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New Mexico's loss to Harvard was a devestating blow to their fanbase, and of course some fans took it harder than others. However, one particular fan/journalist took it way over the edge and pretty much gave up on the Lobos after their shocking loss to Harvard.
The writer is Dennis Latta who writes for LoboLand.com, a team site for Rivals, and his final article was him giving up being a fan of this team. Latta has been a fan and covered New Mexico for 33 years, but the loss to Harvard drove him over the edge.
It is an interesting read about someone who is a fan and veteran of covering the team just exploded after the loss. Here are some of the highlights:
I really thought that the University of New Mexico finally had a men's basketball team that earned the loyalty of their fans.
[...]
But I won't be wrong again. It was a lot easier to take when expectations were lower. Losing was acceptable because UNM had almost always lost when it really counted. You didn't have visions of greatness, only to have them dashed. After the pitiful performance UNM put up against a team that doesn't even offer scholarships, I've given up. Having all five starters back next season means nothing on a team that can just disappear like that. I'd be back to wondering when it would collapse, have a terrible game and lose to an inferior team again.
No, I've had it. I've been to my last Lobo basketball game after covering the team for much of the last 33 years.
Good-bye Lobo basketball.
Seeing your team have so much hope and then floundering is a big deal, but to give up on a team after three decades of following them so closely. New Mexico had faltered in the NCAA tournament over the past few years, but a fan should not just give up on his team. I kind of hope that New Mexico goes on a massive run next season -- they do return all five starters -- in the NCAA tournament.
Not to go too off topic, but I was a Houston Oilers fan and and did not give up on the team after they blew a 35-3 lead to the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs, and with a backup quarterback. The Oilers eventually lost 41-38 which is still the largest comeback in the playoffs. I was just a 9-year-old at the time, but none of my family or dad gave up on the team after that loss. Gotta follow your team no matter what, at least that is my take on the subject.