Category: New Mexico

Mountain West Basketball Recruiting Round Up: Early Signing Period Edition

A Look At Recruiting Classes From Around The Mountain West Plenty of prospects signed early this year. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire The Runnin’ Rebels have the highest ranked recruiting class in the Mountain West. We have created this …

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A Look At Recruiting Classes From Around The Mountain West

Plenty of prospects signed early this year.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

The Runnin’ Rebels have the highest ranked recruiting class in the Mountain West.  

We have created this list of players signed by coaching staffs in the early signing period so far for next season. Below is a list of each team and their signed players so far, with some info on that player and excerpts from head coaches on that signee.

Coaches aren’t allowed to comment on players who commit to a program throughout the year until they have received a signed National Letter of Intent from that prospect. Prospects can commit at anytime they want during the year and have two periods in which they can sign a letter of intent to play for that school.

The “early” signing period is a week long and started Nov. 13th and extended out to Nov. 20th. Most guys signed within the first two days of the week with only UNLV getting commitments and letters of intent signed after. The second signing period of the 2019-2020 season begins April 15th, 2020 and ends on May 20th, 2020.

Things To Note:

  • UNLV and first year head coach TJ Otzelberger have the largest signed group in the conference and the highest ranked. Otzelberger was able to keep a promise when it came to recruiting by getting local guys to sign with the Runnin’ Rebels. Half of his recruiting class is either from Nevada or have played high school basketball in Nevada.
  • Several teams have signed more prospects than they have seniors scheduled to leave, that means some current players will be expected to transfer.
  • Wyoming was the lone team without a commit or signee in the early signing period.
  • Air Force has 12 commits for the 2020 class per Verbal Commits. But with a complex system that includes possibly enrolling at Prep School and no confirmation of these commitments on the team’s website, they were excluded.

Boise State: 3 Signed

Bukre Smith 6-11 215 C Trinity Episcopal School-Glen Allen, VA

“Burke is extremely skilled for his size and his age,” Rice said. “Our program has always looked for skilled bigs to play our style and he does three things at a really advanced level that fit that mold: he shoots with range; he puts the ball on the floor, and he’s a very good passer. With his love for the game and outstanding work ethic he has a bright future at Boise State.” – Coach Rice

Kasean Pryor 6-9 179 SG Link Year Prep-Branson, MO

“Kasean is a long, athletic wing with huge upside,” Rice said. “He has a great combination of skill and feels not often seen in players his size. His game and body type is in the mold of James Webb and Derrick Alston, and he will be a tremendous fit in our system.” – Coach Rice

Jace Whiting 6-1 165 PG Burley HS-Burley ID 

“Jace has a great feel for the game and brings a tremendous amount of skill to the combo guard position,” Rice said. “It’s always important to keep the best players in the state at home and we’re excited to have Jace in our program.” – Coach Rice

Colorado State: 2 Signed

Isaiah Rivera 6-5 190 SF Geneseo High School-Geneseo, IL 

Jacob Jenniseen 6-1 205 C Sauk Centre Secondary-Sauk Centre, MN

Fresno State: 3 Signed

Braxton Meah 7-0 230 C San Joaquin Memorial HS-Fresno,CA

“Braxton is a 7-foot athlete, who can protect the rim and finish above the rim with the best of them,” Hutson said of Meah.  “He’s a local product and has been very well coached and developed. We are glad to be able to keep him home and our community will really enjoy watching him play.” -Coach Hutson

Leonardo Colimerio 6-7 180 SF Wasatch Academy-Mount Pleasant,UT

“Leo is a versatile, positionless basketball player,” Hutson said of Colimerio.  “Incoming from Brazil, he has an international feel for the game with great athleticism.  We look forward to him playing all over the floor.” – Coach Hutson

Destin Whitaker 6-5 185 SG Romeroville HS-Romeoville, IL

“Destin can really shoot it,” Hutson said.  “He comes from a basketball family and has been coached really well.  Destin has a high basketball IQ, and while his strength is shooting, he is very versatile.” -Coach Hutson

Nevada: 4 Signed

Tre Coleman 6-7 185 SF Jeffersonville HS-Jeffersonville, IN

“Tre is a big athletic wing who can defend all over the court.  He gives us a ton of versatility. A high-level athlete who will bring energy on both sides of the ball.” – Coach Alford 

