Lobos 2020-21 Non Conference Slate Taking Shape

Someone once told me, as we were discussing New Mexico basketball schedules, that big named teams won’t come to Albuquerque very often anymore because they have nothing to gain and everything to lose. This conversation took place in 2010. Fast forward a decade and it that argument has come to fruition.

Looking back at last season’s schedule, there were no really big out of conference names on it outside of the traditional rivalry games against New Mexico State and UTEP. No more Arizona’s, Wake Forest’s, Tennessee’s making the trip. It appears that the bigger colleges are indeed shying away from playing in The Pit.

Earlier this week the Lobos 2020-21 non-conference schedule came out, and while some dates are still to be determined, one thing again stands out: no Power Conference Teams coming to Albuquerque. However, it still leaves some intriguing matchups for the season.

Schedule Notes:

The season will begin with a scrimmage. Contractually the Lobos owe Portland State a scrimmage after the Vikings came last season for one. The date of that scrimmage has yet to be determined. The NCAA does allow for a second preseason contest, or scrimmage, but UNM has yet to say whether, or not, they plan on having a second one.

From there the regular season will begin on November 11^th with a visit from New Mexico Highlands. The Lobos will also take part in the Mountain West/Atlantic 10 Challenge this season by hosting St. Bonaventure on December 2^nd.

The Lobos will also take part in the Las Vegas Invitational this season. UNM will play three contests for the Vegas Invitational, one at The Pit and two in Las Vegas. The Vegas part of the Invitational will involve four teams. Right now, those teams are: New Mexico, DePaul, Santa Clara and a team to be named later. The first matchup in Vegas for the Lobos has yet to be named as well. The Vegas Invitational portion of the schedule will be on November 26^th and 27^th.

Tentative Out of Conference Schedule:

With many dates still to be determined, this schedule will of course change, but for now this is what it looks like out of conference wise for the 2020-21 season:

Nov. 11^th…..New Mexico Highlands

Nov. 21^st…..New Mexico State

Nov. 26^th-27^th….Las Vegas Invitational

Dec. 2^nd……St. Bonaventure

Dec. 5^th……@ New Mexico State

Dec. 20^th…..UC-Davis

Dec. 23^rd….Loyola-Marymount

Games that yet to have dates:

Abilene Christian

UTEP

@ Grand Canyon

Las Vegas Invitational Home Game: Team Yet To Be Determined

The Lobos will have 18 Mountain West Conference games this season with nine games at home and nine games on the road. The Mountain West Conference Tournament is scheduled to be back in its normal place during March, beginning the Tuesday prior to Selection Sunday, and ending the day before Selection Sunday. So, more than likely there will be no conference games mixed in with non-conference contests like there was last season.