March 6, 2006
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Game 30 New Mexico vs. UNLV
Mountain West Conference Tournament
Thursday, March 9 2:35 p.m. MST UPN 50
Pepsi Center Denver, Colo.
Postseason play gets underway this week as New Mexico (17-12, 8-8 MWC) faces UNLV (16-12, 10-6 MWC) Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Conference Tournament. Game time is 2:35 p.m. MST from the Pepsi Center in Denver. ESPN+Plus will show Thursday’s game live with local availability on UPN 50. The telecast will also be part of the ESPN FullCourt package.
New Mexico is the defending conference tournament champions. UNM dispatched BYU, San Diego State and 15th-ranked Utah last year to cap off a nine-game winning streak and earn the school’s first NCAA Tournament berth in six years. It was UNM’s third conference tournament title.
The Lobos are the No. 5 seed in this year’s tourney, exactly where they were picked to finish in the MWC preseason poll. In 22 years of conference tournaments, UNM has drawn a 5 seed five times. The all-time record as a No. 5 is 2-5, 0-1 in the MWC. The Lobos have lost their first game three times as a 5 seed, including a 55-53 decision to UNLV two years ago in Denver.
UNLV, predicted to finish third in the league standings, is seeded fourth. Thursday’s winner will play the winner of league-champ San Diego State vs. the winner of Tuesday’s play-in game between Colorado State and TCU Friday at 7 p.m.
New Mexico closed the regular season with a 76-68 defeat at BYU last Saturday. Buoyed by unforeseen 3-point proficiency, UNM hung tough with the Cougars and led 62-60 with 4:30 left. BYU, however, scored the next 14 points to put it away. Despite missing two starters, UNLV got past TCU 72-61.
UNM’s last four games of the regular season were played against the top four teams in the conference. The Lobos went 1-3 in those games. Not surprising, the Lobos had a 6-2 record against teams that finished below them in the standings, but just 2-6 against those that finished higher.
UNM VS. UNLV – UNLV has a 19-12 lead in a series that started Jan. 17, 1976. The Lobos have won three of the past four, but the Rebels have taken eight of the past 11. Ritchie McKay started 0-9 in his career against UNLV until last year’s sweep. New Mexico has never beaten the Runnin Rebels in a conference tournament game, going 0-3:
Each team won on its home floor this year. After taking a one-point lead, the Lobos did not score in the final 5:03 of a 67-56 loss at Las Vegas. Last week in The Pit, New Mexico held the Rebels to 24% shooting from the field in a 47-39 victory. That tied for UNLV’s lowest point total in school history.
In MWC games only, the Lobos and Rebels ranked 1-2 in field goal percentage defense. After ranking last in the league through the first 10 games at 48.6%, UNM finished 1st, allowing 42.8%. The Rebels were a shade behind at 43.3%.
UNM has made a 3-point basket in 515 straight games, the 12th-longest active streak in NCAA Div. I hoops. UNLV is 1st at more than 615.
The Runnin Rebels will be without starting point guard Jason Petrimoulx, who is out with a broken foot suffered in the second half of last week’s game at The Pit. Additionally, senior forward Louis Amundson did not play in Saturday’s victory over TCU. Amundson was sidelined with a sprained right ankle, also suffered in the second half against the Lobos. He is averaging 14.7 points and 8.7 rebounds. Amundson had 27 points and 14 boards in 62 minutes against UNM this year. Junior G Michael Umeh has been out since last month.
