Smith is now second in career assists and third in career steals. Former New Mexico Lobo men's basketball standout Rob Robbins, left, and his daughter, Hannah, a rising star on the Arizona prep scene, are shown. [21] The Lobos started 111, losing at Texas Tech but beating #11 Arizona and rising to #11 themselves. The Lobos, Aggies, and Miners played one another twice every season, home-and-away, and a fierce rivalry grew among them. In 1957, while still on faculty, Johnson oversaw construction of the 7,800-seat arena that bears his name, Johnson Gymnasium. Under Norm Ellenberger, the Lobos won WAC championships in 1974 and 1978 and compiled an overall record of 13462 (.684). [44] The Lobos earned their second trip to the NCAA tournament and tallied their first tournament victory, downing Idaho State before losing to San Francisco in the second round. [12] The Lobos won as many games in his first two seasons as in the previous seven combined and went 11644 (.725) over his first six seasons. They then lost five of six to finish in a tie for third. [66] Harrison and his players gained fan appreciation for persevering under difficult circumstances, but he served primarily as a caretaker until a new head coach was named. 197374 Western Athletic Conference season Summary, Johnson had established the school record at 46 points earlier in the season before his 50-point performance, which broke the WAC conference single-game record and earned him the. [142][148] They won 12 of 13 after Granger returned, however, winning the MWC tournament final over #15 Utah and receiving a 12-seed in the NCAA tournament. The Lobos swept #8 New Mexico State, with Gibson hitting a memorable last-second shot in the latter game, leading to a brief return to the national rankings. Gordon had 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Williams added 16 with two late baskets to seal the win. The Lobos have enjoyed exceptional success at The Pit, winning over 80 percent of their games and mounting home-winning streaks of over 20 games four times, with the longest of 41 straight in 199698. Coach King died on December10, 2004. [104], The 199293 Lobos had an experienced core with Williams, Logan, and Jaxon returning as seniors. [87] Former UNM AD John Bridgers believed Colson had never received the full support of the Lobo community. Media Guide 201213, pp.76,89. Fraschilla resigned shortly after the season, concluding that "it was best for everyone that I leave."[138][140]. The Lobos had four starters returning in 1985-86 until Greene was injured in the preseason. The team played exceptional defense, allowing under 60 points per game, its fewest in the shot clock era, placing among national leaders in several categories. Lobo, at 6'4", played the center position for much of her career. Lobo's championship streak with the national team in 1977 included a basketball crown in the Pesta Sukan league in Genting Highlands, Malaysia, as well as the Southeast Asian Games men's title in . Student-athletes from both men's and women's squads participate and sign autographs for fans, and the event is used to attract recruits invited to attend. Fraschilla had lost the team: nine players had left the program or been dismissed during his tenure. [60][63] In 1986, former rival and longtime friend Don Haskins hired Ellenberger as his lead assistant at UTEP, where he would coach for four years. The Lobos rose to #8 in the polls and won the MWC title. Shields again led with 19 points. They faltered down the stretch though and finished 168, completing the team's best four-year stretch in nearly forty seasons. The plucky squad lacked depth, but its veterans found ways to win, building a 164 record. 1Perfection really is the enemy of the good. A cause of death was not made public. Thomas was held to his worst game as a Lobo, scoring just one point. Updated: Feb 27, 2023 / 01:50 PM MST. [209] The video clip of NC State coach Jim Valvano celebrating at the end of the game documents one of the most famous moments in NCAA basketball history and is a staple of NCAA tournament television coverage.[5]. Former UNM assistant Brandon Mason announced on Tuesday the return of a Lobo alumni all-star game to be played July 11 in the Pit. [122][123] Thomas averaged 17 points and nine rebounds, Shields 17 points and seven rebounds, and Long 14. Long scored 1,840 points. [26] New Mexico State hired Lou Henson as head coach in 1966, and like the Lobos under King, in his second season the Aggies began achieving national rankings and post-season tournament appearances. Thomas tallied 1,931 points and 1,032 rebounds in his career, the first player in WAC history with over 1,800 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 200 blocked shots. Gethro Muscadin, the former University of New Mexico Lobo basketball player who had been hospitalized since being in a single-vehicle crash 10 months ago in Kansas, died Monday night. New Mexico joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) as a founding member before King's first season. Stats from Negro League teams from 1920 to 1948 are now counted in MLB records. They compiled a 10230 (.772) record while making the NCAA tournament and winning in the first round all four years. [43] After a string of road losses, the Lobos recovered to win six of seven and secure the WAC championship in a strong season for the league when five of eight teams were ranked at some point. The other team will have numerous other former Lobos and other players from around New Mexico. [77][78] Scott was lost to graduation, Greene sat out the season injured, and the inexperienced team struggled badly on the road. [88] Colson's teams had gone 10762 (.633) in his last five seasons, but his failure to win the conference or to make the NCAA tournament were common criticisms. [35] The 197576 team improved to 1611 with a largely mercenary squad of JC transfers who would later quit the team before the end of the season. The success of the program continued after King departed, winning