The program thrived, and Ellenberger became a local celebrity, restaurateur, and man-about-town, earning the nickname "Stormin' Norman" for his flashy attire and fiery coaching style.[35][36][37][38][39]. [35], The "Lobogate" scandal involved forged academic transcripts, payments made for bogus Junior College credits, and other devices to attain eligibility for players who lacked academic credentials. [116] Douglas was an explosive scorer and led the team with 16 points a game. [194] Lyle had not traveled to Nevada because of a knee injury. The Lobos lost Daniels and Monroe to graduation and were picked in the 196768 preseason to finish last in the WAC. Stoking the popularity of Lobo basketball by this time was the success of two longtime rivals. By contrast, Marvin "Automatic" Johnson was one of the greatest scorers in Lobo history. [27] Instead, they started the season 170, rising to #6 before beating #5Utah in the Pit, propelling the Lobos to #4. [23], The 197879 Lobo squad returned starters Abney and Saunders while adding another strong JC class including Larry Belin. [209] The video clip of NC State coach Jim Valvano celebrating at the end of the game documents one of the most famous moments in NCAA basketball history and is a staple of NCAA tournament television coverage.[5]. [217] Human mascots, dubbed "Lobo Louie and Lobo Lucy", members of the cheerleading squad, roam The Pit during games rousing and entertaining fans. [110][111] Bliss stated, "[a]s a coach, I have never compromised more of my offensive principles than while coaching Greg Brown. The Lobos jumped out to a 259 lead before the Wildcats chiseled away at the lead, cutting it to two late in the game. [2][46] The Lobos finished in the top five nationally in attendance 16 times in their first 20 years at The Pit, reaching second five times, and they were in the top ten all but one season through 2002. [23] He averaged 16 points and five rebounds a game as a Lobo, also leading the team in assists and steals. [191] Also in January, JaQuan Lyle hosted a party at an Airbnb where two people were shot, one of which was a UNM female athlete. [46], The 199899 Lobos again started strong with a 121 record, reaching #11; they stood at 162 after beating #7 Arizona but then lost four of five, struggling on the road. [224] He was an integral part of the Lobo fan experience, especially before most games were televised. [204] Rick Majerus, who compiled a 511 record against the Lobos at The Pit, tying him with Don Haskins for most wins by a visiting coach, noted the intensity and dedication of Lobo fans and their knowledge of the game,[207][208] The Pit hosted the 1983 NCAA Final Four, the last time the event was held on a college campus. They lost in the conference tournament but received a berth in the NCAA Tournament as a ten-seed facing Virginia. [187] Williams finished his career as the fifth leading scorer in Lobo history, third in assists, and the MWC career assists leader. Smith is now second in career assists and third in career steals. [55] The team finally broke through, winning another exciting game at UNLV, beginning a string of nine wins in its last ten games. McKay faced a major rebuilding project in 200203 compounded by further dismissals and injuries that cut the team to seven scholarship players. In 1957, while still on faculty, Johnson oversaw construction of the 7,800-seat arena that bears his name, Johnson Gymnasium. [125] Thomas was named second-team All-American, and he and Shields were both All-WAC. The Lobos have enjoyed exceptional success at The Pit, winning over 80 percent of their games and mounting home-winning streaks of over 20 games four times, with the longest of 41 straight in 199698. In 1962, the Lobos became a founding member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The Lobos had only two winning seasons from 1947 to 1962, compiling a 113252 (.310) record, including a dismal 42149 (.220) during the last eight years. The plucky squad lacked depth, but its veterans found ways to win, building a 164 record. [23], The 200910 Lobos were again a young squad picked to finish fifth in the MWC in preseason polls. Game Notes 201314, pp.15,20; Media Guide 201314, pp.67,7576,79. Fraschilla was hired days after Bliss resigned, touted as a great recruiter and up-and-coming coach after leading Manhattan and St. John's to the NCAA tournament. [12][17] In the 196566 season, Daniels averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds a game, and the Lobos raced out to an 111 record after beating #7BYU. The arena has frequently hosted NCAA tournament games, including the 1983 NCAA Final Four that featured one of the most memorable finishes in tournament history. [19] Four starters averaged in double-figures in scoring, led by senior guard Ron Nelson at 19.5 points a game. The Lobos won their fourth WAC championship with a 131 league record, losing only at ranked Utah, and entered the NCAA tournament ranked #5 and seeded second in the West Regional, with the opportunity to play in The Pit for the regional final with a win. The Lobos led the conference in scoring defense and were 15th in the nation, allowing 63.2 points per game. He oversaw construction of Carlisle Gymnasium in 1928 and Zimmerman Field in 1938, the first football stadium at UNM.