It would be easy to look at the Lobos’ (11-2, 2-9) upcoming game against the Houston Baptist Huskies (0-9, 0-1) and write it off as an easy win. In all honesty, it’s hard to look at it any other way. If UNM were to lose, it would be one of the most improbable results of the season.
According to ESPN.com the Lobos are currently a 22.5 point favorite. That spread is similar to the game when Evansville upset then number one Kentucky earlier in the year. If it can happen to a team of that stature, it could happen to anyone.
The Huskies aren’t showing any issues with scoring, averaging 75.3 points per game as a team. Their issue is on the defensive end of the court. Surrendering over 100 points per game on average puts your team in a very tough spot. So tough in fact that the Huskies closest game of the season was an eight-point loss.
That second stat bodes very well for the Lobos.
After consecutive double-doubles, and a full week of rest, the odds favor Carlton Bragg to get a third. Bragg, a senior, has been dominant for the Lobos on the glass and is just shy of 11 rebounds per game (10.8).
This ‘easier’ stretch of games between conference play is allowing Coach Paul Weir the opportunity to play some guys who haven’t seen the floor much. Among those is Vante Hendrix, the transfer from Utah. Under NCAA rules, Hendrix had to sit out due to the transfer. He was finally able to get on the court for the first time against Grand Canyon University and tallied 12 points in only 18 minutes.
The depth of the Lobos is going to be worth watching as the weeks go by. How does Weir handle the minutes and the egos of so many talented players? If someone gets hot during these next few games, will there be a roster change when the Lobos head back into conference play? These questions will be on the minds of Lobo supporters in the coming weeks.
As the Lobos continue their quest for a perfect December, they are firing on all cylinders and are building momentum for the upcoming conference schedule.
Sunday’s game tips off at 12:35 pm (mountain) from Dreamstyle Arena. The game will be broadcast live on the Mountain West Network (theMW.com/watch).