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Lobos point guard Jeremiah Francis, left, and forward Bayron Matos, right, defend Rice Owl Chris Mullins (24) during Sunday’s game in Houston. (Photo courtesy Maria Lysaker for UNM Athletics)
Here are a few extra notes, quotes, stats, videos and whatever else I could empty out of the old notebook that didn’t fit into print after the Lobos’ 72-61 road win over Rice on Sunday in Houston:
They actually played!
There are 357 Division I men’s college basketball teams.
If you take away the eight in the Ivy League, which decided as a conference not to play this season due to COVID-19, there were just 26 left that had not played a game entering Sunday.
The Lobos open the 2020-21 season 1-0 while Rice falls to 4-1.
Senior Makuach Maluach, who is the lone returning starter for the Lobos and started his 57th consecutive contest on Sunday, kicked off his senior year with his third career double-double. He led the Lobos with 23 points and 12 rebounds including six offensive boards. Sunday also marked his 100th career contest.
Rebounding was the story of the game as New Mexico pulled down 49 rebounds compared to 30 for Rice, including 19 offensive. The last time the Lobos had 20 or more offensive rebounds was in the 2018-19 season.
Maluach was one of three Lobos to score in double figures and was joined by junior Rod Brown who posted 11 points and seven rebounds as well as redshirt-freshman Bayron Matos who collected 10 points and five boards.
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UNM Lobo senior Makuach Maluach is one of the few familiar faces fans will see on this season’s Lobos roster. UNM tips off the season Sunday in Houston against the Rice Owls. (Photo courtesy UNM Athletics)
In the rare pre-game Emptying the Notebook, here are a few notes, quotes, stats, videos, tweets, and whatever else I could empty out of the old notebook about this new-look Lobo hoops roster before its first game Sunday in Houston against the Rice Owls.
For starters
It’s been 283 days since the Lobos last played a college basketball game. A lot has changed.