Mountain West Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season
. Lobos . 2. team. 507. .
All the attention this offseason has been on Rick Pitino, but Richard Pitino has quietly built something at New Mexico. A former Rick Pitino player could help take the Lobos to the next level.
Last season, the Lobos tread where they hadn’t in nearly a decade: the postseason. No, it wasn’t the NCAA Tournament, but it was still an accomplishment for this program to make the NIT, even if they were soundly whipped by Utah Valley in the first round.
Richard Pitino is lining up a return to the NCAA Tournament for the Lobos, who haven’t been in the Big Dance since 2014. They may even be good enough to win a postseason game for the first time since 2012.
There were a lot of departures from last year’s squad, but New Mexico has a handful of transfers coming in and a couple of decent recruits, as well. The best among the transfers is familiar with the Pitino name: Nigerian big man Nelly Junior Joseph.
After winning MAAC Rookie of the Year during his first season with the Iona Gaels, Joseph earned First Team All-MAAC as a sophomore. As a junior, he did it again, averaging 14.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He instantly becomes one of the Mountain West’s best big men.
Another big addition from the transfer portal is forward Mustapha Amzil from Dayton. The Finland native finished third on the Flyers in both points and rebounds while also showing off a developing three-point stroke. He’ll be a welcome member of the rotation.
The Triple J’s are back in the saddle too, set to play top roles in 2023-24. Either Jamal Mashburn Jr. or Jaelen House will lead the Lobos in scoring. Jemarl Baker, Jr. shouldn’t be too far behind.
San Diego State needs to be the odds-on favorite to take the Mountain West crown. The team was a game away from winning the national championship, after all. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Lobos give the Aztecs a run for their money, though.