The New Mexico Lobos might be the most overlooked and underrated college basketball program in the country. The Lobos are regular NCAA Tournament participants, have produced several notable NBA players, and have one of the best home arenas in the country. In other words, finding cheap New Mexico basketball tickets isn’t easy. Even if they aren’t a national power, few programs get the unwavering support that the Lobos receive. Year after year, last-minute New Mexico basketball tickets are a hot commodity in the Land of Enchantment.

The King

UNM’s initial rise to basketball prominence came under head coach Bob King in the 1960s. In 1964, King led the Lobos to their first Western Athletic Conference title and runners-up of the NIT during a 23-6 campaign. King continued to make New Mexico a force in the WAC while also leading the Lobos to another conference championship and their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1968. He was followed in UNM by Norm Ellenberger, who won two more WAC titles during his seven-year tenure and took the Lobos back to the NCAA Tournament and the Sweet 16 in 1974.

Top of the Mountain

New Mexico entered a new era when the Lobos joined the Mountain West Conference ahead of the 1999-2000 season. The early days in the Mountain West weren’t easy, as the Lobos saw their run of seven NCAA Tournament appearances in nine years come to an end. However, Steve Alford got the Lobos back on track, winning at least a share of the Mountain West title four times in six seasons and taking the Lobos to the NCAA Tournament three times. Before Alford left for UCLA in 2013, UNM averaged over 25 wins per season in his six seasons. That success reinvigorated the fanbase and once again made the Lobos one of the most noteworthy mid-majors in the country.