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The New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team, also known as UNM, has a rich history in college basketball. With a dominant home venue, The Pit, and a transformative coach in Bob King, the Lobos have achieved notable successes, including a WAC championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The team's performance has fluctuated over the years, with recent rankings placing them at #22 in the NCAA Division I in 2022. The Lobos have a strong fan base, with their games serving as a source of community and connection for many.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | New Mexico Lobos |
| Nickname | Lobo |
| Home Venue | The Pit |
| Ranking (as of Dec 2022) | #22 in NCAA Division I |
| Record (as of Dec 2022) | 12-0 |
| Previous Appearance in NCAA Tournament | 2014 |
| Conference | Mountain West |
| Notable Players | Ira Harge, Gibson, Greene |
| Notable Coaches | Norm Ellenberger, Bob King |
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What You'll Learn
UNM Men's Basketball Ranks #22 in NCAA Division I
The UNM Men's Basketball team, also known as the Lobos, ranked #22 in the NCAA Division I in Week 8 of 2022. This was the first time they had made the AP-Top 25 list since the 2013-2014 season. The Lobos have a strong basketball program with a dominant home venue, affectionately known as "The Pit", which is recognised as one of the best college basketball arenas in the country. The Lobos have won over 80% of their games at "The Pit" and regularly place among national leaders in attendance.
The Lobos have a rich history in basketball, with their program being transformed by Bob King, who became known as the "Architect of Lobo Basketball". King's first season saw the Lobos go 16-9, the best Lobo record in 17 years. The following season, 1963-1964, the Lobos won their first WAC championship, led by Ira Harge, and received a berth in the 1964 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The Lobos have had notable players and coaches throughout their history, including Larry Bird, who was recruited by then-coach King to play for Indiana State University. Bird led ISU to a 48-12 record in his first two seasons. The Lobos themselves have had success in the NCAA Tournament, making an appearance as recently as 2014, and hosting the tournament on numerous occasions, including the 1983 NCAA Final Four, which featured one of the most memorable finishes in tournament history.
The Lobos have a strong following, with fans elated by their success in 2022. For some, like lifelong fan Will Corey, the Lobos are a source of family connection and community pride. With their success in 2022, the Lobos were the only Mountain West Conference team in the AP-Top 25, and they looked to continue their winning streak as they entered conference play with a 12-0 record.
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The Lobos' home venue, The Pit
The Lobos have enjoyed extraordinary success playing at The Pit, winning over 80% of their games there and mounting home winning streaks of over 20 games four times, with the longest streak of 41 straight wins in 1996-98. The Lobos have been among the nation's attendance leaders since The Pit opened, averaging over 15,400 fans per game and finishing in the top five nationally in attendance 16 times in their first 20 years at the venue. The top average attendance for a season prior to the 2008 renovations was 17,625 in 1997-98, and the largest crowd to attend a single game was 19,452 on January 17, 1976, against UNLV.
The Pit has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years to modernize the facility and improve the fan experience. Upgrades have included improved seating, video boards, ribbon boards, a graphics package showcasing the history of Lobo basketball, upgraded concessions areas, a new practice facility and coaches' offices, and a remodeled concourse. The venue also features the Bob King Court, named in honour of the coach who made the construction of The Pit possible, and the Pete McDavid Lounge, honouring the former Director of Athletics.
The Pit is known as one of the loudest venues in college basketball, with vocal fans and a unique sunken court structure that create a high noise level. The student section stands for the entire game, and fans bring flags, posters, and cutouts to show their support. The pep band, spirit squad, and cheerleaders also add to the lively pregame and halftime atmosphere. The venue has hosted several NCAA basketball tournament games, including the 1983 Final Four, and it continues to be a significant arena for basketball and other events in New Mexico.
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Bob King, the Architect of Lobo Basketball
Bob King (August 24, 1923 -- December 10, 2004) was an American college basketball coach and administrator. He is known as the architect of Lobo Basketball, transforming the program into a consistent winner and producing future ABA MVP Mel Daniels.
