Stay updated with breaking news from David chiotti. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
.... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Lobo junior forward Valdir Manuel talks to a teammate during Saturday’s loss to San Jose State at Burns Arena in St. George, Utah. (Courtesy UNM Athletics) Here are some extra notes, quotes, stats, videos or whatever else I could empty out of the old notebook after Saturday’s 83-71 Lobos loss to the San Jose State Spartans in St. George, Utah: X marks the spot Lost in the bad loss Saturday for the UNM Lobos was a career performance by Valdir Manuel. The 6-foot-10 forward who teammates just refer to as “X” has quietly emerged as arguably the second best player on the Lobo roster behind senior guard Makuach Maluach, who each had 25-point games against the Spartans (Maluach’s was on Thursday in a win, Manuel’s was on Saturday in a loss). ....
.... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Emmanuel Kuac tries to alter a shot for New Mexico during the Lobos’ 67-51 win over San Jose State on Thursday. The game was played at Dixie State University in St. George, Utah. The Lobos’ Valdir Manuel (22) looks on. (KC Knoop Photography) Other than the score, one stat more than any others has been reflective of the New Mexico men’s basketball team’s success or failures this year: Points in the paint. The Lobos (5-8 overall, 1-8 Mountain West) are 5-0 when scoring 40 or more points in the paint and 0-8 when scoring fewer in the paint. They’ve also had the edge in points in the paint over their opponent in all five wins and lost or tied that category in all eight losses. In both Nevada losses, the Lobos tied in points in the paint scoring, but lost one game with a historically bad free throw shooting performance and the other after allowing nine second-half 3-point ....