Alem Huseinovic 6-3 180 SG PHHoenix Prep-Scottsdale, AZ

“Alem is a tough, heady shooting guard.  He really knows how to create and make shots.  A fierce competitor who really knows how to play.” – Coach Alford 

DeAndre Henry 6-7 225 PF PHHoenix Prep-Phoenix, AZ 

“Dre has a tremendous ceiling as a basketball player.  He is a strong and athletic player who loves to compete at both ends of the floor.  He will improve daily due to how hard he works.” – Coach Alford 

Jelani Clark 6-2 180 SG Archbishop Riordan HS-San Francisco, CA

“Je’Lani is a high energy, high motor player.  He has a very high basketball IQ and is committed to being a great player.  He has the ability to lead a team and program.” – Coach Alford 

Daniel Foster 6-6 185 PG Golden State Preparatory School (CA)-Melbourne, AUS

“Daniel is a versatile guard who can play a variety of positions.  A tough-minded competitor who knows how to play the game. We’ve had tremendous success with Australian born players.” – Coach Alford 

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Air Force vs. New Mexico: Three Keys To A Falcons Victory

Air Force looks to keep its conference championship hopes alive against the Lobos.

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Falcons looking to win 6th straight

The Kings of Colorado are coming to Albuquerque

Contact/Follow @Sean or @MWCWire

WEEK 13: Air Force Falcons (8-2) at New Mexico Lobos (2-8)

WHEN: Saturday, November 23 —12:00 PM MT/ 11:00 AM PT

WHERE: Dreamstyle Stadium in Albuquerque, NM

TV: ESPN3

STREAMING: You can get a free seven-day trial of SlingTV by clicking here.

RADIO: Air Force | New Mexico: Lobo Radio Network 77 AM/94.5FM

SERIES RECORD: Air Force leads the series 22-14

GAME NOTES (PDF): New Mexico | Air Force

ODDS (via OddsShark): Air Force -22.5

Air Force comes into their week 13 matchup with the Lobos flying high on a five game win streak. New Mexico on the other hand will be limping in, losers of seven straight. So while the Falcons have everything to play for in front of them, including slim chances at a Mountain Division title, while the Lobos may be just looking to put this season into the books.

Though it may be unfair and irresponsible to say New Mexico is just going to fold like a lawn chair; this team would have every reason to. The adversity and distractions this team has had to deal with since January would take its toll on anyone. With all of that in mind, the task ahead is a large one; the daunting triple option offense (which New Mexico coach Bob Davie originally ran a hybrid variety of with great success) and a surging Falcon defense that is playing with a ton of confidence. Oh, and lets not dismiss special teams who recently had kicker Jake Koehnke added as a Lou Groza semi-finalist.

Lets not forget though, New Mexico has won four of the last six meetings, which includes taking three of the last four. However, the previously references that hybrid option offense that the Lobos ran at that time could be largely responsible for their success in that period. Gone is that offense, and seemingly any success for New Mexico ever since.

Three Keys to an Air Force Victory

1. Defense Shows Up 

For what anyone may think about the performance of the New Mexico offense, the Falcons don’t want to be the team that gives any optimism for the end of the season and into 2020.

The fact is, Air Force has scored 35 points or more in each of the last six meetings and only won two of them. I get that these are different teams this year, but looking back, the Falcons had the “better team” multiple times, but failed to win even with all that scoring.

The defense has been trending up for weeks now. They have remained fierce against the run, ranking in the top ten nationally (even after playing two of the top three rushing offenses) and are drastically improved in the secondary. Continued outstanding play here should be the cornerstone to making it a very long day for the Lobos.

2. Leave the Identity Crisis to New Mexico

Over the last few seasons Bob Davie has deployed a ‘new look’ spread offense with the Lobos. Or as our friends Matt Kennerly and Jeremy Mauss so affectionately coined the new offensive approach as ” the Throwbos”.

Whatever they call it, it has not paid off. Not nearly the dividends at least that the previously ground heavy offensive attack once did. This was a program that was in and competing for bowls under the spread option attack, which was a big deal in New Mexico. They ranked near the top offensively in rushing in that span, only to essentially trade their shinny new Lexus in for an 81 Honda “How Dare You!?”. Employee of the Month Reference for all you movie buffs out there.

