New Mexico is a 52% favorite over Tulsa 48%
- Thread starter libertychamp
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I think NM has a big man we will be hard pressed to match. But, you never know. I am going to try to be there in person, it's 3 to 4 hour drive for me.
NM will definitely be a tough challenge, they have a freshman big thats 9th best rebounder in the country, averaging over 10 a game, and also over 13 ppg. Think he scored 26 or 27 last game. Theyve also beaten VCU and Santa Clara this year. But something tells me we'll come prepared ready to go to the finals
Doesn't matter. If the big man gets his, let him get his. Our goal should be to limit and stop everyone else. It's the same with every team who has a singular star. We actually held Giles in check the other day but if I recall, they had 4 other players get double figures including some scrub off the bench who went for 19. That's what makes us a difficult team. You take Barnstable away, we've got Riley, Popola, Green, and Lawal who can all go from deep. Want to take the 3 away, Behrend has shown he is capable of 12-15 points on efficient shooting when given the opportunity. And who knows when Rigsby and Dean are going to go off as well...and we've seen them capable of doing so. We are a difficult team to prepare for defensively because there doesn't seem to be a #1 option all the time (like Haggerty was) and instead on any given possession the #1 option changes and it might change every possession. It's a good problem to have. And also, our starters seem to play slightly fewer minutes per game (on average) than other teams. It's the end of a long season and my guess is our guys might have a little more in the tank because of how deep Konkol went on the bench every game.
Honestly, let the big guy go for 30/15. As long as we hold everyone else to under 10, we should be fine.
Honestly, let the big guy go for 30/15. As long as we hold everyone else to under 10, we should be fine.
We have so many guys who can score we can be tough to play. How good is New Mexico defensively? To me that is the big question.
Howdy. Lobo fan here. Thought I'd stop in and give y'all an understanding of what to expect from this Lobo team.
We finished 3rd in the MW, but would have won an outright title had we won our last 2 games and would have shared the title had we won the final game (lost 94-90 at USU). We're 2-7 vs. Q1 and 6-1 vs Q2. On a neutral floor, Tulsa would be a Q2 game for us and UNM would be a Q1 game for you guys. We're 44th in KenPom and were basically 2nd four out. Probably would've snuck into the First Four had we not lost by 2 on a buzzer beater to SDSU in the MW semifinal game, which is why we're the 2nd 1 seed in this tournament behind Auburn (the bracket implies 1Auburn, 2UNM, 3Tulsa, 4Wake).
Defensively, we're 41st in efficiency according to KenPom on the year. We play primarily man, but will mix in some matchup zone that looks like man and will occasionally go straight 2-3 if we want to give a different look. Our primary PGs (who both currently start), Albury and Tenette, put a lot of pressure on opposing guards and force a lot of turnovers. Tenette holds the UNM record for steals in a season for a Freshman. That said, our overall team defense is focused on denying the paint and keeping the other team''s 2 point percentage very low, so we will give up looks from outside. Still, we only give up 30% from 3, which is 13th nationally. We do that with aggressive closeouts and trying to deny the best shooters and/or force them into spots they're less comfortable with, or we lull teams into taking early 3s because they know they won't get much at the rim. Someone here said "shoot 40 threes and hit 15." That's not a bad game plan considering your shooting prowess. Boise had a similar game plan, and they swept us. You better hit 15, though, because we will get out and run on long rebounds. Sam Houston and GW are both really good offensive rebounding teams, and we burned them in transition.
Offensively, we move the ball well and move well without the ball. All five players on the floor set screens, and all five can pass. Our leading scorer is Freshman SG Jake Hall. That kid is nails, and is top four in NCAA history in 3FGM for a Freshman. You MUST face-guard him, never go under a screen, and try really hard not to fall for his shot fakes. He's not just an elite shooter, he's an elite scorer (he scored 3100+ in HS in San Diego). He's crafty. He knows you're gonna guard him tight, and he's and excellent ball handler, a good passer, and has a mid-range game and can finish at the rim. He's not very quick, but he's very deceptive with good court vision, and he knows what to do with the ball.
