Western Athletic Conference Season Summary. The 197980 roster appeared once again loaded with talent, and fan expectations were again high, but disaster struck the program in the early weeks of the season as the "Lobogate" scandal unfolded. UNM lost in the Mountain West Championship quarterfinals to Utah State. [17][197], Attendance at Lobo games in The Pit has consistently been among the national leaders in college basketball, averaging over 15,400 fans per game since it opened. [132] In 2003, he was forced to resign from Baylor embroiled in an ugly scandal that would end his college coaching career. [124] The Lobos were 213 and back at #11 when they lost at #19 TCU, at #5 Utah, and had a team record 41-game home-winning streak ended by BYU. That may be the way to rationalize what a lot of Lobo men's basketball fans are feeling now. They lost in the conference tournament but received a berth in the NCAA tournament as a ten-seed facing Virginia. In January 1976, #4 UNLV survived a scare from the underdog Lobos before a Pit-record crowd of 19,452, with fans overflowing onto the concourse and sitting in the stairways,[35][46][47] a game still lauded as one of the greatest and loudest ever in The Pit. [33] King continued as AD until retiring the next year. [7] In 1928 Coach Roy Johnson organized construction of Carlisle Gymnasium, seating about 1,500 spectators with later additions doubling that figure, and in 1957 Johnson Gymnasium opened, with a capacity of 7,800. Gordon had 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Williams added 16 with two late baskets to seal the win. The Lobos added transfer Ruben Douglas from Arizona before the 200001 season, but other key recruits were sidelined by injury and disciplinary problems. They dropped their next four games on the road, however, including a one-point loss at #10 BYU. The team began the season 112 but lost four straight, struggling on the road. Former UNM assistant Brandon Mason announced on Tuesday the return of a Lobo alumni all-star game to be played July 11 in the Pit. Topic starter. [63] Bridgers had been replaced as AD the year before by John Koenig, who did not believe Colson could take the Lobos to the next level. [193] UNM would lose in the quarterfinals to Utah State in the Mountain West Championship. [188], On April 1, 2017, Neal was dismissed as head coach after compiling a record of 7652 (.594).[189]. McAfee signed with Weatherford College in Texas before transferring for one year with the University of Louisiana Rajun Cajuns in the 2020-2021 season. Mar. Richard Pitino has been hired as the next head coach of the New Mexico men's basketball program less than 24 hours after Minnesota announced his firing, the program announced on Tuesday. 197374 Western Athletic Conference season Summary, Johnson had established the school record at 46 points earlier in the season before his 50-point performance, which broke the WAC conference single-game record and earned him the. Howard led a young team, scoring 19.7 per game, with sophomores Willie Long and Petie Gibson beginning their runs as three-year starters. They beat Iowa and USC on the way to another showdown with #9 UNLV, losing a high-scoring game, then losing to #10 Arizona. Stoking the popularity of Lobo basketball by this time was the success of two longtime rivals. 2-Rob Robbins. Daniels averaged over 17 points and 11 rebounds a game, providing the fast-growing Lobo fan base a preview of things to come. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - Former Lobo basketball player and now Australian Rules Football player, Hugh Greenwood started his first season with the Gold Coast Suns this past year, and with the . Student-athletes from both men's and women's squads participate and sign autographs for fans, and the event is used to attract recruits invited to attend. 22 Wyoming. Elliott had an opportunity to put Arizona in the lead with a three-pointer with seconds remaining, but Greene blocked the shot to seal the win, the only time the Lobos have beaten a #1-ranked opponent. The 2019-2020 started promising for the Lobos. The most comprehensive coverage of the New Mexico Lobos Men's Basketball on the web with highlights, scores, game summaries, schedule and rosters. In the 2018-2019 season, Weir was reliant on four transfers from both Division 1 programs or junior college transfers, as well as returning senior Anthony Mathis. McGee played in 137 games and dished out 684 assists. Giddens was named MWC Co-Player of the Year and received an AP All-American Honorable Mention. Leading players like Belin lost eligibility and were dropped from the team. [148] Danridge was named All-MWC, and Alford was tabbed MWC Coach of the Year. [119] The Lobos then fell to eventual national champion Connecticut, shooting just 26%, to finish 259. Lobo is known as the most active advocate