Is it safe to say the CSU game is huge!

[SpanaBaller]

The CSU game is huge!

CSU is gonna be hungry fighting for a bubble-team spot with their shiny top 30 RPI. They need a quality win and are always tough at home

UNM is 2 games ahead in 1st place above SDSU and UNLV. With only 4 games left.....given that CSU, TCU, AF, and Boise St are our only games left......it essentially clinches a title if we can win the CSU and TCU games.

[LoboCubs23]

Not even essentially... we win these next two games we win a share of the title and clinch the #1 seed based on our record vs CSU or TCU who ever finishes 4th.

[LoboCat]

This was a post I was waiting to see. We haven't seen many letdowns from Alford's teams after big wins, but this is a game that should have everyone's full attention. There are elements of this being a "trap game" with the relatively short turnaround playing on a Tuesday, a likely top 25 ranking, CSU coming off a huge win and fighting for a dance ticket, having a two game lead, and the Lobos getting the national notoriety they've been fighting for all year. However, there is plenty to play for and to get motivated for. Of course winning the conference outright is goal #1 not yet achieved, this team has played itself into a position in which they can turn a great season into a program defining system. Given that Hugh, PMac, and Snell have yet to get into a consistent scoring spree there is plenty of room for growth and evidence that this team has yet to reach its ceiling. There is plenty to play for and plenty of room for this team to grow.

[Ltlf]

Every game is tough. But after seeing the lambs at the Pit it seemed improbable that they could win any conference games. Yes, I know. They have including the Aztecs.

We won by 32 points and that was after giving up 52 points. 52 points to CSU - we should be able to do better than that. They are lambs.

http://statsheet.com/mcb/games/2012/...-new-mexico-85

And, yes. I'm worried too. That was almost a month ago.

[msalgado]

CSU definitely has a lot to play for so we'll definitely have to come out with effort.

[loboray]

I am very concerned, although we have always played well in Moby Arena. The games are generally close and hard fought. Yes, this could be a trap game for us. I am sure coach wants to win out and is trying to get the team on the same page. Don't leave anything to chance. Don't take anyone lightly. Like a good wolf pack, go for the jugular.

[judas_priest]

On the assumption that we will win the last two games at home (AF & BSU) we clinch 1st in the conference by winning either of the two road games this coming week.

[TioLobo]

Given that our strong suite is defence and that Steve Alford is our coach, I have no worries at all. We will put yet another double-digit beatdown on CSU.

[allometry]

CSU is scary. However, I've never seen us more focused and disciplined and that includes the 30-5 season.

We should win all of our games. However, if 7 days was to win a championship, the next 7 days must be about proving we can play with the lead.

We are favorites now. Welcome to hell!

[SanJoMilkman]

When I saw the game is on Tuesday first thing I though to myself was TRAPGAME...We need this one! No Letdowns!! I call for another 13 days of H-E-Double Hockey Sticks!!!

[Gonzlobo]

We were disciplined the 30-5 season, but every (and I mean every) game was a close one. This year's team is comparatively flat out boring winning by 20 and all.

[AceAndTwo]

CSU and TCU will be tough games. TCU I believe hasn't lost at home.

[kennymofo]

We were disciplined the 30-5 season, but every (and I mean every) game was a close one. This year's team is comparatively flat out boring winning by 20 and all.

IMO - there are 2 major differences in this year's team to the 30-5 team

1: DEPTH - this team has it, the 30-5 team didn't
2: DEFENSE - like Coach said in the post-game, this is the best defensive team he has EVER coached - that's saying A LOT, and it seems they get better on defense every time they hit the floor

[txlobo95]

A couple of concerns:

1) Do they players let a shiny new ranking go to their heads and forget how hard they had to work to get that ranking? (not likely with this group, but this is a new dynamic added to the equation)

2) This is the 3rd difficult game in only 6 days (last week's SDSU game was late on Wed, quick turnaround for UNLV and another quick turnaround for CSU) Will the legs be fresh enough?

Otherwise, this group has played very hard over recent weeks and would hope they do so again on Tuesday. We have a decided size advantage and need to take full advantage of it!

Our perimeter defense will decide this one. If we shut down CSU from 3 and force them inside, it will be a long day for CSU.

[JulieG]

In the interviews, both Coach and Drew were very aware that they had CSU upcoming and did not want a letdown. I think CSU will be fired up, but I think from what I have seen we will be too.

[LoboMike]

If Drew plays anything like he did against UNLV, CSU has no chance. They have no size to even hope to contend with him.

That said, I expect to get their best shot. They have some real good shooters, so guarding the 3 is essential.

[lambchopLobo]

We need every Lobo fan in the area to attend this game!! We have had strong numbers before at Moby. Lets do it again!!

[LoveTheLadies]

These short turn-around time games are where your deep bench pays off. You may see more of Bairstow, PMac, etc. You are riding the wave, guys...enjoy the ride.

GO LOBOS

[MaxLobo]

I'm worried about Moby also. Wasn't it last year that Drew got really frustrated there (going up against Andy Ogide?). Their guard play this year has the potential to go off in any particular game...we really need to push out the defense on the perimeter adn let the bigs defend one on one down low, IMO.

Also, after re-watching the UNLV game I see that for 3 quarters of the game it was pretty much a draw....a Lobo mini run and after that I think they kind of got frustrated and it snowballed....but I don't think we are *that* much better than them on a regular basis. Just sayin I hope nobody on the Lobos is content and they all know we still have some VERY tough challenges ahead this week.

All that said, we are nails on the road and are doing it mostly with great D....so that plays way to our advantage as good 'D' will likely keep showing up.

[red_rise]

CSU beat an SDSU team by alot at home and SDSU was really hot when they went into FT collins. The theres the enigma that is BSU, which plays really good at home. And then lets not forget about TCU, who just beat UNLV, yes UNLV at their place. Its going to still be a tough go.

[timvracer]

Good observation on UNLV, I agree with that. Here are the keys though... DEFENSE, our defense was relentless during the UNLV game, and the offense was NOT coming till finally we got some buckets (thanks to nice 2nd half adjustments and taking advantage of the 1-1 inside). It snowballed from there, I agree.. UNLV does not play well when they are down it seems.

My faith though is with this teams defense. It makes up for their worst offensive showings, and wears down the competition, especially if they are not deep like WYO and CSU.

Go LOBOS!

I'm worried about Moby also. Wasn't it last year that Drew got really frustrated there (going up against Andy Ogide?). Their guard play this year has the potential to go off in any particular game...we really need to push out the defense on the perimeter adn let the bigs defend one on one down low, IMO.

Also, after re-watching the UNLV game I see that for 3 quarters of the game it was pretty much a draw....a Lobo mini run and after that I think they kind of got frustrated and it snowballed....but I don't think we are *that* much better than them on a regular basis. Just sayin I hope nobody on the Lobos is content and they all know we still have some VERY tough challenges ahead this week.

All that said, we are nails on the road and are doing it mostly with great D....so that plays way to our advantage as good 'D' will likely keep showing up.

[loboray]

I agree that this is where the deep bench comes in. I think our legs will be just fine. CSU has been playing tough games too. The more I think about it, the more confident I am feeling that we will reel in the lambies for another victory.

[colt6bt]

I think that UNM has more to play for than CSU. Even if CSU wins, they still will be right on the bubble. Their bubble might have already burst with the losses to TCU and Boise St. UNM is now playing for higher seeding in the NCAA tournament. And since this team is built for tournament style play, every game counts. By the way they played over the last month, I think they understand that.