The point of this regression is, leave it to New Mexico to try and force a square peg into the round hole. The Air Force passing game is largely predicated on success running the ball, and the element of surprise. Running defenses into the ground is what Air Force (ironically) does. They should approach this week no differently.

3. Stay Healthy

Air Force shouldn’t be looking ahead to their bedlam with Wyoming the following week.  But that won’t stop me, or anyone else looking at how this Division race could shape up with a Boise slip-up. There is also a lot of jockeying for Bowl placement as well, irrespective of how Boise performs relative to the Division crown.

With that said, staying healthy for their game against the Poke’s could prove critical, considering the type of physical match-up it will be. Another consider around health for this game is that Air Force will be without their primary backup quarterback, Isaiah Sanders against the Lobos. Although, the prospect of Michael Schmidt under center shouldn’t waver the confidence in the Air Force offense one bit.

Prediction

Offense. Defense. Special Teams. Air Force is the better team in all three phases of the game. If they simply show up and execute, it should make for a very long game on both sides of the ball for the Lobos.

Considering all that the New Mexico Lobos football family have gone through, you can’t help but pull for them. Unfortunately, that’s not how winning football games work. But were pulling for them, no less. There is more than just football.

Air Force 38 – New Mexico 13

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New Mexico Falls to UTEP, 66-63

The New Mexico Lobos fell to the UTEP Miners, 66-63 on Tuesday November 19 in the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.

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New Mexico Falls to UTEP, 66-63

Lobos lose a close one in the Don Haskins Center

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Missed free throws throughout for New Mexico were ultimately the difference in a close one

Daryl Edwards finished with 18 points and four assists and the UTEP Miners defeated the New Mexico Lobos on Tuesday at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas, 66-63.

The Miners got out to a quick start, leading 10-1 early, while the Lobos didn’t hit their first field goal until the 12:57 mark of the first half. The first four points for New Mexico were from the foul line, which is where nearly a third of the Lobos’ scoring came.

A test for New Mexico, the Miners’ defense caused issues especially around the rim, where layups and short jumpers just weren’t falling, resulting in a season-low shooting percentage of 38.8%.

After tying things up 10-10, the game stayed close through the first half, ending with a layup by Efe Odigie to knot the game at 30 apiece. The game stayed within a single possession through much of the second half, including the final minutes of the contest.

Up 62-58, UTEP’s Jordan Lathon was called for a technical foul, sending JaQuan Lyle to the free throw line where he made both, closing the gap to 62-60. A UTEP turnover and foul against the Miners led to a split pair of free throws from JaQuan Lyle and a missed UTEP three pointer allowed for a transition dunk by New Mexico’s Zane Martin, giving the Lobos a 63-62 advantage with just 53 seconds remaining.

But Lathon quickly made up for his previous mistakes with what would be a dagger of a jumper, putting  the Miners back up by one.

A missed three-pointer by New Mexico’s Makuach Maluach followed by a foul and two made free throws by Bryson Williams secured the game for UTEP, despite JaQuan Lyle‘s made (but just a fraction of a second late) half court heave.

New Mexico will stay on the road and head to Las Cruces, New Mexico to take on an injury riddled New Mexico State, which has come out to a rocky start of the season after taking final four contender Auburn to the wire in last year’s NCAA Tournament.

Notable Team Stats:

The Lobos out-rebounded the Miners by a 36-31 margin, but were far less efficient offensively than they had been to start the season, shooting ten percent or more below average in about every statistical category (free throws, three point percentage, field goal percentage).

Had New Mexico shot its season average in free throws (74.8%), it would have resulted in three more points, enough to push the game into overtime, or to have prevented the need to foul and instead to have been the team being fouled. The Lobos also posted a season low in assists, tallying only 7 assists in the game.

Although UTEP shot just over a third of the free throws the New Mexico did, the Miners made 84.6% of their freebies, compared with 64.5% mark for the Lobos. The Miners also shared the ball a little better than the Lobos, finishing with 14 assists.

Stat Stuffers:

New Mexico – JaQuan Lyle (19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) ; Carlton Bragg (10 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block)

UTEP – Daryl Edwards (18 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds)

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New Mexico vs. UTEP: Game Preview, TV, Radio Schedule, Livestream, Odds, More

The UTEP Miners host the New Mexico Lobos in the Don Haskins center as part of the long-standing rivalry between the Miners and the Lobos.

