Lobo Men's Basketball deserves recognition for solid season

Editor,

Before we throw our Lobo lanyards and basketball gear atop the fire built Thursday after the men’s basketball team’s second-round departure, let us pause. Many of us, including myself, saw red at an ignominious second-round exit at the hands of the Harvard Crimson, but let’s take a moment to reflect on the season in total, not just the final game.

The Lobos won the Mountain West Conference title outright, our second championship in a row. The Lobos also looked heroic in heading to Las Vegas, Nev., to win the MWC Tournament title, again, the second in a row. These are no mean feats in a conference as tough as the MWC is on itself. Even more compelling as it comes on the heels of Drew Gordon graduating last season and many wondering how the Lobos would fare. The regular-season and conference titles as well as a 29-6 record are nothing to scoff at.

Head coach Steve Alford was awarded the MWC coach-of-the-year-title and also Division VIII coach-of-the-year honors by the United States Basketball Writers Association leading the Lobos this season. He also received many accolades on the national level, including many references to possibly NCAA coach of the year. He and the University agreed to a 10-year contract extension and ensured the Lobo faithful his winning presence will be around for years to come.

This was a solid team filled with solid players. Junior guard Kendall Williams snagged player-of-the-year honors in the MWC, First Team All Mountain and was named to the All District VIII team. He single handedly blew up Colorado State to end their 27-game home win streak by dropping ten 3-pointers on his way to 46 points total for the game. Alex Kirk was also named to the All District VIII team as well as second team All Mountain West Conference. Tony Snell had a breakthrough season and was named to the third team All Mountain West Conference. Hugh Greenwood and Cameron Bairstow received honorable mentions. All five of these starters will return next year.

The team received national attention throughout the season and was ranked in the top 25 nearly the entire season, culminating with the 10th spot at season’s end. Hugh Greenwood also made Cosmopolitan’s Hot College Basketball Players list — doesn’t that count for something? It does.

What it all counts for is a team that can hope to pull stronger recruiting classes and more looks from preeminent high school players. The team can expect to sell more gear, more tickets and draw more TV time, including being part of the MWC’s recent 10-year TV deal with ESPN, all of which helps to keep it solvent and able to pay Alford’s new contract without tapping into other funds.

While many want to roast the team for its loss last Thursday, there is more reason for celebration than castigation of this team. So I’ve pulled my own Lobo lanyard away from the flames and look forward to next season, and also want to thank the team for a year any Lobo should be proud of.

Jason Stafford
UNM student