Aug. 17, 2011

2011-12 Printable Men's Basketball Schedule.pdf

Albuquerque, N.M. --- University of New Mexico head men's basketball coach Steve Alford has announced the 2011-12 schedule, and it once again features 18 home games, along with games in the 76 Classic and the 76th Annual All-College Basketball Classic, the nation's oldest collegiate basketball tournament.

The non-conference slate features 16 teams, 11 of which won at least 16 games. The Lobos also will have 21 of their 30 games broadcast on national and regional television, including four games on ESPN's family of networks, and a February 18 home game in The Pit on CBS.

"With a lot of returning players and experience from a year ago and the loss of two conference teams, a lot of emphasis was put on the strength of our non-conference schedule," said Steve Alford. "For the first time in school history we will play 16 non-league games and not start Mountain West play until Jan 14. I am very pleased that this schedule will prepare us for league play as well as give us plenty of opportunities to set us up for postseason play."

Over the last three years, UNM's non-conference schedule has ranked tougher than any over the past 20 years, and this year's schedule has a minimum of four opponents from BCS Conferences, and potentially five, meaning the Lobos' 2011-12 schedule should once again rank right up there.

The Lobos will face plenty of heavy hitters, including their opening round opponent in the 76 Classic Santa Clara, who won 24 games a year ago and were the champions of the CIT. It marks the second straight year UNM will face off against a postseason tournament champion away from home, as UNM played NIT champion Dayton last year. The Lobos will also face off against either Washington State or Oklahoma in the second round of the 76 Classic, with potential final round opponents Villanova and Boston College waiting in the wings.

With an emphasis of playing BCS opponents, the Lobos will also play at Arizona State, at USC in the start of a home-and-home series, and versus Oklahoma State in Oklahoma City for the 76th All-College Classic.

The Lobos open the season with four home games, including exhibition openers against Davenport (Nov. 1) and Western New Mexico (Nov. 5). The regular season will open on November 11 with New Orleans, and then rival New Mexico State visits The Pit on November 16. The Lobos will be looking for their eighth straight win over the Aggies.

Lobos Men's Basketball

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