New Mexico looking like contender

Of the eight teams in the Mountain West Conference, New Mexico is the only one that hasn't won at least a share of the men's basketball championship — or received an NCAA tournament bid — since the league began in 1999-2000.

That may change this season.

Under third-year coach Ritchie McKay, the Lobos are off to a quick start, boasting the best non-conference record in the MWC with a 10-1 mark going into Wednesday night's matchup against No. 5 Wake Forest at The Pit.

Their lone loss came at the hands of Oregon as UNM fell to the Ducks in Eugene, 69-65, on Nov. 22.

Picked to finish fourth in the media preseason poll, New Mexico hasn't claimed a conference championship since 1994, when it was a member of the Western Athletic Conference. It hasn't enjoyed a 20-win season since 2001.

The Lobos, who haven't been ranked in the top 25 since March, 1999, received votes in this week's AP poll.

Leading the way for the Lobos is star forward Danny Granger, who, going into this week's action, averaged 18.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game — which places him No. 2 in the MWC in both of those categories.

Of course, New Mexico has fattened its record on some lower-tier competition, including wins against Western New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Plus, its glossy record also has something to do with the fact that it has played only two road games.

Still, the Lobos earned an impressive 19-point victory over Tennessee last week in Albuquerque. They have also defeated Santa Clara and New Mexico State. UNM is averaging 83.8 points per game this season, which, if it continues scoring at that clip, would set an MWC record. As of last week, the Lobos were ranked No. 15 in the nation in scoring offense.

Time will tell if New Mexico proves to be MWC contenders.

The team picked to win the MWC — UNLV — has struggled to a 4-4 record, but the Runnin' Rebels have played a formidable schedule. UNLV has beaten Oregon State, California, Auburn and Gardner-Webb. The Rebels lost to Saint Mary's, Nevada-Reno, Pepperdine and No. 4 Oklahoma State.

COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS: Conference play opens Jan. 8 and 10. The first Big Monday game, on Jan. 10, features the top two teams in the preseason media poll — UNLV at Utah.