LOBO guests, tell us about your team

[tower912]

Our moderator says we have some new guests.  I respect you keeping a low profile and trying to get a lay of the land.   A helpful hint:  don't bother.  Too much dysfunction, too many inside jokes.   So, go to the blank space below this post, grip and rip.   Hit 'post' when you are done.   Be prepared for sarcasm and attacks.  Don't take it personally.

[Shaka Shart]

How many of your alums from The University Of New Mexico Department Of Dental Medicine have contacted other poster's HR departments?

[#UnleashSean]

How many of your alums from The University Of New Mexico Department Of Dental Medicine have contacted other poster's HR departments?

My god 

[tower912]

...as I was saying about the dysfunction...

[rocky_warrior]

...as I was saying about the dysfunction...

Scoop is a well oiled machine.  Bad timing chain, but plenty of lube.

[The Sultan]

Wait. I thought we were playing New Mexico State?

[fjm]

How many Arby's are there in Lobos, New Mexico?

[Scoop Snoop]

Just wait until Rico shows up here.

[Jay Bee]

Crazy how time flies, but I think this is Pitino's 13th season as a HC. I think over those years he has a single NCAA tourney win (but only 32 losses!)

[Lobofan505]

Hey all. Lobo fan here, heading out to Cleveland for the game.

Looking forward to this matchup.

The Lobos returned to NCAA postseason last year after winning 4 games in 4 days to win the Mountain West Championship, lead by a trio of guards and JT Toppin. During the offseason, guard Mashburn JR. hit the portal, and star guard House graduated. There was a point where the Lobos had John Tonje, JT toppin, and Donovan Dent signed up to play for Richard Pitino in the offseason, before Tonje flipped his recruitment to Wisconsin and Toppin hit the portal. Almost 3 all americans for the Lobos.

Donavan Dent has been terrific for the Lobos this year, the only player in D1 to average 20+ points and 6+ assists, and only the 14th player to ever accomplish that feat. He doesnt shoot a lot of 3s, though he does hit them at a high rate, but is prolific at finishing around the rim. Nelly Jr Joseph played for Rick Pitino at Iona and then transferred to UNM. He is a beast on the Defensive glass, and is a strong two way player. He is elite at hedging ball screens and has not fouled out of a game this year. As those two go, so do the Lobos.

The Lobos returned Tru Washington, lockdown 2 guard, and Mustapha Amzil from last years squad. Amzil has missed some time, very streaky stretch 4. The Lobos are 18-1 on the year when Washington scored 10+ points. 6'9 guard Borovicanin, grad transfer CJ Noland, and freshman Milicivic found out the usual 7 man rotation.

The Lobos play fast (top 10 in pace) and force a high level of turnovers and points off of them. They do not make or shoot a lot of 3s, mainly spamming high pick and rolls with Dent and Jr. Joseph. 

Should be a great matchup and excited to watch the game. Go Lobos!

[tower912]

Thank you.

[Pakuni]

Thanks.
Unfortunately, your team is evil and must be destroyed.

[K1 Lover]

Knowing that MU fans are doing the same thing over there, I posted on New Mexico's discussion board and gave them a synopsis of MU.

Here's what the admin of that board said in reply to my post:

Well, I will make a quick attempt at this since nobody else is. We are a big team. Starting 6'10"; 6'10"; 6'9"; 6'4" and 6'2". We can be a tenacious defense when everything is clicking. Our 5 is an excellent rim protector and imposing physical specimen. Our 4 has some nice European inside moves but tends to gravitate towards the outside for 3-point attempts too often. Our 3 is often a great defensive player but brings little to the offensive table.

Our 2 is overall our best defensive player. He is really a ball hawk and totally relentless. When he gets on a roll offensively, he can be dangerous. Unfortunately, we cannot always rely on that. Still - whenever he scores in double figures, we are almost unbeatable. Our point is our best player overall and an All-American candidate. He is the real deal and will cause you problems. Not so much from the outside, but from the inside. He and our center thrive on the pick and roll and that is the offense that you will see us try most often.

I would say that our Achilles Heel is the bench. We have the bodies, just not the contributions that I would like. Still, expect one or two to help us out.

What scares me the most about your team is your ability to shoot 3's. That has not always gone well for us and is an area that I am sure the coach is working on. Too much 'hedging' on defense and not enough sticking to the chest of your man. All in all, it should be an interesting game. Once again, welcome to our site!

[marqfan22]

Thanks Lobofan505.

Look forward to the game.

