Can the Lobos make the NCAA Tournament?
ESPN.com has added UNM to its list of "bubble teams" on the outside looking in at the field of 65.
Andy Glockner wrote on the site that UNM was the most interesting of the squads on the bubble. He mentioned the Lobos' scant three losses with Danny Granger in the lineup, and that last week's win over Utah was big for the team's hopes.
UNM's lousy strength of schedule hurts, he wrote, but, "The Lobos probably deserve a long look if they make the MWC finals."
The Mountain West Conference tournament looms as the Lobos welcome Colorado State to The Pit Saturday for their season finale.
Though they aren't looking past the Rams, the team is on a roll, having won five straight games and eight of its last nine.
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And some players are watching to see what the NCAA Selection Committee might be thinking of their team.
"I've definitely been watching and reading all about that," Granger said. "They say that the Lobos might deserve a look if we make it to the final games because I was out three games."
Granger said the idea of being on the bubble has made the season's final games that much more exciting.
"I really think we're an NCAA tournament team," he said. "You take out the three losses when I wasn't playing and we're 21-3. That's a pretty good record. One of those losses was to (No. 4) Wake Forest and at Oregon, so that's not that bad."
UNM sits all alone at second place in the conference and could easily harbor aspirations of getting to the MWC tournament final.
A healthy Granger and the strong play of Mark Walters at point guard have keyed the Lobos' hot play.
"He's doing a great job," head coach Ritchie McKay said. "Mark certainly stabilizes us. He's got a lot of freedom on offense because he's been playing the point, and he's instrumental to our cause."
Walters was named MWC Player of the Week last week after scoring 42 points in the team's two games.
"Mark's not a natural point guard, but he's fit into the role really well," Granger said. "As far as defenses go, Dave Chiotti and I draw a lot of attention and I think it allows Mark to open up his game. He penetrates more and gets to the basket or makes opportunities for other people."
For his part, Walters said he hasn't been in on the Lobos' bubble watch.
"A lot of people are talking about us being on the bubble, but I haven't really seen it," he said. "Me and my teammates and all our coaches know that doesn't mean anything if we don't beat Colorado State. That's where all our attention is. If CSU comes in here and beats us, then all that bubble talk goes out the window."
