Lobos have narrow margin for error

Recoverability. Some teams have it. The Lobos don’t.

When The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team, which hosts Utah State in The Pit on Valentine’s night, turns the ball over it doesn’t have the athletes on hand to get back and defend the rim the way others can.

That was the determination of head coach Paul Weir this week, calling his team’s get-back defense in transition is a point of emphasis. The lack of said defense was what scorched the Lobos in an ugly 100-92 loss at Air Force last weekend, one in which the Falcons — whose tallest player is listed at just 6-foot-7 — had 20 dunks or layups.

It has led to a natural question about Weir’s depth and overall team chemistry. The lack of a viable rim protector and overall skill at the off-guard positions makes for a touchy combination on defense.

Weir was asked about possibly narrowing his regular rotation to his top eight players now that the team is finally back to full strength for the first time in over a month. All 10 scholarship players are healthy and suspensionfree for Wednesday’s game, a far cry from the last time UNM faced Utah State on Jan. 31 when just six players were available.

The last two weeks have seen the return of suspended players Troy Simons and Sam Logwood, an injury to Vlad Pinchuk and one-game suspensions issued to Joe Furstinger and Antino Jackson. All five are back in the mix, but the fact remains that the team hasn’t been the same since Logwood and Simons returned Feb. 3. The Lobos have dropped two straight and three of four, falling from third place to a tie for sixth with just five games remaining in the regular season.

“I think anybody could make a case that the on-court chemistry is, you know, a work in progress,” Weir said. “I think that’s something we have to continue to work on that really falls at my feet.”

He said if he had to do it all over again, he’d make the same moves that called for certain players to sit for disciplinary reasons because he’s trying to instill a program of strong character both on and off the court.

At times he has had issue with players’ attitudes, with bad body language on the court and short fuses in times of duress.

“I still feel as though these young men are my responsibility, they’re my duty of care and I have to do what I think is right for their own growth and development,” Weir said. “If at times it hurts the team, that’s just the way it’s going to be. Now that