Emptying the Notebook: Is Lobos defense failing at worst time? Or is CSU just that hot right now?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Technical difficulties are preventing embedded content such as videos, statistical charts, infographics, and social media posts from appearing in the ETN column. The following, until the issue can be resolved, is a largely text-only version of the column. We hope to have the issue resolved shortly.

Here are some notes, quotes, stats, trends and other odds & ends I emptied out of the old notebook after Wednesday's 82-74 UNM Lobos loss to the Colorado State Rams in the Pit:

No defense for that

You aren't going to beat a lot of teams when they don't miss many shots.

And they aren't going to miss many shots when your defense gives them open look after open look after open look after ...

You get the point. And you get why Eric Olen expressed far more frustration in his postgame press conference after Wednesday's 82-74 Colorado State win over his UNM Lobos than at any other point this season.

He tried taking the heat.

"Gave them a plan that was ... just didn't set them up for success," he said. "This, this is on me for sure. Thought our guys really competed and fought to try to get back in it and give themselves a chance. But, you know, once I put them in that hole, the room for error is pretty minimal, and kind of have to play almost perfectly from there."

CSU's 62.5% shooting in the first half was a season high for a half from any Lobos opponent.

They hit seven first-half 3s and led 40-25 at the break.

Senior point guard Deyton Albury, who played the game with special tinted glasses to protect light-sensitivity brought on by an eye injury suffered in Saturday's win over San Diego State, said it was hardly just a coaching matter that led to the breakdowns and the the embarrassing defensive performance the Lobos put on in their home finale.

"I know they were not a team we could sleep on," Albury said. "As far as the first half and adjustments, I just feel like collectively, we all have to figure something out, make some type of adjustment, whether that's with players or with coaches, and figure out to do better next time. ...

"I know coach is probably going to be hard on himself, but that's not all on him. Us, as players, we are the ones in the game. We feel the game. We know (who) had the hot hand. So as players, we got to do a better job of noticing that, and give a better contest or force them to do something else. It's not all on coach. We all got to take blame for this."

The Rams entered the game with the nation's No. 8 effective field goal percentage — a fairly common stat in basketball now but for those who don't know it, it's one that essentially accounts for 3-point shots being worth more on the scoreboard and, therefore, giving 3-point makes a little added weight over a regular 2-point made shot when figuring out shooting percentages.

Wednesday, they hit from everywhere — with far too many of their shots being open looks or lightly contested ones.

The Rams on Wednesday had a mind-boggling 72.0% eFG% — easily the highest of the season for a Lobos opponent. In fact, the next closest was 60.2% by Boise State in a game in which the Broncos scored 91 and it seemed as though they never missed, and yet that was 12 points lower than what the Rams did Wednesday.

If you wonder where the Rams were struggling to hit shots, the answer is pretty much nowhere.

The big men were draining 3s:

6-9 Kyle Jorgensen

• 19 points

• 5-8 3FG

6-10 Carey Booth

• 13 points

• 4-5 2FG

• 1-2 3FG

6-8 Augustinas Kiudulas

• 11 points

• 4-5 2FG

• 1-2 3FG

6-7 Rashaan Mbemba

• 9 points

• 3-4 3FG

• was 2-5 all season from 3 coming into the game

And if the 3-pointers weren't bad enough, how about the insanely efficient 13-of-16 the Rams shot inside the arc.

The 81.2% shooting on 2-point shots is the worst UNM has given up since at least the 1996-97 season, which is when the KenPom.com database started tracking game logs for every Division I game.

Yes, Olen was right that the Lobos game plan defensively clearly wasn't working. But why?

"We just weren't able to execute some of the things that we were trying to do to limit them, and we ended up giving up 3s, 2s — they didn't miss a 2 in the first half," Olen said. "We had several miscommunications, and there were some challenges to that. And, you know, not having everybody in the preparation and then trying to execute some things like that ... I just, yeah. I didn't set our guys up for success tonight."