for women's basketball. The Lobos finished the season 285, their highest season win total and winning percentage to date. Under Norm Ellenberger, the Lobos won WAC championships in 1974 and 1978 and compiled an overall record of 13462 (.684). The success of the program continued after King departed, winning WAC titles in 1974, 1978, and 1994, winning the conference tournament in 1993 and 1996, and regularly earning post-season tournament bids. [12] The Lobos won as many games in his first two seasons as in the previous seven combined and went 11644 (.725) over his first six seasons. Players of men's basketball at the University of New Mexico. [154][173][174] Williams, Snell, and center Alex Kirk led a balanced attack with seven players leading the team in scoring in individual games. They then won 11 of 12, taking the WAC lead into the last month of the season. Lobo basketball fans will remember Kendall Williams from any number of Lobo highlights throughout his college career. Will Webber. The 2020-2021 season was completely played out of New Mexico. The Lobos again returned to the NIT, beating Pepperdine and Oregon before losing in the quarter-finals to Ohio State, a team they had beaten earlier in the season, finishing with a 2214 record. The Lobos won the conference basketball championship in 1944 and 1945, seasons with shortened schedules due to World War II. [82] The Lobos reached the final of the WAC tournament but lost to Wyoming, which went on to reach the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament. Media Guide 201314, pp.67,87. [36][46] The top six largest crowds ever at The Pit were during this period. [161] Martinez added 14 points and six rebounds a game, and Gary 13 points and four assists. [103] The Lobos returned to the NIT, where they beat Louisiana Tech and Washington State before losing at Virginia, finishing the season 2013. [100], The 199192 Lobos featured a balanced offense, with all five starters averaging in double figures, but they lacked a go-to scorer. [171] After two early losses, the Lobos won 13 straight en route to a 152 mark. The team had relied heavily on its starters and was worn down with fatigue and injuries. Johnson coached the UNM basketball team for all but two seasons from 1920 to 1940. [221] The noise level of the boisterous fans, the intimacy created by seating extending to the edge of the court, and the elevation contribute to what Coach Dave Bliss termed "a Pit game. The teams met again in the conference tournament final, and the Lobos prevailed for their third straight MWC tournament championship. [105] He was named MWC Player of the Year and finished his career as the fifth leading scorer in Lobo history. Tributes honoring her memory started forming on social. Lobo's senior year saw her secure the Wade trophy, Naismith Award, and several Player of the Year honors all while leading the Huskies to an undefeated season and the 1995 NCAA national championship. Nov. 2Gethro Muscadin, the former University of New Mexico Lobo basketball player who had been hospitalized since being in a single-vehicle crash 10 months ago in Kansas, died Monday. Ritchie McKay was head coach at New Mexico for five seasons with a record of 8269 (.543) and one NCAA tournament appearance. [62] The damage to the program was devastating, as it was forced to rebuild virtually from scratch, beginning in mid-season. "[17] Since his arrival at UNM, the Lobos have won over sixty percent of their games and earned over thirty berths to post-season tournaments, while suffering only five losing seasons. They began the year 111, rising to #8 before losing at #15 UCLA. With Thomas again slowed by foul trouble, the Lobos were outmatched inside and could not stop All-American Allen Iverson, who scored 20 in the second half. [13] The team posted wins over Kansas and at Purdue and received a berth in the 1964 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He became the fourth leading scorer in school history at the time in just two seasons, set single season records for total points, season points per game (24.0), career points per game (21.9), and he scored a still-school record 50 points in a single game. [138][142] His father played at UNM for Bob King, but McKay had only coached for brief stints at Portland State, Colorado State, and Oregon State, with an 8389 career record. [101] The team started slowly, including a home loss to #2 Arizona, but later won seven of eight to gain an early share of the WAC lead. In addition to Daniels, other prominent players produced by the Lobo program include five-time NBA champion Michael Cooper, three-time NBA champion Luc Longley, NBA all-star Danny Granger, and Kenny Thomas. Shields again led with 19 points. Two road losses made them settle for a share of the regular season MWC title, but they again beat ranked SDSU and UNLV to secure the conference tournament championship, the first time they won both titles in a season. Cleveland is as puzzled as anyone that the Cougars haven't won a conference tournament title since 2001. [80][81] The Lobos logged wins over Texas and Oklahoma State on the way to a 175 record. [149], McKay continued to attract strong transfer players, but discipline issues persisted in 200506. 