The New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team has not lost yet during the 2022-23 season, and is the only mid-major school that is still undefeated. Led by a talented group of upperclassmen, the Lobos look to continue their early success and turn it into a March Madness birth.
On New Years Eve, the Lobos snuck by Wyoming to collect their second Mountain West Conference win of the season, and 14th total. In the 76-75 victory, junior guard Jamal Mashburn played hero at Arena-Auditorium, making two clutch free throws to seal a hard fought road win for New Mexico. Mashburn lead the Lobos with 20 points, followed by senior Josiah Allick with 15.
Mashburn and Allick are not the only impressive upperclassmen on the roster, senior Jaelen House averages 17.1 pts and 5.3 assists per game. Along with 5th year senior, Morris Udeze, who averages 15.7 pts and 7.5 rebounds per game. The Lobos have some other pieces too, with senior KJ Jenkins and freshman Donovan Dent being able to come off the bench and contribute in the scoring effort.
The Lobos were projected to finish 5th in the conference when the Mountain West held its preseason poll, and have exceeded expectations so far this season. When the AP Poll that was released on Dec. 26, the Lobos slotted themselves at ranking 22. They are only the second Mountain West Conference school to be ranked this season, and the only one currently after San Diego State fell out of the polls during mid December.
The Lobos find themselves as only one of two remaining undefeated programs in the nation, the only other being Purdue. With expectations high, this experienced Lobos team is looking to make their first March Madness tournament since the 2013-14 season.
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