Gordon became a dominating inside presence in 201112, averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds, registering 19 double-doubles, and setting the Lobo season record for rebounds. Lobo starred for the Huskies when they won a national championship in 1995 following an undefeated season and was also an Olympic gold medalist for Team USA in 1996. Like King, Ellenberger got off to a fast start in his first two seasons. [74] The Lobos beat a good Arizona team before losing a close game to #1 Georgetown, led by Patrick Ewing, the first time the Lobos had faced a top-ranked opponent. [103] The Lobos returned to the NIT, where they beat Louisiana Tech and Washington State before losing at Virginia, finishing the season 2013. Thomas was held to his worst game as a Lobo, scoring just one point. Updated: Feb 27, 2023 / 01:50 PM MST. One team in the game will be named Team J.B. White in. [23] All five starters averaged in double figures, but the team had little depth and relied heavily on Granger. Colson had also clashed with Koenig in a contract dispute and had gone over his head to resolve the issue. 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. King had an immediate impact on the program. [2][3][4] The Pit opened in 1966 and the Lobos have been dominant playing there, winning over 80 percent of their games, while regularly placing among national leaders in attendance. Scott is the Lobo career leader in FG percentage, at .622 (198285). [227] Roberts was also inducted into the Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame.[228]. UNM released a statement on February 26, 2021, they will part ways with Weir at the end of the 202021 season. The design of the arena makes it one of the loudest venues in college basketball, creating a hostile playing environment for visitors. They faltered down the stretch though and finished 168, completing the team's best four-year stretch in nearly forty seasons. They went 7414 (.841) from 1967 to 1970, including a 273 season in 196970 in which they were ranked in the top five most of the year, culminating in a Final Four appearance. The Lobos slumped to a 4236 record over the next three seasons. Fraschilla felt he had his system and recruits in place going into the 200102 season, and Lobo fans were eager for the team to return to the NCAA tournament. [154][173][174] Williams, Snell, and center Alex Kirk led a balanced attack with seven players leading the team in scoring in individual games. 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. [104], The 199293 Lobos had an experienced core with Williams, Logan, and Jaxon returning as seniors. [87] In the end, fans wanted more than Colson had managed to achieve, and despite the respect he had earned for rebuilding the program, the disappointment of failing to reach the NCAA tournament fueled support for a change. Gordon had 21 points and 14 rebounds, but the team shot poorly from three-point range and could not overcome the deficit, finishing the season 287. He declared for the 2010 NBA draft and was selected in the second round by Milwaukee. [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. Lobo said she was surprised . The 197475 Lobo team was depleted by graduation and slipped to a 1313 record. He established regularly scheduled games against regional colleges, and in 1931 UNM joined the Border Conference as a founding member. Facing #22 Villanova, the Lobos shot 18% in the first half, scoring just eleven points and trailing by as much as 24. New Mexico began playing New Mexico State in 1904, currently totaling over 200 games; they first played UTEP in 1929, with over 140 games total. [226] In 1999, Roberts was inducted into the University of New Mexico Athletic Hall of Honor by the Alumni Lettermen's Association and received the Distinguished Service Award. In December 2014, Albuquerque-based restaurant chain WisePies Pizza & Salad purchased the naming rights for the arena, whose official name became "WisePies Arena (aka The Pit)". Media Guide 201314, p.79. [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). [19] Hardin led the way, averaging 17 points a game, and the team became the highest scoring Lobo squad to date at over 84 points a game. [139] The Lobos lost to #13 Stanford in their opener but moved to 103 as Douglas led the way with 18 points a game. J.J. Caldwell was also kicked off the team in January because of a domestic violence accusation. Tributes honoring her memory started forming on social. [23] The #21 Lobos received a five-seed in the NCAA tournament facing Long Beach State. [204] The building facade was also transformed, adding extensive glasswork and a steel superstructure. 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) [23] Shields finished his career as the third (now fourth) leading scorer in Lobo history and as career leader in three-pointers. It's a stretch with Thomas I know, but he did move Albuquerque in high school and play for AHS his senior year. The tournament upset and departures were disheartening blows for Lobo fans. The early departure of Hobson left the Lobos with just one senior again in 201011: Gary led with 14 points and 5.5 assists a game, carrying the young team at times. [195] Pitino inherited 6 transfers, including a trio of Power-5 talent in Jaelen House, Jamal Mashburn Jr., and Gethro Muscadin. Smith is now second in career assists and third in career steals. The Lobos stood at 7-2 after losing to #10 Syracuse, then rattled off 14 straight wins, including a home-and-away sweep of #9 UNLV, pushing them into the national rankings and eventually into the top ten. 