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New Mexico vs. UTEP: Game Preview, TV, Radio Schedule, Livestream, Odds, More

New Mexico heads to UTEP as part of regional rivalry road tests

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Lobos vs. Miners promises to be a good one in El Paso.

WHO: New Mexico Lobos (4-0) vs. UTEP Miners (3-0)

WHEN: Tuesday, November 18 — 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT

WHERE: Don Haskins Center – El Paso, TX (11,892)

TV: None

STREAM: CUSA TV ($6.95/24 hour pass)

RADIO: TuneIn

SERIES RECORD: New Mexico leads, 51-50

ODDS: UTEP -1

PREVIEW: New Mexico has its first opportunity for a road win when it heads to the Don Haskins Center to take on the UTEP Miners in El Paso, Texas on Tuesday as part of a long-standing rivalry between the Lobos and the Miners.

Both teams have started the season strong, posting undefeated records. UTEP (3-0) has played only one Division I opponent, a 65-50 win in the first of two matches of the Battle of I-10 against a short-handed New Mexico State. Nevertheless, a strong start for UTEP is a good sign for former Fresno State Bulldogs coach Rodney Terry.

New Mexico (4-0) continued their early season success in their last outing, a tough battle against a hot-shooting McNeese State squad. While the final was a 90-80 win, McNeese State never allowed New Mexico to pull away until the final minutes when a late-game technical was called on top of a Lobo score and shooting foul against JaQuan Lyle, who made all four free throws and secured the win.

New Mexico has had high-level production from senior the senior Lobo  (19.0 points, 6.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds per game), who won last week’s Mountain West Player of the Week. The 6-5 guard’s size, ability to score and to facilitate the offense has made things look offensively as New Mexico’s offense ranks highly in several categories offensively (8th in points per game, 10th in field goal percentage and 6th in assists per game).

Carlton Bragg has been a rebounding machine, and is averaging a double-double with 11.6 points and 11.0 rebounds per game (T-2nd Mountain West) as well as 1.5 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Makuach Maluach (12.3 points,  2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists per game) has quietly been getting the job done offensively, and Corey Manigault (15.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1 block per game) has demonstrated an improved defense to complement his talent around the block.

In contrast, UTEP has been a more defensive-minded team to date. The Miners are allowing just 59.0 points per game (T-44th in the NCAA), and will be the first major challenge to New Mexico’s efficient offense. But make no mistake, the UTEP offense can get going too and is led by former Fresno State forward Bryson Williams (16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds per game).

Paul Weir has emphasized his desire for revitalizing the regional rivalries that have existed between many of the teams in the southwest part of the country, but this will be the first year that many, not just a couple, of the teams in the region are expected to be good, including the old rival, UTEP.

Said the third year head coach of New Mexico regarding the upcoming away rivalry games, “It’s exciting. This is college basketball. It’s kind of the rivalry of this region. There’s a lot of great basketball programs around this area. I think we all kind of consider the UNLV’s, the Arizona’s, the New Mexico’s the New Mexico State’s, the UTEP’s, the Texas Tech’s. I mean historically, we’ve all just had great regional basketball and we’re going down on the road to play two great ones [against UTEP then New Mexico State]. Hopefully it’ll live up that kind of historical significance and we’ll have good basketball games.”

Certainly, these are two programs looking to burst back onto the national scene with much of the talent to do so making for a fun Tuesday night with a rivalry atmosphere.

 

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New Mexico Has Few Answers Against Boise State

New Mexico Has Few Answers Against Boise State Boise State dominates in win over Lobos 42-9 Contact/Follow @MWCwire Lobos losing streak continues The New Mexico Lobo football team did not quite start with a bang Saturday night against Boise State at …

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New Mexico Has Few Answers Against Boise State

 Boise State dominates in win over Lobos 42-9 

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Lobos losing streak continues

The New Mexico Lobo football team did not quite start with a bang Saturday night against Boise State at Albertsons Stadium on the blue turf. 

It would be the Broncos who would start with that big bang vs. the Lobos as the first offensive series of the Lobos turning the ball over.  

New Mexico quarterback Tavaka Tuioti fumbled the ball on the opening play of the game as Broncos senior Sonatane Lui scooped and scored from 24 yards out going up 7-0 on the Lobos.  

Not the way to start the game as far as giving momentum to the home team without them earning it sort to speak, especially when momentum plays a huge impact on college football games.  