Always appreciate Universities that care about Hoops the most and I think that is New Mexico. Hope to make it to game at the Pit someday. It looks amazing!

[rocky_warrior]

We are a big team. Starting 6'10"; 6'10"; 6'9"; 6'4" and 6'2".

Yeah, I didn't realize it, but they've got 5 guys 6'9"+ that get minutes. 

[MU82]

Our "ability" to shoot 3's scares all of us!

[Jockey]

Crazy how time flies, but I think this is Pitino's 13th season as a HC. I think over those years he has a single NCAA tourney win (but only 32 losses!)

He should be coaching at Carolina. That record would get him a free pass to the Dance for the next 5 years.

[TucsonLobo]

Another Lobo fan here, been lurking this sub today. This is my first day on the Internet so please don't make any death threats.

The scouting report posted here on Paint Touches is pretty accurate and covers the objective measurements pretty well, so I won't touch on that aspect. Also, I don't know what any of those things mean so I don't worry about them.

This team is all about Donovan Dent, but it rises and falls with Nelly and Tru Washington. Before the loss to Boise last week, we were 10-0 in games that Tru scored 10 or more points. And Nelly is capable of a 20/20 game.

But neither are consistent. Nelly disappears for some games. He also dominates average and below average competition, but struggles against good teams fairly often. It's like he forgets he's 6-10" / 260 lbs and plays like a little kid that's afraid of getting pushed around.

When Tru isn't on, he tries to do too much, and will take a lot of stupid shots, instead of just giving the ball to Dent. But he's our best defender and will likely be guarding Kam.

So for us to win, we need at least an average game from Nelly, and a good game from Tru. Or at least not a bad game from Tru, and one of the other players to step up.

My money would be on our 6th man, guard CJ Noland being the one to do so. He can shoot it from 3 and drive to the basket, and doesn't do many stupid things. Plus he's built like a bulldog.

The other two starters, Amzil and Filip, have been not good recently. They're capable of putting up good numbers, but typically don't. That said, they're solid defenders and add good length. They can both shoot the 3, but are streaky and will take too many when they're off. They also seem to have a possession or two where they try to drive to the hoop and dribble the ball off their knee or something. But overall they're solid and a net positive.

[tower912]

Much of that feels familiar.

[NickelDimer]

Amzil has missed some time, very streaky stretch 4. 

Did anyone else immediately think this is who will inevitably get hot against us? Cole

[#UnleashSean]

Scoop is a well oiled machine.  Bad timing chain, but plenty of lube.

Well of course we need lots of lube.

[MuggsyB]

Another Lobo fan here, been lurking this sub today. This is my first day on the Internet so please don't make any death threats.

The scouting report posted here on Paint Touches is pretty accurate and covers the objective measurements pretty well, so I won't touch on that aspect. Also, I don't know what any of those things mean so I don't worry about them.

This team is all about Donovan Dent, but it rises and falls with Nelly and Tru Washington. Before the loss to Boise last week, we were 10-0 in games that Tru scored 10 or more points. And Nelly is capable of a 20/20 game.

But neither are consistent. Nelly disappears for some games. He also dominates average and below average competition, but struggles against good teams fairly often. It's like he forgets he's 6-10" / 260 lbs and plays like a little kid that's afraid of getting pushed around.

When Tru isn't on, he tries to do too much, and will take a lot of stupid shots, instead of just giving the ball to Dent. But he's our best defender and will likely be guarding Kam.

So for us to win, we need at least an average game from Nelly, and a good game from Tru. Or at least not a bad game from Tru, and one of the other players to step up.

My money would be on our 6th man, guard CJ Noland being the one to do so. He can shoot it from 3 and drive to the basket, and doesn't do many stupid things. Plus he's built like a bulldog.

The other two starters, Amzil and Filip, have been not good recently. They're capable of putting up good numbers, but typically don't. That said, they're solid defenders and add good length. They can both shoot the 3, but are streaky and will take too many when they're off. They also seem to have a possession or two where they try to drive to the hoop and dribble the ball off their knee or something. But overall they're solid and a net positive.

Ty and good luck to your team. 

[wadesworld]

Ty and good luck to your team. 

Why good luck? Not to be a jerk to our guest, but I hope his team loses. Just being honest.

[GB Warrior]

What is Richard Pitino's favorite type of fare?

Is it true his favorite Billy Joel song is 'Scenes from an Italian Restaurant"?

[MuggsyB]

Why good luck? Not to be a jerk to our guest, but I hope his team loses. Just being honest.

My therapist says I should try and be more polite.