LOBO NITTY-GRITTY – Mark Walters and Air Force’s Jacob Burtschi are the only players in the MWC to rank in the top-20 in points, rebounds, assists and steals
The Lobos have a 43-19 record the past two seasons, the most wins among Mountain West Conference schools…Utah is 42-20
The Lobos’ 43 wins the past two seasons are the most in consecutive years since gathering 43 in 1998-99 (25) and 1999-00 (18)
Likewise, UNM’s 18 victories in MWC play are the most in back-to-back conference campaigns since winning 18 in 1998-99 (9 in the WAC) and 1999-00 (9 in MWC)
The Lobos are guaranteed their 22nd non-losing season – and 20th winning record – in the past 23 years…New Mexico’s only sub-.500 record since 1983-84 was 10-18 in 2002-03
New Mexico is seeking its 28th postseason appearance since the first showing in the 1964 NIT…the Lobos have missed postseason just three times since 1984…UNM has made the NCAA Tournament 11 times and the NIT on 16 occasions
Thanks to a tenacious defense the past six games, the Lobos led the MWC in FG percentage defense in conference games only, at 42.8%…that’s a dramatic turnaround from the first 10 MWC contests when UNM was allowing 48.6%, worst in the league
The past six games, New Mexico is allowing an average of 54.3 points a game…opponents have shot just 34% (110-323) from the field, including 31% (35-112) from 3-point, in that span
The Lobos haven’t been much better offensively, averaging 54.5 ppg and shooting 41% from the floor, 29.7% (35-118) from beyond the arc
David Chiotti has become just the eighth Lobo to reach 1,100 points and 600 boards
Chiotti is the sole interior player in the MWC who ranks in the top-20 in assists…the 6-9 senior is No. 17 with 69, or 2.38 a game…surprisingly, he has more assists than any other Lobo the past 7 games, with 29
A fitting accomplishment for teammates and roommates, Mark Walters and David Chiotti each gained admttance into UNM’s 1,000-point club Jan. 14 at Wyoming…the last time two Lobos reached 1,000 points in the same season, let alone the same game, was Luc Longley and Rob Robbins in 1989-90
Walters could enter a more exclusive club, that of 1,000 points and 500 rebounds…there are presently 13 members with Chiotti the most recent addition…Walters is 21 caroms shy
Walters ranks No. 2 in MWC history with 153 career steals…UNLV’s Marcus Banks had 158 from 2001-03
TRUE STUDENT-ATHLETES – All four current Lobo seniors will graduate either at the end of the spring semester or in December. Kris Collins (University Studies), David Chiotti (Communications) and Mark Walters (University Studies) will get their sheepskins in May, while Jeff Hart (Physical Education/Athletic Training) should finish in December.
Of the 11 Lobos that have completed their eligibility since Ritchie McKay took over the UNM program four years ago, eight have, or are expected to, receive their diplomas. The other three – Ruben Douglas, Danny Granger and Javin Tindall – are all playing professional basketball at some level, Granger with the Indiana Pacers.
The men’s basketball team combined for a 2.82 grade point average during the 2005 fall semester. That’s the third highest semester GPA by the program since UNM began charting grades in the fall of 1988, and the highest since a 2.86 in the spring of 1998.
GOV. RICHARDSON MAKES FINANCIAL PLEDGE TO PIT RENOVATION – New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson announced at a news conference Jan. 28 that he is pledging $15 million to improving athletics facilities at the University of New Mexico. The focal point of Richardson’s capital outlay is an $8 million down payment for the renovation and modernization of The Pit/Bob King Court. The venerable arena is currently in its 40th year of existence.
Additionally, Richardson said $6 million will be provided to construct an indoor workout complex for Lobo football and other Olympic sports, while $1 million is targeted to build lockerrooms and meetings rooms for men’s and women’s soccer.
The preliminary scope of work at The Pit includes the expansion of the north, east and west concourses. The north concourse will house a new entrance, ticket office and Lobo Store. The expansion of the east and west concourses will provide new restrooms and concessions areas and easier mobility for fans. Richardson said he would like to see the project at The Pit completed in the next two years.
“It has been almost 23 years since Jim Valvano and North Carolina State won the national championship in The Pit,” said Gov. Richardson. “If it is to continue to be one of the best arenas in college basketball, it has to be updated, and this is the first step in that effort. The Pit is nearly 40 years old. This money will be used to provide fan conveniences that have become necessary to continue UNM’s storied history with NCAA men’s and women’s tournament games.”
