LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Head coach Craig Neal and the University of New Mexico men’s basketball program have been selected to finish third in the Mountain West for the 2016-17 season in the conference’s preseason poll. The poll, voted on by the media, was released Wednesday morning by the MW as part of the MW Media Day.
Besides being picked to finish third, the Lobos put two on the All-Mountain West team in Elijah Brown and Tim Williams. Brown was also named as the conference’s Preseason Player of the Year.
This is the first time in Lobo history that two All-MW First Teamers have returned. Brown and Williams are the only two returners among the MW that averaged at least 16 points or more last season.
| Place | School (1st Place Votes) | Points |
| 1st | San Diego State (23) | 293 |
| 2nd | Nevada | 253 |
| 3rd | New Mexico (3) | 249 |
| 4th | Fresno State (1) | 200 |
| 5th | Boise State | 164 |
| 6th | Utah State | 153 |
| 7th | Colorado State | 146 |
| 8th | UNLV | 120 |
| 9th | Air Force | 90 |
| 10th | Wyoming | 73 |
| 11th | San Jose State | 41 |
In his first season with the Lobos in 2015-16, Brown has led New Mexico in scoring with 21.7 points per game, the highest average for a Lobo since 2002-03. His 694 points tied Cameron Bairstow for fourth all time in a season. He was one of the nation’s leading free throw shooters, draining 217 of 255 attempts for an 85 percent free throw mark. He also led the team with 35 steals and ranks second with 100 assists.
Williams finished 2015-16 as the Lobos’ leading rebounder and most efficient shooter. Williams led the MW at 60 percent shooting, 215-for-356, becoming the third Lobo ever to shoot 60 percent or better with over 300 attempts in a season. He averaged 16.8 points per game and a team-best 7.4 boards per contest, over two of which came on the offensive end per game.
Preseason Mountain West All-Conference:
- Cameron Oliver, So. F, Nevada
- Elijah Brown, Jr., G, New Mexico
- Jalen Moore, Sr., W, Utah State
- Tim Williams, Sr., F, New Mexico
- Trey Kell, Jr., G, San Diego State
Preseason Mountain West Player of the Year:
- Elijah Brown, Jr., G, New Mexico
Preseason Mountain West Newcomer of the Year:
- Montaque Gill-Caesar, So., G, San Diego State
Preseason Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year:
- Jalen McDaniels, F, San Diego State
- Koby McEwen, G, Utah State