PHOENIX, AZ—UNM’s trip to Grand Canyon will hinge on whether the Lobos can rediscover their defensive edge. In the first meeting, they controlled the glass, protected the paint and wore down GCU’s guards, but recent struggles—particularly defending ball screens—have exposed cracks. The Lopes will test UNM inside with Efe Demirel and attack downhill through Jaden Henley and Makhai Williams. Communication, toughness at the point of attack and rebounding will be critical in a hostile environment. If the Lobos can defend without fouling, limit second chances and tighten their pick-and-roll coverage, they can reestablish the identity that fueled their early-season success and walk out of GCU arena with a Quad 1 win.

Boise State’s hot shooting from deep proved decisive in a 91–90 win over UNM, marking the Lobos’ second consecutive loss. The Broncos tied a Pit record with 15 made 3-pointers, exploiting UNM’s defensive lapses throughout the night. Dylan Andrews scored a game-high 33 points and iced the game at the line, while Drew Fielder chipped in 18 points with five threes. UNM erased a second-half deficit and had chances late, but came up short despite a 30-point effort from Luke Haupt. The loss dropped UNM to third place in the Mountain West standings.

After a tough 86-66 loss to Utah State, UNM men’s basketball looks to bounce back against Boise State at the Pit. The Lobos, 18-5 overall and 9-3 in Mountain West play, remain in contention for a top-five conference tournament seed and a potential NCAA at-large bid. Head coach Eric Olen emphasized execution and performance as keys to success. UNM struggled offensively in the first meeting with Boise, shooting season lows in points and field goal percentage. To win, the Lobos must push in transition, involve Tomislav Buljan early, and finish at the rim against a big, rebounding-heavy Broncos team.

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.

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.

The University of New Mexico Lobo Football team gave a lion-hearted effort on the blue turf, battling the favored and statistically dominant Boise State Broncos into a one-score game entering the fourth quarter. Despite an atrocious start and being outmatched in size, speed, and depth, the Lobos showed a new resolve, even briefly leading 14-10 in the second quarter.