WAC titles in 1974, 1978, and 1994, winning the conference tournament in 1993 and 1996, and regularly earning post-season tournament bids. The Lobos appeared in the NAIA Basketball tournament one time with a record of 01. Gibson later taught in the Albuquerque Public School system for more than three decades, gaining recognition as a mentor and role model, and he was named to the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. Following a familiar pattern, the Lobos fell behind early then battled back. March 1, 2003. [74] The Lobos beat a good Arizona team before losing a close game to #1 Georgetown, led by Patrick Ewing, the first time the Lobos had faced a top-ranked opponent. [198][199][200] A study of decibel levels at collegiate basketball arenas found that a game at The Pit registered as the loudest at 118 decibels,[201] comparable to a turbo-fan aircraft at takeoff power. [7] In 1928 Coach Roy Johnson organized construction of Carlisle Gymnasium, seating about 1,500 spectators with later additions doubling that figure, and in 1957 Johnson Gymnasium opened, with a capacity of 7,800. [129] He was selected as the 22nd pick in the first round of the 1999 NBA draft by Houston and played for 11 seasons in the NBA.[130]. [202] Noise levels up to 125 decibels have been measured, close to the pain threshold for the human ear. [109] The team was undefeated at home in conference and won a key road game at BYU to seal the league championship, led by a torrent of points from Brown. Nevertheless, they have won at least one game in six of their last nine appearances. Fraschilla felt he had his system and recruits in place going into the 200102 season, and Lobo fans were eager for the team to return to the NCAA tournament. [221] The noise level of the boisterous fans, the intimacy created by seating extending to the edge of the court, and the elevation contribute to what Coach Dave Bliss termed "a Pit game. Media Guide 201314, pp.67,87. [147] The young squad showed promising signs early but struggled in conference to finish 1414. King transformed a moribund program into a consistent winner and produced future ABA MVP Mel Daniels. [186] Bairstow was named second-team All-American by Sports Illustrated. The highlight of the season was a 85-58 win over No. He also holds the team record for assists in a game (21). The last Lobo men's basketball game played in the Pit was Feb. 29, 2020. . He was selected as the 30th pick in the first round of the 2008 NBA draft by Boston. The highlight of the season was a 75-66 win over No. UNM released a statement on February 26, 2021, they will part ways with Weir at the end of the 202021 season. The Lobos lost three tough road games but beat #4 Utah in The Pit, pushing them to a #9 ranking they went 180 at home for the season. For yearly records and game results from 1899 to 1962, 202223 New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team, Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association, List of New Mexico Lobos men's basketball seasons, A Perfect Storm: The 197778 New Mexico Lobos, 198081 Arizona State Sun Devils Roster and Stats, 198081 Pacific-10 Conference Season Summary, 198384 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, 198687 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, 199495 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, 200708 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, 201112 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, New Mexico Lobo Men's Basketball 201112 Season Review, Mountain West Announces 201314 Men's Basketball All-Conference Awards, Craig Neal Relieved of Duties as Mens Basketball Coach, "Lobos hire NMSU's Paul Weir as next men's basketball coach", "Month by month: A dreary 2020 for sports on most fronts in New Mexico - Albuquerque Journal", "Female UNM athlete shot at NE ABQ party - Albuquerque Journal", "Lobo basketball suspends JaQuan Lyle for house party, shooting incident", "A timeline of JaQuan Lyle's wild, tumultuous college basketball journey", "New Mexico turns the lights out on New Mexico State in 101-94 rivalry win", UNM asks WisePies to relinquish Pit naming rights, Dream deal for UNM nets $10 million over 10 years, "The 'dream' is over: UNM, Dreamstyle naming right agreement ends", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Mexico_Lobos_men%27s_basketball&oldid=1135196029, Sporadic games, six in 1908 most for one year, Carlisle Gym opens, regular schedule established, Johnson, 10438 (.732) from 1924 to 1934; 13773 (.652) after 1936; 2873 (.277) in last four seasons, Clements, 4119 (.683) from 1944 to 1947, 72100 (.419) thereafter, Pre-Border Conference: 14570 (.674) from 1899 to 1931, Border Conference: 205235 (.466) from 1931 to 1951, Skyline Eight: 70195 (.264) from 1951 to 1962, Total Win/Loss (18892017): 15001110 (.575), 4 Steve Alford (MWC: 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), 7 Dave Bliss (1991, 199394, 199699), 47 record in NCAA tournament, This page was last edited on 23 January 2023, at 05:57. Because the playing surface is 37 feet below grade, students nicknamed the arena "The Pit," and the nickname stuck. Whether he's scoring 46 against Colorado State or facing New Mexico State at The Pit, Williams never disappointed Lobo Nation with his exciting style of play. They led the WAC in overall winning percentage over the 17-season span from 1962 to 1979, posting a won-loss record of 328161 (.671). Gary injured his knee in the game, a sad career end for a four-year starter and steady leader. They went to the NIT and beat South Florida before losing at eventual champion Wake Forest, finishing 1814. [133][138] The Lobos started the season 122, with an overtime win at Sweet 16-bound Gonzaga, but a blowout loss at #1 Stanford began a 16 slump, including several poor road performances. [191] Also in January, JaQuan Lyle hosted a party at an Airbnb where two people were shot, one of which was a UNM female athlete. 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