The Lobo Women’s Basketball Program looks to build off of last year’s very encouraging season that saw the Lobos finish the season 21-13 overall and 14-4 in Mountain West Play. The Lobos ended up making the Mountain West Tournament Final and making the second round of the Women’s Basketball Invitational. With such a great turnaround, Coach Sanchez was awarded a contract extension as she tries to get the program back to where it was in the early 2000’s. This program is on the rise with a talented roster and recruiting keeps on getting better, I am excited for this season and do think this team has good shot to win the Mountain West.
Men’s Soccer vs. South Carolina Recap (CUSA Tourney)
The Lobos played a good match against South Carolina, but were unable to find the net on their dangerous chances. That ultimately gave South Carolina a chance to stay in the match and they found the game-winning goal late in the second half, likely ending the Lobos’ season in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament. The season didn’t go as many Lobo fans had hoped, but there is hope for the future and the youth on this year’s team will get better with more experience. The South Carolina game summed up the Lobos’ season very well, as they were unable to score in the first half, unable to find ways to score from more than one person, and unable to prevent giving up late goals off of broken plays. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Men’s Soccer program, so this feels more like a temporary misstep than the start of a downward trend. This is still a very good college soccer team and program.
Men’s Basketball vs. Texas Southern Preview
After a couple of exhibition wins against D-II competition, the UNM men’s basketball team is ready to get to work, starting Friday night against Texas Southern University. After a disappointing season last year, the Lobos are ready to show that is all behind them and they’re back to where they want to be. Texas Southern is no D-II team, however, having scored some big road upsets last season and making the NCAA Tournament two years in a row. The Lobos will have to be ready for a fight, or they could be the Tigers’ next victim.
CUSA Conference Tourney First Round: UNM vs. South Carolina
After a strong finish in their last couple of games, the Lobos enter the seven-team Conference USA Tournament as the #6 seed. This tournament will take place Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, when the Championship Match will determine who will get the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The field is a very solid one, as it has the potential for five or six of its teams to make the NCAA Tournament this year. With Charlotte being the host, they will be considered one of the two favorites along with #1 Seed Kentucky.
Quest for a Bowl Game: Knocking at the Door
The Lobos just picked up their biggest win of the season by knocking off Utah State this past Saturday, which gave them their fifth win on the season and closer to bowl eligibility than they have been since 2007. The Lobos now have three games to pick up that sixth win they need to become bowl eligible and although the remaining schedule isn’t easy, they have to be feeling confident. They also, interestingly, still control their own destiny in the conference, as if they win their remaining three games, they’ll actually win the Mountain Division. “Why not us?” indeed.
Men’s Basketball: Rogers State Game Thoughts
The Lobos played their last exhibition game of the season Friday night against Rogers State, and while it is hard to get a feel of rotations and how improved players are over last year, here are some of my observations from the Rogers State game.
Men’s Soccer vs. FAU Match Recap
The Lobos needed a win on Senior Night this past Friday to lock up a spot in the Conference USA Tournament and they found it with a convincing 3-0 win. It looked a little dicey there for the first 70 minutes of the match, as the Lobos hadn’t found a goal, but the Lobos controlled the match from start to finish. Although they were held scoreless for a while, they did find the post two times and had a few other dangerous chances, which made it seem as though a goal was inevitable.
Lobos Stifle Utah State
Towards the end of the game, I found myself shivering in University Stadium. The Utah State Aggies were driving down the field and were looking like they were going to give themselves a decent chance to kick a field goal to take their first lead of the game with only a minute remaining. Sure, I was nervous, but if I’m being honest, the real reason I was shivering is because I was cold and hadn’t prepared for the wind. I couldn’t complain, though, as that same wind was what made a 41 yard field goal attempt go wide right to give the Lobos their first best win since Rocky Long was the head coach.
Women’s Basketball vs NMHU Preview
After a convincing, comfortable win against Western New Mexico in their first exhibition game, the Lobos will put the finishing touches on their preseason by hosting New Mexico Highlands. The first game was a great coming-out party for the freshmen and also was a good display of the level of talent that this team has from top to bottom. This game should be more of the same, mostly serving as a great chance to get to know the entire roster.
Football Game 9 Preview: Utah State
Here it is, the final stretch of the season. The team is sitting at 4-4, including 2-2 in conference play, and still have dreams of making a bowl game. However, they’re about to run into the toughest part of their schedule, starting this week at home against Utah State. The Aggies have already taken down Boise State this season and they have their sights set on winning the conference. Coming off a bye week to prepare and get healthy, the Lobos are looking to make sure that doesn’t happen.