“One of the last things Con Colbert (UNM deputy athletics director) and I wanted to see happen before we retired was a renovation plan for The Pit,” said University of New Mexico director of athletics Rudy Davalos. “Governor Richardson’s extremely generous commitment to not only the arena, but to the indoor facility and soccer facility, has made this possible. The modernization of The Pit is a benefit not only to Lobo athletics and our fans, but to the entire state of New Mexico. It will greatly enhance the state boy’s and girl’s high school basketball tournaments, NCAA basketball tournaments that UNM plans to host, plus other events like concerts and shows.”
LOBO HEAD COACH Ritchie McKay – Ritchie McKay is his fourth season in charge of Lobo hoops and his 11th year as a collegiate head coach. He was named UNM’s 18th head coach on March 28, 2002.
He has a career record of 150-140, 66-51 at New Mexico. McKay is 57-14 at home, 40-20 in all non-conference games, 36-7 in non-league games at The Pit and 5-13 in road/neutral games. He is 27-31 in MWC games, 22-7 at home and 5-24 on the road.
McKay is 3-4 in conference tournaments in his career, 3-3 in MWC and 3-2 while at New Mexico, including last year’s title.
The 26-7 record in 2004-05 is easily the best season of McKay’s career, surpassing a 19-11 ledger at Colorado State in 1998-99. The Lobos won the MWC Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999, while posting the second-highest win total in school history. It was McKay’s first trip to the Big Dance.
McKay had previous two-year stops at Portland State (1996-98), Colorado State (1998-2000) and Oregon State (2000-02).
BIG-TIME TURNAROUND UNDER McKAY – Head coach Ritchie McKay’s first two Lobo teams went 24-32, but UNM had just eight scholarship players available in his first season of 2002-03 and only 10 in his second year. Since the 5/8 rule was repealed after the 2003-04 season, the Lobos have posted a 43-19 record since 2004-05, the most wins among MWC schools. Other tidbits:
McKay, Norm Ellenberger and Dave Bliss are the only head coaches to take the Lobos to the NCAA Tournament within their first three years at the post
Picked to finish 4th in the MWC in 2004-05, the Lobos finished 26-7 overall, 2nd in the conference at 10-4, won the MWC Tournament for the first time in nine years and only the third time in school history, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six years
The 26 wins in 2004-05 were the second-best total in school history and were a 12-win improvement from 2003-04…that tied for the 2nd-largest jump in program history and tied for the 3rd-highest in NCAA Div. I men’s basketball
Won five straight games away from The Pit in 2004-05, a feat last accomplished in 1977-78
Five Lobo seniors who completed their eligibility at UNM are now playing professionally (Javin Tindall, Ruben Douglas, Alfred Neale, Troy DeVries and Danny Granger)…the other two – Ryan Ashcraft and Senque Carey – had their careers cut short by injury
ROUGH START FOR McKAY AT UNM – It was a daunting challenging for McKay in his first two seasons at New Mexico. In his second game as Lobos head coach on Nov. 25, 2002, starting senior point guard Senque (sen-Q) Carey suffered a freak spinal cord injury in the first half against Northwestern (La.) State. He was partially paralyzed for several weeks before regaining full movement, but was unable to resume his playing career. Carey’s absence left New Mexico with just eight scholarship players and two walk-ons. Of those 10 players, seven were in their first year at UNM.
Sophomores Jamaal Williams (Washington) and Chad Bell (Nevada) transferred after the 2002-03 season, leaving New Mexico with just 10 scholarship players for the 2003-04. Mark Walters suffered a torn ACL in May of 2003 and never fully recovered until the 2004-05 season. In August of 2003, Billy Feeney, a promising 6-9 sophomore who had transferred from Portland State, took his own life.
The elimination of the 5/8 rule really helped before the 2004-05 campaign as it was able to add five scholarship players, reaching the full complement of 13.
BYU RECAP & NOTES – Jimmy Balderson scored 21 points and Brigham Young reached 20 wins under first-year coach Dave Rose, beating New Mexico 76-68. The Cougars held the Lobos scoreless for a 4-minute stretch near the end and were almost perfect from the free throw line in the second half, making 19 of 21 over the final 20 minutes.
New Mexico, which had won five of seven, made 11 of 21 3-pointers, but went just 5-for-12 from the free throw line. Jeff Hart led the Lobos, tying his career high with 15 points. Mark Walters was the only other Lobo in double figures, scoring 13.
