The A10 also went 3 for 3 last night in 3 true road game wins in the Tourney

GW will seek to make it 4 in a row next vs New Mexico

 

New Mexico Lobos

Date: Sunday March 22nd, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: The Pit (Albuquerque, NM)
TV: ESPN+
Ranks: 49th (KenPom), 51st (Bart Torvik), 43rd (Haslametrics), 53rd (EvanMiya)
2025-26 Record: 24-10, 13-7 (T-3rd in MWC)
NET Ranking: 46th

Head-to-Head: 1-1. GW faced UNM both times in the southwestern US. The first meeting was in 1988 as part of the Lobo Invitational in Albuquerque, a game GW lost 94-73. The second was the NCAA tournament game referenced by others on here where GW was able to get revenge 82-68. While the 21 point loss on the road looks bad, remember that it was the infamous 1-27 squad whose only win was a 26 point drubbing of UMass. That team was 0-11 in games decided by 10 points or fewer. Four players averaged double figures that season: Ellis McKennie (although he only played five games), Glen Sitney, Clint Holtz, and Mike Jones. They could hit the three (36%) but were horrendous with taking care of the ball (nearly 18 turnovers a game).

The 1993 NCAA game was played in Tucson, AZ with UNM entering as a three point favorite. GW had the edge in most statistical categories in the game, winning the rebound battle by five, blocking seven shots, and unlike the previous 1988 squad only turned the ball over nine times all game. The Buff and Blue did not take many threes, but were very efficient in their attempts (7/14). Kwame Evans led the team in scoring with 19 points off the bench - including a perfect 5/5 day from downtown. Yinka finished with a double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) to go with three blocks, Alvin Pearsall added 12 points, while both Sonni Holland and Nimbo Hammons chipped in 11 points each.

Offensive Efficiency: 60th (KenPom), 62nd (Bart Torvik), 46th (Haslametrics), 67th (EvanMiya)
Defensive Efficiency: 44th (KenPom), 63rd (Bart Torvik), 49th (Haslametrics), 57th (EvanMiya)
Pace: 48th (KenPom), 47th (Bart Torvik), 54th (Haslametrics), 58th (EvanMiya)
Offensive Shot Quality Rank: 48th
Defensive Shot Quality Rank: 27th
Rim & 3 Rate: 88% (55th)

Strengths (2025-26 Season):
Three Point Percentage Defense: 30% (15th; 1st in MWC)
Turnover Margin: +3.1 TO/G (28th; 2nd in MWC)
Scoring Margin: +10.1 PPG (33rd; 2nd in MWC)
Winning Percentage: 70.6% (45th; 2nd in MWC)
Three Point Percentage: 36.3% (47th; 2nd in MWC)
Turnovers Forced Per Game: 13.65 TO/G (49th; 3rd in MWC)
Steals Per Game: 8 SPG (51st; 2nd in MWC)
Three Pointers Per Game: 9.4 3PM/G (60th; 2nd in MWC)
Scoring Offense: 81.3 PPG (61st; 2nd in MWC)
Field Goal Percentage Defense: 42.2% (68th; 3rd in MWC)
Fastbreak Points: 12.59 PPG (71st; 2nd in MWC)
Assist/Turnover Ratio: 1.43 AST/TO (73rd; 3rd in MWC)
Defensive Rebounds Per Game: 25.74 DRPG (81st; 2nd in MWC)
Effective Field Goal Percentage: 54% (82nd; 3rd in MWC)
Three Point Attempts Per Game: 26 3PA (83rd; 1st in MWC)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.6 TO/G (91st; 3rd in MWC)
Bench Points Per Game: 24.32 PPG (92nd; 4th in MWC)

Weaknesses (2025-26 Season):
None

Projected Starting Lineup:
#4 G Uriah Tenette (Freshman; North Highlands, CA) - 10.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.5 spg; 41% FG, 32% 3-PT, 84% FT per 26.9 mpg/33 GP
#1 G Deyton Albury (Senior; Nassau, Bahamas) - 11.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3 apg, 1.5 spg; 51% FG, 39% 3-PT, 78% FT per 25 mpg/33 GP
#23 G Jake Hall (Freshman; Carlsbad, CA) - 15.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.6 apg; 48% FG, 45% 3-PT, 79% FT per 30.5 mpg/34 GP
#3 G Luke Haupt (RS Senior; San Diego, CA) - 7.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.4 spg; 45% FG, 35% 3-PT, 72% FT per 27.6 mpg/34 GP
#10 F Tomislav Buljan (Freshman; Split, Croatia) - 12.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.1 spg; 54% FG, 24% 3-PT, 61% FT per 25.8 mpg/32 GP

