LAS VEGAS – San Diego State’s unexpected run to the national championship game last spring opened the door for the Mountain West Conference and earned great respect.
New Mexico’s 68-61 win over the Aztecs in the conference championship title game at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday afternoon garnered even more national respect. As are a record number of Mountain West schools potentially earning bids to the NCAA Tournament. There have been five in the Mountain West so far in 2013.
“Obviously we’re going to win six in the NCAA Tournament,” New Mexico third-year coach Richard Pitino said. “UNLV is as good as anyone, too. That’s why it was made for television every night. Great players, great coaches, fan bases that really care.”
“I remember coming [to New Mexico] I think maybe this is just a small step away from the Big Ten. I didn’t feel like this every night. It really didn’t happen. I mean, crowded houses, national television, and there were wars every night. So I know I’ve improved as a coach over some of these great coaches and programs, and it’s been a very long season. But it’s very rewarding.”
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Prior to the conference tournament, the Mountain West had six teams in the top 40 of the NET rankings, and the Mountain West schools boasted a combined record of 24-7 against Pac-12 and WCC schools.
Only the Big 12 and SEC are expected to receive additional offers.
New Mexico, which has the Mountain West’s automatic bid and is 27-9, and San Diego State, which is 24-10 and projected to earn the No. 4 seed in the Big Dance, are guaranteed spots.
Then there are regular season champions Utah State (27-6), Nevada (26-7), Boise State (22-10) and Colorado State (24-10). UNLV, which is 19-12, beat the Lobos and split with the Aztecs, was a No. 4 seed but likely went to the NIT.
“It’s unbelievable,” said New Mexico senior guard Jamaal Mashburn Jr., who was named to the all-tournament team after posting 21 points and four rebounds against the Aztecs.
“We’ve worked hard to get to this point… We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs this year and we’ve all stayed confident and we’ve all stayed together. And I mean, it feels great, I mean, it’s not over yet, but it’s definitely nice to win a championship on the way out.
The No. 6 Lobos needed to win four games in four days, the first team to accomplish that feat in the Mountain West’s 25-year history. They defeated Air Force 82-56, Boise State 66-56 and Colorado State 74-61 to reach the title game.
The No. 5 Aztecs defeated UNLV 74-71 and Utah State 86-70 in overtime.
It’s New Mexico’s first NCAA appearance since 2014, as the Lobos were just 6-16 three years ago. It is their first conference tournament title since they won three straight from 2012 to 2014, and it is the Lobos’ fifth overall tournament title.
The Lobos used a 15-4 run in the final seven minutes to pull away from the Aztecs, and New Mexico senior guard Jaylen House scored a game-high 28, made three of seven three-point attempts and had three steals. He was named the best player of the tournament.
San Diego State forward Jaydon Leddy led the Aztecs with 25 points and added six rebounds.
“Our guys never wavered in their confidence,” Pitino said. “They really didn’t. They went into this tournament with the strong belief that they could win it. That’s why I got my family together and took the risk, and it’s definitely paying off now. I think.” [New Mexico is] One of the best fan bases in college basketball. I really, really believe that. They invest in this program every day, just like Kentucky, where I grew up for eight years. I don’t see much difference.
“And they are loyal. When we got here we were 303 on the network and half the building was empty and we had to convince people like Jaylen House and Jamal Mashburn to come to your school without ever seeing the campus and then get that bonus, is just a great ride. I am truly so thankful and grateful. “
To reiterate, the announced attendance for Saturday night’s game was 11,112, an enthusiastic crowd with the majority being New Mexico fans.
Pitino, who coached at Minnesota from 2013 to 2021 and led the Golden Gophers to two NCAA Tournaments, was asked what his father Rick, the coach at St. John’s, would say to him after he won a Mountain West championship .
“I hope I’m very proud,” he said. “Anytime you get fired, it’s hard as a young coach and you’re Rick Pitino’s son and everyone compares you to him and you feel like a bit of a burden. I probably wouldn’t go to Naismith Hall. “Famous, like him.”, and that’s fine. But you must have a high level of self-confidence. I wouldn’t be able to do this job without being able to rely on my mother and father and the support because they are always there for me.
“We are far apart, but they are always there. And I am the person, the husband, the father that I try to be every day because of my father.”
2024-03-17 04:06:47
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