‘Nasty Nine’ get back to work quickly
Lobos already began prep for San Diego State before leaving Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — How does the ‘Nasty Nine’ celebrate the team’s biggest win of the season, and of the young Paul Weir coaching era — a shocking come-from-behind 85-81 road win at UNLV on Wednesday night in Sin City?
“We had film for about 35 minutes on San Diego State,” said junior guard Anthony Mathis, who had 14 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer, on Wednesday before the team drove back to its hotel to get back to work.
“That’s the way coach Weir is. We have a big one on Saturday.”
That back-to-work mentality was on display again Thursday morning. The team drove back to UNLV, got in a morning practice before an afternoon flight back to Albuquerque.
Weir has not been shy about reminding his team of the low expectations most had for UNM (9-11, 4-3 Mountain West) this season. The team was picked ninth in a preseason media poll, but finds itself in a third place tie with Fresno State. And the Lobos
don’t have to face the league’s top team, Nevada, again during the regular season. Nor do they face any of the next three teams in the standings — Boise State, San Diego State and Fresno State — on the road again.
So, while they like the spot their in, the message from Weir and the team is clear: They still have work to do.
NASTY NINE, FOR NOW:
While Weir let slip that the eight scholarship players and walk-on who played Wednesday have dubbed themselves the “Nasty Nine,” Mathis pointed out that’s a moniker just for the time being until Troy Simons and Sam Logwood are allowed to rejoin the team.
“Obviously without Troy and Sam, we’re missing them,” Mathis said. “They’re great players. We’ll leave it a ‘Nasty Nine’ for the time being.”
Weir said he had no update on when either will return and also had no comment on Logwood’s in-game tweet from Albuquerque on Wednesday that read, “#freetwotimes” referring to his nickname of “Two Times.”
Logwood, who hurt his shoulder two weeks ago, deleted that tweet after Weir became aware of it.
Thursday, Logwood tweeted, “Great effort by my team last night. Those dudes work hard everyday! I can’t wait to get back out there again with them. #speedyrecovery.”
ABOUT THAT TECH: There was 16:37 left on the clock Wednesday in Las Vegas with the game tied 42-42. Rebel star center Brandon McCoy was fouled by Joe Furstinger while making a layup.
Weir didn’t like the call and, after something said by official Verne Harris, threw his hand in the air in disagreement, leading to his second technical foul of the season. He had one all last season at New Mexico State.
“I think it was a gesture,” Weir said when asked what he did to earn the call. “I think I waved at him when he gave me some feedback on something. And I thought the next few minutes was harsh. I thought there was a little bit of we couldn’t get a call . ... I probably deserved it.”
In addition to McCoy converting his three-point play, guard Jordan Johnson hit both technical free throws, giving UNLV a five-point possession. The Rebels led 47-42, their largest lead to that point of the game. Over the next 10 minutes, that 42-42 tie before the Weir technical turned into a 67-56 UNLV lead with 6:48 remaining in the game.
All UNM did after that was score 29 points in 6:48, including the last nine in the final 1:07 for the win.