honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 7:53 p.m., Monday, November 26, 2007

CBKB: New Mexico off to fast start under coach Alford

By TIM KORTE
Associated Press Sports Writer

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico's combination of unselfish and entertaining play is proving hard to beat so far this season.

Under new coach Steve Alford, the up-tempo Lobos (6-0) are unbeaten for the first time since starting 8-0 in 1998-99. They've won by an average margin of 26.2 points, shooting 47 percent (65-for-136) from 3-point range.

It's still early, of course, but they've outrebounded their first six opponents by an average 10.2, and they're doing a great job of sharing the ball — 124 assists on 179 field goals.

"The word is getting out that these guys are a lot of fun to watch," Alford said after the Lobos beat Hawai'i 89-60 on Wednesday. "They're unselfish. They share the ball. That kind of game is not only fun to watch. It's fun to play, too."

OK, before anyone gets too excited, let's address a long-standing criticism that has targeted New Mexico's program long before Alford arrived.

Yes, it's been a soft schedule. The wins include five at The Pit — one of the nation's toughest places for visitors. The opponents so far were Eastern Washington, Presbyterian, St. Bonaventure, Loyola Marymount and Hawai'i.

Before that, New Mexico opened with a 54-47 win at Colorado.

So the Lobos aren't beating up on North Carolina and UCLA. But what's remarkable at this point is the level of play, with the team looking sharp and coordinated, whether it's the motion offense or defense-driven transition game.

"We're all having a lot of fun," said center Daniel Faris, who had a career-high 16 points against Hawaii. "Everyone's working really hard in practice, so everyone is getting minutes. The guards are doing a great job of distributing the ball."

There's balance. Standout J.R. Giddens is averaging 13.3 points and 8.2 rebounds, but the team's leading scorer is sharp-shooting Chad Toppert with a 13.5 average after his 20-point, 8-for-10 effort against Hawai'i.

Point guard Jamaal Smith is averaging 10.2 points, and reserve Darren Prentice scored 19 in the win over Loyola Marymount, one night after getting 14 against St. Bonaventure. Five Lobos reached double figures against Hawai'i.

"Every night a different person is going to step up," said Prentice, who has 26 assists and three turnovers. "We're 10 deep. Everybody is a key piece."

The Lobos are showing durability, too.

The victory over Hawai'i came the night before Thanksgiving, capping a stretch of six games in 12 days. Going in, Alford was concerned about fatigue but the Lobos closed it out with a 24-9 run over the final 8 minutes.

"That was six games in about two weeks," Alford said. "For our guys to respond at the end like that, with the holiday break coming up, those games are always scary games for coaches."

The Lobos, back in action Wednesday against visiting Southern Utah, are shooting well, too.

They hit 13 3-pointers against Presbyterian, St. Bonaventure and Loyola Marymount, then made 12-for-24 against Hawai'i. The only early worry for Alford is free-throw shooting, where New Mexico is making 60 percent (67-for-111).

"I'm thinking about backing us up and shooting free throws from 19 feet, 9 inches," he joked, referring to the distance for the 3-point arc.

Nobody was sure what to expect from this team as Alford, who left Iowa after eight seasons, replaced the fired Ritchie McKay.

That uncertainty was reflected in recent attendance at The Pit, with its 18,018-seat capacity. There were 12,016 fans for Alford's homecourt debut, then three games in the 11,000 range.

But 13,518 fans made things crazy for the win over Hawai'i, suggesting folks in Albuquerque are warming to college basketball again.

"Just amazing. Packed and loud. It made everything better," freshman point guard Dairese Gary said. "You love when you've got all that support behind you. It makes you want to go out and play ever harder to make them get even louder."