by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
UNM men's basketball team members are putting things together later rather than sooner, and that's fine with head coach Ritchie McKay.
The Lobos are riding a four-game winning streak - their longest of the season - coming off a 47-45 victory Wednesday night at The Pit against the Wyoming Cowboys.
McKay said UNM is finally starting to play as a true group, which is one of the reasons the team has been rolling lately.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
"Our confidence is higher," he said. "The guys are playing well together, which is key to our success."
Another component of the Lobos' winning streak is they can rely on both their offense and defense to earn victories. UNM has proven it can win high-scoring games, like the 80-78 victory at Colorado State University on Feb. 8, or the defensive, low-scoring affair like the Wyoming game.
McKay said it is an asset to the team to have that kind of balance at this point in the season.
"It's important, especially if you're going to win in the postseason," he said. "We haven't been consistent on both ends of the court, but lately we've shown improvement in both areas."
After losing five of their first eight games in the Mountain West Conference, the Lobos have rebounded to 16-9 overall record and 7-5 in the MWC. They currently sit 2 1/2 games behind conference leader San Diego State University.
A common theme in UNM's four-game winning streak and the entire season is having to close out tight games. After the two-point victory against Wyoming, the Lobos are 6-0 this season in games decided by four points or less.
While those wins have not been comfortable, McKay said those experiences can be valuable as the regular season winds down.
"I think it gives us confidence down the stretch," he said. "I think it speaks to our senior leadership. It shows us that we can win in games where we're not scoring a lot."
McKay said the veterans are showing the younger players how to perform in pressure situations, and that's why the Lobos have come into their own as of late.
With the season winding down, McKay wants the team to continue the one-day-at-a-time approach. He said the team is clicking at the right time and hopes that will continue.
"Each win gives us more confidence," McKay said. "We haven't given up on ourselves, and we have great leaders."
