ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KRQE) – There is no doubt that the level of talent has improved. Lobo men’s basketball is a team benefiting from competitive practices heading into the 2022-23 season. The addition of Wichita State transfer Morris Udeze and UMKC transfer Josiah Allick has definitely added size and muscle to a frontcourt that was typically battered last season. Throw in a solid freshman class, and the powerful backcourt duo of Jamal Mashburn Jr. and Jaelen House and the Lobos sound like a real contender.
Expectations are high among fans. Second-year head coach Richard Pitino speaks well of his team and remains cautiously optimistic. “There are still times when I sit there thinking, how are we going to beat a good team when we play like this? And, it’s little things like when a shot goes up, going out and coming back in transition or if your responsibility is to break the offensive glass, do you? I still think we have a way to go,” Pitino said.
The Lobos will give fans a preview of their team on Friday when they host their Cherry and Silver event at the Pit at 7 p.m.
In other sports news, New Mexico State men’s basketball is chosen to finish second in WAC Coaches and Media preseason polls. The Grand Canyon is favorite to win the 13-team league.
Before returning to the football field, the Lobos will work on being more disciplined. The Lobos were scored 11 times for 64 yards in a loss to New Mexico State over the weekend. “It’s hard enough to get the ball down the field, to score points,” UNM quarterback Miles Kendrick said. “So when we shoot ourselves in the foot, we’re just making it harder for ourselves, harder for our offense, and we’re giving the defense an advantage to do certain things because of the down and distance.” The Lobos host Fresno State on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Espanola, Legacy Academy, Miyamura and Menaul are in the Spirit Stick poll for Week 10. Fans have until noon Friday to head to KRQE.com to vote for their respective school. A winner will be announced on Friday Night Football on Fox New Mexico Friday at 11:05 p.m.
Lobo women’s soccer player Lelani Baker is Mountain West’s Offensive Player of the Week. Baker scored a goal in a pair of Lobo wins last week. Defending champions Mountain West are at Boise State on Thursday.
