The Lobos in 198485 were led by JC transfer forward Johnny Brown (18.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game) and senior center George Scott (14 points and 6.6 rebounds),[73] along with a nucleus of sophomores, including guards Hunter Greene and Kelvin Scarborough, who both scored in double figures. They finished the season with an 6-16 record. Alford was again named MWC Coach of the Year, and Gary was All-MWC. [185] The Lobos finished the season 277, Neal tallying the most wins ever for a first-year Lobo coach. 197374 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats. [128] Thomas was named All-WAC for the third time and finished his career as the second leading scorer and top rebounder in Lobo history. [154][173][174] Williams, Snell, and center Alex Kirk led a balanced attack with seven players leading the team in scoring in individual games. [2][46] The Lobos finished in the top five nationally in attendance 16 times in their first 20 years at The Pit, reaching second five times, and they were in the top ten all but one season through 2002. Western Athletic Conference 1964, 1968, 1974, 1978, 1994. [12][28] They swept their regular season match-ups against New Mexico State, with both teams ranked in the top ten at the time of their second game. The highlight of the season was a 85-58 win over No. The position passed to a few different coaches before Woody Clements took over 194451 and 195355, compiling a record of 113119 (.487). In his first season, Weir posted a 19-15 record and finished in 3rd place in the Mountain West. [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. 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. 1Perfection really is the enemy of the good. The team began the season 83 but struggled away from The Pit, losing its first seven road games. The Lobos won the conference basketball championship in 1944 and 1945, seasons with shortened schedules due to World War II. [36][39][56] The team played at a frenetic pace and led the nation in scoring at 97.5 points per game. In 1920 a head coach would be hired, Roy W. Johnson. From 1951 to 1962, the Lobos competed in the Mountain States Conference, known at the time as the Skyline Eight. Media Guide 201314, pp.67,73,87. [204] The building facade was also transformed, adding extensive glasswork and a steel superstructure. Because the playing surface is 37 feet below grade, students nicknamed the arena "The Pit," and the nickname stuck. Carlton Bragg Jr. was accused of sexual assault and later arrested for a DWI in January 2020. 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. Four-year starting PG Phil Smith led those early teams, averaging 14 points, six assists, and two steals per game over his career, setting then-records for highest scoring freshman, most steals in a season, and most career assists. On April 11, 2017, Paul Weir was named head coach of the Lobos. [25] Don Haskins took over at UTEP in 1961 and led the Miners to a 12832 (.800) record in his first six seasons, including a 281 national championship season in 196566. 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. Norman Dale Ellenberger (August 2, 1932 - November 15, 2015) was an American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach. After an early loss at Kansas, the Lobos won ten straight, later building a 193 record and attaining a #10 national ranking, their first appearance in the AP poll. [55] The team frequently slowed their games to a crawl, with several league games ending with both teams scoring under 50 points, such as a win at Wyoming, 4038. Here is my list. Page also holds the Lobo record for career points per game (26.2), the top career scoring average in WAC history. Smith led in scoring for the third straight season, averaging 17.5 a game, while Shields scored 15.5, and Thomas added 14 points and seven rebounds a game. [74][157] The Lobos began the 200708 season 142 before losing four of six in league; they then won eight of nine to close out the regular season. The scheme also employed a full-court pressing, trapping defense to generate points off of turnovers. Due to the success of King's first three seasons, attendance at Johnson Gym more than doubled, and plans to build a larger arena began to take shape. [139] The Lobos lost to #13 Stanford in their opener but moved to 103 as Douglas led the way with 18 points a game. [177] In the interim, Snell announced he was declaring for the NBA draft. Page was the only consistent offensive threat on the team, averaging 28 points a game, still the Lobo record for best season average. Ellenberger was well-respected as a teacher of defense,[34][39] and he was a frequent participant in basketball coaching camps and workshops, where he became friends with UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian. [35][87], Dave Bliss recorded