The Lobos had one of their best season ever in terms of wins by racking up 30 this year. New Mexico was expected to be good, but not even the most die hard fans expected 30 wins and a top 10 ranking. The season did not end as hopeful for the Lobos as they lost to San Diego State in the MWC semi-finals, and they were upset by 11th seeded Washington in the round of 32.
Besides the end of season woes the Lobos were exceptionally good by having winning a pair of ten plus game winning streaks, and that early season loss to Oral Roberts is still baffling to me. The obvious reason for that loss is due to the Lobos playing to the level of their competition: good or bad.
The best news came in the past week where Steve Alford was awarding with a fat contract extension which should keep his name out of the Oregon job and others for at least another season. Well unless he runs of 30 plus wins and has a deep tourney run in which a team will back up the Brinks truck to lure him away.
The Lobos had the best player -- according to coaches and media -- in Darirngton Hobson as well as Dairese Gary and Ramon Martinez who made the all-conference team. A notable item for the Lobos was that The Pit was under construction for the entire season yet the crowds were still big -- even when bathrooms and concessions were outside -- for a record of 17-1.
New Mexico has always been a solid program, but Steve Alford is making the Lobos a national name on the scene, and Iowa is pretty much kicking themselves since Alford left with a decent 17-14 record but was fired. Now, they just hired the coach who replaced Alford last week for consecutive losing seasons.
The team has a bright future especially if Hobson stays for his senior season as the Lobos do lose third team All-League player Roman Martinez, but the future looks good at New Mexico.