Andrew Pace
The New Mexico Lobos are the athletic teams representing the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. The Lobos men's basketball team has had a long history in the NCAA Division I, reaching the second round of the tournament seven times. However, the team has never won a national championship in basketball. While they have had some notable successes, such as their WAC championship wins in 1974 and 1978, and their Mountain West Championship wins in 2005, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2024, they have not yet claimed the top prize in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Has UNM ever won a national championship in basketball? | No |
| Number of times UNM has appeared in the NCAA tournament | 14 |
| Number of times UNM has reached the second round of the NCAA tournament | 7 |
| UNM's most successful coaches in terms of wins | Dave Bliss, Bob King, Roy Johnson, and Steve Alford |
| Number of WAC championships won by UNM | 3 |
| Years in which UNM won WAC championships | 1974, 1978, and 2014 |
| Number of Mountain West Conference Tournament titles won by UNM | 5 |
| Years in which UNM won Mountain West Conference Tournament titles | 2005, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team history
The New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team has a rich history in college basketball, with several notable achievements and influential figures shaping the program's trajectory.
The Lobos joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) as a founding member, and their first season under coach Bob King resulted in a 16-9 record, the best Lobo record in 17 years. King is regarded as the "Architect of Lobo Basketball," and his impact extended beyond New Mexico as he later recruited the future Hall of Famer Larry Bird to Indiana State University.
The Lobos men's basketball program continued its upward trajectory in the 1963–64 season, winning their first WAC championship under King's leadership. This team was led by Ira Harge, who averaged 18.8 points and 11.8 rebounds during his two seasons at UNM. The Lobos' success in the 1963–64 season included notable wins over Kansas and Purdue, and they earned a berth in the 1964 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) at Madison Square Garden.
Following this successful campaign, the Lobos continued their rise in the 1964–65 season, led by sophomores Mel Daniels and Ben Monroe. Assistant coach Norm Ellenberger took over as head coach after the 1971–72 season and guided the Lobos to additional WAC championships in 1974 and 1978. Ellenberger's energetic and enthusiastic approach made him a local celebrity, and he earned the nickname "Stormin' Norman."
In more recent years, the Lobos have continued to pursue basketball excellence. In the 2022–23 season, they started with a 14–0 record, including notable wins over teams like Saint Mary's and Iona. Despite a mid-season slump, they finished with a strong 22–12 overall record and earned a berth in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The following season, 2023–24, the Lobos secured the Mountain West Conference Tournament title, their first in a decade, and returned to the NCAA Tournament after a ten-year absence.
While the Lobos have not won a national championship, they have experienced success in various tournaments and produced talented players and coaches who have left their mark on the program and the sport.
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UNM's most successful basketball coaches
The Lobos, the University of New Mexico's basketball team, have had several successful coaches throughout their history. Here are some of the most notable ones:
Bob King
Nicknamed the "Architect of Lobo Basketball," Bob King transformed the New Mexico Lobos basketball program. King joined as head coach in 1963, and in his first season, the Lobos went 16-9, the best Lobo record in 17 years. The following season, the Lobos won their first Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship, finishing with a 23-6 record. King recruited Ira Harge, who averaged 18.8 points and 11.8 rebounds during his two seasons at UNM. King left UNM after the 1964-65 season and later recruited future Hall of Famer Larry Bird to Indiana State University, where he served as head coach and Athletics Director.
Norm Ellenberger
Norm Ellenberger took over as head coach of the Lobos in 1972 after serving as an assistant coach under King. Under Ellenberger, the Lobos won WAC championships in 1974 and 1978 and compiled a record of 134-62. He was known for his flashy attire and fiery coaching style, earning the nickname "Stormin' Norman."
Steve Alford
Steve Alford led the Lobos to national prominence, achieving their best six-year stretch. In 2009-10, the Lobos were ranked #10 and received a three-seed in the NCAA tournament. Alford was named Coach of the Year, and UNM offered him a 10-year contract extension, but he resigned shortly after to take the head coaching position at UCLA.
Richard Pitino
Richard Pitino became the 22nd head coach in the University of New Mexico's history in 2021. He immediately made an impact through successful recruiting, bringing in future All-Mountain West performers Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn Jr. In the 2022-23 season, the Lobos started with a 14-0 record, including wins over St. Mary's and Iona. Pitino led UNM to a 26-10 record in the 2023-24 season, winning the Mountain West Conference Tournament title and returning the team to the NCAA Tournament after a ten-year absence. Pitino then moved on to coach at Xavier University in 2025.
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The Lobos' best season records
The Lobos have had several impressive seasons throughout their history, with some of their best records outlined below.
1963-64 Season
The Lobos won their first-ever Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship in 1964, led by Ira Harge, who was recruited by Bob King from a junior college in Iowa. The team posted notable wins over Kansas and Purdue and earned a spot in the 1964 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) at Madison Square Garden in New York City. They finished the season with a 23-6 record, ranked 16th in the UPI poll.