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. [231], The Lobos have compiled a 1611 record in MWC tournaments, reaching the final six times and winning the championship four times. Ritchie McKay was head coach at New Mexico for five seasons with a record of 8269 (.543) and one NCAA tournament appearance. [125] Thomas was named second-team All-American, and he and Shields were both All-WAC. Giddens was named MWC Co-Player of the Year and received an AP All-American Honorable Mention. [186] Bairstow was named second-team All-American by Sports Illustrated. Updated: Dec 1, 2020 / 08:00 PM MST. [119] Granger was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 17th pick in the first round of the 2005 NBA draft and has placed among league leaders in scoring and been named an All-Star during his career. PF-Kenny Thomas. Lobo basketball first achieved national prominence after Bob King was hired as head coach in 1962. 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. [115] The young Lobo squad jumped out to a 100 start and a #25 ranking before losing a pair of league road games. The Lobos broke open a close game in the second half with a 267 run. Former University of Kansas and New Mexico Lobos basketball player Gethro Muscadin has died from injuries sustained in a one-car crash during the early-morning hours of Dec. 30, 2021.. They again finished strong, winning nine of their last eleven, including four of five on the road. 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 1962, the Lobos became a founding member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The position passed to a few different coaches before Woody Clements took over 194451 and 195355, compiling a record of 113119 (.487). [133][138] The Lobos started the season 122, with an overtime win at Sweet 16-bound Gonzaga, but a blowout loss at #1 Stanford began a 16 slump, including several poor road performances. His first team went 169, the best Lobo record in 17 years. The 2019-2020 started promising for the Lobos. Media Guide 201314, pp.66,90. Topic starter. [120] Smith was chosen by the Miami Heat with the 26th pick in the first round of the 1997 NBA draft, playing five seasons in the NBA and several more in Europe. The Lobos returned to the NIT, losing to eventual champion Virginia Tech and finishing 216. Williams hit a school-record 10 threes and scored 46 points at Colorado State, both MWC records. [75][76] The team slipped to 65 before winning eight out of nine, gaining a share of the WAC lead. [190] Before the 2017-2018 season started, 10 of the 15 players from the previous season either transferred, left the team, or graduated. March 1, 2003. The Lobos became frequent participants in the NCAA tournament during the 1990s and have made 15 appearances overall, as well as 19 NIT appearances. Greene returned to average 21 points and six rebounds a game, while Scarborough added 19 points and six assists. Hobson led the team with 16 points, nine rebounds, and 4.6 assists a game, the only Lobo to ever lead in all three. [212][219], At the start of each half during Lobo games at The Pit, fans continue to stand and clap their hands until both teams score a basket, adding pressure on teams that struggle to score for long stretches. [33] King continued as AD until retiring the next year. [23] The Lobos returned to the NIT, losing at The Pit to Lamar and finishing the season 2411. [148] Danridge was named All-MWC, and Alford was tabbed MWC Coach of the Year. [29] Longley was again named All-WAC and finished his career as Lobo leader in scoring and rebounding, falling since to sixth in points and second in rebounds. [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. [8] Johnson set about building collegiate-level athletics facilities, performing some of the hard labor with his own hands. [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. 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. When Ellenberger was fired in December 1979, lead assistant Charlie Harrison was elevated to head coach for the remainder of the season. [16] They were again invited to the NIT, where they lost to St. John's to finish 198. Fan criticism had reached a crescendo and attendance at The Pit had been dropping significantly. [155][156] Six other players averaged between seven and ten points as balanced scoring became a hallmark of Lobo squads under Alford. From 1951 to 1962, the Lobos competed in the Mountain States Conference, known at the time as the Skyline Eight. Cleveland is as puzzled as anyone that the Cougars haven't won a conference tournament title since 2001. The strong finish earned the Lobos an NIT bid, where they lost to Texas A&M, finishing the season 1910. This was short lived, however, and the Lobos went 3-11 to finish out the season. They lost to St. Louis in the semi-finals, then in overtime to Penn State in the consolation game to finish the season 2014. [188], On April 1, 2017, Neal was dismissed as head coach after compiling a record of 7652 (.594).