On Wednesday night, Deyton Albury will compete against his former team, Utah State, as the New Mexico Lobos aim to seize first place in the Mountain West Conference. The game is set to take place at The Pit, a venue where Albury had previously experienced the energy of a passionate home crowd.
About a year ago, Albury played as a visitor at The Pit, donning a navy blue uniform while witnessing the excitement surrounding a team on the verge of a conference championship. Now, as an offseason transfer from Utah State, the senior guard finds himself in the Lobos” starting lineup, facing his old teammates in a pivotal matchup.
With only a month remaining in the regular season and three teams tied for the league lead, the stakes are incredibly high. “Yeah, it”s pretty cool,” Albury remarked about the experience. “You don”t really get to play against, you know, some of your former college teammates.” Albury, a preseason All-Mountain West pick, entered the transfer portal shortly after Utah State”s elimination in the first round of last season”s NCAA Tournament.
At that time, the entire New Mexico basketball program was undergoing a major overhaul, with players and coaches leaving. However, new head coach Eric Olen was keenly aware of Albury”s potential. He had previously witnessed Albury”s performance against his former team, UC San Diego, where Albury scored 15 points in a surprising victory over the Aggies.
Olen stated, “Our evaluation and recruitment of Deyton was a lot more about what he did in the Mountain West Conference and, like, his efficiency, the way he finished, the pressure he put on the rim.” Albury has since made a name for himself with the Lobos, known for his aggressive drives to the basket, which force defenses to collapse.
In preparation for the game, Albury has also provided valuable insights about Utah State”s roster to the Lobos” coaching staff, reflecting on his time with the team. “I mean, yeah, I”ve been giving the coaching staff little tips from things I remember last year,” he noted, emphasizing his understanding of the personnel.
The winner of this crucial game will at least share first place with eight games left on their schedule. The Lobos are currently facing a tough series of contests, including a home game against Boise State and a road trip to Grand Canyon the following week. The Lobos have recovered well since suffering a loss to Boise State earlier in the season, winning eight of their last nine games.
In addition to the game”s implications for the conference standings, this matchup presents a rare Quad-1 opportunity for both teams. Utah State is currently ranked No. 27 in the NET Ratings, while the Lobos sit at No. 42. A game against a top-30 NET opponent is crucial for boosting postseason resumes.
Moreover, the Lobos are on the verge of tying for the second-longest winning streak at The Pit, having won 23 consecutive games. The longest streak, set by Dave Bliss, is 41 wins from 1996 to 1998.
On the individual front, Lobos guard Jake Hall has made 68 three-point shots this season, ranking 33rd nationally and leading all freshmen in Division I. Both teams have demonstrated strong road performances this season, with Utah State winning four of five away games and New Mexico holding a record of 5-2 on the road.
As the Lobos prepare to host Utah State, they anticipate a large crowd despite the mid-week 9 p.m. start time, with an average home attendance of 12,297, the highest in the Mountain West.
