And the Lobos Come Home

The Sweet Sixteen has become the University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team’s Everest. It just is. I don’t know what it is and no one else does either but it just seems insurmountable. Over the last ten years the Lobos have been to the tournament three times. Over the life of the program, many more times than that and have had as high as a number 3 seed in the 16 seed tournament. This year, the Lobos won the Mountain West Conference regular season and tournament and had a 5 seed. Not too far into the second half of this past Saturday night’s second round game against Louisville, the Lobos were down by as much as fifteen points. The lead seemed insurmountable and then the Lobos clawed their way back providing hope for their fans. In the end, they lost by three and don’t get a third game. The Lobos had a great season and every year under current coach Steve Alford has ended in a post-season bid. The thirst of Lobo fans for that third NCAA tournament game will only get larger, hopefully it finally happens. They are a great team and deserve credit from a successful season. Maybe next year.