Despite losing the first two conference games to Wyoming and Air Force, two new additions to the Lobo roster show promise for the second half of the season.
Since forward Danny Granger and shooting guard Troy DeVries became eligible on Dec. 21, the Lobos have had a new sense of confidence.
They won four in a row and were riding a seven-game home winning streak - until Saturday.
The Lobos have suddenly had flashbacks to seasons past.
There were high expectations for Granger and DeVries, who were well known in the Mountain West Conference before they ever put on a Lobo jersey. But so far, the MWC has not been kind to them.
However, the Lobos had no trouble with teams in the Big 10, the Sun Belt, Mid Eastern or Ivy League, and they surprised the ACC by holding then-No. 6 Wake Forest to 22 points below its average. Granger had 19 points and 12 rebounds against the Demon Deacons, while DeVries exploded for 12 points in the first eight minutes of the second half.
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But Saturday, Granger and DeVries each put out season-low numbers with 15 and three points, respectively.
In the duo's opening act against Coppin State, Granger shared high-scoring honors with Tindall, who had 18 points, while DeVries posted a double-double with 11 points, 12 assists and four rebounds.
And it wasn't beginner's luck. For Granger, 18 points was a sign of rust.
"I remember my first three shots," said Granger. "I think I made my first two, but I just didn't feel really comfortable because I hadn't played in over a year in front of a crowd."
The Lobos then went on a rampage, starting out with the unsuspecting New Mexico State, who thought it was back for another easy win. The Lobos' newly revealed weapons stunned the Aggies, as Granger produced 22 points and 16 rebounds and DeVries was good for 15 points.
The Lobos never trailed in the NMSU game and wouldn't against Northwestern Louisiana State or Penn State, either.
The first loss with the new additions came in Salem, S.C., nearly three weeks later, when UNM fell to Wake Forest by nine. However, the Demon Deacons could not dethrone Granger as the game's leading scorer.
In fact, Granger has played in only two games in which he was not the leading scorer. Junior forward, Alfred Neale stepped up with 24 points to lead the Lobos past San Diego on Jan. 6 and Saturday, Air Force's Nick Welch outscored Granger by three.
Not only has the 6-foot-8-inch transfer student from Bradley controlled the scoreboard, but also the glass.
Despite the loss in Wyoming on Jan. 12, Granger recorded 30 points and 14 rebounds for his fourth consecutive double-double. This is a feat no Lobo has accomplished since Kenny Thomas in 1998.
Granger gives most of the credit to McKay and his teammates.
"I just look to attack when I get it," said Granger. "But it just comes out of our offense. We play in a system that coach has designed that allows us to score. A lot of other guys score, too."
But the talent, skills and reputation come with enormous responsibility, expectations and pressure. Granger said he was raised to be strong-minded, and he can handle the demands of UNM fans.
"I know New Mexico is big basketball country," said Granger. "They expect a lot from us, and Coach McKay puts a lot of pressure on me, but it's only going to make me better. We're not boys anymore, so we all can handle it pretty well."
