Lobos Stay Alive in Fight for NCAA Tournament
by bhsmarine on Mar 10, 2011 5:18 PM PST
in New Mexico Basketball
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The New Mexico Lobos took their first big step in keeping their chances at a NCAA birth alive when they beat the CSU Rams 67-61 in the first round of the MWC tournament. The Lobos were lead in scoring by Kendall Williams with 16 points and Drew Gordon added a double double with 13 points and rebounds. The Lobos pulled away late on a big shot by Cameron Bairstow that put the Lobos up 4 with less the a minute to play.
The Rams were led by none other then Andy Ogide with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Wes Eikmeier and Dorian Green added 14 and 13 points respectively. The Rams had two starters in Travis Franklin and Greg Smith who failed to score a point and had as many turnovers and rebounds with three.
What I saw of the game was the final 4 minutes as I sat down at a bar after work. From that point on you saw the disparity in the two teams. The Rams were out rebounded, had more turnovers, and had less options on offense. The Rams looked desperate on offense while the Lobos looked confident. The huge shot by Bairstow was all that was right with the Lobos and wrong with the Rams down the stretch.
The Lobos took a big step tonight and will need a huge one tomorrow as they face #1 BYU. They did win the season series against BYU and would look prime for a NCAA tournament bid if they can beat them once more.
As for the Rams they look like a middle bid NIT team depending on how many regular season league winners get booted from their own conference tournaments and into the NIT. Best case scenario the Rams get to host a game and pull in some revenue and make a run at the NIT for recruiting purposes. They could be joined by the Lobos depending how their MWC tournament goes.
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Another tough game with CSU...
Lobos and Rams are so evenly matched. Either team could have won. Of course I’m glad the Lobos pulled through. Gordon’s game continues to be huge. Another double/double. He’s like a magnat when it comes to rebounds. Kendall’s play was crucial. He stepped up when we needed him. I like Gordon and Hardeman in the line up together. Hardeman is also playing really well. I think Gordon’s presence has helped him step up his game. Dariese struggled yesterday, but he’s such a warrior. Diving for balls, driving the lane, manning up on defense … basically, just giving it his all by sacraficing his body.
Next up, BYU. Should be another physical game. Can’t do much about Fredette, but Lobos have GOT to STOP the other four players on the floor. GO LOBOS!!!
I can't help but wonder
what another win over BYU would look like. But don’t count on another 82-64 blowout.
Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers were all about. They didn't do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another.---Vince Lombardi
by bluesyourdaddy on Mar 11, 2011 7:47 AM PST up reply actions
IF UNM beats BYU again,
then they would get serious consideration for an at-large bid. But no guarantees. There can’t be any upsets in other conference tournaments, which is a tall order. That’s why they call it March Madness. Anyway, there is always hope.
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