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

Preview: Can Coach Eck Rewrite the Final Chapter?

The 2025 "Jason Eck Appreciation Tour" has arrived at its grandest stage yet, but a shadow of historical caution hangs over Phoenix. As New Mexico (9-3) prepares to face Minnesota (7-5) in Friday’s Rate Bowl, the stakes are more than just a trophy—they are a chance to shatter decades of "what-ifs."

The Lobos enter the desert on a blistering six-game win streak, but history suggests they are walking into a trap they’ve seen before. Back in 2003, a confident UNM squad was dismantled by a "middle-of-the-pack" Oregon State team in the Las Vegas Bowl. That day, the physical gap between the Mountain West and the Power Four was laid bare as Steven Jackson ran wild. Now, a battle-hardened Gophers squad—led by P.J. Fleck and a defense featuring elite edge rusher Anthony Smith—stands in the way, favored by 2.5 points despite the Lobos' momentum.

It truly is the season of opportunity in The Pit, and on Saturday night Milos Vicentic made the most of his. With injuries thinning New Mexico’s rotations, the graduate senior delivered a breakout performance - scoring a team high 19 points in just 17 minutes of action. The Lobos powered past San Jose State in the Mountain West opener.

ALBUQUERQUE—UNM men’s basketball opens the final chapter of the Mountain West Conference’s current lineup Saturday night at The Pit, hosting San Jose State in the league opener. The Spartans nearly stole a win in Albuquerque last season, leading for most of the game before the Lobos rallied late, and they arrive again as a dangerous, grind-it-out opponent under longtime coach Tim Miles. San Jose State plays at one of the slowest tempos in the country, relies heavily on mid-range scoring, and is coming off a competitive loss at Stanford after nearly erasing a late 14-point deficit. The Spartans are led by Mountain West scoring standout Colby Garland and strong offensive rebounding from forward Yaphet Mouandi. For UNM, injuries and player availability loom as key storylines, while shot selection and ball security remain points of emphasis. With San Jose State rated as a Quad 4 opponent, the opener represents a must-win opportunity as the Lobos begin their final Mountain West ride.

The New Mexico Bowl is a local treasure, but it isn't where recruits' dreams are made. As the Lobos prepare to take over Chase Field against Minnesota, it’s clear that the program has outgrown its backyard. With the Mountain West landscape shifting and expectations soaring, it’s time for UNM fans to embrace a new holiday tradition: winning on the national stage.

The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team walked the tightrope of a classic "trap game" on Sunday, making their escape from Florida Gulf Coast with a 75-59 victory—but not without paying a price. In front of 12,204 anxious fans in the Pit, the Lobos were visibly flat in the first half and, more alarmingly, saw two key players, Tomislav Buljan and Chris Howell, exit with first-half leg injuries.

Yet, out of adversity, a compelling narrative of resilience and newfound depth emerged. Key support came from JT Rock, who delivered a go-ahead 3-pointer and a game-changing block in the final minutes. Despite a 10-0 VCU run that erased UNM’s 10-point lead, the Lobos held firm behind Hall’s fifth three and a final defensive stop. UNM also limited VCU shooter Terrence Hill Jr. for most of the game.

The Lobos are back in action on Sunday in The Pit at 2:00 pm vs. Florida Gulf Coast.

RICHMOND, VA—UNM escaped Richmond with an 81–78 win over VCU, thanks largely to a dominant scoring stretch from Jake Hall, who finished with 24 points in his fourth 20-point game as a Lobo. Hall scored 19 of those points during a crucial run that flipped a first-half deficit into a second-half lead, but foul trouble derailed his night as he picked up four personals early in the half. The Lobos battled whistles throughout, with Tomislav Buljan and Deyton Albury also reaching four fouls.

Key support came from JT Rock, who delivered a go-ahead 3-pointer and a game-changing block in the final minutes. Despite a 10-0 VCU run that erased UNM’s 10-point lead, the Lobos held firm behind Hall’s fifth three and a final defensive stop. UNM also limited VCU shooter Terrence Hill Jr. for most of the game.

The Lobos are back in action on Sunday in The Pit at 2:00 pm vs. Florida Gulf Coast.

RICHMOND, VA—New Mexico faces another tough road test Wednesday, visiting a VCU team undefeated at home and ranked No. 41 in KenPom. The Siegel Center—one of college basketball’s loudest mid-major arenas—has fueled major runs for the Rams, who have posted bursts of 14–0, 20–6 and 27–6 in home wins.

VCU’s depth and pressure defense define the matchup. Eleven players average 13+ minutes, and the Rams rank 15th nationally in defensive efficiency while forcing nearly 15 turnovers per game. Offensively, they spread scoring among five players averaging 9–13 points, led by sharpshooter Terrence Hill Jr. (51% from three).

For UNM, the keys are clear: protect the ball, attack the paint, and crash the offensive glass—areas where teams have found success against VCU. After struggling in their first true road test against NMSU, the Lobos get another chance to earn a statement win.

ALBUQUERQUE—The New Mexico Lobos delivered their most complete performance of the season, overwhelming Santa Clara 98–71 at The Pit in a display of relentless defensive pressure and efficient scoring. Lobo guard Deyton Albury set the tone early, finishing with a season-high 22 points while spearheading a defensive effort that forced 15 turnovers and produced 19 points the other way. UNM’s pressure disrupted the Broncos throughout the night, holding them to 38% shooting from the field and just 22% from three. The Lobos turned stops into offense, racking up 29 fast-break points fueled by 12 steals and strong rebounding. Tomislav Buljan added a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards, showing no signs of his recent ankle injury. UNM also maintained its hot perimeter shooting, knocking down 9 of 23 attempts. With contributions across the roster, the Lobos controlled the game’s pace from start to finish.