Dairese Gary has saved his best for last.
The UNM men’s basketball team senior guard scored 58 points in his last two games, a career-high 32 points coming in an 80-70 win at TCU that halted the Lobos’ four-game losing streak. Twenty of Gary’s points came in the game’s final 10 minutes.
“He’s had a brilliant career,” head coach Steve Alford said. “He’s been a warrior for four years. We’ve been through a tough two-week stretch, but during that two-week stretch, he’s done a great job of leadership, and he’s played really well.”
Gary had a previous career-high 26 points during the Lobos’ loss to UNLV, three days before their trip to TCU. For Gary, the Texas trip ended on a better note.
“I have more confidence right now knowing that we need some wins, and I am willing to do whatever it takes,” Gary said. “The ball is going in for me now, and my teammates are helping me get some wins.”
The Lobos, 18-11 overall and 6-8 in the Mountain West Conference, are in fifth place in the league and will need to put together a strong regular-season finish and likely win the MWC tournament to make the NCAA tournament. UNM’s Ratings Percentage Index is 90, but the Lobos have a chance to move up in the ratings when they face No. 7 BYU on Wednesday in Provo, Utah.
The Cougars are on their way to the Mountain West Conference regular-season championship, after an 80-67 rout at No. 6 San Diego State. BYU is positioning itself for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
BYU is led by National Player of the Year candidate Jimmer Fredette. Fredette scorched the Lobos for 32 points in the season’s first matchup, but BYU dropped its third straight game to UNM, 86-77.
This time, however, things are different for the Lobos.
For starters, aside from center Drew Gordon, UNM’s supporting cast has been inconsistent.
Take Tony Snell, for example. The freshman guard was the difference-maker against BYU, hitting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc en route to a breakout 16-point performance.
He’s scored a combined four points in his team’s last three games.
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“I’m kinda going downhill, so I need to pick myself up right now,” Snell said.
Snell said communication will be the biggest issue for UNM to overcome if it expects to leave BYU with a win.
“We look confused on the court sometimes,” he said. “That comes from not talking on the court. We’re trying to figure that out right now. We talk a lot off the court, but we need to talk more on the court.”
The Lobos’ learning curve is a result of youth.
Throughout the season, Alford has started three and sometimes four freshmen. Against TCU, the young guys had 10 points. They had eight against UNLV.
In the post, forward A.J. Hardeman had his best performance of the season at TCU, a 14-point, 10-rebound outing.
“He is playing at a high level,” Alford said. “Like last year, we are a lot better when A.J. is playing better basketball. It’s just trying to find the right combinations at the right time during the game.”
UNM could make a late-season run if Hardeman remains consistent, Gordon continues his inside dominance and the underclassmen provide strong play.
Largely, how the Lobos fare against BYU will determine if the run will materialize.
“It’s going to be hard,” Gary said. “It’s going to be an emotional game and a physical game. BYU plays good on the road, and they play even better at home.”
Alford said Gary is two games away from setting a career record for wins as a Lobo, and he wants to ensure his senior’s final games are ones for the record books.
“We will do whatever we can to help him get there,” he said. “He’s been an amazing player, and it’s sad he’s down to his last regular-season games of his career.”
