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It’s time for the UNM men’s basketball team to face an opponent in a different uniform.
After weeks of practice and two public intrasquad scrimmages, the Lobos play their first of two preseason exhibition games tonight when they host Victory University, a National Christian College Athletic Association program from Memphis, Tenn. Tip-off is 7 p.m. at The Pit.
UNM will play another preseason exhibition Monday against New Mexico Highlands before opening the season on Nov. 12 against Davidson.
“We’re sick of playing against each other,” UNM sophomore guard Hugh Greenwood said. “We’re looking forward to playing somebody else and getting the ball moving this season.”
Tonight’s game marks the first time the Lobos have played a basketball game on Halloween night. Concession stands will give out candy to young trick-or-treaters decked out in costumes.
UNM head coach Steve Alford said he does not know much about the personnel Victory will bring to the game. The exhibition’s purpose is to give the Lobos a chance to work on team aspects, such as substitution patterns and chemistry, in a format that will not affect the team’s regular-season record.
As part of the agreement with Victory, the Lobos will be able to dictate some of the Eagles’ plays, such as working against a man-on-man defense.
“They’re exhibition games, and we end up having some control over what those teams do,” Alford said. “We can kind of set Victory up and talk to Highlands as well. That’s all a part of the deal with the exhibition game.”
UNM will play tonight without sophomore center Alex Kirk, who sprained his ankle during an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday.
Alford said Kirk did not suffer as bad an ankle sprain as some players have experienced in the past, but Alford prefers to keep him out of a game that will not appear as a win or loss toward UNM’s regular season.
Senior guard Jamal Fenton, who was suspended by the NCAA for the first three regular-season games for an impermissible benefits violation, is eligible to play in both preseason exhibitions.
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Junior guards Kendall Williams and Tony Snell, along with freshman forward Nick Banyard, have been banged up in recent days, but Alford said they will play in the exhibition.
“We’ve got to be fortunate, but I think that’s what college athletics are all about,” Alford said. “You’ve got to be fortunate and have luck go your way in the health department.”
Greenwood said these home exhibition games will help younger players get real game experience playing on The Pit floor, which can be intimidating.
“Our first real game of the season is not normally against an opponent like Davidson who is going to be really, really tough,” he said. “I know it took us three or four games last year to get into the swing of things. This year we have to be ready to go day one.”
Basketball preseason exhibition
vs. Victory University
Wednesday
7 p.m.
The Pit
