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Men's basketball: Rested Giddens looks to soar past Falcons
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The weeklong break does two things for the University of New Mexico.
One, it gives guard J.R. Giddens extended time to rehab his nagging left ankle sprain to full health.
Two, it gives coach Ritchie McKay and his staff time to plan for the complex world of Air Force basketball entering Saturday's game in The Pit.
The 15th-ranked Falcons (20-4, 7-3 in Mountain West Conference) - fresh off a 62-41 loss Tuesday at San Diego State - are known for smart hoops and back-door cuts.
"With the intricacies of their offense and defense, this helps tremendously," said McKay, whose Lobos won 70-66 on Saturday at Colorado State. "Our team's going to practice and keep improving. I have a ton of respect for what Air Force has done."
McKay said the Lobos (14-10, 3-6 in MWC) always had a week to prepare for Air Force when the league was eight teams. The addition of TCU two seasons ago changed that.
Giddens, who initially suffered the sprain in late December, said he's approaching 100 percent. Giddens has missed four games with the injury.
"Once it heals, I'll be flying again," Giddens said.
The sprain has affected Giddens' ability to drive the lane the way he wants, he said.
Tourney bound?: Maybe all those MWC coaches were right after all.
Numerous coaches predicted in the preseason the conference could boast three or more teams in the NCAA Tournament, and ESPN's Bracketology on Jan. 31 predicts Air Force, UNLV and Brigham Young making the 65-team field.
Joe Lunardi's bracket work doesn't take into account UNLV's loss Saturday at BYU.
ESPN has Air Force as a fourth seed, UNLV as a seventh seed and BYU as an 11th seed.
New Mexico State also will make the field as a 13th seed, Bracketology says.
Happy days: When asked Monday if the recent two-game win streak has calmed the heat surrounding his program, McKay said he's not the one to ask because he focuses "on what I can control."
That doesn't mean his emotions aren't affected.
"I'm happier," McKay said. "Albuquerque is a great place to live, it's a great job, but it's not without its pressure and expectations. That's the reality of my day. I focus on what I can control."
The Cream: BYU coach Dave Rose said it's too early for him to crown his Cougars (18-6, 8-2 in MWC) the best of the conference.
But the media can debate the subject all day, he said.
"What the media wants to do with it, that's what makes college basketball interesting," Rose said. "As a coach, you understand right now there are (six) more chances to get in a position to compete for a conference champion. That's a simple answer, but that's how we approach it."
BYU defeated Wyoming 77-73 on Tuesday.
