The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James

The University of New Mexico men's basketball team's NCAA Tournament run ended Sunday in the second round with a loss to Michigan State, but the Lobos will remain in the news cycle for the foreseeable future.

In the latest episode of The New Mexican Sports Den, sports writers Will Webber and James Barron talk about the rumors surrounding Richard Pitino, whose name has been linked to jobs at Villanova, West Virginia, Xavier and more. They also talk about stars Donovan Dent and Tru Washington entering the transfer portal. 

Will shares stories about his time covering the Lobos in Cleveland, including Rick Pitino pestering him for updates on the Colorado State-Maryland game while Will was trying to cover Lobos-Spartans. Will gushes about Rocket Arena, and he and James review why The Pit can't host NCAA Tournament games anymore.

The guys also talk about the future of the Mountain West as it deals with the upcoming loss of some of its stronger programs, and how that could impact the Lobos.

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Like a kid in a candy store as he takes in the sights and sounds of media day at Rocket Arena, University of New Mexico beat writer Will Webber shares his impressions of what he’s seen so far in Cleveland ahead of first-round action of the NCAA Tournament.

Will and fellow New Mexican sports writer James Barron talk about what they think it will take for the No. 10 seed Lobos to take down No. 7 seed Marquette, with the winner likely drawing a date with No. 2 seed Michigan State in the second round. The guys touch on the Florida connection shared by UNM coach Richard Pitino and Marquette coach Shaka Smart, who both cut their teeth as assistants under former longtime Gators coach Billy Donovan.

Will and James also discuss the Lobos’ struggles in the NCAA Tournament throughout their history, and what they expect from other Mountain West teams that made this year’s field.

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Exhausted after a grueling week of state high school basketball coverage, sports writers Will Webber and James Barron reminisce about what they witnessed in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque before getting into the University of New Mexico’s first-round matchup with Marquette. 

The guys share their most memorable moments from the state tournament, talk about how they think live broadcasts of the games may be impacting attendance, and offer their thoughts on which teams will be contenders again next year. 

They then turn their focus on the Lobos, who hope for a longer stay in the NCAA Tournament this year. They’ll have to get past Marquette and Kam Jones, who on Tuesday was voted a second team All-American by the Associated Press. Will and James also speak more on the future of the Lobos program and head coach Richard Pitino, whose name has been in the rumor mill as high-profile programs seek a new leader.

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Recording on location at the Rio Rancho Events Center for the New Mexico high school state basketball tournament, New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron share what they've seen in early action and preview the matchups they're looking forward to as the week plays out. Could the Taos Tigers boys play the role of cinderella in Class 4A? Will the St. Michael's boys reclaim the 3A crown? They hit on those topics and also share their hot takes on concessions at the state tournament. The guys then get into Lobos talk, going over the Mountain West All-Conference teams and previewing the Mountain West Tournament.

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year in New Mexico. The high school basketball state tournament is about to begin and the Lobo men are looking to raise their profile for the NCAA Tournament. 

In the latest episode of the “The New Mexican Sports Den,” sports writers Will Webber and James Barron pick their winners in all 10 brackets of the high school state tournament and share their insights on the local contenders.

Attention turns to the University of New Mexico for the second segment, as the Lobo men set their sights on the postseason with the Mountain West and NCAA tournaments. Will and James give their update on the Lobos and talk about recent reports of Utah and other programs pursuing UNM head coach Richard Pitino.

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Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron start the third episode of “The New Mexican Sports Den” by discussing the recent arrest of Robertson boys basketball coach James Branch, who was charged with criminal sexual contact with a minor on Friday. Barron shares his reporting on the story and the implications for a Robertson team that is a contender in Class 3A. The guys then offer an overview of the prep hoops landscape as we enter district tournament play. On the boys’ side, they talk about the strength of the field in Class 4A and local contenders in 3A, including St. Michael’s, Robertson and Santa Fe Indian School. Will and James then get into Lobos talk, discussing the race in the Mountain West and scenarios for the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team as the end of the regular season quickly approaches. They close the show by looking back at the high school state meets in swimming and diving, as well as wrestling.

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Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron open the second episode of “The New Mexican Sports Den” by gloating about the viewership numbers for their first episode, then get right into Lobos chatter. 

The guys discuss the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team’s big win over Utah State that put the Lobos in the driver’s seat in the Mountain West Conference and talk about how recent injuries could impact the team going forward. They then talk about the strength of the Mountain West and how many teams could make the NCAA Tournament. Will and James share their thoughts on what seed they think the Lobos could earn in the tournament, and wrap up Lobos talk by reminiscing about former football head coach Bob Davie. 

After getting some upsetting news from his HVAC repairman during the break, Will returns for the second segment where the guys turn their attention to prep sports. They start by discussing boys basketball, with James quizzing Will about Santa Fe High district titles. They also touch on local contenders in the upcoming state wrestling and swimming competitions.

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After a five-year hiatus, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron are back on the mic for the rebirth and rebrand of their podcast. In their first episode of “The New Mexican Sports Den,” Will and James give an overview of the prep basketball scene, touching on which Northern New Mexico teams could be a factor as we approach tournament time. 

In the second segment, the University of New Mexico’s men’s basketball team is highlighted as Will and James discuss the Lobos’ strong play that has them perched atop the Mountain West Conference. They also look ahead at the future of the team beyond this season as well as the future of the conference amid the topsy-turvy landscape of college sports. Will also checks on how James is handling the drubbing his beloved Kansas City Chiefs suffered in the Super Bowl. 

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