Open Announce

Lobos Host Long-Time Rival #23 Arizona Saturday

New Mexico vs #23 Arizona
Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017 – 6 p.m.
Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit (Capacity: 15,411)
WHITE OUT

TV: CBS Sports Network
(CBSSportsNetwork.com for channel listing)
Radio: 770 KKOB-AM Lobo Radio Network

UNM NOTES | ARIZONA NOTES | LISTEN | LIVE STATS | TICKETS

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team will face one of its oldest rivals in program history on Saturday as the Lobos host the No. 23 Arizona Wildcats in Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit at 6 p.m.

The meeting will mark the 127th in program history including Arizona’s first trip to Albuquerque since Jan. 16, 1999 when the Lobos claimed a 79-78 victory. UNM and Arizona have played 126 games, ranking sixth in Lobo history for most games against an opponent in the series that dates back to 1916-17 season.

UNM enters the matchup 3-7 on the season despite close games against tough opponents such as Colorado, NMSU and TCU. The Lobos are led by a trio of players on the roster scoring in double digits on the season including Chris McNeal (13.3) and Anthony Mathis (10.6). Senior Sam Logwood, who could be out Saturday, leads the team with 14.9 points per game. 

Arizona is on a four-win streak and sits at 7-3 overall. The Wildcats are led by a pair of players averaging over 20 points per game including junior Allonzo Trier (22.3) and 7-foot-1 freshman Deandre Ayton (20.5).

LOBOS IN THE NATION
The Lobos are performing well in many categories in comparison to the rest of the nation’s teams. Here is a look at where the Lobos stack up nationally in key categories:
7th – turnovers forced (20.30)
8th – turnover margin (6.3)
13th – 3-point field goals per game (11.1)
18th – total 3-pointers made (111)
45th – total steals (84)

LOBOS IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
The Lobos are ranked highly in the Mountain West in several statistical categories, including 15 in the top five. Below are just a few of the top spots UNM holds in the MW:
1st – free-throw percentage (74.4)
1st – steals per game (8.4)
1st – turnover margin (6.3)
1st – turnovers forced (20.30)

SERIES HISTORY
History between the Lobos and the Wildcats dates back to February 1, 1917 when the Lobos earned a 28-19 victory in Albuquerque. UNM suffered a 77-46 loss last season under previous head coach Craig Neal on the road in Tucson on Dec. 20, 2016. Prior to that meeting, the Lobos and the Wildcats had not faced off since Dec. 21, 1999 on the road when UNM won 70-68.

The last time Arizona made the trip The Pit was on Jan. 16, 1999 when the Lobos handed the Wildcats a one-point loss, 79-78. 

Overall, Arizona leads the series 84-42. At home, UNM is 31-34 against the Wildcats, but the Lobos are 14-5 against Arizona in The Pit.

THE COACHES
UNM head coach Paul Weir enters the game 3-7 in his first season at the helm of the Lobos, 31-13 in his career. The Wildcats are led by Sean Miller in his ninth season at Arizona. Miller has led the squad to a 227-69 mark over the past nine seasons and is 347-116 in his career.
 
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Saturday’s game will be available to watch live on CBS Sports Network. For channel listings for your area, visit CBSSportsNetwork.com. Fans can also follow live via live stats (click here) or fans can also listen in on the radio. Robert Portnoy and former Lobo Hunter Greene will be on the call on 770 KKOB-AM/94.5 FM (click here to listen).