[9]. The team began the season 112 but lost four straight, struggling on the road. [118] New Mexico later lost at Utah in a blowout, then lost a close game to the #3 Utes in the WAC tournament. [213] On April 27, 2017, UNM asked WisePies to relinquish the naming rights, per the terms of the agreement, and WisePies agreed to do so. Renovations completed in 2010 added space and state-of-the-art amenities for fans and players. Sophomore Smith led the team, scoring 16 points a game, while three freshmen Clayton Shields, David Gibson, and Royce Olney played extensively. The team was again defense-oriented, surrendering just 60 points a game and grinding out close wins, frequently coming from behind. They went to the NIT and beat South Florida before losing at eventual champion Wake Forest, finishing 1814. All returned for 200405, and Granger turned in a spectacular season, averaging 19 points and nine rebounds a game to gain All-American recognition. Despite the scandal, Ellenberger managed to remain popular in Albuquerque, running a nightclub, appearing in TV commercials, and coaching the city's Continental Basketball Association team some fans even wanted him to be rehired as Lobo coach. The following season, 196364, the Lobos won their first WAC championship, led by Ira Harge, who King had recruited from a junior college in Iowa. The Lobos in 198485 were led by JC transfer forward Johnny Brown (18.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game) and senior center George Scott (14 points and 6.6 rebounds),[73] along with a nucleus of sophomores, including guards Hunter Greene and Kelvin Scarborough, who both scored in double figures. The following table summarizes the records and accomplishments of the coaches before Bob King. The Lobos climbed to #16 with a 120 start, with a win over #19 Connecticut, before losing to NCAA tournament-bound South Dakota State; they won at #8 Cincinnati then lost at St Louis, which later reached #13. [17][197], Attendance at Lobo games in The Pit has consistently been among the national leaders in college basketball, averaging over 15,400 fans per game since it opened. [7][17], University Arena opened in 1966 but was soon nicknamed "The Pit" due to its innovative subterranean design, with the playing floor 37 feet below street level. They dropped their next four games on the road, however, including a one-point loss at #10 BYU. The team entered the year #18 and would remain ranked throughout the next three seasons. The teams met again in the conference tournament final, and the Lobos prevailed for their third straight MWC tournament championship. [66] Harrison and his players gained fan appreciation for persevering under difficult circumstances, but he served primarily as a caretaker until a new head coach was named. Fraschilla had lost the team: nine players had left the program or been dismissed during his tenure. The Lobos won the WAC regular season championship in 1964, 1968, 1974, 1978, and 1994, and they won the conference tournament in 1993 and 1996. On April 11, 2017, Paul Weir was named head coach of the Lobos. [79] The Lobos scored over eighty points a game and set the team record for most total points in a season. [120] Smith was chosen by the Miami Heat with the 26th pick in the first round of the 1997 NBA draft, playing five seasons in the NBA and several more in Europe. ", coupled with a hand gesture emulating a wolf. [89] Knight acknowledged that he had seriously considered the offer but eventually declined, stating that he did not have the energy that would be required. [155][178] Snell was selected by Chicago with the 20th pick in the first round of the NBA Draft. [19][30] The team finished the season 179 but failed to receive an NIT berth. [62] The damage to the program was devastating, as it was forced to rebuild virtually from scratch, beginning in mid-season. [131] Yet, despite his success, Bliss faced mounting criticism from fans and the media for poor academic performance by his players, lax discipline, lightweight schedules, and the failure to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. [225] New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson declared May 8, 2008 as "Mike Roberts Appreciation Day" in honor of the sportscaster. [155][156] Six other players averaged between seven and ten points as balanced scoring became a hallmark of Lobo squads under Alford. [148] They lost in the conference tournament but received a bid to the NIT, losing at Cal to finish 249, the most wins for a first-year Lobo coach to date. Shields again led with 19 points. New Mexico began playing New Mexico State in 1904, currently totaling over 200 games; they first played UTEP in 1929, with over 140 games total. Howard led a young team, scoring 19.7 per game, with sophomores Willie Long and Petie Gibson beginning their runs as three-year starters. The team won seven of their last nine, both losses coming to #8 Utah, in Salt Lake and in the WAC tournament final. Daniels averaged over 17 points and 11 rebounds a game, providing the fast-growing Lobo fan base a preview of things to come. The 197374 Lobos began the season 120, launching them to a #8 ranking. Ellenberger was well-respected as a teacher of defense,[34][39] and he was a frequent participant in basketball coaching camps and workshops, where he became friends with UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian. [183] Williams averaged 16 points and five assists, and Kirk added 13 points and nine rebounds. [152], Steve Alford coached the Lobos for six seasons, compiling a 15552 (.749) record with three NCAA tournament appearances, at least a share of four league titles, and two conference tournament championships. [86], Colson was forced to resign after the season ended, a move that remains somewhat controversial. [26] New Mexico State hired Lou Henson as head coach in 1966, and like the Lobos under King, in his second season the Aggies began achieving national rankings and post-season tournament appearances. [22] Gibson compiled career averages of over 11 points and seven assists per game, still holding UNM records for career assists per game and four other assists categories.[31][32]. In addition to Daniels, other prominent players produced by the Lobo program include five-time NBA champion Michael Cooper, three-time NBA champion Luc Longley, NBA all-star Danny Granger, and Kenny Thomas. They began their WAC schedule with losses at Utah and BYU but rebounded to win eight of their next nine. [99] Robbins finished his career with the Lobo record for best career free throw percentage, third best three-point shooting percentage, and second most minutes played, having started all 133 games of his career. [151] The 200607 team featured talented Kansas transfer J. R. Giddens, who led the team with 16 points a game, but discipline problems limited his playing time. Colson had also clashed with Koenig in a contract dispute and had gone over his head to resolve the issue. The Lobos struggled to a 97 start before pulling together in league play, going 124 after winning their final five games to gain a share of the MWC title. Shields scored 1,837 points. [23] He was selected as the ninth pick overall in the 1967 NBA draft by the Cincinnati Royals, but he chose to play in the fledgling American Basketball Association (ABA), becoming one of its greatest all-time players. Fraschilla felt he had his system and recruits in place going into the 200102 season, and Lobo fans were eager for the team to return to the NCAA tournament. In the 2018-2019 season, Weir was reliant on four transfers from both Division 1 programs or junior college transfers, as well as returning senior Anthony Mathis. They entered the tournament 233 and ranked #6. Several players left the team, some claiming abuse by Fraschilla. From 1924 to 1934, his teams posted a 10438 (.732) record. Greene completed his career as the only Lobo ever to surpass 1,500 points, 600 rebounds, 300 assists, and 200 steals, averaging 16 points and six rebounds a game as a Lobo. The most renowned enduring feature of the Lobo basketball program is its home venue, known as "The Pit", recognized as one of the best college basketball arenas in the country. While Ellenberger was visiting this booster, in November 1979, he took a call on the tapped phone from assistant coach Manny Goldstein. The 197475 Lobo team was depleted by graduation and slipped to a 1313 record. While the criminal charges were cleared from Ellenberger's record, he would never be a college head coach again. [59] In July 1981, however, he was convicted by a state District Court on 21 of 22 counts of fraud and submitting false public vouchers. [60][63] In 1986, former rival and longtime friend Don Haskins hired Ellenberger as his lead assistant at UTEP, where he would coach for four years. All four