UNM’s top two running backs, Ahmari Davis and Bryson Carroll, were both injured on the opening two drives and left the game. Kentrail Moran ended up as UNM’s leading rusher with 30 yards.

Davis would end the leave the game with what later with a torn ACL, so he is out for the season, leaving the Lobos with just three running backs in the season.  

This leaves the Lobo football team with only three running backs, Kentrail Moran, Bobby Cole, Micah Gray. Bryce Carroll did not practice with Lobos on Monday’s practices per UNM SID Frank Mercogliano. 

The Lobos would end up with 45 attempts on 117 rushing yards, and Sophomore QB Tavaka Tuioti would go 14 of 21 175 passing yards. UNM only rushed for 117 yards, the second-lowest total of the season. 

Boise State got off to a very fast game, with this Lobo turnover starting the scoring taking the lead early and ending the first quarter 28-0 

So its 28-0 at the end of the first quarter and Boise didn’t score again till 40 seconds left in the third quarter to make it 35, said a lot about the Lobo defense did not lay down and had some three and outs.  

Hence the score remaining pretty stagnant until the third quarter until Boise State continued to score, and New Mexico got on the board with the score.  

The Lobos would go on to get routed 42-9 in a game that there was never any doubt from a Bronco perspective as far as being dominant and winning the game.  

It was apparent early on in the game that the Lobo football team would not pull the upset as they did in 2015 on the blue turf in one of Head Coach Bob Davies’s biggest win’s ever as the head coach at UNM. 

The Broncos looks and showed why they were the ranked team, being very physical against the Lobos on both sides of the ball against the Lobos.  

A huge loss for the Broncos suffered on Saturday night was star defensive end, Curtis Weaver. He went down awkwardly attempting a sack and never returned to the game. He is the Moutain West record holder in career sacks and a huge part of the success for the Broncos in 2019.  

This win over the Lobos could be very costly for Boise State if Weaver is out for a significant amount of time.

So with that loss, it adds to the loss of Hank Bachmeier, and DeAndre Pierce the Broncos are now without their best quarterback, safety and defensive front players 

UNM’s last road win over a ranked team was with Rocky Long, the head coach at the time, October 25, 2003 at No. 23 Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium with a Lobo 47-35 win. 

It would be one of Long’s biggest upset wins on the road as head Lobo coach with the win over the head Coach Urban Meyer Utah Utes who finished 21st ranked at 10-2 

So, it’s been 16 years since the Lobos have beaten a ranked opponent on the road, and they have lost 13 in a row against such ranked opponents.

Coach Bob Davie mentioned on the morning radio show that this had been the year “Did that really just happen?”

He was candid that it’d been a nightmare season, but he appreciates the fight in his player’s fight through it all that has happened this year. To his credit, Davie also has taken full responsibility in the Lobo football season as well. 

The Lobo loss to Boise dropped UNM to 2-8 overall and 0-6 in the conference and their seventh straight loss.  

With two back to back 3-8 seasons, the Lobo faithful fans had hoped for better than what has transpired this season at very least a winning record.  

New Mexico football could very well end the season 2-10 overall and 0-8 even worse than the last two years if the Lobo can’t pull out a win hear near the end of the season.  

For Boise State, the No. 19 Broncos improved to 9-1 overall and 6-0 in the conference. The Broncos travel to Utah State next week while UNM heads home for its final two games against Air Force and Utah State. 

One a positive note in a tribute to Lobo defensive tackle Najah Flowers who passed away a week ago Tuesday, both teams lined up along their respective sidelines and had arms locked for a moment of silence for Flowers who passed a week ago Tuesday. 

Lobo captains were at midfield and held Flowers’ jersey aloft, and each helmet had a round black sticker with Flowers’ 93 inside of it on the back left of the helmet.

On the back, right was a sticker that was an actual picture of Flowers.  As good as the gesture or ceremony was, you have to wonder how the Lobo players regrouped to play a top-ranked opponent in such an emotional moment just moments later. 

How about Boise State reaching out to UNM to have this ceremony before the game to honor Najah Flowers life, speaks volumes of Bronco Nation, Coach Harsin their university in general.  

It just has been that kind of season for the 2019 Lobo football team, the coaches, the fans, and all in Lobo nation. 

The ceremony put a stamp on what’s really important in life over the game of football and its lift itself when you have seen a loved young student athlete’s life end at such an early age. 