The gamer

Here's the gamer I filed from the Pit on Wednesday:

• Hot-shooting Rams spoil Lobos' Senior Night

Meanwhile, in Logan ...

Without playing a game, the Utah State Aggies, who were still smarting from their 27-point loss to UNLV on Tuesday night, were celebrating Wednesday's Rams win. CSU's victory clinched for the Aggies at least a share of the Mountain West championship.

Stumbling to the finish line

Here is what the top teams in the Mountain West are doing late:

• UTAH STATE: Has lost three of the last four games, including a 17-point loss at San Diego State and a 27-point loss — yes, TWENTY SEVEN! — at UNLV on Tuesday

• SAN DIEGO STATE: Has lost four of its last five games

• NEW MEXICO: Has lost four of its last eight games

• NEVADA: Has lost five of its last eight games, including double-digit losses to San Jose State and Wyoming

Throwing shade(s)

Albury was poked in the eye late in Saturday's win over San Diego State and didn't practice between then and Wednesday's game. He was suffering from light sensitivity and the coaches had him see an eye doctor, who told him playing as normal with the bright lights in the Pit wasn't going to work.

"I knew I had to do something. There was no way I was sitting out this game, so I just had to figure out a way," Albury said. "And came up with the goggles, and just had to wear them."

The doctor approved him to wear the tinted protective eyewear, though Albury didn't get much practice in them before Wednesday's game.

Still, he shot 8-of-9 from the field and was 5-of-5 at the free throw line with a game-high 22 points (he also had four steals) — four days after an 0-for-10 shooting game against the Aztecs.

So, about those glasses?

"Yeah, I think I'm going to finish out the season in the glasses," he said.

Steve Kirkland Stat of the Night

In this edition of the world-famous Steve Kirkland Stat of the Night ...

The Lobos had 16 steals on Wednesday night.

That's the most steals the Lobos have had in a loss since ...

... ever!

When you score 26 points off turnovers, you're supposed to win. That's just how it goes.

Wednesday, the Lobos found a way not to do that despite getting 26 points off 20 Colorado State turnovers.

UNM has scored 20 or more points off turnovers seven times vs. Division I opponents this time. Wednesday was the first time they lost.

UNM scoring 20 or more points off turnovers

32 — W, UNM 74, UT Arlington 56 (Nov. 8)

29 — W, UNM 83, Fresno 74 (Jan. 21)

26 — L, Colorado State 82, New Mexico 74 (Wednesday)

22 — W, UNM 91, Air Force 49 (Jan. 10)

22 — W, UNM 76, East Texas A&M (Nov. 5)

21 — W, UNM 80, Colorado State 70 (Jan. 6)

20 — W, UNM 80, Nevada 73 (Jan. 24)

Colorado State has allowed 20 or more points off turnovers five times this season. Wednesday was the first time they won.

CSU allowing 20 or more points off turnovers

27 — L, Utah State 100, CSU 58 (Dec. 20)

26 — W, CSU 82, New Mexico 74 (Wednesday)

24 — L, Utah State 65, CSU 61 (Jan. 23)

21 — L, San Diego State 73, CSU 50 (Jan. 28)

21 — L, New Mexico 80, CSU 70 (Jan. 6)

Senior Night

It was a unique one, that's for sure. College basketball in 2026 has fewer and fewer of those players who arrive on campus when they're an 18-year-old freshman and four or five years later, after watching them grow up before you, get a hearty ovation and send off on their Senior Night game.

Case in point, UNM's "Senior Night" pre-game ceremony on Wednesday featured six players who weren't living in Albuquerque even 12 months ago.

Along with student manager Lucas Kedge, six Lobo players recognized were: Deyton Albury, Luke Haupt, Chris Howell, Tajavis Miller, Milos Vicentic and even first-year player Tomislav Buljan.

Yes, a freshman being honored on Senior Night.

