New Mexico Basketball

Obviously everyone should have noticed by now that New Mexico is a pretty good basketball team. They are 27-3, 13-2 in conference play and are now ranked 8th in the country. They also have won 13 straight after having lost their first 2 conference games. I think at the beginning of conference play everyone thought BYU was the clear cut best team in the MWC. I feel that way now about New Mexico. With New Mexico playing TCU to finish out the regular season this Wednesday, it looks like UNM will go to 28-3 on the season heading into the MWC Tournament.

If they win the conference tournament, then they will be 31-3 (14-2) and will have a shot at a 2 seed. Their resume is as follows:

Record: 31-3

Record vs. RPI Top 50: 8-2

Record vs. Ranked Opponents: 7-0

You can't predict RPI at this point, but I'm sure they'll be close to the top 5 RPI as right now their RPI is 7.

If the Lobos keep playing the basketball they have been, they should have a chance at a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, when the Committee looks at that record, the quality of opponents, the 17 game win streak, record vs. RPI top 50 and Ranked Opponents, they see a great team that could make some noise in the NCAA Tournament.

I don't think two MWC teams have ever met in the NCAA Tournament before, and this could be the year. With New Mexico, BYU, UNLV and SDSU all peaking at the right time, if they all can get in, they all can make it to the second round or sweet 16. We could possibly end up seeing maybe BYU and UNM matchup in the west region, whether for second round or sweet 16. If UNLV wins to the conference finals, they have a shot at being a 5 seed and SDSU making it in as a 13 seed where if they are in the same region, then they could meet up in the second round if SDSU is able to upset a 4 seed. It would be interesting to see how both teams would use the fact they are both in the same conference to their advantage... I can't wait to see the NCAA Tournament and hopefully see 4 MWC Teams in it.