Jamal Mashburn Jr. believes that the New Mexico Lobos are hitting their peak performance at the optimal moment. They reject the notion that, as the champions of the Mountain West Conference tournament, they are under additional pressure to replicate San Diego State’s remarkable journey to the national championship game last year.
Mashburn expressed on Thursday that they view their current situation as entirely within their control. Rather than interpreting it as a lack of respect, Mashburn feels grateful for the opportunity to showcase a strong style of New Mexico basketball.
The Lobos, with a record of 26-9, secured their place in the NCAA Tournament for the 16th time in the program’s history and the first time in ten years. They achieved this by defeating several teams, including San Diego State, the national runners-up of 2023. Notably, New Mexico’s victory in the Mountain West tournament marked their fifth conference title, achieved by winning four consecutive games in as many days. The team’s triumphant return from Las Vegas moved some fans to tears.
Furthermore, the Mountain West Conference demonstrated its increasing competitiveness by sending six teams to the NCAA Tournament, underscoring the strength of the conference.
When facing sixth-seeded Clemson (21-11) in their first-ever encounter, New Mexico isn’t concerned about comparing themselves to anyone else. Their sole focus is on securing a victory, something they haven’t achieved in this tournament since defeating Long Beach State in 2012. Many have predicted that the Lobos could replicate the successful run of the Aztecs, but their primary goal remains to win their upcoming game.
New Mexico coach Richard Pitino, who has dedicated the past three years to building up this program, is solely focused on the upcoming game against Clemson.
“I’m not sure if it motivates our players,” Pitino stated. “I hope it doesn’t. We understand that to defeat a team like Clemson, we need to deliver an exceptional performance. All the external chatter is primarily for the fans and social media.”
Clemson, having had a break since their elimination in the second round of the Atlantic Coast Conference, is making its fourth appearance in the tournament under coach Brad Brownell. The team has taken note of the increasing number of people doubting their chances.
“It’s difficult to avoid noticing such things, especially with social media being so prevalent,” remarked Clemson center PJ Hall. “However, following our recent defeat, it’s understandable why people might have doubts.”
different result
The disparity between the No. 3 seed Baylor and the 14th seed Colgate in the West Region is substantial.
Baylor, the reigning 2021 national champions, has consistently been seeded no lower than third in their last four tournaments. Conversely, Colgate’s Raiders are seeking their first March Madness victory.
While Baylor was a No. 1 seed in 2021 and 2022, Coach Scott Drew now leads a team with four new starters. However, senior guard RayJ Dennis believes their experience has matured them, likening them to sophomores with a season under their belt.
Dennis expressed optimism, stating, “Their best ball is ahead of them.”
Colgate, representing the Patriot League, is making its fifth consecutive and seventh overall NCAA appearance. Coach Matt Langel has continually adjusted his strategies in search of improvement. With a cohesive group that has grown and learned together, he believes they are well-prepared for the challenges of the tournament. Langel doesn’t view their previous experiences as adding additional pressure.
“You have to play a special game,” Langel said.
Bama hopes to slide
Alabama appeared to be on track for a top-three seed and a favorable location, possibly in the Southeast, for the tournament’s opening weekend.
However, a string of losses, including three out of four games and an early exit from the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, resulted in the Crimson Tide dropping to a No. 4 seed and being assigned to Spokane, Washington.
Reflecting on the team’s trajectory, Alabama coach Nate Oats acknowledged the setbacks, citing injuries and a poor end to the season as contributing factors. Despite these challenges, the team remains enthusiastic about participating in the tournament.
In their opening game against No. 13 seed Charleston, Alabama (21-11) aims to reverse their recent decline. The team faced difficulties in the latter part of the season, including losses to Florida and Tennessee.
As they enter the NCAA Tournament, Alabama expects to have a slightly healthier roster. Players Rylan Griffen and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. are anticipated to be available without restrictions on playing time. Griffen, averaging 11 points per game, and Wrightsell, contributing nine points primarily as a reserve, are key players for the team. Additionally, Nick Pringle is set to return to the lineup after dealing with a personal matter earlier in the week, according to Coach Oats.
However, there is some unfortunate news as backup player Davin Cosby Jr. sustained a broken bone in his foot, ruling him out of contention for the upcoming games.
Family tradition
The lineage of Bryce Drew’s family has potentially raised high expectations, particularly regarding the NCAA Tournament.
His father, Homer, famously led a team of underdogs to the Sweet 16. Meanwhile, his brother, Scott, achieved a national title coaching at Baylor.
Now, as Bryce Drew guides Grand Canyon to the tournament for the third time in four seasons, he emphasizes that his primary goal is to secure his first coaching victory.
With a smile, Bryce Drew jokingly remarks, “There’s no pressure on the little brother, considering all they’ve accomplished.”
The 12th-seeded Antelopes are set to take on the No. 5 seed Saint Mary’s in the first round of the tournament in Spokane, Washington, on Friday.
Under Bryce Drew’s leadership, Grand Canyon has emerged as a dominant force in the WAC and has cultivated a passionate fan base on its campus in Phoenix. Despite this success, the team has yet to secure a victory in the NCAA Tournament. In their first appearance in 2021, they were a No. 15 seed, and last year they were a No. 14 seed, falling to Gonzaga in the opening round.
This year, Grand Canyon enters the tournament with their highest seed, presenting perhaps their best opportunity for a victory, particularly given the divergent styles of play.
While Saint Mary’s prefers a patient and methodical approach, Grand Canyon thrives on tempo and speed, averaging nearly 80 points per game.
Acknowledging Grand Canyon’s progress, Saint Mary’s coach Randy Bennett commented, “Bryce has done a really nice job there, and they have done a great job with their program.”
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