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Mountain West Basketball Profile: New Mexico Lobos
New Mexico has high hopes for postseason action.
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Paul Weir has built excitement in Loboland, looks to exceed expectations once more
Next in our Mountain West basketball preview series is New Mexico, a team predicted to finish third in the media’s preseason Mountain West Conference poll. After losing several key contributors from a year ago, the Lobos will hope to gel early.
Projected Starting Lineup
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- G, Keith McGee, R-So., 6-3, 180
- G, Anthony Mathis, Sr., 6-3, 175
- G/F, Makuach Maluach, So., 6-7, 190
- G/F, Vance Jackson, R-So., 6-9, 230
- F, Carlton Bragg*, R-Jr., 6-10, 225
*Awaiting NCAA waiver to play on November 6
Player To Watch
Makuach Maluach is a breakout candidate after a productive freshman season.
While there will be a lot of interesting players to watch throughout the season on the New Mexico roster, the most interesting to watch may be Makuach Maluach. The 6-7″ sophomore guard/forward averaged 9.6 points per game in his freshman season and shot 55.5% from the floor and a blazing 46.0% from the three point line (though he was selective and only attempted 63 three pointers last year). Notably, only Anthony Mathis shot the three ball better on the 2017-2018 Lobo roster and his field goal percentage of 47.3% was good for fourth in the country. A hard-working, athletic and lengthy player, Maluach fits perfectly into what Paul Weir is building in Albuquerque. Look out for increased production this season from the Australian guard/forward.
X-Factor
With Jaquan Lyle out for the season, New Mexico will need other players to step up at the point guard position. In fact, point guard play itself may be the X-factor. The good news is, even without Lyle, there are a couple of players that can provide good minutes at the point guard position including incoming freshman Drue Drinnon and South Plains College transfer Keith McGee. Between the options, it’s tough to foresee if there will be a go-to guard, but if McGee can lead the Lobos like he led South Plains to their 2018 NJCAA championship finish, he could well be the X-factor for New Mexico.
