UNM Men's Basketball Hosts Northern Arizona This Saturday at The Pit

The New Mexico men’s basketball team hosts Northern Arizona at The Pit – Powered by Nusenda this Saturday, November 7, at 4:00 p.m. Fans can access the game via the MW+ streaming service or the Lobo Radio Network. Tickets for this “Kids Free Game” are available starting at $12, with gate access beginning at 2:30 p.m.

The Lobos enter the matchup with momentum following a dominant 100-60 victory over Utah Tech this past Monday. According to the official program notes from GoLobos.com, that season opener saw preseason Mountain West Player of the Year Jake Hall cement his status early, dropping 30 points. His performance placed him in elite company as only the eighth player in the history of the New Mexico program to reach that scoring threshold in a season-opening game.

For Northern Arizona, the Saturday contest represents a chance to rebound from a challenging road start. The Lumberjacks opened their season on Tuesday with an 89-77 loss against UNLV in Las Vegas. Despite the final score, the visitors displayed significant offensive capability in the first half, leading by as many as 12 points and demonstrating efficiency from distance by shooting 11-23 from behind the arc.

A Rivalry Renewed After Nearly Two Decades

While the schools share a history dating back to the early 20th century, Saturday’s meeting carries a sense of rarity. It marks the first regular-season contest between New Mexico and Northern Arizona in 17 years. The programs maintain a close all-time series record, with the Lobos holding a narrow 43-40 lead. Much of that history was forged during the mid-century era when both institutions competed as members of the Border Conference, a league that once served as the primary athletic home for schools across the American Southwest.

While the two teams played an exhibition game last season, this weekend’s matchup marks the return of a genuine non-conference clash. The stakes for both programs involve fine-tuning rotations and establishing early-season chemistry before the intensity of conference play begins in earnest.

UNM Men's Basketball Hosts Northern Arizona This Saturday at The Pit

Game Day Logistics and Fan Initiatives

The university has positioned Saturday’s event as a “Kids Free Game,” aiming to drive attendance by offering two free youth tickets for every adult ticket purchased. Beyond the basketball action, the event features a halftime performance by the Halftime Dogs.

Following the conclusion of this weekend’s game, the Lobos are scheduled to wrap up their current three-game homestand on Tuesday evening. They will host Little Rock at 7:00 p.m., with that matchup slated for broadcast on MW. For those attending Saturday, gates at The Pit – Powered by Nusenda open at 2:30 p.m., with tickets currently available through the official athletic department portal.