They aren't ranked in the Top 25 polls -- yet, anyway -- but the New Mexico Lobos (22-4, 8-2 MWC) might just be the best team in the Mountain West Conference this season. The Lobos are now winners in their last seven games, including back-to-back wins over ranked opponents: the No. 13 San Diego St. Aztecs and the No. 11 UNLV Rebels. The latter was a 65-45 victory on Saturday afternoon at University Arena in Albuquerque, N.M. Those seven wins have been by an average of 19.3 points, according to Mick McGrane.
Drew Gordon put in a monster effort that ended with 27 points and 20 rebounds, the former a season high and the later tied for a season high. He was 13-of-20 from the field. Tony Snell was a distant second in points scored for the Lobos, chipping in with 12 points. No other Lobo reached double-digit points, but Demetrius Walker did add nine points off the bench.
The Rebels were plagued by bad shooting, hitting on just 31.1 percent of its shots. Mike Moser, who normally averages 15 points per game, managed to put eight points on the board. Anthony Marshall led the team with 18 points and 10 rebounds. He made eight of the teams 11 free throws (the team reaching the line just 21 times).
In January, the Lobos had lost to San Diego State at home and to the Rebels on the road. During the second go-around, the Lobos picked up the road victory over San Diego State and the home win over the Rebels.
The Lobos still have four more games left (at Colorado State, at TCU, Air Force, Boise State) before the 2012 Mountain West Tournament; yet, the Lobos will have a strong resume to make the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team should they not win the conference tournament.
Head over to the Mountain West Connection for more on these teams. Check out SB Nation NCAA Basketball for more news and notes as we approach the NCAA Tournament.