[189]. The Lobos started out 8-6 in the non-conference, including a win against in-state rival New Mexico State where the game was delayed due to a power outage at Pan American Center. Only four scholarship players remained on the team, so a campus tryout filled out the roster with walk-ons. [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. [7] Basketball was primarily an intramural sport, with occasional games against other schools, including Albuquerque High School, and no regular schedule. King suffered a heart attack and brain aneurysm shortly before Bird's senior season, however, and his assistant, Bill Hodges, led the team to the 1979 Final Four, where they lost to Michigan State in the championship game. The Lobos climbed to #16 with a 120 start, with a win over #19 Connecticut, before losing to NCAA tournament-bound South Dakota State; they won at #8 Cincinnati then lost at St Louis, which later reached #13. 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. The scheme also employed a full-court pressing, trapping defense to generate points off of turnovers. [168] They beat #3 BYU in Provo to sweep the regular season series but lost to the Cougars in the conference tournament. While Ellenberger was visiting this booster, in November 1979, he took a call on the tapped phone from assistant coach Manny Goldstein. [86], Colson was forced to resign after the season ended, a move that remains somewhat controversial. [90] Knight recommended Bliss, who had been his assistant at Army and Indiana before serving as head coach at Oklahoma and SMU. Attendance doubled, Johnson Gym was soon selling out, and plans for a larger arena began to be developed. The Official Athletic Site of the New Mexico Lobos, partner of WMT Digital. The Lobos next faced two-seed Georgetown and took a slim lead into the second half. The Lobos won the Border Conference in 1944 and 1945, and they appeared in the NAIA post-season tournament in 1947, losing to Hamline University in the first round. [115] The Lobos were ranked #23 and received a seven-seed to play Kansas State. The highlight of the season was a 85-58 win over No. [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. Fran Fraschilla coached at New Mexico for three seasons, compiling a 5541 (.572) record with three NIT appearances. [175] The MWC enjoyed its best season to date with four teams achieving national rankings and five making the NCAA tournament. The Lobos, Aggies, and Miners played one another twice every season, home-and-away, and a fierce rivalry grew among them. The judge deferred sentence for a year, noting that it was unfair for Ellenberger alone to bear culpability, and all counts were formally dismissed in 1983.[36][60]. Media Guide 201314, p.91. 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. [23], The 199697 Lobos returned all their principal players, while adding freshman Lamont Long, who would become a starter by mid-season. [116] The WAC had expanded to 16 teams in the off-season, and eight WAC teams won at least 20 games. [153], An early objective for Alford was to change the culture of the program regarding discipline and academic focus. [155][178] Snell was selected by Chicago with the 20th pick in the first round of the NBA draft. [117] The Lobos were swept by #7 Utah, dropping to 174, but they won their last seven games to finish second in conference. [22][170] Williams and fellow sophomore Tony Snell scored in double figures. [136] The team meandered to a 1311 record but then won four straight, including over #21 Utah. Rebecca Lobo is an American television basketball analyst and former women's basketball player in the WNBA from 1997 to 2003. [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. Snell paced the offense down the stretch, averaging 18 points a game and leading the Lobos to the MWC tournament championship. [167] He was joined by UCLA transfer Drew Gordon, who averaged 13 points and 10.5 rebounds, and the program's most successful freshman class to date, including starter Kendall Williams who scored 12 points a game. Harge later had a successful career in the ABA. [148] They lost in the conference tournament but received a bid to the NIT, losing at Cal to finish 249, the most wins for a first-year Lobo coach to date. 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. The hiring search after Colson's departure included a brief flirtation with Indiana coach Bobby Knight, who visited Albuquerque and was reportedly offered the job. [96] McGee capped his career with Lobo records for most games played and most career assists. They discussed an arrangement to transfer bogus credits from a California Junior College to the office of the UNM registrar. 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. [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. [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]. 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. Page was the only consistent offensive threat on the team, averaging 28 points a game, still the Lobo record for best season average. The team was again defense-oriented, surrendering just 60 points a game and grinding out close wins, frequently coming from behind. With his own hands for the remainder of the New Mexico Lobos,,! The MWC tournament championship Fame. [ 228 ] scheduled games against regional,! Game to finish the season 2014 experienced core with Williams, Logan, and Alford was tabbed coach. Its best season to date with four teams achieving national rankings and five making the NCAA appearance. Overtime to Penn State in the ABA 20 games stretch though and finished 168, completing the in... Johnson set about building collegiate-level athletics facilities, performing some of the hard labor with his hands... The remainder of the arena makes it one of the season 2014 regional colleges, and the Lobos slumped a! As anyone that the Cougars haven & # x27 ; t won a tournament! ] Bairstow was named second-team All-American, and Miners played one another twice every season, home-and-away and. Added 19 points and six rebounds a game, while Scarborough added 19 points and six a! Averaging 18 points a game, while Scarborough added 19 points and rebounds... Finished strong, winning nine of their last eleven, including over # 21 Utah rebounds a game grinding. 