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Mar. 13—LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Thursday started as a typical UNM basketball fan day at UNLV's Thomas and Mack Center.
A full throng of Lobos fanatics were in full voice for a noon (local time) tip-off against San Jose State. They chanted, they cheered and they roared, effectively willing their heroes on to a 63-52 victory and a spot in Friday's Mountain West Conference tournament semifinals.
"Great energy," said Albuquerque's J.R. Willis, who made the trip with his wife, Karen, to support UNM.
The Lobos noticed, too.
"It's a big help," point guard Donovan Dent said. "It gives us all the energy we need. I couldn't even tell if there was a single San Jose State fan out there because of how much red I saw. Our fans take over arenas and it's a big-time help for us."
UNM's win was done by 2:30 p.m. Lobos fans still had hours to burn on a windy, dusty, all-around unpleasant weather day in Las Vegas. Many fans opted to stick around and watch Lobo rivals San Diego State and Boise State square off against one another, bringing an obvious question to mind:
"Who do we root for?"
San Diego State fans were not exactly subtle about their preference when UNM and San Jose State were doing battle. Spartans fans were few and far between in Thursday's crowd, but Aztecs fans stood and cheered for every SJSU run, more than happy to see top-seeded New Mexico get bounced.
Even so, some UNM fans preferred to see San Diego State advance to a semifinal matchup with the Lobos.
"I'm not exactly cheering for San Diego State," said Tommy Godlewski. "I'd just rather see them win than Boise State. If you want to be the best, you have to play the best, right?"
Godlewski's wife, Angela Valdez-Godlewski, and their friends Tim and Lucy Purtell agreed.
"I just think San Diego State's a better matchup for us," Angela said.
If so, the Lobos drew a less favorable opponent when Boise State rallied in the second half to knock off San Diego State and send a large group of Aztecs fans home early. Broncos fans were not as numerous in Thursday's crowd, but they made up for it with enthusiasm, standing and cheering for several minutes after the final horn sounded.
The Willises were glad to see Boise State win, even if they weren't particularly enthusiastic.
"We don't really like the teams that are leaving for the Pac-12 (after next season)," J.R. said. "I'd rather have Boise State win because I think UNM can handle them better, but I wouldn't mind seeing both teams get knocked out."
Karen smiled and added, "We don't have too much energy rooting for Boise State. We're Lobo fans. We're a little bit biased."
Several New Mexico fans said they'll be sorry to see the Mountain West tournament field change dramatically when Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State depart for the Pac-12. But for the time being, they most want to see good matchups, exciting games and their beloved Lobos hoisting another championship trophy.
"If we get there, I'd like to see the Lobos play Utah State in the championship game," Tommy Godlewski said. "I like the way Utah State plays. They have a good fan base and I think it would be a great atmosphere."
Angela and the Purtells all nodded their approval for an MW Lobos-Aggies championship matchup on Saturday, but they won't be too upset if ends up being UNM versus someone else.
"As long as the Lobos win it," Lucy Purtell said, "that's all that matters."
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A full throng of Lobos fanatics were in full voice for a noon (local time) tip-off against San Jose State. They chanted, they cheered and they roared, effectively willing their heroes on to a 63-52 victory and a spot in Friday's Mountain West Conference tournament semifinals.
"Great energy," said Albuquerque's J.R. Willis, who made the trip with his wife, Karen, to support UNM.
The Lobos noticed, too.
"It's a big help," point guard Donovan Dent said. "It gives us all the energy we need. I couldn't even tell if there was a single San Jose State fan out there because of how much red I saw. Our fans take over arenas and it's a big-time help for us."
UNM's win was done by 2:30 p.m. Lobos fans still had hours to burn on a windy, dusty, all-around unpleasant weather day in Las Vegas. Many fans opted to stick around and watch Lobo rivals San Diego State and Boise State square off against one another, bringing an obvious question to mind:
"Who do we root for?"
San Diego State fans were not exactly subtle about their preference when UNM and San Jose State were doing battle. Spartans fans were few and far between in Thursday's crowd, but Aztecs fans stood and cheered for every SJSU run, more than happy to see top-seeded New Mexico get bounced.
Even so, some UNM fans preferred to see San Diego State advance to a semifinal matchup with the Lobos.
"I'm not exactly cheering for San Diego State," said Tommy Godlewski. "I'd just rather see them win than Boise State. If you want to be the best, you have to play the best, right?"
Godlewski's wife, Angela Valdez-Godlewski, and their friends Tim and Lucy Purtell agreed.
"I just think San Diego State's a better matchup for us," Angela said.
If so, the Lobos drew a less favorable opponent when Boise State rallied in the second half to knock off San Diego State and send a large group of Aztecs fans home early. Broncos fans were not as numerous in Thursday's crowd, but they made up for it with enthusiasm, standing and cheering for several minutes after the final horn sounded.
The Willises were glad to see Boise State win, even if they weren't particularly enthusiastic.
"We don't really like the teams that are leaving for the Pac-12 (after next season)," J.R. said. "I'd rather have Boise State win because I think UNM can handle them better, but I wouldn't mind seeing both teams get knocked out."
Karen smiled and added, "We don't have too much energy rooting for Boise State. We're Lobo fans. We're a little bit biased."
Several New Mexico fans said they'll be sorry to see the Mountain West tournament field change dramatically when Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State depart for the Pac-12. But for the time being, they most want to see good matchups, exciting games and their beloved Lobos hoisting another championship trophy.
"If we get there, I'd like to see the Lobos play Utah State in the championship game," Tommy Godlewski said. "I like the way Utah State plays. They have a good fan base and I think it would be a great atmosphere."
Angela and the Purtells all nodded their approval for an MW Lobos-Aggies championship matchup on Saturday, but they won't be too upset if ends up being UNM versus someone else.
"As long as the Lobos win it," Lucy Purtell said, "that's all that matters."
Continue reading...