Rest in Peace Najah Flowers from Lobo nation.

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Mountain West Wire’s Player of The Year Watch List: Week Two

Mountain West Wire’s Player of The Year Watch List: Week Two Take A Look At the Best Performances Around the Mountain West In Week Two. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Who is in the running for Player of the Year? The staff at the Mountain …

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Mountain West Wire’s Player of The Year Watch List: Week Two

Take A Look At the Best Performances Around the Mountain West In Week Two.

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Who is in the running for Player of the Year?

The staff at the Mountain West Wire wanted to do something a little different this year. We are going to keep track of the top performers from teams around the Mountain West throughout the year and vote on who had the best performances that week.

How It Works: 

Each person will award 15 points in total to five players and should award it as so:

1st place (Player of the week): 5 pts

2nd place: 4 pts

3rd place: 3 pts

4th place: 2 pts

5th place: 1 pt

The player with the most points total will be our player of the week and we will keep track of the point totals every week so that the player who has the most at the end of the year will receive the Mountain West Wire Player of the Year award. Just copy the players below and type your names above it like we do for the pick them docs we get and award your points. 

Now some guys made the list and others didn’t. A big thing to think about was consistency throughout the week. Something that hurt some guys was having a decent game one day and a bad one the other day. Guys who made the list had a great game one day and a good one on other days, or good games both days.

This column will come out on Sunday nights or Monday mornings depending on how late some games finish on Sundays. 

The order for the second week is as follows:

1. JaQuan Lyle, senior guard UNM (5 Points):

     31 Points, 5 Rebounds, and 5 assists against Wisconsin-Green Bay

     18 Points, 5 Rebounds and 2 steals against McNeese St. 

2. Nico Carvacho, senior center CSU (4 Points):

     21 Points, 19 Rebounds, and 5 Assists against Omaha

     17 Points, 7 Rebounds, and 1 Block against Loyola Marymount

3. Jazz Johnson, senior guard Nevada (3 Points):

     16 Points, 2 Rebounds and 1 Assist against UT-Arlington 

     26 Points, 4 Rebounds and 1 Assist against USC

4. Donnie Tillman, junior forward UNLV (2 Points):

     17 Points, 8 Rebounds, and 3 Assists against California 

     18 Points, 7 Rebounds, and 1 Assist against UCLA

5. Alphonso Anderson, junior guard USU (1 Point)

     15 Points, 6 Rebounds and 4 Steals against Denver

     21 Points, 6 Rebounds and 3 Assists against North Carolina A&T

Current Overall Total Point Count:

JaQuan Lyle, senior guard UNM (5 Points)

Lindsey Drew, senior guard Nevada (5 Points)

Derrick Alston Jr, junior guard BSU (4 Points)

Nico Carvacho, senior center CSU (4 Points)

Amauri Hardy, junior guard UNLV (3 Points)

Jazz Johnson, senior guard Nevada (3 Points)

Jordan Schakel, junior guard SDSU (2 Points)

Donnie Tillman, junior forward UNLV (2 Points)

Alphonso Anderson, junior guard USU (1 Point)

Sam Merrill, senior guard USU (1 Point)

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Future Hoops Foes: Week Two Recap of Week Three’s Opponents

Taking a Look At Week Three’s Mountain West Opponent’s Performances in Week Two Each Mountain West Team’s opponents in Week 3 Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Take a look at each team’s opponents for this week and how they did last week. …

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Taking a Look At Week Three’s Mountain West Opponent’s Performances in Week Two
Each Mountain West Team’s opponents in Week 3

Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Take a look at each team’s opponents for this week and how they did last week.

Future Foes Week One Recap:

Air Force Falcons 2-1

Mon, Nov. 18th

Texas Christian Horned Frogs:

Jamie Dixon‘s horned frogs didn’t play much this week, and are 2-0 on the season. Their lone division one win was against Louisiana-Lafayette where they outscored the Ragin Cajuns by 33 points to win the game. TCU is still hard to read with only two games under their belt, but they appear to have a dynamic scorer in senior guard Desmond Bane (25.5 PPG) and four other players averaging double digits so far.

