In preseason, few had these games circled
Lobos-CSU ends up pairing contenders
Everyone who saw this firstplace showdown coming raise your hands.
In what may be a fitting matchup by 2020-21 standards, the University of New Mexico and Colorado State women’s basketball teams will battle for the Mountain West Conference lead Friday and Saturday in Fort Collins.
The Lobos (9-2, 6-2) and Rams (14-2, 10-2) feature two of the nation’s most productive offenses and are similar in several respects. Both teams are guard-driven, prefer a fast pace and rely heavily on 3-pointers.
Both have also exceeded expectations.
UNM and Colorado State finished with identical 6-12 conference records a season ago and ended up sharing ninth place. Both teams were offensively challenged, leading the Lobos to be picked sixth and the Rams
eighth in the 2020-21 Mountain West preseason poll.
Instead, here they are, vying with defending champ Fresno State for the league’s regular-season title. New Mexico has the MWC’s highest NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) ranking at 56, followed by CSU (74) and Fresno State (78).
“I think it’s very surprising,” UNM junior Ahlise Hurst said, “but you never know which teams can step up. CSU actually plays a lot like us and they’ve really improved on offense. It should be a good matchup.”
Lobos coach Mike Bradbury agreed, pointing out that UNM and CSU are “very similar” in terms of style and personnel. Bradbury believes the odd nature of this pandemic-influenced season allowed some teams to fly under the preseason radar, Colorado State included.
“With the season being delayed and people opting out and everything, I don’t think anyone really knew what to expect,” he said. “Now that you see who’s on Colorado State’s roster, it’s no surprise to see them winning. They’re a talented, well-coached team.”
Key additions have aided CSU’s turnaround, including point guard McKenna Hofschild and forward Karli Murphy, who transferred from Seton Hall and Green Bay, respectively. Both average doublefigure points, as do returnees Lore Devos and Tori Williams.
Likewise, UNM gained firepower from offseason additions LaTascya and LaTora Duff, who average a combined 23 points per game. LaTascya is one of five Lobos averaging double figures along with Hurst, Jaedyn De La Cerda, Antonia Anderson and Shaiquel McGruder. LaTora averages 9.82 points per game.
CSU and UNM also share the ball well and limit turnovers. The Rams rank fifth nationally in assist-toturnover ratio, while the Lobos rank 15th.
Then there are the 3-pointers. UNM takes and makes more, ranking second in 3s per game (10.4), but CSU converts at a much higher rate, ranking third in 3-point percentage (40.7).
“Colorado State’s offense is so efficient,” Bradbury said. “That’s what jumps out at me.”
Lobo sophomore Autumn Watts, a Colorado native, is well aware of the Rams — a team with five players from her home state, some of whom she faced in high school.
“I always look forward to playing CSU,” Watts said, “but especially this year. Both teams have really improved and now we’re playing for first place. These are the kind of games everyone wants to play. This should be fun.”