The UNM men's basketball team is set for its biggest showdown of the season after a thrilling road win on Saturday.
The Lobos held off Utah 72-71 on Saturday and will take on Mountain West Conference-leading BYU at The Pit on Tuesday.
"This is what you play the season for - to get to this point of the season and still have a lot to play for," UNM head coach Steve Alford said. "And we obviously have a lot to play for. This ought to be a pretty fun environment here Tuesday night."
With Saturday's win at Utah, the Lobos improved to 22-6 overall and 9-4 in the conference. UNM is third in the conference behind BYU and UNLV and is still alive in the regular-season conference race.
Meanwhile, BYU fell 69-65 to San Diego State on Saturday, snapping a nine-game winning streak. The Cougars are 21-6 overall and 10-2 in the MWC.
The two teams met on Jan. 26, with BYU coasting to an 83-66 win in Provo, Utah.
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However, UNM has won six games in a row, with three of its last four games on the road.
J.R. Giddens said the Lobos have improved since the first meeting with the Cougars.
"I think we're a completely different team," he said. "We've matured and bounced back from struggles in the season."
After Tuesday's battle with BYU, the Lobos will have a week off before taking on UNLV. The Rebels were the last team to defeat UNM, downing the Lobos 79-60 on Feb. 2 in Las Vegas.
UNLV is 20-6 overall and 9-3 in the conference.
Alford said BYU and UNLV have been the best teams in the MWC, so there isn't a better measuring stick for UNM than the next two games.
"I think those are the two top teams in the league," he said. "I think they have been for several years, and I still think they are. Until somebody proves that different, it's still going to be BYU and UNLV."
Alford said he is impressed with how UNM has grown this year and is excited about the possibilities.
With three games remaining in the regular season, the Lobos can finish with 25 wins, including a 17-1 record at home.
They would need some help, but winning the MWC in the regular season is still possible after a 3-4 start in conference play.
But the focus is on Tuesday's showdown with BYU, which should provide an electrifying atmosphere, Giddens said.
He said he can anticipate what the crowd will be like on Tuesday.
"Beautiful - what every kid's dreamed of for college basketball," Giddens said. "Just college basketball at its best - The Pit."
