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New Mexico off to 11-1 start in Mountain West play while riding five-game win streak

On December 7, New Mexico dropped a home game to rival New Mexico State. After a bright start that included wins over UCLA and USC on neutral sites, questions began to arise about the consistency of the Lobos under Richard Pitino once again. Since that night, the Lobos have dropped just one game, a one-point loss on the road in conference play to San Jose State. The stretch includes wins over VCU, San Diego State, Boise State, and Utah State, as well as a season sweep of Colorado State.

The most important player to this team’s success is none other than Donovan Dent. Dent could go down as one of the most underrated players in the country, with many media members and even other Mountain West coaches (Niko Medved at Colorado State), publicly questioning the release of the Bob Cousy Award shortlist, a list ten names long that failed to list Dent’s name.

On the season, Dent averages 19.3 ppg (top 30 nationally) and 6.5 apg (tenth nationally). Watch New Mexico play and you’ll see Dent all over the court, contributing in every way possible. An elite playmaker, Dent also makes an impact on the defensive side of the floor and in his ability to get out in transition and make things happen in the open court. He has been an integral piece to New Mexico’s success this season, finally getting his chance to shine in the Lobos’ backcourt after Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn Jr. left the program last offseason.

When you need scoring, Dent provides it, proved by his 40-point performance in a 78-71 over VCU and a 34-point performance on 21 shots in a 75-73 road win at UNLV. In 15 of New Mexico’s 23 games, Dent has recorded six or more assists, including a season-high 11 assists in the win over USC. Behind his ability to get out in transition, New Mexico plays at the sixth-fastest tempo in the country, with the seventh quickest time of possession offensively according to KenPom.

While Dent certainly deserves flowers – I like many, am certainly stunned he wasn’t named to the Bob Cousy Award shortlist, having him on both my preseason and midseason All-American teams – the rest of this New Mexico team has also stepped up to help this team find its groove.

Nelly Junior Joseph (13.7 ppg, 10.6 rpg) has shown improvement this season, finally able to own the frontcourt with JT Toppin off at Texas Tech this season. Mustapha Amzil (12.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Tru Washington (10.7 ppg, 40.0% 3P) have each blossomed into quality starters in their second seasons with the Lobos, improving both in their statistical numbers and efficiencies.

When looking for the glue that holds this team together though, look no further than North Texas transfer CJ Noland (8.6 ppg, 1.3 spg). Like any North Texas player, Noland is an elite defender and stole the show last night by scoring 19 points on 7-7 shooting in the 87-65 dismantling of Colorado State.

By defeating Utah State on the road this past Saturday, New Mexico holds a one game advantage in the Mountain West standing with its 11-1 record and has a great chance to stretch its lead out over the next three games as matchups with Air Force and Wyoming loom before a rematch with the Aggies in The Pit.

If you haven’t had a chance to watch Dent and the Lobos yet, mark your calendars for Sunday, February 16 at 4:00 ET when the MWC’s top two teams go head-to-head on CBS Sports Network. Currently just inside the projected tournament field, New Mexico has the inside track in the Mountain West, and if it can take care of business in the regular season, it may not need to win the conference tournament this time around.

Other Things to Note:

• #2 Duke dominates Syracuse on the road 83-54
• #4 Tennessee scores 57 second half points to complete 85-81 comeback win over #15 Missouri
• Dylan Harper goes for 28 points as Rutgers stuns #23 Illinois 82-73
• #24 Michigan holds off Oregon 80-76 to move to 9-2 in Big Ten play
• #18 Maryland visits Ohio State for important Big Ten battle (7:00 ET, FS1)