New Mexico Lobos
Mountain West (29-5, 13-3)
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The Lobos have enjoyed a very successful season which began 12-0. New Mexico landed important non-conference wins against UConn and Cincinnati that helped put the Lobos on the map. The Mountain West Conference tournament champs a year ago, a 27-6 record led New Mexico to a fifth seed in the tournament. The Lobos eventually lost to Louisville in the round of 32 while the Cardinals went on to lose to eventual champs, Kentucky. This year the Lobos are looking to land another high seed and advance deep into March.
Big Wins: 1/09 UNLV (65-60), 1/23 Colorado State (66-61), 2/23 at Colorado State (91-82)
Bad Losses: 12/22 South Dakota State (65-70), 1/26 at San Diego State (34-55), 3/09 at Air Force (88-89)
Coach: Steve Alford (6 seasons at New Mexico)
Why They Can Surprise:
New Mexico has the ability to force opponents to run their game. Without being from a top conference, New Mexico sneaks up on some teams that don’t come ready to play at a high level like the Lobos do. New Mexico is very consistent with three players averaging double digits in scoring and five players that reel in four or more rebounds a game. New Mexico can catch up or pull away shooting close to 35 percent from three-point range, and can ice a game away shooting 72.4 percent from the line. Plus, under pressure, the Lobos are 2-0 in overtime games this season.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The Lobos have knocked off conference foes UNLV and Colorado State, but the only other top team wins came in close games to Connecticut and Cincinnati. The Mountain West schedule and the non-conference games, which include losses to South Dakota State and St. Louis, may not adequately prepare the Lobos for the tough opponents they will likely face in the tournament if they reach the Sweet Sixteen and beyond.
Probable Starters:
Kendall Williams, Junior, Guard, 13.5 ppg, 5.0 apg
Tony Snell, Junior, Guard, 12.6 ppg, 2.9 apg
Hugh Greenwood, Sophomore, Guard, 7.2 ppg, 2.4 apg, 5.1 rpg
Cameron Bairstow, Junior. Forward, 9.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg
Alex Kirk, Sophomore, Center, 11.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.8 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Chad Adams, Senior, Guard/Forward, 4.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Demetrius Walker, Junior, Guard, 5.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Jamal Fenton, Senior, Guard, 3.7 ppg, 1.3 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 68.1 (155th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 61.3 (49, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.5 (218, 6)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.4 (40, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.4 (139, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.9 (118, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.4 (70, 3)
Rebound Margin: 2.3 (111, 5)
Assists Per Game: 14.6 (61, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.8 (56, 5)
Last Five Postseason Appearances:
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Long Beach State
2012 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Louisville
2011 NIT First Round win over UTEP
2011 NIT Second Round loss to Alabama
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Montana
2010 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Washington
2009 NIT First Round win over Nebraska
2009 NIT Second Round loss to Notre Dame
2008 NIT First Round loss to California
*all team stats through 3/10
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