For both Howell, who missed much of the season with an oblique injury, and Buljan, who was granted only one year of playing eligibility by the NCAA when he come to the United States after playing professionally in his home country of Croatia, there is hope that postseason appeals for an extra season of playing eligibility come through.

For now, however, Wednesday was their final games scheduled in the Pit.

Also, the loss for the Lobos snapped an eight-game winning streak on Senior Night games.

Jake's latest record

Lobo freshman (you know, the traditional kind who was in high school still a year ago) Jake Hall has been setting new UNM and Mountain West records all season.

His latest came Wednesday against CSU. With his 14 points scored, Hall has scored in double figures in 16 consecutive games, breaking the UNM freshman record of 15 consecutive double-digit games held previously by Kenny Thomas (1995-96).

Consecutive double-figure scoring games

• 16* — Jake Hall (2025-26)

• 15 — Kenny Thomas (1995-96)

• 11 — Clayton Shields (1994-95)

• 10 — Kenny Thomas (1995-96)

• 7 — John Robinson II (1998-99)

• 6 (twice) — Uriah Tenette (2025-26)

• 6 — Tomislav Buljan (2025-26)

*NOTE: Hall's streak is active and can still grow.

Buljan's double-double

Tomislav Buljan's 14-point, 12-rebound double-double was his 13th of the season, breaking a UNM freshman record held by former one-and-done Lobo big man J.T. Toppin.

Double-doubles by a UNM freshman

• 13* — Tomislav Buljan (2025-26)

• 12 — J.T. Toppin (2023-24)

• 7 — Kenny Thomas (1995-96)

• 2 — Three players tied at two

*NOTE: Buljan and the Lobos have, at minimum, two games remaining this season.

Coach P!

Dave Pilipovich, just about the coolest person in college basketball, was on UNM's coaching staff last season when it won the 2025 Mountain West championship (regular season).

Wednesday, while teams were warming up, there was a surprise on-court moment presenting him with a championship ring.

Classy thing to do by UNM for a classy guy in Coach P.

Slow starts

The Lobos have lost the first quarter (the first 10 minutes) of the past four games — going 2-2 in those games and even one of the wins was only thanks to a historic comeback from 22 points down.

Score at 10:00 1H of UNM's past four games

• Fresno State 26, New Mexico 12 (UNM won, 80-78)

• Nevada 10, New Mexico 5 (Nevada won, 67-60)

• San Diego State 22, New Mexico 13 (UNM won, 81-76)

• Colorado State 17, New Mexico 14 (CSU won, 82-74)

Over those four "quarters" you have the equivalent of one 40-minute game that the Lobos have been outscored 75-44.

Wednesday's game was actually worse for UNM in the "2nd quarter" (the second 10 minutes of the first half). In that 10 minutes, CSU outscored UNM 23-11 and led 40-25 at halftime.

The new boss

Ryan Berryman, the 32-year-old local kid who grew up loving Lobo basketball and got his foot in the Athletics Department door as a student manager for Steve Alford's Lobos more than a decade ago was formally hired Wednesday as the UNM's 15th Vice President for Athletics.

Here was my Journal story from Wednesday afternoon on the breaking news:

• UNM promotes 32-year-old Ryan Berryman to be new athletics director

President Garnett S. Stokes presented Berryman with a turquoise jersey with his name on the back during a media timeout in the first half — received with a loud ovation from the fans in attendance.

Berryman addressed the crowd, saying he grew up dreaming of the job.

Rick is Wright

Journal colleague Rick Wright with his column from Wednesday's game:

• Mr. Berryman, it's your ship to sail now, but your men's basketball program has taken on some water

In the Pit

Wednesday was the final scheduled game played in the Pit this season. The Lobos went 14-3 in their home arena this season.