Smith, Thomas, Long, and Shields were on the 199697 Lobo squad. The Lobos forced a turnover, down 6463, but their set play broke down and Gibson missed an unbalanced, driving shot, ending the Lobo season at 258. [42] They also established still-standing records for steals in a season as a team, Greene for steals by a player in a season, and Scarborough for career steals. The team played exceptional defense, allowing under 60 points per game, its fewest in the shot clock era, placing among national leaders in several categories. Two road losses made them settle for a share of the regular season MWC title, but they again beat ranked SDSU and UNLV to secure the conference tournament championship, the first time they won both titles in a season. Starting center Greg "Stretch" Howard was ineligible due to an NCAA rule disallowing transfers to play in postseason games; without his 14 points and 10 rebounds a game, the Lobos' balanced attack withered, and Nelson was their only consistent offense. [36][39][56] The team played at a frenetic pace and led the nation in scoring at 97.5 points per game. [106], The 199394 Lobos were picked in preseason polls to finish fifth in the WAC after losing their three leading players to graduation. Media Guide 201314, p.79. They were again relegated to the NIT, losing to Oregon State and finishing 2510, the team record for wins in a season at the time. [229], Conference Season Championships (11: 5 WAC, 4 MWC, 2 Border), Conference Tournament Championships (6: 4 MWC, 2 WAC), NCAA Tournament Appearances (15: 816 record), Individual and team records are published in detail in the 201314 Lobo Media Guide.[230]. William C. Dowling, Confessions of a Spoilsport: My Life and Hard Times Fighting Sports Corruption at an Old Eastern University (2007). Alford compiled a 4730 (.610) record in road games, the only Lobo coach over .500 on the road. Lobo basketball first achieved national prominence under Bob King, who was previously an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Iowa. Gibson later taught in the Albuquerque Public School system for more than three decades, gaining recognition as a mentor and role model, and he was named to the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. New Mexico joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) as a founding member before King's first season. [176] The Lobos lost on the road to ranked San Diego State and UNLV but beat both at home and won nine out of ten to clinch the league title. Virginia scored the last eight points of the game to take the lead, and the Lobos missed three shots at tying the game in the last 12 seconds, finishing the season at 238. The 196869 season began with high expectations and the Lobos ranked in the top ten, but they dropped out after a string of road losses. [36][46] The top six largest crowds ever at The Pit were during this period. UNM released a statement on February 26, 2021, they will part ways with Weir at the end of the 202021 season. McGee played in 137 games and dished out 684 assists. [104], The 199293 Lobos had an experienced core with Williams, Logan, and Jaxon returning as seniors. They then won 11 of 12, taking the WAC lead into the last month of the season. Long scored 1,840 points. Complicating matters, Koenig himself was fired three months later and eventually faced indictment on criminal charges for his activities as AD. Student-athletes from both men's and women's squads participate and sign autographs for fans, and the event is used to attract recruits invited to attend. The Lobos dropped their first two MWC games but then reeled off 15 straight wins their second longest winning streak ever[162] sweeping #10 BYU. [172] They dropped a pair of league games but then won seven straight, winning at #13 San Diego State and trouncing #11 UNLV to take the league lead and climb into the national rankings at #18. [119] He was again named All-WAC and finished as the leading scorer in Lobo history, with 1,993 points, and the leader in field goals made, having started every game of his career. They were upset in the first round by unranked Cal State Fullerton, however, in another disappointing tournament performance. Gordon had 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Williams added 16 with two late baskets to seal the win. The Lobos won the MWC regular season championship in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013, and they won the conference tournament in 2005, 2012, 2013, and 2014. They went to the NIT and beat Bliss-led Baylor and Pepperdine in The Pit before losing at Memphis to finish 2113. [107] Brown averaged 19.3 points a game, scoring over 30 four times, often in pivotal games, with a season-best 42; junior Marlow White averaged 17, senior Notch Neves 13, and promising freshman Charles Smith added over ten a game. [122][123] Thomas averaged 17 points and nine rebounds, Shields 17 points and seven rebounds, and Long 14. [164] Martinez was honored as an Academic All-American and received the NCAA Chip Hilton Player of the Year Award for outstanding character, leadership, integrity, and talent.