[35], The "Lobogate" scandal involved forged academic transcripts, payments made for bogus Junior College credits, and other devices to attain eligibility for players who lacked academic credentials. He remains the Lobo career leader in blocks and blocks per game; second in career field goals made; and the only Lobo to record a triple-double, doing so twice. [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. For yearly records and game results from 1899 to 1962, 202223 New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team, Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association, List of New Mexico Lobos men's basketball seasons, A Perfect Storm: The 197778 New Mexico Lobos, 198081 Arizona State Sun Devils Roster and Stats, 198081 Pacific-10 Conference Season Summary, 198384 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, 198687 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, 199495 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, 200708 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, 201112 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, New Mexico Lobo Men's Basketball 201112 Season Review, Mountain West Announces 201314 Men's Basketball All-Conference Awards, Craig Neal Relieved of Duties as Mens Basketball Coach, "Lobos hire NMSU's Paul Weir as next men's basketball coach", "Month by month: A dreary 2020 for sports on most fronts in New Mexico - Albuquerque Journal", "Female UNM athlete shot at NE ABQ party - Albuquerque Journal", "Lobo basketball suspends JaQuan Lyle for house party, shooting incident", "A timeline of JaQuan Lyle's wild, tumultuous college basketball journey", "New Mexico turns the lights out on New Mexico State in 101-94 rivalry win", UNM asks WisePies to relinquish Pit naming rights, Dream deal for UNM nets $10 million over 10 years, "The 'dream' is over: UNM, Dreamstyle naming right agreement ends", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Mexico_Lobos_men%27s_basketball&oldid=1135196029, Sporadic games, six in 1908 most for one year, Carlisle Gym opens, regular schedule established, Johnson, 10438 (.732) from 1924 to 1934; 13773 (.652) after 1936; 2873 (.277) in last four seasons, Clements, 4119 (.683) from 1944 to 1947, 72100 (.419) thereafter, Pre-Border Conference: 14570 (.674) from 1899 to 1931, Border Conference: 205235 (.466) from 1931 to 1951, Skyline Eight: 70195 (.264) from 1951 to 1962, Total Win/Loss (18892017): 15001110 (.575), 4 Steve Alford (MWC: 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), 7 Dave Bliss (1991, 199394, 199699), 47 record in NCAA tournament, This page was last edited on 23 January 2023, at 05:57. The design of the arena makes it one of the loudest venues in college basketball, creating a hostile playing environment for visitors. [169] The Lobos went to the NIT and beat UTEP before losing at Alabama, finishing 2213. Media Guide 201213, pp.76,89. Shields scored 1,837 points. The Lobos forced a turnover, down 6463, but their set play broke down and Gibson missed an unbalanced, driving shot, ending the Lobo season at 258. The inconsistent squad started 55 but then stunned 21-point favorite, #2 Arizona in Tucson, the highest ranked opponent the Lobos had beaten on the road since 1966. C-Daniel Santiago. The Lobos remained in the WAC race late in the season, but road struggles relegated them to third place and a 1911 final record. 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. [116] Smith averaged 19.5 points a game and Shields added 14.5, while Thomas tallied 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds a game, setting Lobo standards for freshmen. The 197475 Lobo team was depleted by graduation and slipped to a 1313 record. Still smarting after last weekend's buzzer-beating loss to San Diego State in a sold-out Pit, the Lobos (20-9, 7-9) are fighting for survival heading into the final two games of the regular . They hosted their first-round game in The Pit but lost to unranked Santa Clara. Former New Mexico Players Currently In The NBA * NBA stats from the 2022-2023 season. New Mexico Lobos men's basketball statistical leaders B Cameron Bairstow Nick Banyard Carlton Bragg Jr. Don Brkovich Greg Brown (basketball, born 1972) Johnny Brown (basketball) C David Chiotti Michael Cooper D Mel Daniels Curtis Dennis Troy DeVries Ruben Douglas E Arthur Edwards (basketball) F Daniel Faris Don Ford Kavossy Franklin G Dairese Gary [188], On April 1, 2017, Neal was dismissed as head coach after compiling a record of 7652 (.594).[189]. [171] After two early losses, the Lobos won 13 straight en route to a 152 mark. Media Guide 201314, pp.7576,79. Thomas was held to his worst game as a Lobo, scoring just one point. 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. [55][69] Despite the struggles of the team, attendance at The Pit actually improved in Colson's early years, remaining in the top four nationally.