Standing at 25-3, Steve Alford's New Mexico Lobos are a team that could end up getting as high as a 3 seed if things fall their way. 9th in RPI but 63rd in SOS, let's take a look at New Mexico.
The Lobos are 11-2 in the Mountain West, tied for first with another potential March tough out, BYU. Both losses are against top 45 RPI teams (UNLV & San Diego State). They do have one odd loss, at Oral Roberts just before Xmas. Never underestimate the ghosts of dead evangelists.
The top two players are Junior swingman Darington Hobson who averages 16/9 and Senior forward Roman Martinez who averages 14/7.
As is often the case of potential non-BCS party crashers, New Mexico can shoot the 3 and does so well, ranking 28th in makes and 34th in % made. They also rebound well, 27th in the nation - though one suspects they'd get exposed against bigger schools. They also do a very good job protecting the ball (18th). They can score (31st) but they are deficient at the line (218th).
Their issue will be defense. They currently stand 142nd in scoring defense and 108th in in defensive FG%. Unlike some of the other Top 25 teams from power schools that give up points, New Mexico's FG% defense is shaky. Pomeroy also has them 72nd in AdjD.
Should they win the conference or conference tourney, they'll be trendy pick to make some noise and they certainly could but if they land on the line as a 4 or 5, I'll take a long look at their matchup in looking for an upset. Whatever the case, I suspect if Crean doesn't get things going in a positive direction in Bloomington fast, you'll be hearing Alford's name as a candidate for that job sooner than later.
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