Y'all have already mentioned Buljan. He's been the strongest man in the paint in pretty much every game we've played this season, even when his matchup has been taller and more athletic. He averages a double-double by brute force, if nothing else. You're gonna want to double him on a paint touch, but he's generally a good passer and can find shooters and slashers. He's also very much a European big man. He doesn't shoot from outside often, but he was 2/2 vs St. Joe's, so he can hit 'em, especially in clutch situations (he is a 23 year old Freshman, after all). He's tenacious on the offensive and defensive glass, and he handles the ball good enough to push it down the floor himself off a defensive rebound.
Uriah Tenette, our third leading scorer and third Freshman, has been good all year, but he's really come on in this tournament. He was our 6th man for most of the year, with our big 6'9" wing Antonio Chol (who was a JUCO All-American) asking to be benched in favor of him. He's listed at 5'11", but I'm 5'10", and that guy is definitely shorter than I am. lol. If you know anything about Lobo hoops in recent years, you know Jaelen House. Tenette is House with 10x the athleticism. That little 5'10" Freshman will steal the ball from your point guard who has good handles, then dunk on your big man. He also shoots the 3 at a high clip, and he's a lefty. He also has vision and IQ. 6 assists and 0 turnovers vs GW.
There's more I could say about this team, but I think I'll stop there. Obviously I love my team, and y'all obviously love yours. I just wanted to give you a little insight as to what UNM basketball is right now so you know what to expect. And, on a neutral court against a Tulsa team with 29 wins, it's kinda a coin flip for me. Tulsa will be one of the better teams we've played all year, and y'all kinda scare me.
But whatever. At least we're both here and get to enjoy it next Thursday. UNM has made the NIT FF twice, and the Championship game once, but we've never played a basketball game in April. Win or lose, I'm gonna enjoy rooting for my team on April 2nd, and I hope you do, too!
We finished 3rd in the MW, but would have won an outright title had we won our last 2 games and would have shared the title had we won the final game (lost 94-90 at USU). We're 2-7 vs. Q1 and 6-1 vs Q2. On a neutral floor, Tulsa would be a Q2 game for us and UNM would be a Q1 game for you guys. We're 44th in KenPom and were basically 2nd four out. Probably would've snuck into the First Four had we not lost by 2 on a buzzer beater to SDSU in the MW semifinal game, which is why we're the 2nd 1 seed in this tournament behind Auburn (the bracket implies 1Auburn, 2UNM, 3Tulsa, 4Wake).
Defensively, we're 41st in efficiency according to KenPom on the year. We play primarily man, but will mix in some matchup zone that looks like man and will occasionally go straight 2-3 if we want to give a different look. Our primary PGs (who both currently start), Albury and Tenette, put a lot of pressure on opposing guards and force a lot of turnovers. Tenette holds the UNM record for steals in a season for a Freshman. That said, our overall team defense is focused on denying the paint and keeping the other team''s 2 point percentage very low, so we will give up looks from outside. Still, we only give up 30% from 3, which is 13th nationally. We do that with aggressive closeouts and trying to deny the best shooters and/or force them into spots they're less comfortable with, or we lull teams into taking early 3s because they know they won't get much at the rim. Someone here said "shoot 40 threes and hit 15." That's not a bad game plan considering your shooting prowess. Boise had a similar game plan, and they swept us. You better hit 15, though, because we will get out and run on long rebounds. Sam Houston and GW are both really good offensive rebounding teams, and we burned them in transition.
Offensively, we move the ball well and move well without the ball. All five players on the floor set screens, and all five can pass. Our leading scorer is Freshman SG Jake Hall. That kid is nails, and is top four in NCAA history in 3FGM for a Freshman. You MUST face-guard him, never go under a screen, and try really hard not to fall for his shot fakes. He's not just an elite shooter, he's an elite scorer (he scored 3100+ in HS in San Diego). He's crafty. He knows you're gonna guard him tight, and he's and excellent ball handler, a good passer, and has a mid-range game and can finish at the rim. He's not very quick, but he's very deceptive with good court vision, and he knows what to do with the ball.
Y'all have already mentioned Buljan. He's been the strongest man in the paint in pretty much every game we've played this season, even when his matchup has been taller and more athletic. He averages a double-double by brute force, if nothing else. You're gonna want to double him on a paint touch, but he's generally a good passer and can find shooters and slashers. He's also very much a European big man. He doesn't shoot from outside often, but he was 2/2 vs St. Joe's, so he can hit 'em, especially in clutch situations (he is a 23 year old Freshman, after all). He's tenacious on the offensive and defensive glass, and he handles the ball good enough to push it down the floor himself off a defensive rebound.