6 Nevada in The Pit. The Lobos struggled to a 97 start before pulling together in league play, going 124 after winning their final five games to gain a share of the MWC title. [169] The Lobos went to the NIT and beat UTEP before losing at Alabama, finishing 2213. [104] The team had relied heavily on three-point shooting, hoisting over 100 more attempts than in any previous season, making 39%. [191] He was dismissed from the team. Thomas had his best NCAA performance with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks, while Long added 17 points and 12 rebounds and made the game-winning basket in the closing seconds. Former WNBA basketball player and olympian Rebecca Lobo is seen analyzing the game between UConn and UCLA in a semifinal for the Albany Regional of the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship at the Times Union Center on Friday, March 29, 2019 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union) Lori Van Buren / Albany Times Union Show More Show Less 3 of 10 Lobo said she was surprised . [87] Former UNM AD John Bridgers believed Colson had never received the full support of the Lobo community. Ellenberger began relying heavily on recruiting Junior College (JC) transfers, a tactic that would lead to his best season as Lobo coach but later to his downfall. [23] The Lobos broke into the AP rankings at #21 and received a five-seed in the tournament, facing George Washington in the first round. [23] Shields finished his career as the third (now fourth) leading scorer in Lobo history and as career leader in three-pointers. [40] They fell into a 610 slide, however, including 19 on the road, a chronic weakness of the Lobos under Colson, whose teams compiled a 2465 record in road games. They lost in the first round to #14 Oklahoma State to finish 2010. Longley finished with 1,729 points, 922 rebounds, and 336 blocks. [227] Roberts was also inducted into the Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame.[228]. [93] The Lobos got off to a slow start in 198889, including losses to #11 Arizona and #6 Oklahoma. [29][45] Attendance at The Pit surged to its best ever, a trend that would continue throughout the Ellenberger years, regularly earning placement among the top five in the nation. The team began 92 with an upset over #8 Wichita State but wilted in league play, going 412 and finishing 1517. Lobo basketball first achieved national prominence under Bob King, who was previously an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Iowa. The Lobos advanced to the NCAA tournament for the fourth straight season, garnering a nine-seed against Missouri. The strong finish earned the Lobos an NIT bid, where they lost to Texas A&M, finishing the season 1910. Gethro Muscadin, the former University of New Mexico Lobo basketball player who had been hospitalized since being in a single-vehicle crash 10 months ago in Kansas, died Monday night. Against four-seed Louisville, the Lobos took an early lead, fell behind by 15, then battled back to within two late in the game. They began the season 71, losing only at #14 Arizona while sweeping ranked New Mexico State. [196] In Mountain West play, however, the Lobos went 5-12. [106], The 199394 Lobos were picked in preseason polls to finish fifth in the WAC after losing their three leading players to graduation. Alford applied a strict regimen and Giddens responded with a standout senior season, leading the team with 16 points and nine rebounds a game. [209] The video clip of NC State coach Jim Valvano celebrating at the end of the game documents one of the most famous moments in NCAA basketball history and is a staple of NCAA tournament television coverage.[5]. They finished 305, the most wins in a Lobo season, while going 102 in road games and 60 against ranked teams, also team highs. [48] "Coop" later became a mainstay of the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s, winning five NBA championships over a 12-year career. [49] His defensive prowess made him an eight-time recipient of NBA All-Defensive Team honors, as well as the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1987. Media Guide 201314, pp.67,73,87. The teams were frequently ranked in national polls, giving their games a showdown quality extending beyond local bragging rights to the national stage. The team went on a 410 slide starting with a blowout loss at home to Utah, after which Parmer was dismissed, and culminating with forward Patrick Dennehy