ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Months after renewing one of its most historic non-conference series with the University of Arizona, head coach Craig Neal and the Lobo Basketball program will continue another series with yet another longtime regional rival. The New Mexico Lobos and the UTEP Miners have agreed to a home-and-home series for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.
“I am excited to add UTEP to our schedule,” said head coach Craig Neal. “They are a historic and regional rival, and I know our fans are excited for this series as well.”
The two teams will play in Albuquerque at WisePies Arena aka The Pit on Dec. 3, 2016 before squaring off at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso on Dec. 2, 2017.
UTEP is New Mexico’s second oldest rival in program history, following the New Mexico State Aggies. The Lobos and Miners have met 141 times with the first meeting coming in the 1928-29 season. The two programs were conference rivals in the Border Conference from 1946 to 1951 and the Western Athletic Conference from 1970 to 1999.
The Lobos hold a 76-65 advantage in the all-time series with a record of 26-10 inside WisePies Arena aka The Pit.