PHOTO: Fresno State had plenty to celebrate — and chuckle at — during the second half of its win against UNM on Feb. 2. But the Bulldogs have to play at the Pit on Saturday, so the Lobos could have the last laugh. Starting tonight (Feb. 13) against lowly San Jose State, the Lobos have a very favorable schedule down the stretch. (ESPN)
By Hayden Armstrong
For Enchantment Sports
You know the saying “you can only go up from here”? Well that’s exactly my prediction for the last seven games of the Lobos’ season.
After being dismantled in a vengeful fashion, 91-62, by sixth-ranked Nevada on Saturday, the rest of the season should be much easier for the Lobos (10-13, 4-7 MWC).
Starting tonight (Feb. 13) in the Pit against dismal San Jose State, wins should be there for the taking for New Mexico.
And after tonight, the Lobos get a bonus! They play the Spartans again before the regular season ends. Toss in some other favorable match-ups, and there’s a real shot the Lobos can get on a roll before next month’s Mountain West Conference tournament.
UNM’s final games could become the Magnificent Seven:
Vs. SJSU (3-19, 0-10) {Feb. 13}
Vs. Fresno State (17-6, 8-3)
Vs. Colo. State (9-16, 4-8)
@ Utah State (18-6, 8-3)
@ San Jose State (3-19, 0-10)
Vs. Boise State (11-13, 6-5)
@ Wyoming (6-17, 2-8)
Being blatantly honest, everyone knows that the Lobos should beat San Jose State, twice, with no problems. Every other team in the league has.The Spartans lost their best player from last year, Ryan Welage, who transferred to Xavier during the offseason.
With Welage, the Spartans were bad enough. Without him, they are one of the worst teams in the nation. They should provide a couple of confidence boosts for New Mexico.
Fresno State visits the Pit on Saturday, UNM gave the Bulldogs a game for 30 minutes in Fresno before losing 82-70 earlier this month. Even during a down year like this, it’s still the Pit.
In addition, we all know anyone — save San Jose State — can beat anyone in this conference, as is.
You could make the argument that the the Lobos have their work cut out for them in Logan, when they take on Utah State. Still, the Lobos were a blown call and a blown defensive stand away from beating the Aggies a few weeks ago (Utah State won 68-66 in the Pit).
Colorado State and Boise State at home and Wyoming on the road?
Those should all be Lobo victories.
Overall, there is still hope for the end of the season as we near the conference tournament — and, possibly, a postseason tournament. Of course, the only way the latter will happen, is if the Lobos are able to keep Anthony Mathis from running the point, and having Keith McGee or Drue Drinnon step up and take over that position.
Not all is lost in my opinion, but at the same time this team has been anything but predictable this season.
Hang in there Lobo fans!
Hayden Armstrong was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, graduated from La Cueva High School in 2016, and is currently a student at the University of New Mexico. Hayden has been a die-hard Lobo fan since birth, attending his first basketball game at not even a year old. Email Hayden at EnchantmentSportsNM@gmail.com.
Hayden currently works as an intern for the popular sports and pop culture blog, Barstool Sports. He serves as a student correspondent of UNM for the “College Viceroy Program” at Barstool Sports. Providing a student’s point of view for all things UNM.
For more, follow Hayden on Instagram and Twitter.
IG: @hayden.armstrong @barstoollobos
Twitter: @h10armstrong @BarstoolLobos
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