Introduction
The New Mexico Lobos are a rising team in the Mountain West conference. They are known for their relentless defense, which is a good and a dreadful thing. It has gotten them wins and move the Lobos up the pecking order, but it has also led to committing fouls and give up trips to the free throw line on defense.
Strengths
Forcing Turnovers and protecting the ball
New Mexico is a ruthless team when it comes to forcing turnovers. They force sixteen turnovers and ten steals, both leading the Mountain West and top fifteen in all of Division I. Their ability to force turnovers will be a key in March Madness mainly because they will get extra possessions and force their opponents to be desperate.
They are just as good at protecting the ball, turning it over under ten a half times, the second fewest in the Mountain West.
Rebounding and Blocking
The Lobos are dogs on raw meat when it comes to rebounds. They average just under thirty-nine rebounds including over twelve offense boards, both leading the Mountain West. They are also second in the conference in defensive rebounds with just under twenty-seven, only trailing Utah State by under half a rebound.
On top of their rebounding, they are a tough blocking team swatting away five shots a game. They lead the Mountain West and are within the top thirty in D1 in the that category.
Perimeter defense
Their perimeter defense is scary good, especially for a mid-major school. They allow around twenty-nine and a half percent of shots beyond the arc to go in, second lowest only to Utah State and top twenty-five in all of D-1. On top of their rebounding, this will make New Mexico an unforgiving team to face when March rolls around.
Weaknesses
Allowing trips to the line
As ruthless their defense is, they can hurt themselves as much as their opponents. They are committing over eighteen and a half fouls and allowed just under twenty-one free throws per game, both the most in Mountain West. This lack of discipline will be a problem in March Madness, especially late in games.
Free Throw Shooting
The Lobos are not a good free throw shooting team, draining a not-so-nice sixty-nine percent from the charity stripe, three lowest in the Mountain West. Considering they attempt over twenty-two free throws are game, they are leaving six points on the board. In March Madness, every point matters and missed free throws on top of allowing opponents trips to the line could be Lobo’s undoing.
Getting blocked
New Mexico gets rejected more often than a romantic on a dating site. They are blocked four and a half times a game, the most in the Mountain West and among the top twenty-five when it comes to getting blocked. While that may not seem important considering they are a great shooting team, one or two rejections late could be the difference between a deep run and a first round exit.
New Mexico’s ceiling
New Mexico is a team built for the Battle Royal known as March Madness with their no holds barred style of play, but they need to keep their aggression in check to avoid getting themselves in danger. They could find themselves in the Elite Eight if they play their cards right.
Commentaires