Lobos Host UC Irvine Wednesday Night for Battle of Top-60 NET Teams

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M – The New Mexico men’s basketball team returns home Wednesday night to host UC Irvine in a battle of two teams ranked in the top 60 in the NET. Game time is 7:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network and on the Lobo Radio Network.

Tickets for the game are on sale now at GoLobos.com/tickets. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. (90 minutes prior to tipoff for all UNM men’s basketball home games this season). Fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid lines while going through the security procedures upon entry to The Pit, and due to construction that has caused increased travel times in the area. With new traffic flow patterns in place, fans are encouraged to click here for a map detailing the best route to take for an efficient arrival to their designated parking lot.

Fans can get into the holiday spirit at the game with pregame photo opportunities on the concourse with Santa Claus and The Grinch.

The Lobos are 10-1 this season and have won nine straight, tied for the seventh longest active win streak in the nation. UNM, ranked No. 28 in the NET, is coming off a 73-72 victory at New Mexico State on Friday night to complete a season sweep in the Rio Grande Rivalry. JT Toppin had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Lobos over the Aggies, his third double-double of the season.

UC Irvine is 7-4 this season and is ranked No. 55 in the NET. The Anteaters joined the Lobos last month at the Ball Dawgs Classic in Las Vegas, as each went 3-0 at the event with wins over Toledo, Rice and Pepperdine, but did not play each other due to the predetermined matchups at the tournament. UCI, who won at USC earlier this season, is led by Justin Hohn, who averaged 13.6 points per game.

It is the first all-time meeting between New Mexico and UC Irvine.

The Lobos will conclude the non-conference portion of their schedule on Dec. 29 by hosting Division II Eastern New Mexico. Game time is 7 p.m. and the game will air on the Mountain West Network and the Lobo Radio Network.