LAS VEGAS—UNM men’s basketball delivered a dominant performance in Las Vegas, routing rival UNLV 89–61 at the Thomas & Mack Center to improve to 17–4 overall and 8–2 in Mountain West play. The 29-point margin marked the Lobos’ largest win over the Runnin’ Rebels in 72 meetings. UNM seized control early behind a 13–2 first-half run sparked by Tomislav Buljan and never let UNLV find a rhythm. The Lobos finished with 44 points in the paint, forced 11 first-half turnovers, and recorded 21 assists. Buljan led UNM with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

LAS VEGAS—UNM heads to Las Vegas seeking a key Mountain West road win against a talented but inconsistent UNLV team. The Runnin’ Rebels, under first-year coach Josh Pastner, have shown a high ceiling with wins over Stanford and Utah State but also costly losses to lesser opponents. UNLV struggles with discipline and efficiency, particularly at the free-throw line, despite ranking seventh nationally in attempts. Guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn leads the offense, while Emmanuel Stephen and Tyrin Jones provide size inside. For UNM, taking care of the ball, handling UNLV’s athleticism, and defending the three-point line will be critical.

Steve Alford’s return to the Pit headlined an emotional Throwback Night as UNM held off his Nevada Wolfpack 80–73 before a season-high crowd of 14,639. Alford, once the face of Lobo basketball, was greeted with loud boos as Nevada briefly seized control with a 9–0 run to open the second half. UNM responded behind freshman Jake Hall, who scored 16 of his 19 points after halftime and stretched the defense with five three-pointers. That surge opened the floor for the Lobos to rally. Deyton Albury delivered the late dagger, sealing UNM’s 23rd straight home win.

He’s heard the roars that shook the grounds in Albuquerque, and he’s heard the boos that burned with the sting of betrayal. On Saturday night, Steve Alford—the most successful coach in University of New Mexico history—descends the famous ramp into The Pit once more.

But this isn’t just another game on the schedule. It’s a high-stakes Mountain West collision draped in the nostalgia of "Retro Night." As the Lobos don their throwback threads, the atmosphere will be a volatile mix of reverence for the man who put UNM back on the national map and the lingering resentment over his midnight exit for UCLA.

UNM men’s basketball defeated Fresno State 83–74 on Wednesday in the Pit, but the game was overshadowed by heavy officiating. Mountain West officials called 39 combined fouls, including 16 on UNM in the second half, prompting head coach Eric Olen to receive just the third technical foul of his career. Despite late whistles allowing Fresno State to close the margin, the Lobos controlled the game behind a dominant defensive effort. UNM forced 22 turnovers, recorded a season-high 18 steals and turned those into 29 points, improving to another conference win ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Nevada.

Fresno State enters The Pit as one of the Mountain West’s most improved teams, posing a potential challenge for UNM after its loss to San Diego State. Under second-year coach Vance Whalberg, the Bulldogs have rebounded from a disastrous 2023 season and sit at 9-9 overall, winners of three of their last four. Led by high-scoring guard Jake Heidbreder and versatile playmaker Zaon Collins, Fresno has improved defensively and forces turnovers at a high rate. Despite shooting inconsistencies, their recent momentum and balanced roster make them a dangerous opponent for the Lobos.

In a clash that lived up to two decades of rivalry, the University of New Mexico stood on the precipice of a stunning comeback and a share of the Mountain West lead. After erasing a 15-point deficit in the hostile confines of Viejas Arena, the Lobos had the ball and the momentum in a tied game with under 40 seconds to play. But in a heartbreak defined by inches, a single steal by SDSU’s Miles Byrd turned a potential New Mexico triumph into a 83-79 Aztec victory, leaving the Lobos wondering what might have been.

A Mountain West Swan Song: The Show Must Go On (One Last Time)

The "Show" is preparing for its final curtain call against an old rival. On Saturday, the University of New Mexico ventures into the hostile cauldron of Viejas Arena for the last time as Mountain West foes, facing a San Diego State program that has long been the league's gold standard. With the Aztecs bound for the Pac-12 next season, this mid-January clash carries the weight of a championship final.

ALBUQUERQUE—UNM men’s basketball used stifling second-half defense and a smart offensive adjustment to defeat Grand Canyon 87–64 Tuesday at The Pit. After a tight first half, the Lobos clamped down defensively, holding the Lopes to 28% shooting and forcing tough, contested looks. Offensively, UNM countered GCU’s pick-and-roll drop coverage with mid-range jumpers and consistent trips to the free throw line, led by Jake Hall and Uriah Tenette. Strong physical play, balanced scoring, and impactful minutes from JT Rock helped UNM pull away and extend its home winning streak to 21 games.

The Mountain West conference’s newest rivalry tips off Tuesday night in the Pit, where UNM looks to remind Grand Canyon why coming to Albuquerque remains one of the league’s toughest road trips.

The Lopes (10-5) have started strong in their first season in the Mountain West conference and stand at 3-1 in league play. They are on a two-game win streak, having won 75-58 at Boise State on Wednesday, followed by a 76-58 victory at home against San Jose State on Saturday.

A Record-Breaking Rout: Lobos Leave Air Force in the Dust

New Mexico didn’t just win on Saturday; they rewrote the history books. In a defensive masterclass that saw them rack up 16 steals, the Lobos dismantled Air Force 91-49, securing their largest road victory in Mountain West history.

