Rare chance to see a great college basketball program...It isn't often when a truly great program outside the SEC comes to Tuscaloosa. New Mexico is that great program. If Alabama gets beat tonight don't go home and sulk. The Lobos will come in and go about their business which is playing great basketball. They finished the season at 22-11 and beat Sweet Sixteen BYU twice. That's all you need to know about New Mexico. It has been my privilege to go to "the pit" and watch the team from the Land of Enchantment play. This was back in the day when I took three months to go to as many of the great college venues as possible. The Pit ranks near the top. Hold on to your hats Bama fans because this team is coming in angry for not getting to play in the NCAA. Alabama is upset because of Georgia? How about beat a Sweet Sixteen twice and getting the thumb nose? New Mexico is a truly gifted basketball team with quality players at every position and they have a great head coach in Steve Alford.
Bama catches break with Lobo All-Conference PG out tonight....
Sadly, the Lobos will be without senior All-Conference point guard Daries Gary had a season ending knee injury a short while ago. Head Coach Steve Alford, of Indiana basketball fame, has found an able replacement in Jamal Fenton, a 5-9 sophomore who is as quick as Releford. He has averaged 12 ppg, and along with 4 assists. He has been a more than adequate replacement for Gary. Fenton is built like a fireplug and is strong as a bull. He'll give Releford all he wants.
Imagine Alabama without Trevor Releford except Gary was a senior. Alabama is going to put the pressure on the Lobos back court. Earlier when I spoke to Coach Alford he had this to say, "without a doubt this will be the best defensive team we've faced. Turnovers will be the key to the game." How's that for going out on a limb?
The Lobos go 6-9,6-8, and 6-5 in the forecourt. But they are quick and smart. I'd give Bama an edge with Green, Hines, and Mitchell. Mitchell may be the one player that New Mexico will have a hard time matching. If they put 6-5 Phillip McDonald on Mitchell he can post him down low. Mitchell is quicker than either Hardeman or Gordon. Look for some zone. The problem the zone cause New Mexico is they like to run. Going zone will hurt them in the full court game. I don't think that either NM inside player can play with JaMichael Green, All-SEC. Look for the Lobos to take it to Green and Hines and try to get them into foul trouble.
New Mexico beat Texas El-Paso without their point...
That alone should tell Tide fans that Alford can coach and Fenton can play. I think the home court advantage is probably enough to give the Tide the edge. Bama must make a few three pointers to keep the Lobos honest should they go to their zone defense. For Bama it is a matter of forcing turnovers and keeping up the defensive pressure. The Tide a solid win over Coastal Carolina. New Mexico beat Texas El-Paso in round one in what turned out to be a really good game. El-Paso cut an 11 point lead to 4 only to see solid play from the Lobos in the final 9 minutes to salt away the win.
Bama 63 - New Mexico 60 in a barn burner.
BACK TO TIDER INSIDER FORUMS...
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