Uriah Tenette, our third leading scorer and third Freshman, has been good all year, but he's really come on in this tournament. He was our 6th man for most of the year, with our big 6'9" wing Antonio Chol (who was a JUCO All-American) asking to be benched in favor of him. He's listed at 5'11", but I'm 5'10", and that guy is definitely shorter than I am. lol. If you know anything about Lobo hoops in recent years, you know Jaelen House. Tenette is House with 10x the athleticism. That little 5'10" Freshman will steal the ball from your point guard who has good handles, then dunk on your big man. He also shoots the 3 at a high clip, and he's a lefty. He also has vision and IQ. 6 assists and 0 turnovers vs GW.
There's more I could say about this team, but I think I'll stop there. Obviously I love my team, and y'all obviously love yours. I just wanted to give you a little insight as to what UNM basketball is right now so you know what to expect. And, on a neutral court against a Tulsa team with 29 wins, it's kinda a coin flip for me. Tulsa will be one of the better teams we've played all year, and y'all kinda scare me.
But whatever. At least we're both here and get to enjoy it next Thursday. UNM has made the NIT FF twice, and the Championship game once, but we've never played a basketball game in April. Win or lose, I'm gonna enjoy rooting for my team on April 2nd, and I hope you do, too!
Enjoyed the post. Nice to have an opponent come over here and give some great info and not throw a lot of trash.
We're all in the same boat, homie. I wish either of us could just play Auburn right now, but that ain't how it works, unfortunately.
I think whoever wins this game wins the NIT, so I got a lot of respect for you guys. I will also be rooting for Illinois St., of course, but I really wanna beat Auburn. lol
I think whoever wins this game wins the NIT, so I got a lot of respect for you guys. I will also be rooting for Illinois St., of course, but I really wanna beat Auburn. lol
Thank you for the great info, JN. Yes you guys have a lot of length, which gives us trouble.
We have an elite 3-pt shooting offense. We have two players who have hit 90+ threes this year. And we go a legit 9 or 10 deep. I will let others who are more knowledgeable give you better info.
We went to the TU vs UNM football game years ago. Beautiful campus. I love your state.
And yes, beat Auburn. lol
We have an elite 3-pt shooting offense. We have two players who have hit 90+ threes this year. And we go a legit 9 or 10 deep. I will let others who are more knowledgeable give you better info.
We went to the TU vs UNM football game years ago. Beautiful campus. I love your state.
And yes, beat Auburn. lol
UNM's THE PIT is an exceptional facility
Spent 4 days in ABQ last week
Stayed in Old Towne
Great time
Great food
Great scenery
who they have beaten doesnt equate to how our personnel or our game matches up to theirs. They are good enough to have been on the bubble and have a number 1 seed in the NIT but how we match up to them has yet to be seen. We have beaten bot mountain west teams we have faced so far. San jose State we too to the woodshed and UNLV we beat by 11. UNL has beaten Utah State, Memphis, Stanford and such so it all depends on how we match up and if our shots are falling. If they arent then our defense is going to need to be on point as our defense has saved us in a couple of games.
you like the dry desert feel of NM? UNM has a good Ball club and Albuquerque has a couple of find strip clubs but I was stationed in Yuma Arizona and have driven through NM plenty of times and not on one of my finer places to be list. lol. that said he did give a good write up.
I doubt we have anyone that can match up with the 23 year old Freshman 6'9" 250 Croatian National Team player (Buljan) who is in the top 10 NCAA rebounding and averages a double double.
I went to one game at the Pit back in ‘85 against UTEP. It is a very nice facility.
Unfortunately, it was like a home game for El Paso and another first round exit for us.
I did get to meet Jim Valvano so that probably made it all worth it.
Unfortunately all of Nolan's trips were first round exits. I went to the Milwaukee game in 1984 where Louisville scored after an obvious travelling no call. And the other Louisville game in 1996 where Coach Rob's PG Rod Thompson fouled out and we didn't have another one and lost a big lead. But most of the trips were worth it during those glory days.
Nolan got some bad news right before that New Mexico trip that may have been a factor.
I was also at the first game in Milwaukee. It was my first time in an NBA arena and I was surprised that the Mecca had dirt floors in the concourse.