[46]. "Bob King Court" was dedicated at formal ceremonies on December1, 1992, the 26th anniversary of the opening of The Pit. The strong finish earned the Lobos an NIT bid, where they lost to Texas A&M, finishing the season 1910. On April 11, 2017, Paul Weir was named head coach of the Lobos. Longley finished with 1,729 points, 922 rebounds, and 336 blocks. At 259 in a strong WAC, Lobo fans retained hope that New Mexico would gain an at-large berth to the tournament. Media Guide 201314, pp.65,116. Gary injured his knee in the game, a sad career end for a four-year starter and steady leader. The most renowned enduring feature of the Lobo basketball program is its home venue, known as "The Pit", recognized as one of the best college basketball arenas in the country. The Lobos averaged 63.7 ppg, their lowest output since 195859, while holding opponents to 59.2 ppg, the lowest since Bob King's early years. The Sun Devils battled back to tie the game at the end of regulation before escaping with a win in OT, 8683. [27] Instead, they started the season 170, rising to #6 before beating #5Utah in the Pit, propelling the Lobos to #4. Media Guide 201314, pp.67,73,87. [218] During the 1980s, a popular chant among Lobo fans was "Everyone's a Lobo, Woof Woof Woof! They began the season 71, losing only at #14 Arizona while sweeping ranked New Mexico State. [192][193]It was also later revealed that UNM basketball players were also at the party after a 22 point loss to Nevada, after they had taken a charter flight that night. [8] Johnson set about building collegiate-level athletics facilities, performing some of the hard labor with his own hands. [36][39][56] The team played at a frenetic pace and led the nation in scoring at 97.5 points per game. They beat Dayton in the regional consolation game to finish the season 227 and ranked #18 in the UPI. Snell paced the offense down the stretch, averaging 18 points a game and leading the Lobos to the MWC tournament championship. 2-Rob Robbins. Alford compiled a 4730 (.610) record in road games, the only Lobo coach over .500 on the road. They then lost five of six to finish in a tie for third. William C. Dowling, Confessions of a Spoilsport: My Life and Hard Times Fighting Sports Corruption at an Old Eastern University (2007). On March 16, 2021, Richard Pitino was named the 22nd head coach of the Lobos. Long scored 1,840 points. Media Guide 201314, p.71. [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. They finished 305, the most wins in a Lobo season, while going 102 in road games and 60 against ranked teams, also team highs. [23] He finished with career averages of 19.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, and his 23 double-doubles in 196970 still stands as the Lobo season record. [132] In 2003, he was forced to resign from Baylor embroiled in an ugly scandal that would end his college coaching career. "[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. The university established basketball as a varsity sport in 1899 and began competing with regional colleges after establishing an athletics department in 1920. [181][182] Senior Cameron Bairstow had a breakout season, averaging 20 points and seven rebounds a game, achieving one of the best single-season improvements in school history. 22-year-old Destiny McAfee is a former all-district basketball and volleyball player for the Lobos and graduated in 2019. 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. They began the year 111, rising to #8 before losing at #15 UCLA. The Pittsburgh Steelers . He oversaw construction of Carlisle Gymnasium in 1928 and Zimmerman Field in 1938, the first football stadium at UNM.[9]. [86], Colson was forced to resign after the season ended, a move that remains somewhat controversial. Five months later, and with the New Mexico still proving to be the only team all season capable of beating the Aztecs on their home court in Viejas Arena, No. The Lobos jumped out to a 120 start with wins over #25 Cal and #16 Texas A&M, vaulting to #12 in the national rankings. Coach Pitino hopes his players were able to learn something from the Lobos. Utah would go on to reach the Final Four and lose to Kentucky in the national championship game. The highlight of the season was a 75-66 win over No. The Lobos compiled a 2214 record in WAC conference tournaments, reaching the final six times and winning the championship twice. Daniels averaged over 17 points and 11 rebounds a game, providing the fast-growing Lobo fan base a preview of things to come. Lobo, who played at UConn from 1991-95, was at a pre-draft camp for WNBA players and she didn't have childcare for her six-month-old daughter. Senior Greg Brown, a 57 point guard from Albuquerque High, produced a monumental season, though, leading the Lobos to their first regular season WAC title in 16 years. [87] Former UNM AD John Bridgers believed Colson had never received the full support of the Lobo community. In 1962, the Lobos became a founding member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). [186] Bairstow was named second-team All-American by Sports Illustrated. [154][173][174] Williams, Snell, and center Alex Kirk led a balanced attack with seven players leading the team in scoring in individual games. Nevertheless, they have won at least one game in six of their last nine appearances. [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. [91][92] All had been Colson recruits, and Bliss reportedly flew to Australia to secure Longley's return to New Mexico. 