U. puts 2-game win streak on line today

ALBUQUERQUE — Since hitting rock bottom a week ago, the Utah basketball team hopes to continue its upward climb when it meets New Mexico today (4 p.m.) in The Pit.

With a victory in the ESPN2-televised game, the Utes can move up another notch in the Mountain West Conference standings.

The Utes enter the game at 3-5, the same record as the Lobos. Last week, the Utes were dead last in the standings before defeating TCU and Wyoming.

Not only will the Utes be trying to jump ahead of the Lobos in the MWC standings, they'll be attempting to avenge their only MWC loss last season. The Lobos broke Utah's 18-game winning streak with a 65-54 victory.

The Utes might have had a chance to break a long New Mexico streak, but BYU beat them to it, ending the Lobos' 21-game home winning streak Wednesday night with a 77-71 victory. It was UNM's first home loss since December 2004.

As he has been most of the season, Utah coach Ray Giacoletti is more concerned with his team than his opponent. He feels if his team plays its game, it has a chance to win any game, although he knows it's tough to win at The Pit.

"The Pit is a hard place to play and we'll just try to get ready," he said.

While the Utes are on an upward swing after beating TCU by 35 Saturday and Wyoming on the road Wednesday, the Lobos have been struggling.

New Mexico has lost three straight and the Lobo faithful are getting restless. According to newspaper reports, coach Ritchie McKay is under fire on the local radio shows and on Internet chat sites.

Fans don't like how he's using certain players and are frustrated by the team's lack of success. The Lobos are 0-7 on the road and coming off their first home loss in more than a year.

Joel Box, who quit the team just before the first Ute-Lobo matchup a month ago, rejoined the team a few days later. He hadn't played for three games before playing 14 minutes against BYU and scoring 14 points, including 4 of 4 from 3-point range.

However, after the game, McKay criticized the JC transfer for his poor defense. Meanwhile, he continues to play former walk-on Jeff Hart, who is 1 for 13 from 3-point range in MWC play.