We all know the story at BYU. They were unconscious and we were less than stellar. That being said, BYU is NOT that good! If you look at their performance throughout this year, they played well above their season averages in many statistical categories against us. The Cougars are capable of being a dominant team, but they are not a dominant team every game. Consistency is what every MWC team lacks this year and is why the conference will be lucky to get two invites to the tourney.

 

With all that being said, this will be a loooong week off for the fellas. How they respond next Saturday will say a lot about where this team will finish the season. There is a great deal of speculation on the message boards that the Lobos will finish a somewhat disappointing (given our momentum going into conference) 8-8 in conference, but we should all expect better. A 9-7 record with road wins at AF and CSU, as well as defending our homecourt for the remainder of the season is highly plausible. As we take a look at the conference as it stands today, BYU, UNLV and SDSU in no particular order will likely round out the top 3. The number 4 spot will come down to the Lobos, TCU and Utah; I have trouble finding any way Air Force is a legitimate fixture in the top half of the conference. Let's look at what each team is looking at going forward:

 

Lobos (3-3) 0 +/-: Let's avoid going into too much detail here, but the Lobos arguably have some of their toughest matchups behind them. Road games at UNLV, SDSU and Utah will be tough and AF could be a trap game. However, if the Lobos can win the road games they're supposed to (AF and CSU) and win out at home they're looking at 9-7. If they can do that and pull off a road victory or two in the three mentioned above they will be solidly in 4th with a shot at threatening the top 3. Prediction: 4th (9-7)

Utah (2-3) -1 +/-: The Utes have had some hard luck this year, but they have the tools to give us a run for our money. Fortunately, for us, they have several difficult games left on the schedule including visits to Provo and Vegas. In addition, they still have to play the Rebs, Aztecs and Lobos in Salt Lake. Their misfortune early in the conference season has given them very little margin for error and their lack of balance makes them susceptible for hiccups along the way. Prediction: 5th (8-8)

TCU (3-2) +1 +/-: The frogs +1 comes from a win at CSU, which is nothing to be too proud of. In their last game at the Utes they were beaten by 16 and it wasn't even that close. We were about 10 points better than the Frogs in Ft. Worth and I think we are more disciplined, balanced and talented as well. They still have to play UNLV and BYU twice, as well as New Mexico, Wyoming and Air Force on the road. Prediction: 6th (7-9)

 

The big variable going forward is toughness, and that is something the Lobos have exhibited consistently this season. For all the ups and downs we have experienced as fans in the last 5-7 years, we are on the island in the middle of our toughest two-game stretch this season and we all have a week to think about it. Bottom line: this team is tough so we'll have to let the cards fall where they may. Sleep well Lobo fans, sleep well.