Let’s Get WeirD: Schedule, Bold Predictions, and MW Picks

A new season brings new hopes, dreams, and expectations for Lobo Men’s Basketball Fans. This post mostly focuses on the first two. We’ll take a quick look at the non-conference schedule, make some bold predictions,  and fill out our preseason MW ballots. Let’s do this.

The Schedule

Unlike most years, the Lobos won’t have the added bonus of an MTE tournament this year, which a) doesn’t let them take a trip to someplace cool for the holidays and b) does hurt the ceiling of the schedule for this year. That being said, I really like what Coach Weir was able to piece together. While there won’t be any big name schools on the schedule this year, there will be a whole lot of teams that will be in the 50-150 range of schools. That sort of depth could create an enticing resume for the NCAA Tournament, assuming that the Lobos are able to take care of business. Here is the non-conference schedule:

Nov. 6 at Cal State Northridge

Nov. 10 Exhibition Northern New Mexico

Nov. 13 Iona

Nov. 17 New Mexico State

Nov. 24 UTEP

Dec. 1 at Bradley (MWC/MVC Challenge)

Dec. 4 at NMSU

Dec. 7 Saint Mary’s (Staples Center)

Dec. 11 Colorado

Dec. 16 Central Arkansas

Dec. 18 North Texas

Dec. 22 Penn

Dec. 30 at University of the Southwest (NAIA) Hobbs, NM

There is no one on that schedule that the Lobos can’t beat and most of those games feature opponents that the Lobos should beat. The key stretch is the first four games in December, starting with Bradley and ending with Colorado. If the Lobos can pick up three or four wins there, they will keep their hopes alive for an at-large bid.

Zach’s Bold Predictions:

  • Lobos will win either the MW Regular Season or MW Tournament
  • Lobos will make the NCAA Tournament
  • Lobos will have the highest Offensive Rating in the MW
  • Lobos will have 4 players shoot at least 38% from 3.
  • Lobos will have 3 players shoot better than 85% FT
  • Anthony Mathis will have 120+ 3-Pointers
  • Anthony Mathis will average 18+ points per game
  • Dane Kuiper will average 4+ assists
  • Lobos will have 3 players named All-MW (two on first, second, or third, one on honorable mention)
  • Lobos will score over 100 points in 6 games
  • Lobos will be ranked in the Top 25 at some point during the season
  • Lobos will have 425+ 3-pointers
  • Makuach Maluach will average 15 points and 5 rebounds a game
  • Vance Jackson will average 13 points and 7 rebounds
  • Carlton Bragg will average a double-double
  • Lobos will average over 13,500 a game

MW Preseason Ballots

Zach’s Picks:

  1. Nevada
  2. UNM
  3. SDSU
  4. Fresno State
  5. CSU
  6. Boise State
  7. UNLV
  8. USU
  9. WYO
  10. AFA
  11. SJSU

Player of the Year:

Caleb Martin, Nevada

Newcomer of the Year:

Carlton Bragg, UNM (Going on a limb here)

Freshman of the Year:

Bryce Hamilton, UNLV

First Team All-MW:

Caleb Martin, Nevada

Cody Martin Nevada

Jalen McDaniels, SDSU

Anthony Mathis. UNM

Deshon Taylor, Fresno State

Coach of the Year:

Paul Weir, UNM

Jono’s Picks:

  1. Nevada
  2. UNM
  3. SDSU
  4. Boise State
  5. UNLV
  6. Fresno State
  7. WYO
  8. CSU
  9. USU
  10. AFA
  11. SJSU (Would drop them lower if I could)

Player of the Year:

Caleb Martin, Nevada

Newcomer of the Year:

Vance Jackson, UNM

Freshman of the Year:

Jordan Brown, Nevada

First Team All-MW:

Caleb Martin, Nevada

Jordan Caroline, Nevada

Deshon Taylor, Fresno State

Jalen McDaniels, SDSU

Justin James, WYO

Coach of the Year:

Eric Musselman, Nevada