will improve but will serve mostly as back up (this will be a building year for them, their true shine will come in a couple years).  Kendall will have a good year, but I think will still loose it from time to time in high pressure situations. Demetrius Walker will be off and on for a while, but will catch fire during conference play, he's a pretty smart player from what I've seen.  The big question for me is our veteran seniors.  Both of them showed a lot of intensity and smart play last night, so that's good, but how much can you tell from a game against New Orleans?  If A.J. and Phil can get comfortalbe and learn from last year's mistakes, we will be a great team.  If they don't I think we could still be okay, but there will be a leadership vacuum without them, and the youngsters and transfers will have a harder time finding their groove.   I think Alford knows this, and this is why he's picked an easier pre-conference scheudle...gotta let this team, especially Phil and A.J., get into their groove, and build some confidence.

Should be an interesting year.  Enjoy ya'll!     

I cant wait for my slu to play you guys.  You guys look to be a solid team this season.

Well, there is the potential for the 'Bos to play 7 games in November, but I would expect them to go either 6-1 or 7-0 in those games.

The games against NMSU should both be victories, along with the game against Idaho St.  I think we will beat ASU as I haven't been impressed with them since James Harden left to the NBA, leaving only the 76 Classic in Anaheim where I think they may lose.

Against Santa Clara in the first round - win, against the winner of Oklahoma-Washington St. - win (both teams were horrid last year), and then against Villanova probably in the final which we may lose, depends on the kind of day we have.  I'm not sure what all Villanova has back from last year so I can't really say to much about how I think it will go.

Go Lobos!

Gotta agree with Beso here.  The Lobos will have to win a tourney (76 tourney) including Santa Clara, Nova, OU, Wash St, St. Louis, Boston College.  5-2 would be o.k., but nothing for national respect.  Their SoS will be sorry.  OSU, Missouri St, and Montana St won't cut it.  Arizona State isn't respected enough, but fields a pretty good team.  Playing them in Tempe won't be easy.

As far as the prognosis.  Good news for Lobo fans is that the Lobos will have a good record this year.  Expect as few as 4 and as many as 9 losses.  Easy schedule is the bad news- so expect the criticism come tourney time.  I can't see a reason the Lobos won't win the conference outright unless the Runnin' Rebels put it together.  (coin toss whether or not that will happen)  San Diego State is unknown, but we saw some pretty good coaching last season.


New Mexico's not big, but they have experience and quickness.  They have enough talent to be one of the best teams Alford has had at New Mexico.

New Mexico's star is certainly Drew Gordon, big man transfer from the beleagured UCLA program.  He easily averages double doubles and is more physically talented than he knows-which isn't a compliment.  He has the potential to be a 1st rounder in the NBA (if it still exists).  

The other big talent is Kendall Williams, an out of control phenomenal young talents who needs lots of maturing to be effective in big games.  He shoots, drives, dishes, and has an uncanny knack to score when there's nothing there.

Freshman Hugh Greenwood from Australia showed he's very young and nervous but has court awareness on another level to most in the college game.  He'll need some time, but by the end of the season, he could be important.

Fellow Aussie Cameron Bairstow is also a talent inside and is showing tremendous potential overall.

Phillip McDonald has been an underperformer given his abilities, but he can shoot the set shot and so can Tony Snell- two big Guards

Fenton is lighting quick, but unsure of himself.  Cornered, he's formidable.



 

Hey for your info i am a OU alum ok. Oh by the way your a lobo fan they have to be worst team in cfb find a new team to root for one that actually wins games.

For your info I'm a UNM alumni, a school that actually teaches its students how to use punctuation.

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA YOU WISH THAT SCHOOL IS THE WORST....COME ON UNM IS JOKE ALL AROUND.

Sooners743,

Make a coherent point or go away.  I prefer the latter.   

