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If you were designing the perfect jump shot, it might look like Christian Shelter's.

It floats off her fingertips the way you might teach a first-timer: perfect arc, excellent rotation, good follow-through.

The problem for Shelter, Lobos coach Don Flanagan says, is knowing when to shoot the ball, and how to find space to launch one of her beauties from 3-point range.

"She has the best shot of any player I've coached," Flanagan said. "Now, she still needs to learn how to find her shot in the flow of the offense. Once she gets a better understanding of the game, I think she's going to really take off."

The University of New Mexico women's basketball team opens the season in the Women's Sports Foundation Tournament against Western Michigan at 8 tonight in The Pit.

Expect Shelter, a sophomore reserve wing, to get some playing time during the three-day tournament. Flanagan said he expects to go deep into his bench this weekend.

The Lobos will face Dayton at the same time on Saturday and then conclude the tournament with a 2 p.m. date against Northwestern.

That's three games in 42 hours.

"It's going to test our depth," Flanagan said. "That's to our advantage, especially being the home team."

The 6-foot Shelter is one of four Lobos fighting for playing time at the wing.

That leads to her other problem: You can't shoot it from the bench.

The 6-0 sophomore Eileen Weissmann starts at the wing and is usually spelled by 6-0 junior transfer Amanda Adamson. Both Weissmann and Adamson are more physical players. The 6-1 Porche Torrance, a lanky defender with good athleticism, also is in the rotation at the big guard spot.

Shelter possesses the best perimeter shooting skills of the foursome. She also runs the court well and can get her shot off in transition.

She's still learning to become more aggressive. She has to - it's a matter of survival in practice.

"Just playing against the other two girls (Weissmann and Adamson), they're helping me be more physical," Shelter said. "I know I need to play better defense, too."

Therein lies the irony for Shelter, who has the potential to be one of Flanagan's best offensive weapons: Defense and rebounding usually earn more minutes on the court.

"Coach says whoever he can depend on he's going to put in the game," Shelter said. "I'm trying to show him I'm ready to get those minutes.

"He expects me to look for my shot and be more competitive when I'm out there."