PG- Greg Brown. [67] A highlight of Colson's first season was his fourth game as head coach, hosting an Arizona State team that would reach #3 in the nation led by future NBA players Byron Scott, Fat Lever, Alton Lister, and Sam Williams. They then won 11 of 12, taking the WAC lead into the last month of the season. The Lobos started out 8-6 in the non-conference, including a win against in-state rival New Mexico State where the game was delayed due to a power outage at Pan American Center. Road struggles kept the team from gaining momentum, a chronic problem as the Lobos went 843 in away games under McKay. The Lobos advanced to the NCAA tournament for the fourth straight season, garnering a nine-seed against Missouri. Lobo basketball first achieved national prominence under Bob King, who was previously an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Iowa. They lost to St. Louis in the semi-finals, then in overtime to Penn State in the consolation game to finish the season 2014. Long scored 1,840 points. [6] A decorated veteran who served in World Wars I and II, he was the UNM athletic director from 1920 to 1949. The highlight of the season was a 85-58 win over No. [185] The Lobos finished the season 277, Neal tallying the most wins ever for a first-year Lobo coach. [41] In late February the Lobos were 213, ranked #15, and leading the WAC, before losing their last two games and finishing second in conference. [48] "Coop" later became a mainstay of the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s, winning five NBA championships over a 12-year career. Colson later stated that he felt tremendous pressure to push the rules, and knew other coaches who were doing so and succeeding, but his personal integrity kept him from doing so, an attitude appreciated by his players. The team had relied heavily on its starters and was worn down with fatigue and injuries. (Credit: UNM men's basketball) Adam Kradle - Managing Editor of BVM Sports Updated: October 19, 2021 Media Guide 201314, pp.67,69,71,77,88. [7][17], University Arena opened in 1966 but was soon nicknamed "The Pit" due to its innovative subterranean design, with the playing floor 37 feet below street level. Colson's supporters pointed to the strong recruiting class he had coming in, arguing that his best teams were ahead of him, as well as to the integrity and academic success forged by Colson. [46] They rebounded to reach the final of the WAC tournament before losing at UNLV but still received a four-seed in the NCAA tournament. [191] He was dismissed from the team. As a player Alford had been a prolific scorer and two-time All-American at Indiana, winning a national championship, and earning an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. national team. Long averaged 23.9 points a game both his junior and senior seasons, earning all-WAC honors both seasons and all-American recognition in 1971. [2][46] The Lobos finished in the top five nationally in attendance 16 times in their first 20 years at The Pit, reaching second five times, and they were in the top ten all but one season through 2002. [61] Six players were dismissed from the team in the opening weeks of the 197980 season, and another was suspended. Misfortune turned to tragedy with the murder of former Lobo Patrick Dennehy leading to a scandal at Baylor implicating Dave Bliss and the suicide of Lobo transfer Billy Feeney. In 1992 the basketball court at The Pit was named "Bob King Court" in honor of the coach who made its construction possible. From 1924 to 1934, his teams posted a 10438 (.732) record. The success of the Lobos under Bob King led to rapidly growing fan interest. Uguak is a 6-foot-7 starting senior forward . The Lobos finished the season 285, their highest season win total and winning percentage to date. [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. Williams was named MWC Player of the Year, and Alford was named Coach of the Year.[23]. Facing Butler in the first round, the Lobos were already without an injured Olney when Gibson suffered a concussion and broken finger; Thomas again spent the game in foul trouble. [163] In the second round the hobbled Lobos could not keep up with athletic, fast-breaking Washington. UNM lost in the Mountain West Championship quarterfinals to Utah State. Media Guide 201314, pp.67,87. [72] Top ten-ranked UTEP foiled the Lobos, however, sweeping their regular season match-ups and knocking them out of the WAC tournament. [68] The callow Lobo squad led for much of the game, encouraged by a delirious crowd at The Pit. [23] The Lobos broke into the AP rankings at #21 and received a five-seed in the tournament, facing George Washington in the first round. [106], The 199394 Lobos were picked in preseason polls to finish fifth in the WAC after losing their three leading players to graduation. Nevertheless, they have won at least one game in six of their last nine appearances. They got into foul trouble and could not stop George Washington's strong inside game, falling in an upset and finishing the season 247. Shields again led with 19 points. Norman Dale Ellenberger (August 2, 1932 - November 15, 2015) was an American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach. [158], The 200809 Lobos mixed four veterans with young Alford recruits and were picked in the preseason to finish fifth in the MWC. The Lobos compiled a 2214 record in WAC conference tournaments, reaching the final six times and winning the championship twice. He oversaw construction of Carlisle Gymnasium in 1928 and Zimmerman Field in 1938, the first football stadium at UNM.[9]. 25The Sweet 16 thus far remains elusive to Lobo basketball. 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. [12][28] They swept their regular season match-ups against New Mexico State, with both teams ranked in the top ten at the time of their second game. This was short lived, however, and the Lobos went 3-11 to finish out the season. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Rusty Mitchell, who coached men's gymnastics at The University of New Mexico from 1966-99, passed away over the weekend at the age of 80. The Lobos averaged 63.7 ppg, their lowest output since 195859, while holding opponents to 59.2 ppg, the lowest since Bob King's early years. [226] In 1999, Roberts was inducted into the University of New Mexico Athletic Hall of Honor by the Alumni Lettermen's Association and received the Distinguished Service Award. The 197374 Lobos began the season 120, launching them to a #8 ranking. [116] Douglas was an explosive scorer and led the team with 16 points a game. Former Lobo men's basketball teammate George Scott recalls watching that game-winning dunk by 6-foot-1 Kelvin Scarborough over 6-8 Pat Durham: "Scar caught the ball at the opposite free throw. [34] It was Ellenberger's first Division I head coaching position, but he made up for what he lacked in experience with energy and enthusiasm. The Lobos got to 21-9 Tuesday by defeating. Several players left the team, some claiming abuse by Fraschilla. 