UNM Lobos Face San Jose State in Must-Win Mountain West Tournament Game

The Lobos aim to gain momentum in the tournament with a crucial first-round win.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:52am

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The UNM men's basketball team is in Las Vegas for the Mountain West Conference tournament, looking to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament. They face off against the San Jose State Spartans in a must-win first-round game on Thursday night. The Lobos have a strong fan presence in Las Vegas, and former player Kenny Thomas is covering the event as part of the media team for the first time.

Why it matters

Winning the first game is essential for the Lobos to gain momentum in the tournament and improve their chances of making the NCAA tournament. The Lobos may face tough opponents like San Diego State and Colorado State in subsequent games, so this opening matchup against San Jose State is crucial.

The details

The UNM men's basketball team is in Las Vegas for the Mountain West Conference tournament, aiming to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament. They will face off against the San Jose State Spartans in a must-win first-round game on Thursday night. The Lobos have a strong fan presence in Las Vegas, and former player Kenny Thomas is covering the event as part of the media team for the first time.

  • The game will be played on Thursday night.

The players

Devin J. Martin

A reporter covering the event.

Kenny Thomas

A former UNM player who is now part of the media team covering the tournament.

Ryan Berriman

An organizer of a recent alumni event that drew significant attendance from Lobo fans in Las Vegas.

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What they’re saying

“This is my first Mountain West Conference tournament, and without being a player, so the experience is interesting.”

— Kenny Thomas, Former UNM player and media team member (KOB)

“There's definitely a lot of Lobo fans that have just showed up. Yeah, that's the blessing part of it and being able to be a part of this environment.”

— Kenny Thomas, Former UNM player and media team member (KOB)

“Oh, it's a must-win. It's one of those games to where you have to win in the first game.”

— Kenny Thomas, Former UNM player and media team member (KOB)

What’s next

The Lobos will need to win their first-round game against San Jose State to gain momentum in the Mountain West Conference tournament. If they win, they may face tough opponents like San Diego State and Colorado State in subsequent games.

The takeaway

The UNM Lobos men's basketball team is facing a crucial must-win game against San Jose State in the first round of the Mountain West Conference tournament. A victory would be essential for the Lobos to gain momentum and improve their chances of making the NCAA tournament, as they may face formidable opponents in later rounds.