Urgency greets Lobos’ ‘Senior Night’
Williams back from injury as UNM battles San Diego State for fifth spot in Mountain West tournament
ALBUQUERQUE — In a perfect world, Saturday night would simply be for Tim Williams and Obij Aget.
It still is, but much more complicates matters for The University of New Mexico Lobos.
Williams and Aget will get their send-off for “Senior Night” as the Lobos take on rival San Diego State in the regular-season and Mountain West Conference finale in The Pit on Saturday night. But the contest also doubles as Williams’ return after spending 27 days in a boot as he nursed a stress reaction in his left foot, giving UNM the low-post threat it missed for the past eight games.
However, Lobos head coach Craig Neal stressed that Williams’ court time will be limited.
“He looked light on his feet [at practice on Tuesday], but it can’t be for long stints,” Neal said. “I wasn’t really making excuses for him as much as the expectations for him coming back. He’s missed a month.”
And we’ve yet to discuss the ramifications of this game on the bracket for the Mountain West Conference Tournament that starts Tuesday. The Lobos and the Aztecs share fifth place in the conference at 9-8, and the winner gets the coveted bye from the “play-in” round as the top five finishers in the standings are excused from openingnight play.
That gives Williams one more day to get into better shape, as well as re-establish a semblance of the chemistry the team had before the 6-foot-8 forward went down with
his injury. The Lobos struggled to replace his 17.9 points and
7 rebounds per-game consistency he gave them prior to the injury, struggling with scoring issues and defensive lapses during a 3-4 record in February.
Even Neal notes the difference in the team with Williams on the practice floor, much less a game.
“I don’t know what it is, but it’s definitely a factor having him come back,” Neal said. “We’re looking forward to him coming back, but if it’s two minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, however long it is. It’s his senior night and [Aget’s] senior night, so I am sure there will a lot of emotions. But he does bring confidence to everybody around him.”
Oh, and there’s that “rivalry” thing with San Diego State. The two programs shared a common bond in being the conference benchmarks for much of the last 10 years.
One of them won or shared the regular-season crown for eight straight seasons until this year and they combined for five straight MWC tournament titles from 2010 through 2014.
The Aztecs hold an 11-9 edge over New Mexico in the past 20 games and have four wins in The Pit, including the last two. SDSU is 7-4 in The Pit since the 2005-06 season.
UNM went into Viejas Arena and beat the Aztecs 68-62 on New Year’s Day, but San Diego State was without 6-10 junior forward Malik Pope (10.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG) and reserve wing Matt Shrigley (5.6 PPG).
Still, the Lobos needed to outscore SDSU 43-26 in the second half to erase a 36-25 halftime deficit.
The Aztecs’ strength, though, is their defense as they allow just 62.4 points per game — not a good matchup for a Lobos team that averaged 62.6 points during its current three-game losing streak.
In the last nine games with San Diego State, UNM averaged just 56 points.
“Tough opponent, really can guard,” Neal said. “We’ve had trouble scoring against them in the past, so we’re going to have to try to score the ball. Having Tim back helps with that. I think ti gives our guys some confidence.”
NOTES
Postseason plans for UNM: Expect UNM to accept if the National Invitational Tournament comes calling and definitely if it wins the MWC tournament and gets into the NCAA bracket. However, Neal said any of the pay-for-play tournaments (CBI, CIT, Vegas 16) are off the table.
Last season, UNM agreed to play in the CBI Tournament, but opted out after losing in the opening round of the conference tournament.
“I just don’t think our program is one of those programs that’s going to pay to play for wins,” Neal said. “Now if it’s the NIT, then yes. If we make the NCAAs, awesome. … I don’t think we’ll play in any pay-toplay tournament.”
Aget’s senior night: Neal said he was unsure if any members of Aget’s family, who live in Juba, South Sudan, will be on hand for Saturday’s senior festivities. He said some initial discussion about it, but was not aware of anything else.
“With the travel deal with Sudan, I’m not sure if that’s possible,” Neal said.
Aget is averaging 5.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game this season, and Neal spoke glowingly of the 7-1 center and his impact on the program and the coach.
“I think he’s had an unbelievable career from where he’s come from, how far he’s come as a player, how far he’s come as a person,” Neal said.
“That’s going to be difficult to see him go, but very fortunate to be involved in his life and very fortunate to see what he’s done with it.”