ALBUQUERQUE—UNM men’s basketball opens the final chapter of the Mountain West Conference’s current lineup Saturday night at The Pit, hosting San Jose State in the league opener. The Spartans nearly stole a win in Albuquerque last season, leading for most of the game before the Lobos rallied late, and they arrive again as a dangerous, grind-it-out opponent under longtime coach Tim Miles. San Jose State plays at one of the slowest tempos in the country, relies heavily on mid-range scoring, and is coming off a competitive loss at Stanford after nearly erasing a late 14-point deficit. The Spartans are led by Mountain West scoring standout Colby Garland and strong offensive rebounding from forward Yaphet Mouandi. For UNM, injuries and player availability loom as key storylines, while shot selection and ball security remain points of emphasis. With San Jose State rated as a Quad 4 opponent, the opener represents a must-win opportunity as the Lobos begin their final Mountain West ride.

The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team walked the tightrope of a classic "trap game" on Sunday, making their escape from Florida Gulf Coast with a 75-59 victory—but not without paying a price. In front of 12,204 anxious fans in the Pit, the Lobos were visibly flat in the first half and, more alarmingly, saw two key players, Tomislav Buljan and Chris Howell, exit with first-half leg injuries.

Yet, out of adversity, a compelling narrative of resilience and newfound depth emerged. Key support came from JT Rock, who delivered a go-ahead 3-pointer and a game-changing block in the final minutes. Despite a 10-0 VCU run that erased UNM’s 10-point lead, the Lobos held firm behind Hall’s fifth three and a final defensive stop. UNM also limited VCU shooter Terrence Hill Jr. for most of the game.

The Lobos are back in action on Sunday in The Pit at 2:00 pm vs. Florida Gulf Coast.

RICHMOND, VA—UNM escaped Richmond with an 81–78 win over VCU, thanks largely to a dominant scoring stretch from Jake Hall, who finished with 24 points in his fourth 20-point game as a Lobo. Hall scored 19 of those points during a crucial run that flipped a first-half deficit into a second-half lead, but foul trouble derailed his night as he picked up four personals early in the half. The Lobos battled whistles throughout, with Tomislav Buljan and Deyton Albury also reaching four fouls.

Key support came from JT Rock, who delivered a go-ahead 3-pointer and a game-changing block in the final minutes. Despite a 10-0 VCU run that erased UNM’s 10-point lead, the Lobos held firm behind Hall’s fifth three and a final defensive stop. UNM also limited VCU shooter Terrence Hill Jr. for most of the game.

The Lobos are back in action on Sunday in The Pit at 2:00 pm vs. Florida Gulf Coast.

RICHMOND, VA—New Mexico faces another tough road test Wednesday, visiting a VCU team undefeated at home and ranked No. 41 in KenPom. The Siegel Center—one of college basketball’s loudest mid-major arenas—has fueled major runs for the Rams, who have posted bursts of 14–0, 20–6 and 27–6 in home wins.

VCU’s depth and pressure defense define the matchup. Eleven players average 13+ minutes, and the Rams rank 15th nationally in defensive efficiency while forcing nearly 15 turnovers per game. Offensively, they spread scoring among five players averaging 9–13 points, led by sharpshooter Terrence Hill Jr. (51% from three).

For UNM, the keys are clear: protect the ball, attack the paint, and crash the offensive glass—areas where teams have found success against VCU. After struggling in their first true road test against NMSU, the Lobos get another chance to earn a statement win.