[165][166]. [12] The Lobos won as many games in his first two seasons as in the previous seven combined and went 11644 (.725) over his first six seasons. For yearly records and game results from 1899 to 1962, 202122 New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team, Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association, List of New Mexico Lobos men's basketball seasons, A Perfect Storm: The 197778 New Mexico Lobos, 198081 Arizona State Sun Devils Roster and Stats, 198081 Pacific-10 Conference Season Summary, 198384 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, 198687 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, 199495 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, 200708 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, 201112 New Mexico Lobos Roster and Stats, New Mexico Lobo Men's Basketball 201112 Season Review, Mountain West Announces 201314 Men's Basketball All-Conference Awards, Craig Neal Relieved of Duties as Mens Basketball Coach, "Lobos hire NMSU's Paul Weir as next men's basketball coach", "Month by month: A dreary 2020 for sports on most fronts in New Mexico - Albuquerque Journal", "Female UNM athlete shot at NE ABQ party - Albuquerque Journal", "Lobo basketball suspends JaQuan Lyle for house party, shooting incident", "A timeline of JaQuan Lyle's wild, tumultuous college basketball journey", "New Mexico turns the lights out on New Mexico State in 101-94 rivalry win", UNM asks WisePies to relinquish Pit naming rights, Dream deal for UNM nets $10 million over 10 years, "The 'dream' is over: UNM, Dreamstyle naming right agreement ends", Mountain West Conference Men's Basketball Tournament, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Mexico_Lobos_men%27s_basketball&oldid=1097838360, Articles with dead external links from May 2020, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Sporadic games, six in 1908 most for one year, Carlisle Gym opens, regular schedule established, Johnson, 10438 (.732) from 1924 to 1934; 13773 (.652) after 1936; 2873 (.277) in last four seasons, Clements, 4119 (.683) from 1944 to 1947, 72100 (.419) thereafter, Pre-Border Conference: 14570 (.674) from 1899 to 1931, Border Conference: 205235 (.466) from 1931 to 1951, Skyline Eight: 70195 (.264) from 1951 to 1962, Total Win/Loss (18892017): 15001110 (.575), 4 Steve Alford (MWC: 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), 7 Dave Bliss (1991, 199394, 199699), 47 record in NCAA tournament, This page was last edited on 12 July 2022, at 21:45. Leading players like Belin lost eligibility and were dropped from the team. Johnson stepped down as head basketball coach after the 193940 season. Colson said the popularity and continued presence of Ellenberger during his early years were unnerving and that he sometimes felt in competition with the former coach. [54] The injection of talent made the Lobos exciting and competitive, but they took time to gel as a team, beginning the season 64 with a couple of disappointing losses. [154] They struggled to win against first round opponent Montana, and Hobson injured his wrist and back. [114] The 199596 team added to that nucleus Albuquerque High star Kenny Thomas, a USA Today and Parade magazine High School All-American. Williams was named conference tournament MVP; he and Jaxon were both named All-WAC. Gordon became a dominating inside presence in 201112, averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds, registering 19 double-doubles, and setting the Lobo season record for rebounds. [128] Thomas was named All-WAC for the third time and finished his career as the second leading scorer and top rebounder in Lobo history. [55], Before the 197778 season, Ellenberger installed what he called the "Equal Opportunity Motion Offense", a run-and-gun attack emphasizing picks and passing as players rotate through each position, taking advantage of his versatile, athletic lineup. [220] The student section in The Pit, Section 26, is particularly noteworthy for the antics of its raucous fans, taunting and intimidating opposing players, often with personal remarks, and offering enticing visuals for television broadcasters: They chant, jump up and down in unison, shake newspapers and signs to make noise and create distractions, and some dress in costumes and body paint.