With the University of New Mexico men's basketball team preaching depth, the battle for minutes is taking place a month before the season starts.

The balancing act for coach Ritchie McKay could be keeping fourteen players happy once the season kicks off Nov. 10 against Abilene Christian.

McKay typically goes with an eight- or nine-man rotation to carry the bulk of the minutes load during the season.

In each of his four seasons with the Lobos, McKay has never played more than nine players at 10 or more minutes per game.

A deep lineup that includes four freshmen could make this a redshirt year for at least one player, though McKay said it's too early to evaluate redshirts.

"I think our team is deep, but you're limited in how far you can go," McKay said. "There aren't a lot of programs playing 12 guys. Eleven or 12 or even 13 players could deserve minutes, but I could see us having a nine- or 10-man rotation."

The Lobos have redshirted one player - sophomore guard Chad Toppert in 2004-05 - in the past two seasons.

Sophomore center Daniel Faris was a redshirt option last season but cracked the lineup sparingly.

Competition for playing time could increase this season because 13 eligible players are on scholarship. At one point last season, the team played with 10 scholarship players because of midseason departures.

The only player considered a walk-on this season is center Aaron Johnson, one of the team's best players who lost his scholarship as punishment for a bar fight with police in September 2005.

Freshman center Derek Oestreicher is battling mononucleosis and could be a redshirt candidate if his condition worsens in coming weeks.

A redshirt decision will be difficult, McKay said, because he's happy with the team's overall performance during preseason workouts.

"A lot of guys are good enough, but at the same time we're developing a program," McKay said. "You're wise to be able to adjust to personnel.

"But the practices are more competitive, and the competition has gotten better because the talent has enhanced."

Reunion: UNM's latest oral commitments will go at each other in the Phoenix-area high school ranks this season.

Dobson High, home of Lobo commitment Mickey McConnell, will host Ty Abbott's Desert Vista High on Dec. 15.

McConnell, a 6-foot point guard, committed to the Lobos in February. Abbott, a 6-4 swingman, chose UNM over Utah last month in a tight recruiting battle.

"We usually guard each other, so it should be fun," McConnell said. "We're looking for a win."

Both teams are serious contenders in Class 5A Arizona ball. Desert Vista advanced to the state semifinals last season, while Dobson faltered in the quarterfinals.

The Lobos are looking for a third high school recruit, preferably a post player, to complete its 2007 recruiting class. Andrew Ogilvy, a 6-10 post from Australia, makes an official visit to UNM on Thursday.