King was hired as the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos in 1962, a program that had only managed two winning seasons from 1947 to 1962. In his very first season, King led the Lobos to a 16-9 record, the team's best in 17 years. This was the start of a remarkable run of success for the Lobos under King's leadership. Over his first six seasons, the Lobos went 116-44, a stark contrast to the previous eight years where they had managed a dismal 42-149 record.
The Lobos won the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship in 1964 and 1968, making regular appearances in the national rankings. They reached the NIT tournament final in 1964 and earned their first bid to the NCAA tournament in 1968. King's success continued with the team, making four appearances in post-season tournaments and winning two conference titles during his ten seasons as head coach. The Lobos' success under King led to the construction of their home venue, "The Pit," and the basketball court was later named "Bob King Court" in his honor in 1992.
King's impact extended beyond the court as well. The Lobos became wildly popular in Albuquerque during his tenure, with attendance at their games more than doubling. The team's success and popularity continued even after King stepped down as head coach in 1972, with the Lobos winning additional WAC titles and consistently earning postseason tournament bids. King's legacy is cemented in Lobo Basketball history, having laid the foundation for a successful program that continues to thrive.
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The Lobos' 1963-64 WAC championship win
Lobo basketball first rose to national prominence after Bob King was hired as head coach in 1962. Under King's leadership, the Lobos went from being a struggling team to consistent winners, and the future ABA MVP Mel Daniels was among the talented players produced during this era.
The Lobos won the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship in 1964 and 1968, frequently appearing in national rankings thereafter. In the 1963-64 season, the Lobos compiled a 6-4 record, finishing second in the WAC and outscoring their opponents 177 to 143. The team's statistical leaders included Stan Quintana, who led the team in passing yards, Bucky Stallings, who excelled in rushing yards, and Claude Ward, who stood out in receiving yards.
The Lobos' success continued into the 1966-67 season, where they began the year ranked 6th in the country. After a string of impressive wins, they rose to 3rd in the rankings with an 11-1 record. However, they then suffered four consecutive losses and fell out of the rankings. Despite this setback, they received an invitation to the NIT tournament, where they defeated Syracuse in the first round before ultimately losing to Rutgers. The Lobos ended the 1966-67 season with a record of 19-8 and were ranked 18th in the UPI.
The Lobos' victory in the 1964 WAC championship was a significant milestone in the team's history, setting the stage for their continued success in the coming years and establishing them as a prominent force in college basketball.
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The Lobos' 2014 NCAA Tournament appearance
The Lobos, representing the University of New Mexico in the Mountain West Conference (MWC) in NCAA Division I, have had a total of 16 NCAA tournament appearances. They first achieved national prominence after Bob King was hired as head coach in 1962. The Lobos have had a few notable performances in the NCAA Tournament, including in 1964, 1968, 1974, 1978, and 1994, where they won the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship multiple times.
In 2014, the Lobos snapped a 13-year NCAA Tournament drought and were seeded No. 7 in the South Region. They faced No. 10 Stanford in the second round on March 21, 2014, in St. Louis, Missouri. The Lobos won the game 75-68, giving coach Steve Alford his final NCAA win as the Lobos coach. This was the Lobos' 14th appearance in the tournament since 1968. The Lobos then went on to face No. 14 seed Oklahoma State in the third round, losing by 13 points and ending their tournament run.
The Lobos have had a varied history in the NCAA Tournament, with some notable successes and a few disappointing losses. They have had frequent appearances in national rankings and have produced prominent players such as five-time NBA champion Michael Cooper, three-time NBA champion Luc Longley, and NBA All-star Danny Granger. The Lobos' home venue, known as "The Pit," is also recognized as one of the best college basketball arenas in the country, contributing to their dominant home-court advantage.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2022, the UNM men's basketball team was ranked #22 in the NCAA Division I. This was the first time they had made the AP-Top 25 list since the 2013-2014 season.
The home venue of the UNM basketball team, also known as the New Mexico Lobos, is called "The Pit". It is recognised as one of the best college basketball arenas in the country.
Renovations in 2010 added various amenities, but reduced the seating capacity to 15,411, prioritising greater comfort for fans.
