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.