|
Lobos Host Nebraska Tuesday in NIT
March 15, 2009
The University of New Mexico (21-11) returns to the postseason for the 29th time when it hosts the Nebraska Cornhuskers (18-12) Tuesday in the first round of the 2009 NIT. This is the first meeting between the two schools. What: 2009 NIT Tipoff is 8 p.m. Mountain Time from The Pit / Bob King Court in Albuquerque. The game will be televised nationally by ESPNU. New Mexico is the No. 3 seed in this 8-team side of the 32-team bracket. Nebraska is No. 6. The UNM-NU winner will face the winner of Notre Dame and UAB in the second round. New Mexico had its 5-game winning streak snapped last Thursday in a 75-67 upset loss to Wyoming in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Conference Championship in Las Vegas. UNM was the No. 3 seed, Wyoming No. 6. The Lobos had beaten the Cowboys twice during the regular season. Despite last week's loss, the Lobos have still won five of their last six games, 8 of 10 and are 10-3 since Jan. 24. NEW MEXICO IN POSTSEASON - The Lobos have made 28 postseason appearances - 11 NCAA and 17 NIT - and all have come in the past 45 seasons, since 1963-64. UNM has advanced to postseason play 21 times in the past 26 seasons, since 1983-84. LOBOS IN THE NIT - New Mexico has been in the NIT 17 previous times, including seven straight appearances between 1984-90. UNM has a 16-18 record, including a 68-66 loss at Cal in the first round last year. The Lobos' top two showings came in 1964 when they finished second to Bradley, and fourth place in 1990. The Lobos came within an eyelash of advancing to New York in 1988, `89, `92 and 2001, losing in the quarterfinals. New Mexico has played 19 NIT games in The Pit where it is 13-6 and has won 8 straight. The last loss was to St. Louis in the 1989 quarterfinals. Average attendance for those 19 games is 12,101. The Lobos have never won a true road game in the NIT, having lost all six contests. The last win in the NIT away from Albuquerque was a neutral-court victory over Syracuse at Madison Square Garden in 1967. NIT TICKET INFORMATION: • Tickets will be available Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. at the UNM ticket office at The Pit and online at www.unmtickets.com • Lobo Club members and season ticket holders have until 5 p.m. on Monday to purchase the same seats they had during the 2008-09 regular season...they can purchase tickets at the ticket office at The Pit or reserve tickets by calling 505/925-5626 • Tickets are also available at all Albertson's stores beginning Monday at 9 a.m. • Tickets are $15 for adults/youth and $5 for UNM students • If purchasing tickets online or by phone, fans are encouraged to pick up their tickets in advance to avoid long lines at Will Call the night of the game • Parking will be $5 and first-come, first-serve in all lots
|
|
