How will they respond?
Sure, the UNM Lobos had road losses at Purdue and USC earlier this season, but road losses to power conference schools can hardly be considered season-defining moments.
But Saturday, in a gut-punch loss to Rice, this season’s Lobo men’s basketball team took square on the chin its first dose of real adversity.
Coach Craig Neal said Saturday night he was anxious to see how his team responded after what he said was a lackluster effort against Rice.
“Guys just thought it was going to be an easy win and I told them, ‘Anybody who plays with energy and effort can beat anybody,'” Neal said.