The afternoon belonged to freshman sensation Jake Hall, whose game-high 24 points—fueled by five shots from beyond the arc—officially set a new UNM freshman record for 20-point games. While Hall provided the spark, Tomislav Buljan dominated the glass with 14 rebounds, and a relentless Lobo defense forced 21 turnovers to sweep their "Colorful Colorado" road trip. After a 42-point blowout, New Mexico (13-3, 4-1) returns to The Pit with all the momentum in the world.

COLORADO SPRINGS—UNM men’s basketball closes its Colorado road trip Saturday against Air Force, aiming to avoid a potential trap game in Mountain West play. While the Falcons have struggled offensively this season, particularly from three-point range, they remain competitive behind disciplined defense. UNM’s recent defensive success against Colorado State provides a blueprint, as ball pressure and forcing turnovers could create transition opportunities. Air Force features balanced scoring led by freshman Kam Sanders, but consistency has been elusive. For the Lobos, staying focused, defending with intensity, and generating balanced offense will be key before turning attention to an upcoming matchup with Grand Canyon..

FORT COLLINS—From ice-cold in Boise to red-hot in Fort Collins. After a nightmare shooting performance just one week ago, freshman Jake Hall and the Lobos found their rhythm behind the arc to dismantle Colorado State 80-70. With 11 triples and a dominant defensive showing, New Mexico proved they can win anywhere in the Mountain West.

FORT COLLINS—Colorado State enters Tuesday’s matchup short-handed but dangerous because of its shooting. The Rams are one of the nation’s most efficient offensive teams, ranking among the top programs in three-point percentage and effective field goal percentage. Four players shoot better than 40% from beyond the arc, and CSU relies on strong ball movement and off-ball screening to create open looks. Even at a slow tempo, the Rams are lethal in the half court when shots are falling. UNM’s biggest challenge will be limiting clean perimeter looks and disrupting Colorado State’s rhythm, as the Rams’ shooting ability can quickly swing the game if left unchecked.

ALBUQUERQUE—Tomislav Buljan didn’t just play; he dominated. In a gritty display of "bully ball," Buljan’s 25-point, 12-rebound masterpiece powered UNM to a commanding 78–58 victory over Wyoming. From suffocating defense to a relentless attack on the glass, the Lobos turned a first-half deficit into their 20th consecutive home win in The Pit.

College sports has become a "soulless business" of quick exits and video-game scouting, but the University of New Mexico just found a leader with actual roots. After the sudden loss of their AD, the Lobos might have just found the architect they’ve been searching for to bridge the gap between football and basketball glory.

ALBUQUERQUE—UNM men’s basketball returns to The Pit on Saturday hoping the ball goes in the net a few more times than it did on Tuesday. After struggling to score efficiently in a loss to Boise State, the Lobos face a Wyoming team that leads the Mountain West in scoring and punishes missed opportunities with depth and rebounding. The Cowboys average 85 points per game, rely on a balanced rotation of 10 to 12 players and generate 40 bench points per night, making them difficult to slow for a full 40 minutes. Wyoming is led by freshman forward Nasir Meyer and senior guard Leland Walker, both averaging 13 points per game. Meyer is a high-volume three-point shooter, while Walker consistently pressures the rim and draws fouls. The Cowboys also rank among the conference’s best rebounding teams, creating second-chance points and limiting opponents to one shot. For UNM, improved shot-making — particularly from Jake Hall and Uriah Tenette — is essential. Matching Wyoming’s depth, defending ball screens and protecting the glass will also be critical if the Lobos hope to bounce back at home.

BOISE—The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team lost 62–53 to Boise State on Tuesday night, undone by historically poor 3-point shooting despite strong starts to both halves. The Lobos opened the game on an 8–0 run and began the second half with 13 straight points, completing a 15–0 surge to take a 32–21 lead. However, UNM shot just 3-of-25 from beyond the arc (12%), its worst performance ever when attempting at least 20 threes. Freshman shooter Jake Hall went 0-for-7. Boise State, though also inefficient, recovered behind physical play in the paint, timely 3s from Spencer Ahrens, and a 10–0 second-half run that erased UNM’s final lead. The Broncos evened their Mountain West record at 1–1, while UNM fell to 10–3 overall. Tomislav Buljan led the Lobos with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

BOISE—UNM men’s basketball closes 2025 with a road test at Boise State (8–4) on Dec. 30 at Extra Mile Arena, tipping at 9 p.m. MST on FS1. The Lobos seek a positive finish after recent setbacks and face a venue where they haven’t won since 2016, losing seven straight in Boise. Boise State is still chasing its first Mountain West win but owns a strong nonconference résumé and ranks No. 53 in KenPom and No. 47 in the NET. The Broncos feature size, elite defensive rebounding, and a physical frontcourt led by Georgetown transfer Drew Fielder (13.7 ppg). Boise State defends at a high level, controls the glass, and gets to the free-throw line. For UNM, rebounding, interior defense, and pace will be decisive.

A storybook season for UNM (9-4) met a sobering end in the Rate Bowl as Minnesota’s Drake Lindsey found Jalen Smith for a walk-off touchdown in overtime. Despite a stellar defensive showing and a late-game surge sparked by Damon Bankston, the Lobos' play-calling and red-zone struggles proved costly. Head coach Jason Eck reflects on a tough 20-17 loss and what’s next for a program on the rise. Photo: UNM Athletics