Thurs, Nov. 21st

Loyola Marymount Lions: 

Loyola Marymount is 1-2 on the season and have yet to win a game against a division one opponent. Their two losses came at the hands of fellow Mountain West members Nevada and Colorado State. The Lions will be looking for that first win of the season and they may get it Thursday against the Falcons. Look out for junior guard Eli Scott who has had two very solid performances (17 PPG, 5.0 APG and 4.5 RPG against MW teams) on the year so far.

Fri, Nov. 22nd

Duquesne Dukes: 

The Falcon’s will take on a Duke’s team who is currently undefeated at 3-0 with their most impressive win being a 27 point win at home against Princeton. Duquesne who is coached by Lebron James’ high school coach Keith Dambrot is led by sophomore guard Sincere Carry who is averaging 15.0 PPG in three contests. The Dukes haven’t faceed anyone ranked inside the top 200 per Kenpom yet, so Air Force will be their highest rated competition at 178th.

Sun, Nov. 24th

Indiana State Sycamores:

 Larry Bird‘s alma mater is still win less going into week three of the season and could come away with a few wins this week. Their losses have been to pretty solid teams in Louisville and Dayton. And junior guard Tyreke Key is averaging 17.3 PPG and had his best games so far against those big opponents. Watch out for the Sycamores this Sunday Air Force Fans.

Boise State 1-2

Wed, Nov. 20th

Brigham Young Cougars:

The Cougars are 3-1 on the year after a nail biting win against Houston on the road where senior guard TJ Haws shocked the other Cougars (of Houston) on a last second fade away jumper that bounced off of the rim and then dropped in to win the game. With Yoeli Childs still fulfilling that nine game suspension, first year head coach Mark Pope is relying on transfer guards Jake Toolson (15.3 PPG) and Alex Barcello (13.0 PPG) to keep the ship afloat until his return.

Sat, Nov. 23rd

Pacific Tigers:

Damon Stoudamire‘s Tiger squad is 4-2 on the year with two very close losses to South Dakota and Hawaii. They’re not getting it done in a flashy way but playing defense and just outscoring their opponents. Their leading scorer junior guard Justin Moore is averaging just 11.3 PPG. Also watch out for senior guard Jahlil Tripp and big man Amari McCray (6-9 304) who will give Boise State’s front court a challenge.

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PODCAST: 2019 Week 12 Mountain West Football Recap

Trophy week in the Mountain West provided some fun action and some new bowl-eligible teams.

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PODCAST: 2019 Week 12 Mountain West Football Recap

More bowl eligible teams this week.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

A lot of changes at QB’s this week.

Jeremy and Matt are back to recap Week 12 of Mountain West football or also known as trophy week. There were some close games and some ugly games. San Diego State vs. Fresno State got things going on Friday night with the Aztecs taking home the Old Oil Can while forcing Bulldogs QB Jorge Reyna to have his worst game of the year with three picks.

The Saturday games started with a shocking low scoring game with Hawaii topping UNLV, 21-7, and the Warriors decided to swap quarterbacks, again. Colorado State had many chances to defeat Air Force but was unable to get things on track. Wyoming with its backup quarterback Tyler Vander Waal was unable to overcome his errors with three interceptions.

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You can find the Mountain West Wire podcast below or subscribe to the show via Anchor, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, iTunes, and more. Listen in, subscribe and rate it and let us know what you think!

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Mountain West Football: Week 12 Winners and Losers

Eric Munoz, Tyler Vander Waal, Luq Barcoo and Tony Sanchez are among the weekend’s biggest winners and losers in Mountain West football.

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Mountain West Football: Week 12 Winners and Losers

Who came out ahead and who left something to be desired in Week 12 of Mountain West football?

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

Some encouragement and some letdowns from the week that was.

That’s how you do a rivalry week, yeah? Friday and Saturday brought a lot of twists and turns all across the Mountain West but as always, for every winner there has to be a loser.

Here’s who stepped up and disappointed in Week 12.

Winners

1. Utah State linebacker Eric Munoz. Life isn’t always easy for a walk-on athlete, so when you crush your chance to shine, you have to make the winners list. In his first career start, Munoz led the Aggies with 13 tackles and came away with two interceptions, too, including the one that sealed the victory over Wyoming late in the fourth quarter. Considering his winding path to this moment, we’ll definitely be on the lookout for more production down the stretch.

2. Air Force linebacker Jake Ksiazek. Speaking of players you probably didn’t know about until yesterday, the Falcons got a big time performance from its front seven and no one was better than the senior from Tucson. He had three of Air Force’s eight sacks against Colorado State and forced two fumbles while recovering one himself to help secure the Ram-Falcon Trophy.