Do you think Oklahoma fans hate people like Sooner?  Or are most of them like him?  I'm not from the South, but unfortuantly I have met a few people from Oklahoma in my day.  Up in the North we would compare them to a mixture of a hick who has chew spit all over his overalls and a homeless person who lives under a bridge.  Please can andbody help me with this?

Last night was so painful. Lots of dumb fouls, bad turnovers, terrible free throw shooting, and poor shooting choices. NMSU is really big and for our sake I hope they do really well this year, But there no excuses for that loss, we just played so stupidly. I'm nervous about ASU, both teams really need a win and I don't know if we have the maturity to pull it off. We better grow up quick. I'm going up in the mountains this weekend, here's hopin for some good news when I come down.

Last night was so painful. Lots of dumb fouls, bad turnovers, terrible free throw shooting, and poor shooting choices. NMSU is really big and for our sake I hope they do really well this year, But there no excuses for that loss, we just played so stupidly. I'm nervous about ASU, both teams really need a win and I don't know if we have the maturity to pull it off. We better grow up quick. I'm going up in the mountains this weekend, here's hopin for some good news when I come down.

A game in mid-November will be a distant memory in February or March, but unless UNM finds some decent big guys, the Lobos will find themselves fortunate to win the MWC and receive a NCAA bid. Don't get me wrong, Alford and his boys will win over 20 games, but when will Lobo fan realize the slick Steve is a good, not great head man? He has so far said all the right things, but the dude has as many NCAA tourney appearances as the great Ritchie McKay.

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Yep, this was a shocker.  Didn't see the game, but reading the stats is depressing.  Only one way to go here...up!  That's the good news.  It looks as though Kendall is still as immature as he was last year.  Not sure what happened to Gordon missing all those shots.  For goodness sakes, where the heck is Phillip McDonald?  Why even have the senior on the team if he's not going to produce when the kids can't?  Tough game and not a good sign.  I didn't think this team would lose for a while.  This year's SoS will be pretty low, so they really need to win a bunch of games to get national recognition.  This kind of performance will be tough to make up.  I think the Lobos will play well on the road, but a loss in the Pit so early in the season is incredible, especially when it was to NM State.  Hopefully the Aggies will be good so the loss won't look so bad.

Good rebound win against ASU. Yes, it was a game they should have won, but with the way the team played on Wednesday who knew which Lobo team was going to shop.

Great job by Kendell Williams tonight to step it up and make some clutch free throws down the stretch. I'm thinking the team should go 2-1 in Anaheim, but without any real statement non-conference games remaining, may need to win the 76 Classic in order to get an at-large bid come March.

Good win.  Kendall's talented, but young.  Drew looked like himself.  Good news.  The others are still gelling-sort of wonder what they were doing on the off-season.  Doesn't look like much.  Compare that to a young Duke team.  (hmmm...somebody can coach- hopefully Alford will get with it)  This OOC schedule is a God-send.  They should have run those tables.  Maybe OSU or the final game in the 76 should be challenging, but NMST in the Pit?  Not acceptable- espeically the manner of the loss.  

Bad news is that the conference looks good.  5 teams yet to lose with some nice wins thrown in there.  TCU beating Virginia is notable.  UNLV has a tough schedule.  They will be tested and ready.  I'd have to give them the nod to be the favorites to win the conference followed closely by New Mexico and San Diego State.  

This Lobo team looks talented enough.  A little small and tentative play all around.  Not looking great yet.  They need to work on passing and dribbling drills to limit turnovers.  They're lucky to go to Tempe and come out with a win.   

Congrats Lobofan and Senor Unolobo on being realistic about your beloved Lobos. You two are the minority when it comes to objectively evaluating New Mexico basketball. This years squad has some talent with lots of speed but little size that will be their Achilles heal come March. As for Anaheim, it looks like the field is good, not great, and a 2-1 record would be an accomplishment. I'm afraid the Lobo fans that expect a Sweet 16 appearance will be in for a letdown when UNM gets bounced out in the 1st round; even if they get a NCAA bid. Lobo fan is like the girl who thinks she's better-looking than she truly is.

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