ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — No, first place isn’t on the line Saturday in Viejas Arena.
But, after a one year hiatus, the best rivalry in Mountain West hoops over the past seven years matters again when the second place UNM Lobos (14-8, 7-2 MWC) pay an afternoon visit to league-leading San Diego State (17-6, 10-0 MWC).
“I think it’s back to where it should be,” UNM coach Craig Neal said Thursday when asked about UNM and SDSU again being the top two teams in the league standings.
Since 2009, the two teams have accounted for 13 conference championships (regular season or MWC Tournament) with the Lobos holding a 7-6 edge in titles.