3. San Diego State cornerback Luq Barcoo. In a crucial game for the Aztecs’ division title hopes, Barcoo continued to play at what’s almost certain to be an all-conference level. He had two interceptions in a tight win over Fresno State, one of which shut down a fourth-quarter scoring threat, which makes him one of three FBS defenders at the moment with at least seven INTs on the year.

Losers

1. Wyoming quarterback Tyler Vander Waal. The Cowboys needed to get more out of their passing game on Saturday against Utah State and didn’t get it. Vander Waal’s final stat line — 20-of-36 for 185 yards and three interceptions — belies the fact that it took a late rally to get that many yards through the air. His four giveaways also killed two scoring chances and led directly to two Dominik Eberle field goals that ultimately made the difference in the battle for the Bridger Rifle.

2. UNLV’s offense. Against a Hawaii defense that had given up at least seven yards per play in each of its last four games, the Rebels had perhaps their worst overall performance of the year. They averaged just 4.8 yards per play, went 2-for-11 on third downs, threw two interceptions (one of which was a pick six), and put a little more heat under head coach Tony Sanchez’s ever-warmer seat.

3. New Mexico’s running game. You can’t blame the Lobos for leaning on Ahmari Davis and Bryson Carroll, but it didn’t help when both running backs got hurt early and their replacements were mostly ineffective in their blowout loss to Boise State. In the first quarter, New Mexico ran the ball 16 times for just 45 yards, getting stuffed on a third-and-one, third-and-two, fourth-and-one while the Broncos raced out to a 28-0 lead that put the game out of reach.

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New Mexico vs. McNeese State: Game Preview, TV, Radio Schedule, Livestream, Odds, More

The New Mexico Lobos host the McNeese State Cowboys at Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit in Albuquerque on Sat, Nov. 16 at 6:00 PM ET, 3:00 PM PT.

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New Mexico vs. McNeese State: Game Preview, TV, Radio Schedule, Livestream, Odds, More

New Mexico finishes home stand with a struggling McNeese State program

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

It’s Lobos vs. Cowboys in the non-tournament portion of the Legends Classic

WHO: New Mexico Lobos (3-0) vs. McNeese State (1-3)

WHEN: Saturday, November 16 — 6:00 PM ET/3:00 PM PT

WHERE: Dreamstlye Arena – The Pit, Albuquerque, NM (15,411)

TV: None

STREAM: Mountain West Network / Stadium

RADIO: TuneIn

SERIES RECORD: New Mexico leads, 1-0

ODDS: New Mexico -20, per KenPom

PREVIEW: It’s the fourth game at Dreamstyle Arena -The Pit in Albuquerque for the New Mexico Lobos which is looking for its first 4-0 start since the 2012-2013 season.

Previously, the Lobos beat the Green Bay Phoenix in the first round of the Legends Classic 97-70, and have continued the trend of strong offensive outings and improving defense.

Meanwhile, McNeese State has struggled against Division I competition, coming in with an 0-3 mark against such competition. Their latest outing against Wisconsin, an 83-63 result, showed a competitive first half for the Cowboys, but failure to maintain that level of consistency through 40 minutes.

New Mexico’s JaQuan Lyle (19.3 points, 7.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds per game) will look to continue from where he left off against Green Bay, finishing with a game high 31 points to go with his 5 assists and 5 rebounds. Carlton Bragg tallied 16 rebound against the Phoenix.

Rated as one of the nation’s worst defenses thus far by analytics site KenPom.com (331 in defensive efficiency) should be a concern for McNeese State, facing one of the better offenses in the nation (New Mexico is second in the nation in field goal percentage and 53rd in offensive efficiency per KenPom). The Cowboys from Lake Charles, Louisiana will have to compete with New Mexico’s offense to have a chance at beating the Lobos.

As another must-win game for postseason chances, New Mexico must do just the opposite and lock down on McNeese State’s top scorers, Dru Kuxhausen (15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds per game) and Sha’markus Kennedy (14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds 1.3 blocks per game). Additionally, New Mexico has to take care of the ball if they want to put opponents like McNeese State away. Turnovers have been a problem in two of their three games, and they finished with 18 turnovers against a guard-laden scrappy Green Bay team.

 

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