Cloudy, chance to reign
National magazines look at UNM’s prospects
The buzz isn’t what it once was for Lobo basketball, but the reality that hoops still gets top billing from most University of New Mexico sports fans remains.
And while access to the team remains limited for now, the Lobos do have their first official full practice of the season on Friday. Until then, there are some other ways fans can start to get their hoops fix.
In the past two weeks, the college basketball preview magazines started hitting newsstands nationwide. Three reviewed by the Journal — Lindy’s, Athlon and the Sporting News — have a similar theme for the Mountain West Conference season ahead and for the Lobos specifically.
Most notable in terms of the league race is all three select perennial contender San Diego State to again win the league crown and the Lobos and rising Nevada to be among their top challengers.
More specific to the Lobos, all three magazines list junior guard Elijah Brown, who is pictured on the cover of the Lindy’s regional edition, as the league’s best player.
UNM does get a mention in the national portion of Lindy’s, shining
light on how the fan base is viewed by some around the country.
In an article written by writer Devin Ugland titles “Scoping the Nation” and under the sub-section “Anger management,” Ugland writes: “New Mexico fans always seem to be upset about something, but their vitriol is much like UCLA’s in that it’s directed at the head coach — Craig Neal. Neal had a good first season post-Alford, but has since hovered around .500, which is completely unacceptable to the fanbase of a program that has never reached a Final Four.”
Should we tell Ugland the program hasn’t even reached a Sweet 16?
Anyway, here is more on the Lobos from each of the magazines: ATHLON Predicted MWC finish:2 Individuals: Brown player of year; Tim Williams, first team
Of note part 2: “Despite the transfer of point guard Cullen Neal, the coach’s son, to Ole Miss, the Lobos might have better chemistry without him, as he was a scapegoat for a lot of the team’s shortcomings last season.” LINDY’S
Predicted MWC finish: 3 Individuals: Brown, player of the year and most entertaining; Williams, first team; Connor MacDougall, best rebounder among newcomers
Of note: Under the “our call” section of the preview, Lindy’s writes: “Craig Neal’s seat won’t be quite as warm after New Mexico contends for the MW title.” THE SPORTING NEWS Predicted MWC finish:4
Individuals: Brown, ranked No. 1 in list of league’s top 10; Damien Jefferson, No. 3 top newcomer
Of note: “The middle of the Mountain West pack should see Utah State, New Mexico and Fresno State duke it out and try to position themselves to take a run in the conference tourney in Vegas come March.
New Mexico State Aggies
The first season under head coach Paul Weir brings with it some pressure in Las Cruces as not everyone is on board with thinking the Aggies will again win the league. ATHLON Predicted WAC finish: 1 Individuals: Ian Baker, first team
Of note: “The Aggies should again be among the league’s strongest teams, but after seeing their stranglehold on the league broken last season, getting it back won’t be easy.” LINDY’S
Predicted WAC finish: 3 Individuals: Baker, first team, most versatile, best NBA prospect; Johnathan Wilkins, second team
Of note: “The Canadianborn coach is tasked with returning New Mexico State to the NCAA Tournament after the Aggies fell short of the WAC Tournament championship for the first time since 2011.” THE SPORTING NEWS Predicted WAC finish: 1 Individuals: Baker, first team Of note: “If New Mexico State is showing signs of vulnerability, fellow Western Athletic Conference schools should exploit them as quickly as possible. … But until there’s a reason to believe otherwise, the smart money remains on the Aggies.”