UNM women's hoops: Lobos face major challenge in undefeated Texas Tech

Opportunity will knock on the Pit doors when the 6-0 Texas Tech Lady Raiders come to call.

UNM women's basketball coach Mike Bradbury does not anticipate a friendly visit.

Instead, it will be something of an acid test for the 5-1 Lobos, whose lone loss came to another Big 12 opponent at Colorado. Bradbury's appraisal of the Lady Raiders on Saturday was fairly simple.

"They don't really have any weaknesses," he said. "They're super-talented, they can really shoot it, and offense may not be what they do best. They'll get after you and press the whole game — just a well-coached, very experienced team."

Texas Tech has three players, Kalynn Bristow, Smudda Collins and Bailey Maupin, averaging more than 16 points per game and four players with 10 or more made 3-pointers through six games. Even so, Bradbury believes senior point guard Gemma Nunez is a big key to the Raiders' hot start.

"She's a very capable scorer," Bradbury said, "but she's more concerned with running their team and keeping everyone on the same page. She does a great job of it, too."

Nunez has 34 assists (5.7 per game) this season and has settled in quickly since transferring from Campbell. Bristow and Collins also found their way to Texas Tech through the NCAA transfer portal.

The Lady Raiders present a formidable challenge for the Lobos, who have only two seniors on their roster. (Texas Tech has nine).

Still, UNM's players say they're looking forward to facing a top-flight opponent at the Pit.

"I'm really excited for Texas Tech," sophomore Nayli Padilla said. "Last year we didn't have much luck against them, but I think this year we're really improved and more ready to play them. I hope a lot of people come and have fun with us."

Senior Alyssa Hargrove expressed similar sentiments.

"Texas Tech plays a lot like we do," Hargrove said. "They press a lot defensively and like to play fast. I think it will be an exciting game."

Points do not figure to be hard to come by as Texas Tech averages 80 points per game and UNM averages 76.7. The Raiders are outscoring foes by an average margin of 80-55, while the Lobos have outscored their past four opponents by an 81-54.7 count.

Both clubs also play high-pressure defense, which could mean turnovers are plentiful, as well.

"That's fine with me," Bradbury said with a laugh, "as long as they have more turnovers than we do."

While Sunday's game amounts to a major test for UNM, it's also the season's first road test for Texas Tech. The Raiders have not visited the Pit since a 90-56 loss in 2017.

"These are the games you look forward to," Lobo senior Clarissa Craig said. "We just need to focus on our game, do the things we do well and play together. You just have to treat it as an opportunity and have fun."

Sunday's game will be televised nationally on Altitude Sports.