Here's the Lobos' year-by-year Pit record during the 27-year Mountain West era:

• 2025-26: 14-3

• 2024-25: 16-1

• 2023-24: 13-3

• 2022-23: 15-5

• 2021-22: 11-7

• 2020-21: 0-0 (no games played in Pit)

• 2019-20: 15-3

• 2018-19: 9-7

• 2017-18: 13-4

• 2016-17: 11-4

• 2015-16: 12-4

• 2014-15: 10-5

• 2013-14: 13-2

• 2012-13: 15-1

• 2011-12: 14-1

• 2010-11: 14-3

• 2009-10: 17-1

• 2008-09: 16-2

• 2007-08: 16-2

• 2006-07: 13-5

• 2005-06: 15-2

• 2004-05: 18-1

• 2003-04: 14-4

• 2002-03: 10-7

• 2001-02: 14-5

• 2000-01: 15-4

• 1999-00: 13-7

Honoring the 'Insider'

Longtime KOB-TV sports caster Lee Faria, the self-proclaimed "Lobo Insider" who brought us "Lee's Keys" for years and covered a couple dozen Mountain West Tournaments retired from KOB in January.

Wednesday, UNM recognized him during a first-half media timeout and presented him with a personalized jersey.

Rematches

The Lobos are now 5-3 in rematches this season:

Rematch wins (Game 2 vs. a team)

• Air Force

• Grand Canyon

• Fresno State

• San Jose State

• San Diego State

Rematch losses (Game 2 vs. a team)

• Boise State

• Nevada

• Colorado State

Attendance

The announced attendance for Wednesday's Colorado State at New Mexico game in the Pit: 14,051

Pit games 2025-26:

15,411 — Saturday vs. San Diego State

14,639 — Jan. 24 vs. Nevada

14,419 — Feb. 4 vs. Utah State

14,379 — Feb. 7 vs. Boise State

14,051 — Wednesday vs. Colorado State

13,763 — Jan. 3 vs. Wyoming

13,614 — Dec. 6 vs. Santa Clara

12,785 — Dec. 20 vs. San Jose State

12,512 — Jan. 13 vs. Grand Canyon

12,291 — Feb. 17 vs. Air Force

12,204 — Dec. 14 vs. Florida Gulf Coast

12,037 — Nov. 26 vs. Alabama State

11,924 — Jan. 21 vs. Fresno State

11,689 — Nov. 11 vs. UC Riverside

11,513 — Nov. 8 vs. UT Arlington

10,726 — Nov. 5 vs. East Texas A&M

10,164 — Dec. 1 vs. D-II New Mexico Highlands

Series notes

UNM now leads the all-time series 83-54. Wednesday was just the seventh time in 55 games in the Pit that the Rams win (that's UNM 48-7 in the Pit, if you didn't want to do the math there).

UNM had won five in a row in the series prior to Wednesday's game.

Plus/minus

Here are the plus/minus numbers for Wednesday's game with minutes in parenthesis:

NEW MEXICO

• +3 JT Rock (10:19)

• +1 Uriah Tenette (29:34)

• -5 Luke Haupt (35:54)

• -5 Deyton Albury (25:25)

• -6 Tajavis Miller (19:03)

• -7 Jake Hall (37:37)

• -10 Antonio Chol (12:27)

• -11 Tomislav Buljan (29:41)

COLORADO STATE

• +9 Carey Booth (23:59)

• +8 Jojo McIver (6:39)

• +7 Jevin Muniz (36:37)

• +7 Jase Butler (36:19)

• +4 Kyle Jorgensen (26:23)

• +2 Rashaan Mbemba (16:13)

• +2 Darnez Slater (7:04)

• +1 Augustinas Kiudulas (13:25)

• 0 Brandon Rechsteiner (33:21)

Line 'em up

The UNM Lobos played eight players and used 10 unique lineup combinations on Wednesday. The Rams played nine players and used 13 unique lineup combinations.

Here's a look at some of the Lobos lineup combinations, starting with the starters.

