While UNM football season is just around the corner, Lobo men's basketball took center stage last week. Thursday, Athletic Director Rudy Davalos and head coach Ritchie McKay announced this season the University would mark the 100th season of UNM men's basketball.
"This is probably the most important season of Lobo basketball," Davalos said during a press conference at The Pit. "Celebrating 100 seasons, that's quite a thing for this state, for this University, for our athletic department. But especially for our fans, because I think the reason you're celebrating 100 years of basketball at this campus is because of our fans."
McKay also said the fans have played a large part in making the program as popular as it is.
"The fans are to be applauded because they're the reason why New Mexico basketball is what it is," he said. "It is because of their great support. This is a unique opportunity in college basketball simply because I don't know of many programs that, for 36 seasons, have been in the top 11 in attendance and support their team win, lose or draw."
One of the biggest highlights of the 100th season celebration will be the "Lobo Legends Dinner," Sept. 13 at The Pit. The event, sponsored by the Lobo Club, is expected to bring more than 50 former players back to The Pit. Among those who may attend are current NBA players Charles Smith and Kenny Thomas as well as Greg Brown and others.
Davalos said the 2002-2003 Lobos uniforms also will reflect the celebration, as historical elements such as turquoise "accents" will be incorporated into on-court wear.
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Fans also will get the chance to participate by helping to pick UNM's All-Century Team. Coaches, fans and the media also will help choose the 100 Most Memorable Moments in Lobo men's basketball history.
Other highlights of the season-long celebration will be the issuing of trading cards featuring past players and coaches, special theme nights to honor different decades of Lobo basketball and special "Fan recognitions" throughout the season.
Specific details regarding the "Lobo Legends" dinner as well as fan voting for the All-Century Team will be announced later in the year.
"We'll do a lot of things for the fans," said Darren Dunn, associate athletic director for corporate development. "We'll keep the fans involved. As we get close to basketball season plans will evolve and grow."
In 100 years, the men's basketball team has amassed an overall record of 1,182-928. The Lobos have gone to the post-season 26 times, 10 times to the NCAA Tournament and 16 times to the National Invitational tournament. UNM has qualified for post-season play in each of the past seven years and 18 of the past 19 seasons.
UNM announced the full schedule for the Lobo men's basketball Tuesday. The Lobos could face up to eight teams that played in the post-season in 2001-2002.
After two exhibition games against the EA Sports All-stars, UNM opens against the University of California at Berkeley on Nov. 23 in The Pit. The Golden Bears went 22-8 last year on their way to an NCAA Tournament appearance. Other home games include New Mexico State on Dec. 15, the Southern Utah University on Dec. 21 and Northern Arizona University on Jan. 7.
The Lobos go on the road to face the University of Tennessee on Jan. 4, and Texas Tech University, which went to the Big Dance last year in its first year under coach Bobby Knight, in Lubbock on Dec. 18. The game will televised nationally on ESPN. UNM's first game on the road is at archrival New Mexico State on Nov. 30.
Head coach Ritchie McKay's Lobos will play two more nationally televised games, as part if ESPN's "Big Monday" package - the Mountain West Conference opener Jan. 13 at Colorado State University and Jan. 27 against the University of Nevada at Las Vegas in The Pit.
UNM also makes three Saturday afternoon regional appearances on the ESPN-Plus network. Telecasts will include the Lobos game Feb. 1 at Brigham Young University, Feb. 22 at UNLV and March 1 against the University of Utah in The Pit.
The Lobos close the regular season at the Air Force Academy March 8. The MWC Tournament takes place in Las Vegas, Nev. March 13-15.