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. They were upset in the first round by unranked Cal State Fullerton, however, in another disappointing tournament performance. [188], On April 1, 2017, Neal was dismissed as head coach after compiling a record of 7652 (.594).[189]. Petie Gibson. The Lobos built a 15-point lead early in the second half, but their shooting touch again disappeared, missing their last ten three-pointers. One team in the game will be named Team J.B. White in. [91][92] All had been Colson recruits, and Bliss reportedly flew to Australia to secure Longley's return to New Mexico. The team began the season 112 but lost four straight, struggling on the road. In 1999, Sports Illustrated ranked The Pit as one of the Top 20 Sporting Venues of the 20th Century. [102] Banks was named All-WAC and finished as Lobo career leader (now second) in three-point percentage. [74] The Lobos heated up in the MWC tournament, reaching the final but losing on a missed shot at the end of the game. In addition to Daniels, other prominent players produced by the Lobo program include five-time NBA champion Michael Cooper, three-time NBA champion Luc Longley, NBA all-star Danny Granger, and Kenny Thomas. The Lobos stood at 7-2 after losing to #10 Syracuse, then rattled off 14 straight wins, including a home-and-away sweep of #9 UNLV, pushing them into the national rankings and eventually into the top ten. [104] The team had relied heavily on three-point shooting, hoisting over 100 more attempts than in any previous season, making 39%. [213] On April 27, 2017, UNM asked WisePies to relinquish the naming rights, per the terms of the agreement, and WisePies agreed to do so. [181][182] Senior Cameron Bairstow had a breakout season, averaging 20 points and seven rebounds a game, achieving one of the best single-season improvements in school history. The university established basketball as a varsity sport in 1899 and began competing with regional colleges after establishing an athletics department in 1920. One stand-out was Kenny Page, a transfer from Ohio State. [7] Basketball was primarily an intramural sport, with occasional games against other schools, including Albuquerque High School, and no regular schedule. New Mexico joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) as a founding member before King's first season. Like Petie Gibson, Scarborough became a long-time coach in Albuquerque, at. UNM played their "home" games at various venues outside of New Mexico due to the restrictions against sports competitions from COVID-19 in New Mexico. [29] Longley was again named All-WAC and finished his career as Lobo leader in scoring and rebounding, falling since to sixth in points and second in rebounds. In 1992, UNM announced that the basketball court at University Arena would be named in honor of King. [154] Under McKay, J.R. Giddens had frequently missed games due to disciplinary problems. The scheme also employed a full-court pressing, trapping defense to generate points off of turnovers. Feb. 28Whatever happens next week in Las Vegas at the Mountain West Tournament and beyond, Lobo seniors Morris Udeze and Jaelen House made sure the final regular season impression their fans would have of them in the Pit would be a memorable one. [176] The Lobos lost on the road to ranked San Diego State and UNLV but beat both at home and won nine out of ten to clinch the league title. Media Guide 201213, p.120. [75][76] The team slipped to 65 before winning eight out of nine, gaining a share of the WAC lead. [223], Sportscaster Mike Roberts was the "Voice of the Lobos" on KKOB radio in Albuquerque from 1966 to 2008, becoming an icon among Lobo fans. [22] Gibson compiled career averages of over 11 points and seven assists per game, still holding UNM records for career assists per game and four other assists categories.[31][32]. Johnson coached the UNM basketball team for all but two seasons from 1920 to 1940. [86], Colson was forced to resign after the season ended, a move that remains somewhat controversial. The team began the season 83 but struggled away from The Pit, losing its first seven road games. J.J. Caldwell was also kicked off the team in January because of a domestic violence accusation. Howard led a young team, scoring 19.7 per game, with sophomores Willie Long and Petie Gibson beginning their runs as three-year starters. Williams hit a school-record 10 threes and scored 46 points at Colorado State, both MWC records. It was phased out during the '90s but has since become the signature cheer for Lobo fans. [175] The MWC enjoyed its best season to date with four teams achieving national rankings and five making the NCAA tournament. [50][51] Willie Howard was a talented inside player averaging 13 points and six rebounds a game, frequently providing explosive scoring off the bench. They lost in the first round to #14 Oklahoma State to finish 2010. The NCAA investigation into the scandal found 34 violations of recruiting rules, and the Lobo program was placed on probation and banned from post-season appearances for three years. [179][180] Neal played for Bobby Cremins at Georgia Tech, earning All-ACC honors as he set the conference record for assists in a season. [23] He averaged 16 points and five rebounds a game as a Lobo, also leading the team in assists and steals. Student. The Pittsburgh Steelers . The Lobos began the season 101, but youth caught up to them in league play and they went .500 the rest of the way. (Journal illustration) Rob Robbins'. [63] Bridgers had been replaced as AD the year before by John Koenig, who did not believe Colson could take the Lobos to the next level. Fraschilla resigned shortly after the season, concluding that "it was best for everyone that I leave."[138][140]. [133] He had left St. John's under murky circumstances, however, and worked as a broadcaster and scout during the preceding season. The Lobos won the conference basketball championship in 1944 and 1945, seasons with shortened schedules due to World War II. [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. He was named the first ABA Rookie of the Year in 1968, ABA Most Valuable Player in 1969 and 1971, and he led the Indiana Pacers to three ABA championships.[24]. Ellenberger served as interim head coach at UTEP for a period when Haskins was ill. Bobbi Roquemore. 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