The New Mexico men’s basketball team is gearing up for a significant matchup against Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) on Wednesday night, marking their final non-conference road game of the season. This clash is set to take place at the Siegel Center in Richmond, with tip-off scheduled for 5:00 p.m. MT (7:00 p.m. ET). Fans can catch the action on ESPN+ and the Lobo Radio Network.
Entering the game with a record of 7-2, the Lobos are currently riding a four-game win streak, their most recent victory being a decisive 98-71 triumph over Santa Clara on Saturday at The Pit. Notably, the team has showcased remarkable depth with three freshmen averaging double figures in scoring. Among these young talents, Tomislav Buljan stands out as the reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Week. In the last game against the Broncos, Buljan delivered an impressive performance, notching 16 points and securing 10 rebounds, marking his fourth double-double of the season.
On the other side of the court, VCU holds a record of 6-3 and enters the matchup ranked No. 51 in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) following a recent victory over Samford. The Rams have proven to be formidable on their home turf, boasting an undefeated record of 4-0 at the Siegel Center this season. They have also claimed a third-place finish at the prestigious Battle 4 Atlantis tournament held last month in the Bahamas.
The series between UNM and VCU has seen both teams achieve one victory apiece in their previous encounters. Last year, New Mexico secured a 78-71 win at The Pit, highlighted by a career-high 40 points from Donovan Dent. VCU, however, claimed the first contest during the 2008-09 season in Cancun.
This game marks the first time the two programs will meet in Richmond. While UNM has yet to play in the Siegel Center, they do have history in Richmond, having participated in three previous games at the now-defunct Richmond Coliseum. Notably, the Lobos competed there during the 1996 NCAA tournament, defeating Kansas State before succumbing to Georgetown. Additionally, in 1992, they were eliminated by Virginia in the NIT quarterfinals.
Following the clash with VCU, the Lobos will wrap up their non-conference schedule with a home game against Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday, set to begin at 2 p.m. This game will be broadcast on Altitude and the Mountain West Network, and tickets are available for purchase at GoLobos.com.
