Lobos Host Nevada Wolf Pack Tuesday Night
New Mexico vs Nevada
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020 – 7 p.m. MT
Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit (Capacity: 15,411)
TV: ESPNU
Radio: 770 KKOB-AM (Listen Live)
Promos: “505 Night“
Mayor Keller Visit: Albuquerque’s mayor, Tim Keller, will be in attendance, along with his staff on Tuesday.
MMA Fighters and Autographs: Professional fighters from Jackson Wink Gym trained right here in Albuquerque will be on the concourse pregame to sign autographs. Jackson Wink Gym has trained such fighters as Holly Holm and Jon “Bones” Jones.
Spectator features outside The Pit: Outside The Pit on Tuesday will be Albuquerque low riders with lights as well as a hot air balloon! Both are staples in Albuquerque culture and fans will be able to get up close and personal to check them out.
Concourse Dancers: Members of various Albuquerque cultural dance groups will be in attendance and making an appearance on the concourse during Tuesday’s game.
UNM Cross Country Recognition: The Lobo cross country team will be recognized at halftime for its outstanding accomplishments including its 12th straight Mountain West Championship! In addition, UNM’s Weini Kelati earned the NCAA Individual National Championship.
UNM NOTES | NEVADA NOTES | LIVE STATS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team is set to host one of its most highly-anticipated contests of the year on Tuesday, Feb. 18 when the Nevada Wolf Pack comes to town. Led by former Lobo head coaches Steve Alford and Craig Neal, the Wolf Pack and the Lobos will tip off at 7 p.m. MT on ESPNU.
The last time the two teams met in Albuquerque, the Lobos executed a spectacular upset over then-No. 5/6 Nevada by 27 points. The Lobo victory ended Nevada’s undefeated campaign and Lobo fans stormed the court on “We Are New Mexico” night.
This season, the Lobos are celebrating “505 Night” that will feature several cultural experiences unique to Albuquerque including low riders, hot air balloons, MMA fighters, mayor and staff appearances and more!
The Lobos (17-10, 6-8 MW) enter Tuesday’s contest after a quick three-day turnaround coming off of a narrow home loss on Saturday against UNLV. The Runnin’ Rebels pulled ahead for a five-point win in the final minutes after back-and-forth free throw attempts. UNM’s loss on Saturday marked just the second of the season for the Lobos inside Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit. New Mexico is now 14-2 at home in Albuquerque this season.
Nevada (16-10, 9-5 MW) has won its last three straight contests including an overtime victory on the road at UNLV. The Wolf Pack has had nearly a week of rest heading into Tuesday after playing its last matchup on Feb. 12.
The Lobos are led by four active players averaging scoring in double figures so far in conference play including senior Corey Manigault (15.1), redshirt-senior JaQuan Lyle (14.8), redshirt-junior Zane Martin (12.1) and redshirt-junior Vance Jackson (11.9). Jackson is also UNM’s current rebound leader with 5.9 per game in MW play.
Nevada is led by three players averaging in double digits in league play including junior Jalen Harris (25.9), senior Jazz Johnson (15.3) and senior Nisré Zouzoua (10.2). Senior Lindsey Drew leads in boards with 7.4).
LOBOS IN THE NATION
Below is a look at how the Lobos rank in some of the national stats:
6th – free throws made (450)
9th – free throw attempts (627)
18th – field-goal percentage (47.8)
21st – scoring offense (78.6)
21st – total assists (413)
28th – total steals (214)
SERIES HISTORY
The series between the Wolf Pack and the Lobos is tied 7-7 after UNM’s trip to Reno on Jan. 25. UNM holds a 4-1 advantage over Nevada in The Pit.
Nevada has gone 6-1 over the last seven meetings with the Lobos. The last UNM win came the last time Nevada came to Albuquerque, on Jan. 5, 2019, when the Lobos executed the upset over then-No. 5/6 Nevada by a score of 85-58.
UNM looks to break a two-win streak for the Wolf Pack in the series with a win on Tuesday.
THE COACHES
Head coach Paul Weir is 50-43 in his third year at the helm of the Lobos, 78-49 in his fourth season as a head coach. Nevada’s head coach Steve Alford is 16-10 in his first season at the helm of the Wolf Pack, 603-308 in his career.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Tuesday’s game will be available to watch live on ESPNU. Fans can also follow live via live stats or listen in on the radio LIVE. Robert Portnoy and former Lobo Hunter Greene will be on the call on 770 KKOB-AM.