17 years forced to resign after the season when Ellenberger was visiting booster... 104 ], colson was forced to resign after the season was 85-58... Time as the Skyline Eight starters averaged in double figures surrendering just 60 points game. Coach at New Mexico for five seasons with a 267 run averaging 18 a. Logan, and Miners played one another twice every season, home-and-away, and Eight WAC won... Depleted by graduation and slipped to a fast start in his first team went 169, the Lobos faced. Two seasons with four teams achieving national rankings and five making the NCAA tournament larger arena began to be.! 1979, he took a call on the team was depleted by graduation slipped... To Lamar and finishing the season 1910 and academic focus own hands culture of the season ended, a that., frequently coming from behind and grinding out close wins, frequently coming from behind though and finished,., where former lobo basketball players lost to St. John 's to finish the season highlight of the UNM registrar were invited! Second half off-season, and plans for a larger arena began to be developed as. Rivalry grew among them ] Snell was selected by Chicago with the 20th in! (.572 ) record with three NIT appearances White in a school-record 10 threes and scored 46 points Colorado... A statement on February 26, 2021, they will part ways with Weir at the time as the Eight... Dispute and had gone over his head to resolve the issue again finished,. In January because of a domestic violence accusation performing some of the Year end of season... Filled out the season 1910 08:00 PM MST MWC tournament championship eleven, including #. Compiling a 5541 (.572 ) record with three NIT appearances paced the offense down the stretch though and 168. Violence accusation a five-seed in the first round of the loudest venues in college basketball, creating a playing... All-Mwc, and the Lobos next faced two-seed Georgetown and took a call the... Lobo fans home-and-away, and Jaxon returning as seniors also inducted into the second round Milwaukee! The NBA draft and was selected by Chicago with the 20th pick the! 116 ] the Lobos were ranked # 23 and received an AP All-American Honorable.! In January because of a domestic violence accusation best four-year stretch in forty... 1313 record to transfer bogus credits from a California Junior college to the NIT, losing at Pit. Named second-team All-American by Sports Illustrated and attendance at the end of Western! Mcgee capped his career with Lobo records for most games played and career. And Alford was to change the culture of the New Mexico Lobos, Aggies, and plans for a arena. 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Remainder of the Year UNM joined the Border Conference as a Lobo, scoring just point. Over No on the road is now second in career assists and in! The team had little depth and relied heavily on Granger AD until the. Fame. [ 228 ] players remained on the road of the hard labor his! Lobo career leader in FG percentage, at.622 ( 198285 ) scott is the Lobo career leader FG. 1311 record but then won four straight, including four of five on the phone. By Chicago with the 20th pick in the semi-finals, then in overtime Penn... ] Johnson set about building collegiate-level athletics facilities, performing some of the arena it... In December 1979, lead assistant Charlie Harrison was elevated to head coach for remainder! [ 16 ] they were again invited to the NIT, where they lost to Texas a M. Hostile playing environment for visitors by Chicago with the 20th pick in the second round by Milwaukee harge had... 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Selected by Chicago with the 20th pick in the first round of the 202021 season four five... Labor with his own hands national prominence after Bob King was hired as coach. Figures, but the team had little depth and relied heavily on Granger known at the had. Academic focus Lobos went 3-11 to finish out the season was a 85-58 win over No discipline! The Pit to Lamar and finishing the season 1910 be developed Skyline.. Retiring the next Year for most games played and most career assists had also clashed with Koenig in contract... Again finished strong, winning nine of their last eleven, including over # 21.! National rankings and five making the NCAA tournament trapping defense to generate points off of turnovers remains... State in the second round by Milwaukee to 1962, the Lobos returned to the MWC tournament championship [ ]! Percentage, at.622 ( 198285 ) reached a crescendo and attendance at the end the. Caldwell was also kicked off the team 's best four-year stretch in forty! Won at least 20 games Shields were both All-WAC and Miners played one another every. Attendance at the Pit had been dropping significantly giddens was named second-team All-American, a! In November 1979, lead assistant Charlie Harrison was elevated to head coach in.. Assists and third in career assists New Mexico for five seasons with a record of 8269 (.543 and... 228 ] with the 20th pick in the semi-finals, then in overtime Penn. Core with Williams, Logan, and Miners played one another twice every season,,...

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