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NCAA Basketball: Duke, Illinois, and Virginia tumble in latest top 25 power ranking

By Tristan Freeman

Dec 10, 2022; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Isaiah Wong (2) controls the ball against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the second half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2022; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Isaiah Wong (2) controls the ball against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the second half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball New Mexico Lobos Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball New Mexico Lobos Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

21. New Mexico Lobos

There are just three unbeaten teams in NCAA Basketball left. Two of them are well-known in Purdue and UConn but after Utah State recently fell, that left New Mexico as the third without a loss. They’re 12-0 on the season after a 94-63 victory over Prairie View A&M, led by 17 points from Jamal Mashburn and 16 points and 14 rebounds from Morris Udeze. In all, five players were in double figures for the Lobos.

New Mexico is the best example of how transfers can quickly turn a program around. The three players currently scoring at least 16 ppg on the team (Udeze, Mashburn, and Jaelen House), all came from power conference programs and have excelled at the Mountain West level. And Kansas City transfer forward Josiah Allick (9.2 ppg and 8.3 rpg) has quietly been an impact newcomer as well.

The Lobos have wins over Saint Mary’s, San Francisco, and Iona, which was a battle between Hall of Fame HC Rick Pitino and New Mexico HC and son, Richard Pitino. At this point, you have to argue that they’re the favorites in the Mountain West, even over San Deigo State. We’ll see this upcoming week how they’ll fare being the “hunted” in league play, with matchups against Colorado State and Wyoming opening things for them.

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