Key Bench Players:
#5 G/F Antonio Chol (RS Junior; Buffalo, NY) - 8.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg; 41% FG, 35% 3-PT, 61% FT per 24.9 mpg/34 GP
#35 C JT Rock (RS Sophomore; Sioux Falls, SD) - 6 ppg, 3.3 rpg; 56% FG, 42% 3-PT, 64% FT per 12.8 mpg/34 GP
#2 G Tajavis Miller (Senior; Commerce, TX) - 5.6 ppg, 2 rpg, 1 apg; 39% FG, 33% 3-PT, 67% FT per 16.6 mpg/29 GP

Preview:
The thing that gets lost among all the conference realignment is the schools that get left behind. When the Pac-12 fell apart, Oregon State and Washington State were always going to be left out, effectively being "demoted" to the mid-major ranks. The cities of Corvallis and Pullman just don't provide the big leagues desirable media markets. It wouldn't be surprising to see the same thing happen down the line in other large conferences as the Big Ten and SEC gradually evolve into "the best of the best" leagues.

The Beavers and the Cougars ended up partnering with the WCC following the disbandment of the Pac-12. That was a bit surprising given both schools have football, but apparently the Mountain West exit fees were less desirable than just going independent for a couple years. Of course, no school wants to be an independent long-term, so a second wave of conference realignment was triggered. OSU and WSU were able to pull Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, San Diego State, and Utah State from the MWC to form a new look Pac-12.

The Pac-12 will also bring in Texas State which feels kind of random (they went 7-6 in football, but I guess they wanted a footprint in TX). With Gonzaga set to join the league as a basketball-only member, the Pac-12 currently sits at nine schools for basketball which is a weird number. They may end up adding more than one institution, but at least one figures to be added. Do they pull St. Mary's from the WCC? The Gaels have been consistently good, but so much of their success is tied to Randy Bennett. It's also a school with fewer than 3,000 students. Going back to the MWC pool also makes sense. You've got Nevada, UNLV, and New Mexico as potential options. 

Obviously, if the media rights deal is good enough you make the move but I think being the dominant program in the new look MWC is not necessarily a bad thing. The Mountain West is bringing in UC Davis, Hawaii, and UTEP but from a basketball perspective none of those will really move the needle. Given the fan support and commitment to basketball, I think New Mexico has a chance to become the top dog in the league for years to come with most of the "State" schools gone. 

While the Lobos lost Pitino Jr. to Xavier last offseason (their third consecutive coach who only spent four years in Albuquerque) they brought in Eric Olen, who guided UC San Diego to the NCAA tournament in just their fifth year in D1. In his 12 years with the Tritons (between D1 and D2) Olen won nearly 67% of his games so it's not surprising to see him win 25 right away with the Lobos. The top coaches in the Mountain West/A10 will always be pursued by the high-major programs, but I think in this era those coaches can hold out for the job they want because they are already in pretty good situations. We are seeing it with Schertz and Skinn, and I think Olen falls in that camp as well. While he's been out west for 20+ years, Olen is an Alabama native so I could definitely see him holding out for an SEC if one opens in the next few years.

The Lobos were 18-4 at the end of January, with only a loss to crosstown rival NMSU as a questionable loss but they have faltered somewhat down the stretch. They've gone just 5-6 since and have lost four out of their last six games. UNM does not have too many weaknesses on offense, which will be a challenge for GW. They take care of the ball and shoot well from the field. Defensive rebounding will be key for the Revs, because NM is just an average unit in offensive rebounding. Defensively, the Lobos are very good at turning people over (47th in defensive turnover percentage) and limiting second chance opportunities. Kind of like GW though they can be leaky along the interior (264th in 2P%) which is where Slim is going to have to take advantage. Additionally, UNM has benefitted from some fortunate shooting variance. They've conceded threes at a bottom ten rate nationally, but foes have shot just a lick over 30% which is 16th in the nation. That's even more baffling given the MWC is ninth in 3P% at nearly 35%. GW will have chances from deep and will need to make the shots to remain competitive in a hostile environment.

It's pretty stunning to see UNM be so good this year considering they are starting three freshmen in Jake Hall, Tomislav Buljan and Uriah Tenette. Hall is the leading scorer. The MW freshman of the year and first-team selection is averaging nearly 16 ppg while shooting 45% from 3 (6th nationally in 3P%). For the season, he's made 109 threes and is 23rd in threes made per game. It goes without saying, but Hall needs to be denied the ball and not given space along the perimeter. I'm already fearing GW fouling him on a three before the game even happens. Hall can be picked on a bit on the other side of the ball.

