Schedule might help Lobos catch-up

I'm not a fortune-teller, but the Mountain West Conference season champion and number one seed in the conference tournament might come down to a classic 90's showdown when the New Mexico Lobos host the Utah Utes on March 3.

With Utah (10-2) sitting alone in first place, four other teams in the Mountain West Conference are trying to catch-up. New Mexico (8-4), BYU (8-4) and San Diego State (8-4) are battling for second place, and UNLV (8-5) is only a half-game behind. Fortunately for the Lobos, their final four games gives New Mexico a legitimate chance to contend for first place.

The Lobos will try to use their remaining schedule as a weapon. Three out of New Mexico's final four games are against teams with losing records in conference play: TCU, Colorado State and Wyoming. Even with the Lobos' weak remaining schedule, they're still going to need help from other conference foes.

Before Utah heads to New Mexico, they have to play BYU and UNLV, which could give the Lobos a chance to catch-up. If Utah loses at all, the New Mexico vs. Utah match up could be for first place, depending on how other games around the conference play out. The Lobos will still need BYU and San Diego State to lose at least once.

If New Mexico wins out, they have a chance to take the conference season title and get an At-Large bid into the big dance. With a weak remaining schedule, the Lobos need to show they can take care of business.