Sports Speak Up: Is court storming allowed at the Pit?

Court storm?

What’s up with roping off Bob King Court? The fans are asked to support the men’s basketball team, and we comply. You ask us to pack the Pit, and we comply. You ask us to turn on our phone lights during player introductions, and we comply. You ask us for a stripe-out, and we comply. What a fun experience for the student section to be able to storm the court especially when the Lobos beat SDSU, Nevada Wolf Pack and the win against No. 22 Colorado State. Athletic department, lighten up; please don’t say it’s a safety issue. With two home games left in the season … “Ya Pa Que”

— Martha Lujan

Editor’s note: There are no Mountain West or UNM rules prohibiting court storms after big wins. UNM athletics told the Journal their postgame strategy is about safety. Security is sent to the sidelines after games in an effort to prevent fans from interfering with the postgame handshake line and to allow teams and coaches to exit the court safely.

Silver lining?

The only thing the Lobos learned from their loss to Air Force last year is how to lose to Air Force this year. Horrible late-game coaching and decisions by Pitino. I think we can lay to rest any discussion of Naismith Coach of the Year. How do you leave one of their best players completely open for a 3-pointer? And it wasn’t as if Air Force was going to be surprised that Dent would have the ball in his hands for a drive. The silver lining? A good seed for the NIT.

— David Sedillo

Stans for Stevens

It’s Wednesday afternoon, and I just watched (Geoff) Grammer’s Isaiah Stevens podcast. Wow, what a class act Stevens is! Smart, gracious, humble. It says a lot about the Colorado State coaches. I hope we get to watch Stevens in the big league soon. Impressive young dude. I’m now officially a fan.

— Kenneth Sanderson

While Jaelen House has to be the most exciting and impactful Lobo I’ve seen in my 50-plus years watching Lobo basketball, my vote for Mountain West MVP goes to fifth-year CSU senior Isaiah Stevens. Surely, the CSU fan base must love him in Fort Collins. Something else worth pointing out, which is becoming increasingly rare in today’s college basketball climate, is that Stevens played all five of his years at CSU. No transfer portal for him. How refreshing. Speaking for myself, I love to see a player develop over his four-five years all at UNM, such as Cameron Bairstow, and this has now become the exception and not the rule.

— Bob Ferguson

Top ‘Dogs

Congratulations to the Albuquerque High School girls junior varsity basketball team and Coach Brian Wiley on the completion of an undefeated season. Go Bulldogs.

— Rudy Aragon

Meet the sports editor

Albuquerque Journal Sports Editor Lucas Peerman will be visiting a different coffee house the last Wednesday of every month to meet with community members. This is an opportunity to discuss in person what you’d like to see in a sports section, or to just talk sports. This month, meet Lucas at Little Bear Coffee + Roastery, 2632 Pennsylvania St. NE, from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28. Look for the little guy.

Submit a Sports Speak Up, 200 words or fewer, via email at sportsspeakup@abqjournal.com. You must submit your full name to be published. The next Sports Speak Up will publish in print and online either Thursday (if enough are received) or next Sunday.