New Mandel Ranking on CNNSI Lobos still 12

[kingisjim]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...s.2/index.html

#12 New Mexico Lobos (24-3)
My man Seth Davis gave a big shout out to Lobos star Darington Hobson in this week's Sports Illustrated, calling him "the best player you haven't heard of this season." Hobson made him look smart Wednesday night against Wyoming, putting up 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in New Mexico's 83-61 rout.

Hobson and the Lobos had to fight a lot harder last weekend at Utah, pulling out a 68-65 overtime win. Hobson scored just eight points in that one, yet was one basket away from a triple-double, notching 11 assists and 10 rebounds.

A year ago this time, the Las Vegas native was toiling in obscurity at the College of Eastern Utah. Remarkably, he's putting up nearly the same exact numbers in the Mountain West conference (15.5 points, 8.8 rebounds) as he was in the Scenic West (real name) conference (15.2 points, 8.7 rebounds).

Next three: 2/20 vs. Air Force, 2/23 at Colorado State, 2/27 at BYU.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz0fv3BXjSN
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[18,018]

Remarkably, he's putting up nearly the same exact numbers in the Mountain West conference (15.5 points, 8.8 rebounds) as he was in the Scenic West (real name) conference (15.2 points, 8.7 rebounds).

That's pretty amazing. Jump to division one difficult? Not if you are smooth like butta!

[unmwbfn]

I really hope he stays next season and all this talk and good publicity doesn't influence him to bolt after this year.

Serioulsy, I want him to do what is best for him and hopefully he carefully listens to the right people. I am hoping he understands another year of maturing can help raise his stock even more and if we as a team improve next year (I almost have to gulp when typing that - we can even be better then this year!!!) the extra attention will help as well.

And of course I am being selfish because I want to see him play again next season.

[txlobo95]

BTW, there was a pretty big picture in the actual magazine on page 26, I think, of Butta. Was a pretty cool column to see in a national publication!

I really hope he stays next season and all this talk and good publicity doesn't influence him to bolt after this year.

Actually, I'm mixed on this. Although, I would love to see him play here next year as well, he is having a great season and is really starting to get noticed, I also want him to have a solid NBA future, which a 1st round contract is a 3 year guarantee.

Last year Stephen Curry really improved his draft stock in the NCAA tourney.

If we played tough as nails in the NCAA's as we have recently and let's say we make the sweet 16, and his draft stock goes way up and he's given advice that he would be a 1st round pick, I'm not sure how you pass that up?

Just look at Colt McKoy and Sam Bradford. Both were on top of the football world last year and both got injured in their Sr's year's, potentially costing them millions in draft position.

Sometimes you have to strike while the iron is hot, because you never know if you can build up this type of momentum again next year?

It would also let any future recruit realize there is enough pub from coming to UNM, that if you are good enough, you could be a one and done player.

It could be the impetus to going after the absolute elite level recruits, like Calipari recruited to Memphis and now Kentucky. Aren't we after the top pg in the 2012 class from Houston?

[engr]

I agree...if DH is a guaranteed 1st round pick, time to take his game to NBA. If not, stay, work, improve, and for the rest of us, just enjoy. I certainly am.

[zoom]

his progression in such a short time has been fun to watch...maybe he will like the experience enough to want more of it next year...especially if we're pre-season top 10...

[noname]

the coaches will help with what he need to do coach said last week that after the season they will make calls and find out more about where he at at the end of the season

[LoboLuba]

Hard to tell a kid that could get a guaranteed contract and multiple millions to stay in school. Hobson is old for the NBA. He may jump just because of that if he thinks he is going in the first round. Not sure what position he plays at the next level. I dont think he is big enough for the 3 and doesnt shoot well enough from outside to be a 2.....and despite his fantastic passing, his ball handling is too suspect for a 1. He will probably be a Granger like 3..... Cept Granger is nails from outside.