the most wins as head coach in Lobo history, compiling a 246108 (.695) record, with seven NCAA tournament appearances and three trips to the NIT. Lobo began working at ESPN in 2004 after. [231], New Mexico has a history of disappointing performances in the NCAA tournament, suffering noteworthy upsets in 1968, 1978, 1993, 2010, 2013, and 2014. [23] Shields finished his career as the third (now fourth) leading scorer in Lobo history and as career leader in three-pointers. Uguak is a 6-foot-7 starting senior forward . [158], The 200809 Lobos mixed four veterans with young Alford recruits and were picked in the preseason to finish fifth in the MWC. Ellenberger served as interim head coach at UTEP for a period when Haskins was ill. Bobbi Roquemore. [224] He was an integral part of the Lobo fan experience, especially before most games were televised. [154] They struggled to win against first round opponent Montana, and Hobson injured his wrist and back. Colson inherited a program under NCAA sanctions, with only three players remaining on scholarship. Ritchie McKay was head coach at New Mexico for five seasons with a record of 8269 (.543) and one NCAA tournament appearance. Topic starter. Lobo basketball fans will remember Kendall Williams from any number of Lobo highlights throughout his college career. Fraschilla had lost the team: nine players had left the program or been dismissed during his tenure. 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. [57] Phil Abney and Russell Saunders were JC additions; Abney initially backed up Howard but later moved into the starting line-up. For the school's women's players, see Category:New Mexico Lobos women's basketball players. [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. [168] They beat #3 BYU in Provo to sweep the regular season series but lost to the Cougars in the conference tournament. Alan Dolensky and Smith remain the top two on the list, while Garrett is now tied for fourth. The 199091 Lobos were again led by Longley averaging 19.1 points and 9.2 rebounds a game, with Robbins adding 14 points a game. Pitino. One former Lobo teammate from the 2017-18 season Troy Simons and another former Lobo who will be a teammate of Furstinger's this summer when the two are both playing for "The. 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. [215], On September 18, 2020, it was announced that the naming rights deal with Dreamstyle Remodeling was ending after only three years. [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. [143][144] A grim year for the program began with a severe spinal cord injury to guard Senque Carey, who would recover fully but never play again. All four Smith, Thomas, Long, and Shields were on the 199697 Lobo squad. Alford compiled a 4730 (.610) record in road games, the only Lobo coach over .500 on the road. McKay faced a major rebuilding project in 200203 compounded by further dismissals and injuries that cut the team to seven scholarship players. Former players have joined forces and are in town for TBT, and they met up with this year's squad for a dinner. [119] The Lobos then fell to eventual national champion Connecticut, shooting just 26%, to finish 259. The Lobos lost Daniels and Monroe to graduation and were picked in the 196768 preseason to finish last in the WAC. The Lobos have appeared in 19 National Invitation Tournaments with a combined record of 1820. King had an immediate impact on the program. [161] Martinez added 14 points and six rebounds a game, and Gary 13 points and four assists. [70][71] The Lobos opened the season with two losses before beating USC and Washington and winning at #7 UCLA. [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. The Lobos won the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship in 1964 and 1968, making frequent appearances in national rankings. "[112][113], The 199495 season was a rebuilding year for the Lobos, who finished 1515 but won six of their last eight games. Following a familiar pattern, the Lobos fell behind early then battled back. [10], University Arena opened as the home venue of the Lobos on December1, 1966. They then lost three league road games and fell to third in a tight WAC race. Kirk led with 22 points and 12 rebounds, but the team shot poorly and trailed most of the game as the Crimson answered Lobo runs with timely three-pointers to seal the upset. (Journal illustration) Rob Robbins'. In 1931, Lobo athletic teams began competing in the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association, joining as a founding member along with other regional schools. Gary finished his Lobo career second in games played, second in career free throws made, and is now fifth in career assists. [98] Longley was the seventh player selected in the 1991 NBA draft, by Minnesota, and he went on to win three NBA championships as a starter for the Chicago Bulls (199698). Smith was named All-WAC, and Colson was named WAC Coach of the Year. UNM released a statement on February 26, 2021, they will part ways with Weir at the end of the 202021 season. [115] The Lobos were ranked #23 and received a seven-seed to play Kansas State. The NIT appearance began a streak of eleven straight years of reaching post-season play. 2-Rob Robbins. [217] Human mascots, dubbed "Lobo Louie and Lobo Lucy", members of the cheerleading squad, roam The Pit during games rousing and entertaining fans. [21] The Lobos started 111, losing at Texas Tech but beating #11 Arizona and rising to #11 themselves. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He declared for the 2010 NBA draft and was selected in the second round by Milwaukee. The current head coach is Richard Pitino Both men's and women's teams play in The Pit, formally known as Dreamstyle Arena, built in 1966. [107] Brown averaged 19.3 points a game, scoring over 30 four times, often in pivotal games, with a season-best 42; junior Marlow White averaged 17, senior Notch Neves 13, and promising freshman Charles Smith added over ten a game. [163] In the second round the hobbled Lobos could not keep up with athletic, fast-breaking Washington. [44] The Lobos earned their second trip to the NCAA tournament and tallied their first tournament victory, downing Idaho State before losing to San Francisco in the second round. [23] Brown also won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, given to the nation's top senior under six feet tall and gained an All-American Honorable Mention. [146], Bradley transfer Danny Granger became eligible during the 200304 season and led the team with 19.5 points a game. 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. [152], Steve Alford coached the Lobos for six seasons, compiling a 15552 (.749) record with three NCAA tournament appearances, at least a share of four league titles, and two conference tournament championships. The University of New Mexico's 50 greatest Men's Lobo basketball players through 2020 1) Mel Daniels PF 65-67 2) Michael Cooper SG 77-78 3) Kenny Thomas PF 96-99 4) Danny Granger SF 04-05 5) Charles Smith SF 94-97 6) Luc Longley C 88-91 7) Ira Harge C 63-64 8) Marvin Johnson SF 77-78 9) Darington Hobson SF 2010 10) Royce Olney SG 96-99 No players found. [42] Bill Hagins replaced Minniefield, and the team was again dominant inside. [151] The 200607 team featured talented Kansas transfer J. R. Giddens, who led the team with 16 points a game, but discipline problems limited his playing time. Smith is now second in career assists and third in career steals. The 197475 Lobo team was depleted by graduation and slipped to a 1313 record. The Pittsburgh Steelers . [37][64] He then became the lead assistant for Bobby Knight at Indiana for ten seasons, from 1990 to 2000,[34] and later coached in the NBA and WNBA. [40] They spent about half of the 196667 season in the top six nationally, reaching #3, their highest ranking ever. The Lobos became frequent participants in the NCAA tournament during the 1990s and have made 15 appearances overall, as well as 19 NIT appearances. The following 59 pages are in this category, out of 59 total. The current roster is comprised primarily of UNM alumni including: Jamaal Smith (2006-08) J.R. Giddens (2006-08) Phillip McDonald (2008-12) Darington Hobson (2009-10) [121], The 199798 Lobos had four starters returning and entered the season ranked #11. [133] He had left St. John's under murky circumstances, however, and worked as a broadcaster and scout during the preceding season. [67] A highlight of Colson's first season was his fourth game as head coach, hosting an Arizona State team that would reach #3 in the nation led by future NBA players Byron Scott, Fat Lever, Alton Lister, and Sam Williams. [14] Harge averaged 18.8 points and 11.8 rebounds a game during his two seasons at UNM and was selected in the second round of the 1964 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. [169] The Lobos went to the NIT and beat UTEP before losing at Alabama, finishing 2213. [134][135], Before the 19992000 season, the Lobos and seven other teams left the WAC to form the Mountain West Conference (MWC). [195] Pitino inherited 6 transfers, including a trio of Power-5 talent in Jaelen House, Jamal Mashburn Jr., and Gethro Muscadin. [210] Luxury suites and club seats were added, along with digital video boards, expanded concourses, additional restrooms and concession stands, and upgraded training facilities,[46] while preserving the historic character of the building. [172] They dropped a pair of league games but then won seven straight, winning at #13 San Diego State and trouncing #11 UNLV to take the league lead and climb into the national rankings at #18. 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