After falling behind 62-60 on a 3-pointer by Kellen Walter with 4:34 left, BYU closed the game on a 16-6 run and shut out the Lobos until just 22 seconds remained. Plaisted tied it at 62, Balderson made a steal and two free throws after getting fouled with 2:20 to put BYU up to stay. Broadus, Balderson and Young sealed it in the final 2 minutes by making all their free throws. BYU won the rebounding battle 35-26.
BYU opened the second half with a 16-5 run, but started to turn the ball over midway through the half and the Lobos never trailed by more than seven. Walters hit a pullup jumper in the lane to put New Mexico back ahead 56-55 with 6:47 left, then after a layup by Reichner – who New Mexico fans felt should have been called for an offensive foul on the play – Walter hit back-to-back 3-pointers for the Lobos.
Plaisted tied it at 62-all and Balderson put BYU back on top with two free throws after making a steal and getting fouled by Blake Harden with 2:20 left in the game. After a time out, Walters couldn’t get the ball inbounds and New Mexico turned it over on a 5-second violation.
New Mexico shot well early in the first half and led 22-13, but the Cougars rallied late in the half, taking advantage of six straight missed free throws by the Lobos and had cut the lead to 34-33 at halftime
BYU has won 14 straight at the Marriott Center, while the Lobos have lost 6 straight to BYU in Provo
Ritchie McKay is 0-5 against BYU in Provo in his coaching career, 0-4 while at New Mexico
The Lobos led 62-60 with 4:34 left after Kellen Walter made his second straight 3-pointer, but BYU went on a 14-0 run down the stretch to put it away…10 of those points were free throws…during the drought, UNM committed 4 turnovers and missed 5 shots
New Mexico, which had allowed just 50 points a game the past 5 games, gave up its most scoring since an 80-78 win over Colorado State on Feb. 8
Losses are rare for the Lobos when they lead at halftime and shoot better from the field than their opponent, but such was the case in both games against BYU this season…UNM led the Cougars 42-37 at the break in The Pit and 34-33 in this game, but lost both…the Lobos also shot 53% in The Pit and 51% in Provo, better than BYU in both games
The starting five of Joel Box, David Chiotti, Blake Harden, Jeff Hart and Mark Walters is the Lobos’ ninth different lineup this season
New Mexico shot 67% (14-21) in the 1st half to lead 34-33…the Lobos’ biggest lead was 21-11, and it was 26-17 before the Cougars ended the half on a 16-8 run
UNM shot 51% (26-51), the first time in 9 games it has shot better than 50%…it’s the best percentage in a road game this year
New Mexico shot a season-high 52% (11 of 21) from 3-point…the 11 treys are the second most this year, since 14 against Ole Miss in the 2nd game of the season…all but 1 of the 3s came from current or former walk-ons
Senior G Jeff Hart, making his second straight start, tied a career-high with 15 points…he also had 15 against Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne (IPFW) as a freshman…all of his scoring came on a career-high 5 3-pointers…that’s 26 points in his past 2 games after scoring only 13 in the first 14 MWC contests, and he didn’t even play in three of those
Hart went 1 of 15 from 3-point in 9 games between Jan. 7 and Feb. 22, but he’s 9 of 17 the past 3 games
Hart had only scored 14 points in 9 career games against BYU before tonight
BYU had a 13-7 scoring advantage in 2nd-chance points as it had 12 offensive rebounds to the Lobos’ 6…the Cougars also had a 16-8 scoring edge in points off turnovers…UNM committed 14, including a career-high 7 by senior Mark Walters
The Lobos missed 7 of their first 8 free throws and finished 5 of 12…senior David Chiotti was 0 of 5
Walters and Chiotti came into the game averaging a combined 28.2 points and 11 rebounds…they were held to 19 points and 8 boards, 7 of the caroms by Chiotti…Chiotti was 3 of 13 from the floor
Sophomore Tony Danridge entered the game having scored just 22 points in the past 7 games, an average of 3.1 ppg…he came off the bench to get 7