**The Lobos look to make a lengthy postseason run in the NCAA Tournament after enjoying unparalled regular-season success*.*
This time around, the UNM men’s basketball team doesn’t have endure March Sadness.
No, it’s official. The Lobos will be a part of March Madness.
After finishing the season with a school-record 29 wins, the Lobos earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the highest seed the Lobos have gotten since 1998, when they were also a No. 3 seed. It’s marks the highest seed a Mountain West Conference team has received in its history.
UNM will travel to San Jose, Calif., to play Big Sky Conference-winner and No. 14 seed Montana in the first round.
Should the Lobos advance past the first round, they’ll face the winner of No. 6 Marquette and No. 11 Washington in the second round.
“We’re excited about the seeding,” head coach Steve Alford said. “We’re going to get to work immediately on prepping for Montana. Anytime you get to this point in the season, everybody is good and every game is going to be a challenge. We’re not going to overlook anyone.”
UNM landed in the East region where the other top seeds include No. 1 Kentucky, No. 2 West Virginia and No. 4 Wisconsin.
In addition to the Lobos postseason berth, the MWC put three other teams into the Big Dance. MWC tournament champion San Diego State earned a No. 11 seed and a date with No. 6 Tennessee in the first round.
Elsewhere, UNLV is a No. 8 seed and will face No. 9 Northern Iowa, while No. 7 BYU will take on No. 10 Florida.
It is the first time in the MWC’s 11-year history that four teams have earned postseason berths to the NCAA Tournament.
“Our No. 3 seed is well-deserved,” senior Roman Martinez said. “Our team has proved itself throughout the season. Now it’s time to show what we can do in postseason.”
Approximately 7,000 fans packed into The Pit to watch the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, a sign that Alford said is indicative of the spirit of Lobo Nation.
“It speaks volumes of what kind of fans we have,” he said. “Almost 7,000 people to watch a 30-minute television show. It’s pretty spectacular.”
Lobo Club contributors and students will receive priority on UNM’s allotment of first-round tickets.
Should fans want to travel with the team to San Jose, student tickets will go on sale Monday at the Lobo Ticket Office at 8:30 a.m. Ticket sales will open up to the general public on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. All tickets are $83 per session and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
All-session passes are also available for $249 through the NCAA Web site and at Ticketmaster.com.
*UNM vs. Montana
Thursday, TBA
San Jose, Calif.*
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