1974 and 1978 Seasons
Under the leadership of head coach Norm Ellenberger, the Lobos claimed WAC championships in both 1974 and 1978. During this period, they compiled an impressive overall record of 134-62, which translates to a win percentage of .684.
2022-23 Season
The Lobos started the 2022-23 season with a strong 14-0 record, including notable wins against teams like Saint Mary's and Iona. Despite a mid-season slump, they managed to finish with a 22-12 overall record and an 8-10 conference record. This performance earned them a place in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The team was led by exceptional players such as Jamal Mashburn Jr., Jaelen House, and Morris Udeze.
2023-24 Season
Under the guidance of coach Pitino, the Lobos achieved a 26-10 record during the 2023-24 season. They secured the Mountain West Conference Tournament title, marking the program's first tournament victory in a decade. This successful season also marked their return to the NCAA Tournament after a ten-year absence.
2024-25 Season
In the 2024-25 season, the Lobos once again demonstrated their prowess by earning a regular-season championship. They put up a strong showing in the Mountain West Conference (MWC) tournament but fell short against the eventual winner, SDSU. Their performance earned them a #3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, showcasing their consistent excellence.
While the Lobos have had many successful seasons, it is worth noting that they have not yet won a national championship in basketball. However, their dedication and improvement have brought them closer to that goal, and their best seasons remain a testament to their hard work and the talent of their players and coaches.
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The Lobos' performance in the NCAA tournament
The Lobos, the athletic teams of the University of New Mexico, have had a rich history in the NCAA tournament, with the men's basketball team appearing 14 times and reaching the second round seven times.
In the 2022-23 season, the Lobos started with a 14-0 record, including notable wins over Saint Mary's and Iona. Despite a mid-season slump, they finished with an impressive 22-12 overall record and an 8-10 conference record, earning them a spot in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The Lobos were led by talented guards Jamal Mashburn Jr. and Jaelen House, with Morris Udeze also making an impact.
The following season (2023-24), the Lobos returned to the NCAA Tournament after a ten-year absence, thanks to the leadership of Coach Richard Pitino. They secured the Mountain West Conference Tournament title, their first in a decade, with a 26-10 record. In the NCAA Tournament, they faced Harvard as the #10 seed but fell short, despite Kirk's impressive performance of 22 points and 12 rebounds.
The Lobos have come close to winning the NCAA championship but have not yet claimed the title. Their best performance was in the 1963-64 season, when they reached the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) final, finishing as runners-up to Bradley. The Lobos have also won five Mountain West Conference Tournament titles, with their most recent victory in 2024 against San Diego State.
While the Lobos have not won a national championship in men's basketball, they have found success in other sports. The women's cross-country team won NCAA championships in 2015 and 2017, and the university also boasts a Division I Skiing championship in 2004.
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Other UNM teams that have won national championships
The University of New Mexico (UNM) has had several successful teams over the years, with the Lobos name becoming synonymous with winning. While the men's basketball team has had some notable wins, they have not won a national championship. However, other UNM teams have achieved this feat and brought national glory to the university. Here is a list of other UNM teams that have won national championships:
Women's Cross-Country Team
The UNM Women's Cross-Country team, also known as the New Mexico Lobos, has won multiple national championships. In 2015, the team secured its first NCAA championship, with head coach Joe Franklin being named the NCAA women's coach of the year for the NCAA Mountain Region. The Lobos followed up this success by winning the women's national team title again in 2017, showcasing their dominance in long-distance running.
Division I Skiing
In 2004, the UNM Skiing team reached the pinnacle of collegiate skiing by winning the Division I Skiing national championship. This achievement is even more impressive considering that skiing only became an NCAA-sanctioned program at UNM in 1982. Unfortunately, the skiing program was permanently eliminated in 2019 due to financial constraints.
Baseball
While the baseball team has not won a national championship, they have had some notable successes in recent years. From 2010 to 2013, the Lobos made four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament, showcasing their talent and competitiveness on the diamond.
Other Notable Mentions
- Women's Beach Volleyball: Although this team did not win a national championship, it is worth mentioning that they were permanently eliminated in 2019 due to financial constraints.
- Men's Soccer: Reached the College Cup twice and finished as national runners-up in 2005.
- Men's Gymnastics: Produced 16 individual NCAA champions before being eliminated in 1999 due to financial and Title IX considerations.
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Frequently asked questions
No, UNM has never won a national championship in basketball. However, the Lobo men's basketball team has appeared in the NCAA tournament 14 times and reached the second round seven times.
The name of the UNM basketball team is the New Mexico Lobos.
UNM teams have won three national championships in total. The women's cross-country team won the NCAA championship in 2015 and 2017, and the Division I Skiing championship in 2004.
UNM has teams in 18 varsity sports, including baseball, football, and women's basketball.
Notable UNM basketball players include Snell, Kirk, Williams, Gibson, and Alford. Some of the most successful coaches are Dave Bliss, Bob King, Roy Johnson, and Steve Alford.
