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09-29-2007, 06:57 AM
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Lobos Appear to Have New Toughness
By Mark Smith
http://www.abqjournal.com/sports/598421sports09-29-07.htm
Sure it's early. Practices haven't even started yet. Not officially, at least.
But it's difficult not to notice the changes surrounding the University of New Mexico men's basketball program.
While many of the faces remain the same, the bodies attached to those faces are quite different. And if Friday's workout is any indication, these Lobos will battle with the physicality former coach Ritchie McKay beckoned for throughout his five-year tenure.
"The weight room has been a serious topic," said junior Chad Toppert, who came to UNM at 180 pounds but is a chiseled 215. "I'm starting to see my body change since I've been a freshman. I've been working out real hard in the summer with (strength coach) Aaron Day and my brother, and it's manifesting itself on the court."
Yes it is. The most noticeable improvements for the Lobos, who tied for the Mountain West Conference basement last season, are the players' bulk— and the way they distribute it.
The Lobos simply appear much more hard-nosed under first-year UNM coach Steve Alford.
Another noticeable change is the demeanor of the head coach. Instead of McKay's barrage of shrill shrieks and screams, Alford's voice raised only occasionally— and with a baritone quality that is much more attention grabbing.
A superficial point?
Maybe. But it just may help UNM achieve two things it couldn't last season.
Discipline and chemistry.
"That will be a great question all year long," Alford said. "The chemistry is great now, but it's easy. Nobody's fought for playing time. The roles haven't been determined yet because we haven't started official practice.
"That will really determine the nature of the people we have, how they handle their roles as they end up winning or losing their roles. That will be paramount in what type of success we have."
Toppert said the lack of chemistry was a downfall for a team that started 11-3 but wound up 15-17 in 2006-07.
"Last year we had the talent, like we do this year, and we just couldn't keep everybody flowing together," Toppert says. "Our team chemistry wasn't too great."
EXPERIENCE COUNTS: In determining the starter, Alford said the veterans open the season with an advantage, because of the "maturity, of knowing college basketball. ... Obviously, if you've been through the Mountain (West), even with a new coaching style and change, they've been through it."
BLACK'S NOT BACK: Alford said the Lobos will have new uniforms this season, and black road duds won't be among them.
"I'm a traditionalist," he said. "I'm big into school colors. Our school colors are cherry and silver; Lobo red and silver."
RECRUIT VISITS: UNM recruits Nate Garth and Will Brown were both at Friday's workout. Isaiah Rusher was due in Friday evening. All three, who have already verbally committed to the Lobos, are scheduled to attend today's UNM/BYU football game.
INSIDE INFO: The 6-5 J.R. Giddens said he's excited about the addition of 6-10 Monquel Pegues and 6-8 Johnnie Harris.
Giddens, who led the Lobos in scoring at 15.8 points a game last season, drew constant double-teams because of the Lobos' soft inside game.
"Coach went out and got some big bodies," Giddens says. "Running into those guys in practice, it doesn't feel good. But I think we're going to have more inside presence, more quality inside play this year.
Lobos Appear to Have New Toughness
By Mark Smith
http://www.abqjournal.com/sports/598421sports09-29-07.htm
Sure it's early. Practices haven't even started yet. Not officially, at least.
But it's difficult not to notice the changes surrounding the University of New Mexico men's basketball program.
While many of the faces remain the same, the bodies attached to those faces are quite different. And if Friday's workout is any indication, these Lobos will battle with the physicality former coach Ritchie McKay beckoned for throughout his five-year tenure.
"The weight room has been a serious topic," said junior Chad Toppert, who came to UNM at 180 pounds but is a chiseled 215. "I'm starting to see my body change since I've been a freshman. I've been working out real hard in the summer with (strength coach) Aaron Day and my brother, and it's manifesting itself on the court."
Yes it is. The most noticeable improvements for the Lobos, who tied for the Mountain West Conference basement last season, are the players' bulk— and the way they distribute it.
The Lobos simply appear much more hard-nosed under first-year UNM coach Steve Alford.
Another noticeable change is the demeanor of the head coach. Instead of McKay's barrage of shrill shrieks and screams, Alford's voice raised only occasionally— and with a baritone quality that is much more attention grabbing.
A superficial point?
Maybe. But it just may help UNM achieve two things it couldn't last season.
Discipline and chemistry.
"That will be a great question all year long," Alford said. "The chemistry is great now, but it's easy. Nobody's fought for playing time. The roles haven't been determined yet because we haven't started official practice.
"That will really determine the nature of the people we have, how they handle their roles as they end up winning or losing their roles. That will be paramount in what type of success we have."
Toppert said the lack of chemistry was a downfall for a team that started 11-3 but wound up 15-17 in 2006-07.
"Last year we had the talent, like we do this year, and we just couldn't keep everybody flowing together," Toppert says. "Our team chemistry wasn't too great."
EXPERIENCE COUNTS: In determining the starter, Alford said the veterans open the season with an advantage, because of the "maturity, of knowing college basketball. ... Obviously, if you've been through the Mountain (West), even with a new coaching style and change, they've been through it."
BLACK'S NOT BACK: Alford said the Lobos will have new uniforms this season, and black road duds won't be among them.
"I'm a traditionalist," he said. "I'm big into school colors. Our school colors are cherry and silver; Lobo red and silver."
RECRUIT VISITS: UNM recruits Nate Garth and Will Brown were both at Friday's workout. Isaiah Rusher was due in Friday evening. All three, who have already verbally committed to the Lobos, are scheduled to attend today's UNM/BYU football game.
INSIDE INFO: The 6-5 J.R. Giddens said he's excited about the addition of 6-10 Monquel Pegues and 6-8 Johnnie Harris.
Giddens, who led the Lobos in scoring at 15.8 points a game last season, drew constant double-teams because of the Lobos' soft inside game.
"Coach went out and got some big bodies," Giddens says. "Running into those guys in practice, it doesn't feel good. But I think we're going to have more inside presence, more quality inside play this year.