shoving teammates and walking off the court during a loss at Air Force. He was head coach of the University of New Mexico Lobo basketball team from 1972 to 1979, winning Western Athletic Conference championships in 1974 and 1978 and compiling an overall record of 134-62 (.684). [105] A pair of upset losses prevented them from catching the #9 Utes and #21 Cougars, who were tied atop the league at 141 late in the season. [154] Alford had led the program back to national prominence, attaining its best six-year stretch ever while improving academic achievement. Sophomore Smith led the team, scoring 16 points a game, while three freshmen Clayton Shields, David Gibson, and Royce Olney played extensively. Colson said the popularity and continued presence of Ellenberger during his early years were unnerving and that he sometimes felt in competition with the former coach. Former players have joined forces and are in town for TBT, and they met up with this year's squad for a dinner. Bliss would identify the loss as a particular disappointment, believing that the Lobos were the better team. C-Daniel Santiago. The Lobos beat both in The Pit in the final week, however, then upset BYU on the way to winning their first WAC tournament championship, and securing a trip to the NCAA tournament. The Lobos slumped to a 4236 record over the next three seasons. [74] The Lobos were 101 when they lost to #5 Wake Forest, and 142 when Granger suffered an injury and missed three games, all losses. Feb. 28Whatever happens next week in Las Vegas at the Mountain West Tournament and beyond, Lobo seniors Morris Udeze and Jaelen House made sure the final regular season impression their fans would have of them in the Pit would be a memorable one. There were a multitude of reasons for this. The Lobos shot their best field goal percentage in a season, .542, placing them second in the nation, and McGee established the still-standing record for assists in a season. Aher Uguak, Damien Jefferson and Vance Jackson all formerly of the UNM program that boasts its players are "Lobos for Life" are each in this week's round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament, as are former assistant coaches Terrence Rencher and Alan Huss. [213] On April 27, 2017, UNM asked WisePies to relinquish the naming rights, per the terms of the agreement, and WisePies agreed to do so. [119] He was again named All-WAC and finished as the leading scorer in Lobo history, with 1,993 points, and the leader in field goals made, having started every game of his career. [220] The student section in The Pit, Section 26, is particularly noteworthy for the antics of its raucous fans, taunting and intimidating opposing players, often with personal remarks, and offering enticing visuals for television broadcasters: They chant, jump up and down in unison, shake newspapers and signs to make noise and create distractions, and some dress in costumes and body paint. Lobo basketball first achieved national prominence after Bob King was hired as head coach in 1962. [46] First-year Athletic Director Paul Krebs announced before the end of the season that McKay would not return for the following season. William C. Dowling, Confessions of a Spoilsport: My Life and Hard Times Fighting Sports Corruption at an Old Eastern University (2007). [176] The Lobos lost on the road to ranked San Diego State and UNLV but beat both at home and won nine out of ten to clinch the league title. [185] The Lobos finished the season 277, Neal tallying the most wins ever for a first-year Lobo coach. Williams was named MWC Player of the Year, and Alford was named Coach of the Year.[23]. Gary finished his Lobo career second in games played, second in career free throws made, and is now fifth in career assists. [106] They then faced six-seed Louisville in a closely contested game that went down to the final play. The position passed to a few different coaches before Woody Clements took over 194451 and 195355, compiling a record of 113119 (.487). They then won 12 of 13, including a win over #6 San Diego State to knot the MWC race, but they lost the title showdown at SDSU after squandering a large lead. The Sun Devils battled back to tie the game at the end of regulation before escaping with a win in OT, 8683. March 1, 2003. The last Lobo men's basketball game played in the Pit was Feb. 29, 2020. . Senior Ruben Douglas was the lone offensive threat and became the only Lobo ever to lead the nation in scoring, averaging 28 points a game. In his first season, Weir posted a 19-15 record and finished in 3rd place in the Mountain West. [99] Robbins finished his career with the Lobo record for best career free throw percentage, third best three-point shooting percentage, and second most minutes played, having started all 133 games of his career. 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