STARTING LINEUP and WORST LINEUP

• WHO: Deyton Albury, Jake Hall, Luke Haupt, Antonio Chol, Tomislav Buljan

• POINT DIFFERENTIAL: -3 (16-19)

• TIME ON COURT: 8:19

• NOTE: Being outscored by 3 for the Lobos starting five is part of the issue here, the other is with Antonio Chol basically being a zero-point, 12-minute starter on Wednesday, the Lobos just couldn't rely on their starting five. Your starters, especially when you only go eight deep in the rotation, should play at least a fourth of the game in my opinion (I'm not basing that on anything other than I think it's crazy when I see a starting group play fewer minutes together than two other lineup combinations, as was the case for UNM on Wednesday.)

BEST LINEUP

• WHO: Uriah Tenette, Deyton Albury, Jake Hall, Luke Haupt, Tomislav Buljan

• POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +1 (22-21)

• TIME ON COURT: 10:48

NOTE: Plus-1 for the "BEST" lineup is pretty much a good indication the Lobos lost. But this grouping — with Tenette in for Chol and the other four starters remaining in — was able to rebound and defend adequately in a night the defense overall was far from adequate.

Around the Mountain

There was just one game on Wednesday but five very impactful games on Tuesday. Here's a look at the league's midweek scores and the final batch of games this weekend:

TUESDAY

• Fresno State 82, San Jose State 68

• Boise State 86, San Diego State 77

• Grand Canyon 86, Air Force 60

• Wyoming 83, Nevada 73

• UNLV 92, Utah State 65

WEDNESDAY

• Colorado State 82, New Mexico 74

FRIDAY

• UNLV at San Diego State, 7 p.m. MT/8 p.m. MT (CBS Sports Network)

SATURDAY

• New Mexico at Utah State, 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT (TheMW)

• Boise State at Colorado State, 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT (TheMW)

• Wyoming at San Jose State, 2 p.m. PT/3 p.m. MT (TheMW)

• Fresno State at Grand Canyon, 5 p.m. PT/6 p.m. MT (TheMW)

• Air Force at Nevada, 7 p.m. PT/8 p.m. MT (TheMW)

Mountain West standings

Here are the conference standings through Wednesday:

• 14-5 Utah State

• 13-6 New Mexico

• 13-6 San Diego State

• 12-7 Grand Canyon

• 11-8 Nevada

• 11-8 Boise State

• 11-8 Colorado State

• 11-8 UNLV

• 8-11 Wyoming

• 7-12 Fresno State

• 3-16 San Jose State

• 0-19 Air Force

• • •

Here are the home/road standings through Wednesday with road wins counting as a +1 and home losses as a -1:

• +5 Utah State

• +4 San Diego State

• +3 New Mexico

• +3 Grand Canyon

• +2 Colorado State

• +2 Nevada

• +1 UNLV

• +1 Boise State

• -2 Wyoming

• -3 Fresno State

• -6 San Jose State

• -10 Air Force

Planting a seed

These are the seeds for the Mountain West Tournament that have been locked up with just six games left to play in the season:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11. San Jose State

12. Air Force

Stats and stats

Here is the postgame stat sheet I posted after Wednesday's game: Colorado State 82, New Mexico 74

And if you prefer the digital version, here you go: Colorado State 82, New Mexico 74

Grammer's Guesses

Not that most people reading this will be happy for me on this, but I did pick the right side of the point spread for Wednesday's game. CSU was just too good coming in, not to think it would be close or a Rams win.

With just six games left and an eight-game lead, I've clinched the season win over my daughter's coin! And I will talk trash to her all offseason.

Also, for those wondering, through 19 games, I've correctly picked the right side of the UNM point spread 11 times and got it wrong eight.

I have picked UNM 14 times (8-6 when picking UNM). I have picked UNM's opponent five times (3-2 when picking opponent).

SEASON STANDINGS:

• Grammer's Guesses: 63-51

• My daughter's coin: 55-59

Up next

• For New Mexico: The Lobos play at Utah State at 2 p.m. MT on Saturday in a game that will be streamed on TheMW.com.

• For Colorado State: The Rams host Boise State on Saturday at 2 p.m. MT in a game that will be streamed on TheMW.com.

Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.