# 1998–99 New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team

The 1998–99 New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team represented the University of New Mexico as a member of the Western Athletic Conference. The Lobos were coached by head coach Dave Bliss and played their home games at the University Arena, also known as "The Pit", in Albuquerque, New Mexico. New Mexico finished 2nd in the WAC Pacific division regular season standings and lost to Utah in the WAC Tournament championship game. The Lobos received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as No. 9 seed in the West region. After defeating Missouri in the opening round, New Mexico was bounced in the round of 32 by No. 1 seed and eventual National champion Connecticut, 78–56, to finish with a 25–9 record (9–5 WAC).

## Schedule and results

| Date time, TV | Rank$^#$ | Opponent$^#$ | Result | Record | Site (attendance) city, state |
| Regular season ||||||
| Nov 13, 1998* | No. 20 т | DePaul | W 82–81 | 1–0 | University Arena Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Jan 2, 1999* | | New Mexico State | W 77–66 | 12–1 | University Arena Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Jan 4, 1999 | | at Fresno State | L 80–86 | 12–2 (0–1) | Selland Arena Fresno, California |
| Jan 7, 1999 | | San Diego State | W 90–60 | 13–2 (1–1) | University Arena Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Jan 9, 1999 | | Hawaii | W 82–59 | 14–2 (2–1) | University Arena Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Jan 13, 1999 | No. 16 | at San Jose State | W 82–81 $^{OT}$ | 15–2 (3–1) | The Event Center San Jose, California |
| Jan 16, 1999* | No. 16 | No. 7 Arizona | W 79–78 | 16–2 | University Arena Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Jan 19, 1999* | No. 12 | at New Mexico State | L 55–76 | 16–3 | Pan American Center Las Cruces, New Mexico |
| Jan 23, 1999 | No. 12 | at UTEP | L 49–67 | 16–4 (3–2) | Don Haskins Center El Paso, Texas |
| Jan 30, 1999 | | BYU | W 78–68 | 17–4 (4–2) | University Arena Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Feb 1, 1999 | | No. 20 Utah | L 39–57 | 17–5 (4–3) | University Arena Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Feb 6, 1999 | | at Hawaii | L 68–72 $^{OT}$ | 17–6 (4–4) | Stan Sheriff Center Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Feb 8, 1999 | | at San Diego State | W 85–60 | 18–6 (5–4) | Viejas Arena San Diego, California |
| Feb 11, 1999 | | San Jose State | W 82–46 | 19–6 (6–4) | University Arena |
| Feb 13, 1999 | | Fresno State | W 83–81 | 20–6 (7–4) | University Arena |
| Feb 20, 1999 | | UTEP | W 81–65 | 21–6 (8–4) | University Arena |
| Feb 25, 1999* | No. 21 | at BYU | W 85–64 | 22–6 (9–4) | Marriott Center Provo, Utah |
| Feb 27, 1999 | No. 21 | at No. 12 Utah | L 47–77 | 22–7 (9–5) | Jon M. Huntsman Center Salt Lake City, Utah |
| WAC tournament ||||||
| Mar 4, 1999* | No. 25 | vs. Rice Quarterfinals | W 51–49 | 23–7 | Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Mar 5, 1999* | No. 25 | vs. SMU Semifinals | W 57–56 | 24–7 | Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Mar 6, 1999* | No. 25 | vs. No. 8 Utah Championship game | L 45–60 | 24–8 | Thomas & Mack Center Las Vegas, Nevada |
| NCAA tournament ||||||
| Mar 11, 1999* | (9 W) No. 25 | vs. (8 W) Missouri First Round | W 61–59 | 25–8 | McNichols Sports Arena Denver, Colorado |
| Mar 13, 1999* CBS | (9 W) No. 25 | vs. (1 W) No. 3 Connecticut Second Round | L 56–78 | 25–9 | McNichols Sports Arena (16,237) Denver, Colorado |
| *Non-conference game. $^#$Rankings from AP poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. W=West. ||||||

## Team players in the 1999 NBA draft

| Round | Pick | Player | NBA Club |
| 1 | 22 | Kenny Thomas | Houston Rockets |