Buljan, a second-team MW selection, is a native of Croatia who averages a double double (12.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg) on the year and has 13 such performances this season (which leads the MWC). His efficiency takes a hit as he steps further away from the basket but Buljan is a dependable weapon at the rim. You name a rebounding category, and he's nationally good at it - 9th in rpg, 25th in defensive rpg, and 5th in offensive rpg. Neutralizing him on the glass will be important for the Revs.

Tenette is a bit on the shorter side at 5'11" but he does a great job of setting the table and using his speed to drive past his defender and get to the basket. He's coming off a season high 20 point game against Sam Houston State. Defensively, he has quick hands and is able to force deflections in the half court. Tenette is just an okay three point shooter (32%) but GW will have their hands full trying to keep him in front.

With such a young trio starting, Olen had to add experience into the lineup. He brought in Deyton Albury and Luke Haupt to provide some leadership. Albury hails from the Bahamas and is a former JUCO. He's now onto his third D1 school, after playing at Queens (NC) and Utah State. Both schools are in the NCAA tournament this year. He can hit the open three (39%) but Albury does not take many, preferring to get downhill. He'll help Tenette out in orchestrating the offense but does average over two turnovers a game which leads the team. Albury makes up for it by getting some chances back (48 steals on the year). Seeing him record six steals against SHSU is a bit unsettling as a GW fan.

Haupt joins from the D2 ranks. He led a 29-6 Point Loma Nazarene Sea Lions squad in rebounding, assists, and steals last year while shooting 38% from long range. He's settled in nicely as the glue guy on the team, stuffing the stat sheet in many areas but is a lower usage player in the starting lineup. Haupt can explode on occasion, as seen back in February against Boise when he went for 30. That was more of an anomaly for him though this season.

Antonio Chol, JT Rock, and Tajavis Miller will come off the bench for the Lobos. All three are somewhat mediocre from the FT line (under 70%) which may play a role if the game remains close. Chol was a little-used option for Rutgers over two seasons before he spent 2024-25 at Garden City CC. Having more playing time allowed him to blossom, and he averaged 19.5 ppg/7.6 rpg while shooting nearly 40% from distance in 30 games. He's got good size and can play a number of positions on the floor. Chol's 13 point performance against Sam Houston on Wednesday was his first double figure performance in a month. Offensively, he prefers to operate along the perimeter. Chol is 35% from 3 and is second in made shots from deep on the team with 60. He is UNM's worst defender though (-0.61 DBPR according to EvanMiya).

Rock, a former 4-star, top 100 recruit out of HS (per 247Sports), headed out west after a year at Iowa State. He has pretty good efficiency stats in the 10-15 minutes he usually sees on the court - 56% from the field and 42% from 3. It's certainly an asset to have a 7'1" player that can make threes. Against the Bearkats, Rock had 14 points/8 rebounds in just 15 minutes of play.

Miller arrives in New Mexico following three years at North Dakota State (yet another NCAA tournament team). I guess it helps to recruit players from winning programs! Miller has embraced coming off the bench in his final two years of college. He's a good shooter for his career (36% from 3) but is having somewhat of a down year efficiency wise. According to EvanMiya, Miller is the only player with a negative OBPR (-0.08) in the rotation. It's a big jump to the MW from the Summit - a league that is generally known for not playing a lot of defense.

This is not a game I expect GW to win. If there's an advantage for GW it's that they have the more experienced roster but playing in a tough environment against a team who has an edge in the coaching department is a lot to overcome. Hoping for a competitive game where GW doesn't completely combust after halftime. The bench unit will need to step up otherwise the Revs may run out of gas towards the end of the game. I question how fast GW will want the tempo to be. Colorado State is rated somewhat similar to GW and they were able to win at the Pit 82-74 a couple weeks back (while turning the ball over 20 times) only by shooting 59% from the field and 44% from 3 with 11 threes made. By comparison, UNM was just 6/25 from 3 in that game. I can't help but feel a similar performance will be needed for the Revs to pull off the upset.

Projected Score: New Mexico 85, GW 76. 23% chance to win (KenPom). Bart Torvik forecasts a 27% chance at a W. ESPN predicts a 28.8% chance for GW to move to 20-15.
 

Does anyone know if Hunger will be available?

Did I miss a new NIT rule that the home team gets every close call and is never called for a foul, no matter what?

Was going to point out was FQ did.
This is going to hurt when they spend so much time in bonus.

6-2 foul discrepancy.
If they're better players than we are, they haven't show it. It isn't talent.
Outside of occasional times getting it together, every other team passes better
than we do.
  Not getting the ball to Castro at all.
Hope this time out gets things better.

Last edited by jf (3/22/2026 7:23 pm)

Luke with boot. Bad year for our big guys’ feet. No Johnson yet. We going with 7 guys?

No Garrett tonight?

Self destructing. Castro needs to be aggressive