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. 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. Media Guide 201213, p.120. They finished the season with an 6-16 record. [96] McGee capped his career with Lobo records for most games played and most career assists. Because the playing surface is 37 feet below grade, students nicknamed the arena "The Pit," and the nickname stuck. 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) (Journal illustration) Rob Robbins'. [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. 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. UNM lost in the Mountain West Championship quarterfinals to Utah State. The NCAA investigation into the scandal found 34 violations of recruiting rules, and the Lobo program was placed on probation and banned from post-season appearances for three years. 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. 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. [163] In the second round the hobbled Lobos could not keep up with athletic, fast-breaking Washington. [42] They also established still-standing records for steals in a season as a team, Greene for steals by a player in a season, and Scarborough for career steals. Media Guide 201314, pp.67,76,78,89. The tournament upset and departures were disheartening blows for Lobo fans. The team began 92 with an upset over #8 Wichita State but wilted in league play, going 412 and finishing 1517. The following table summarizes the records and accomplishments of the coaches before Bob King. They faltered down the stretch though and finished 168, completing the team's best four-year stretch in nearly forty seasons. [23] The Lobos returned to the NIT, losing at The Pit to Lamar and finishing the season 2411. [133] He had left St. John's under murky circumstances, however, and worked as a broadcaster and scout during the preceding season. [46] They rebounded to reach the final of the WAC tournament before losing at UNLV but still received a four-seed in the NCAA tournament. 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. The 197677 team still holds the school record for most total rebounds and most blocked shots in a season. Full New Mexico Lobos roster for the 2022-23 season including position, height, weight, birthdate, years of experience, and college. Virginia scored the last eight points of the game to take the lead, and the Lobos missed three shots at tying the game in the last 12 seconds, finishing the season at 238. [19][40] The team was led by the strong inside scoring and rebounding of Darryl Minniefield, Bernard Hardin, and Mark Saiers. The Lobos defeated Drake and NYU before falling to Bradley in the championship game, finishing with a 236 record and ranked 16th in the UPI poll. With the help of transfers JaQuan Lyle, J.J. Caldwell, Carlton Bragg Jr., and Vance Jackson, UNM exploded to a 15-3 start. [118] New Mexico later lost at Utah in a blowout, then lost a close game to the #3 Utes in the WAC tournament. UNM released a statement on February 26, 2021, they will part ways with Weir at the end of the 202021 season. It was phased out during the '90s but has since become the signature cheer for Lobo fans. Lobo's championship streak with the national team in 1977 included a basketball crown in the Pesta Sukan league in Genting Highlands, Malaysia, as well as the Southeast Asian Games men's title in . Williams hit a school-record 10 threes and scored 46 points at Colorado State, both MWC records. Against four-seed Louisville, the Lobos took an early lead, fell behind by 15, then battled back to within two late in the game. Misfortune turned to tragedy with the murder of former Lobo Patrick Dennehy leading to a scandal at Baylor implicating Dave Bliss and the suicide of Lobo transfer Billy Feeney. Robbins led the nation in free throw shooting, making 93.5% of his attempts, including 52 in a row at one point, both school records. McGee played in 137 games and dished out 684 assists. 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. Western Athletic Conference Season Summary. He had been a collegiate coach for 16 seasons, the previous eight at Iowa, amassing over 300 career wins. [100], The 199192 Lobos featured a balanced offense, with all five starters averaging in double figures, but they lacked a go-to scorer. [127] Attendance at The Pit remained in the top ten nationally during the Bliss years, finishing sixth in the nation twice and reaching its highest season average ever in 199798 at 17,625 per game. [159] Senior Tony Danridge led the unit with 15 points a game, though they again relied on balance and teamwork.