New Mexico will host a home game in the first round of the NIT, tipping off against Utah Valley tonight in the Pit.
The invitation ends a nine-year hiatus from postseason play for the Lobos — the longest such drought in the nearly 60-year modern era of UNM basketball (the Pit era). mThe Lobos last played in the NIT in 2011.
New Mexico (22-11) won its first 14 games and was ranked as high as No. 22 this year. However, the team faltered down the stretch, losing Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Tournament to Utah State.