by Adrian Doerfler
Daily Lobo
When opposing teams watch game film on the UNM basketball team, there's one thing they will learn quickly: Don't play too much zone defense.
The Lobos have come out the gate like a racehorse, in part because of their effectiveness from beyond the 3-point line.
And no one has been hotter than Chad Toppert, who leads UNM in scoring at 13.5 points per game despite coming off the bench. He is also shooting 60 percent from the floor and 53 percent from behind the arc.
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Toppert credits his fast start to being older and wiser.
"It just comes with experience over the years," he said. "Everyone, including myself, is feeling more comfortable playing in The Pit."
Not to say this season's success is anything new to Toppert - he was the third leading scorer on last year's team. He is also a career 44 percent 3-point shooter entering the season, which is the third highest in UNM history.
After the Lobos went 15-17 last season, Toppert said he was thrilled when he learned Steve Alford was hired as the new head coach.
"I had heard so much about coach Alford as a player at Indiana, and I was real excited to meet him because he is a legend in college basketball," Toppert said. "It's been great to learn the game from one of the best."
For the moment, it seems as though Alford has rejuvenated the Lobos, as they are off to their best start since the 1998-99 season at 6-0. The 1998 team started 8-0.
Toppert said this year's Lobos are more focused and team-oriented than last year's team.
"Everyone has been more concerned about doing good as a team rather than individually," he said. "This group of guys, no one is concerned about who comes off the bench or who starts."
Toppert has been a great sixth man so far this season and has been the catalyst for the bench. The nonstarters had 36 points, 13 assists, three steals and only three turnovers in Wednesday's win over Hawaii.
Toppert led the way with 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting in what Alford called a solid performance.
"Toppert can flat shoot the ball," Alford said. "He's doing a great job. He filled the stat sheet and didn't have any turnovers."
One thing that remains a mystery is how Toppert can go 4-of-6 from 3-point range, yet 0-2 from the free-throw line.
"I just need to concentrate more at the line," Toppert said. "When you're that open, you have to take your time and concentrate. When I come off the screens for a 3-point shot, I don't think as much. I just let it fly."
Toppert is a graduate of Albuquerque Academy and is enjoying the perks of playing in his
hometown.
"It's been amazing playing in Albuquerque," he said. "If I have a bad game, my parents are right there for me. Sometimes I drop my laundry off at their house and let them take care of it, too."
Men's basketball vs. Southern Utah
Wednesday, 7 p.m.
The Pit
