It is hard to believe that it was just four months
ago that
Lobo fans were stunned when their Lobo hoops team disintegrated in the
“Cancun
Challenge” going 1-4 including a horrific loss to the University of
Central
Florida in The Pit.
Some
fans started believing their team was finished as there
was no senior leadership on display, the entire team looked in disarray
and on
radio some so-called fans were questioning whether the Lobos really
were better
off with Coach Steve Alford at the helm. Ha- ye’ of little faith!
Lobo
fans didn’t freak out though, and obviously neither did
Coach Alford and his team. As they came back from Mejico and quietly
started to
rebuild and piece their season going 7-2 to close out their
non-conference
season including a sweep of the New Mexico State Aggies. Granted the
two losses
were tough losses (Texas Tech and UTEP) especially the UTEP loss as it
was at
home and the Lobos looked like the “Cancun Lobos”.
Steve Alford signs a Championship
Banner
MWC
play started with the Lobos holding home court (UNM ends
up 7-0 in The Pit) and losing a pair of really close games vs. SDSU and
UNLV…
Still you could see this team was competitive, worked hard, and that
defense
was quickly becoming a trademark of this team. That defense served them
well,
although not in victory as they came up short against Utah by 2 points…
It
looked like the Lobos were headed to a middle of the pack finish…
2/07/09-
after a victory over Wyoming the UNLV Runnin’ Rebs
were coming to town and something explosive was about to happen! Tony Danridge
became the Tony D. that most Lobo fans knew he could be! Tony Danridge
in this
writer’s opinion earned himself the MWC Player of the Year as he
rattled off 8
straight double-digit point totals including finishing the season with
back-to-back
career high games vs. Utah and Wyoming (29).
TD
wasn’t the only hero during that time as the Lobos played
Colorado St. in Ft. Collins. Most fans felt this game was in the bag…
Someone
should have told Colorado St. that as they gave the Lobos everything
they could
handle with :09 seconds left the Rams had a 5 point lead when the most
unbelievable sequence of events went down. Chad Toppert hit a 3 point
shot,
when Roman Martinez stole the ball from CSU. Chad took another 3 point
shot
that was blocked with a mere :03 left on the clock Daniel Faris catches
the
blocked shot, contorts his body and somehow throws the ball into the
hoop for
the tie and eventual miracle victory with conference leading Utah
coming into
The Pit.
The
magical night was there as Lobo fans sold it out. This
was for the championship, senior night, and the last game before luxury
boxes
were added to The Pit. The last chance that 18+ could will their Lobos
to
victory… it was loud! It was crazy and the game had the atmosphere that
Lobo
fans and players dream of… Throw in the victory and conference lead and
Lobomania was back!
Still
the Lobos had to go to the Double A in Laramie and
beat the Cowboys to be named conference champs (something never
accomplished by
UNM in the MWC) and this game ended as many Lobo games ended with the
Lobos
playing tough defense, scrapping for everything, and a last second shot
by
Wyoming… That didn’t fall!
Today
Wes Henderson, many members of The Red Menace and
Section 26 went out to airport to greet their “conquering Lobos” and
congratulate them on their first ever MWC championship.
Here are some photos and audio interview
with your Lobos I hope you enjoy!
Click here to listen to
"Top"