In Episode 126 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I post some excerpts for a Zoom call local media had with UNM Lobos guard and Mountain West Freshman of the Year Jake Hall about his decision to return to play for Eric Olen and the Lobos next season as well as his opportunity now to play with his brother, and recent UNM signee, Dax Hall.

In Episode 125 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I caught up with UNM Lobos 7-foot-1 center JT Rock, the transfer from Iowa State who has developed this season into a dangerous weapon for head coach Eric Olen's crew. We cover the bases from his recruitment to Iowa State out of high school to his addiction to shoes to why he goest by JT instead of what those initials stand for. (Hint, I'm not at all happy with his answer!)

In Episode 124 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I caught up with Scott Waterman, the Special Assistant to the Head Coach on the UNM Lobo men's basketball team. We talk his unique path to Albuquerque, including having been the six-year head coach at Division II Academy of Art university in San Francisco before that school discontinued is sports programs this past offseason. We also talk his taking five charges in a college game, his role on UNM's staff and about his elite Rick Flair 'Woo!' impersonation.

In Episode 123 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I caught up with Wyoming Cowboys coach Sundance Wicks who has the Pokes at 9-2 in nonconference play and in the top 60 of the NCAA's NET rankings, arguably completing the most impressive, if not unexpected, nonconference slate in the Mountain West. Wicks talks about his name, his energy, his fondness of laughter and 1990s movies and for coaching in the great venues around the Mountain West, including the Pit.

In Episode 122 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I caught up with Lobo freshman guard Jake Hall, the 3,000 point high school scorer who is now one of three UNM freshman averaging double digit points this season. We also get a very entertaining scouting report on Jake from UNM assistant coach Tom Tankelewicz and Jake's younger brother, Dax. That scouting report includes talk of Jake being a competitive surfer when he was younger and some disagreement about who the best golfer in the family is.

In Episode 121 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talked with 2025 NCAA Division I Cross Country champion Habtom Samuel, the third-year UNM Lobo star who helped lead the men's team to a second place finish at the race Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Columbia, Missouri. Samuel had been runner up the past two years. I also have interviews from the race with UNM head coach Darren Gauson and UNM Athletic Director Fernando Lovo.

In Episode 120 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I give my annual team-by-team breakdown of the Mountain West conference season ahead with audio from head coaches of all 12 teams. Here's a time breakdown for each team if you'd like to jump ahead (and not hear me talk so much): Air Force, 8:30; Boise State, 12:07; Colorado State, 16:05; Fresno State, 20:00; Grand Canyon, 24:05; Nevada 29:34; New Mexico 34:05; San Diego State, 39:20; San Jose State, 43:15; UNLV, 46:40; Utah State, 50:30; Wyoming, 53:40.

In Episode 119 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez at the 2025-26 men's basketball media day event in Las Vegas, Nevada. We talk about the state of the league, both football and basketball, but primarily give the commissioner an opportunity to discuss ongoing litigation about exit fees and poaching penalties with five schools departing the league after this season to join the rebuilding Pac-12. This podcast was recorded BEFORE the Mountain West officially filed later in the day an 86-page court filing, including counterclaims made against the Pac 12.

In Episode 118 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNM Lobos guard Luke Haupt. The sixth-year senior transfer from Division II Point Loma Nazarene in San Diego is the son of one of the winningest active coaches in California High School basketball, Mike Haupt. We talk taking the D-II route, his love of big dogs, whether he's got a chip on his shoulder to prove he can play at the DI level and did he really once fly a plane?

In Episode 117 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNM Lobos point guard Deyton Albury, a native of the Bahamas. The senior transfer from Utah State is going to be relied on heavily to lead the new-look Lobos in the first year under head coach Eric Olen. We talk basketball in the Bahamas, compare New Mexican and Bahamian food, he gives three bold basketball predictions, and explains why we're all probably better off that he's here playing basketball and not playing the trumpet.