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Tonight
Matchup: New Mexico (11-9, 3-4 MWC) at Colorado State (2-18, 0-7 MWC)
Game time: 7 p.m.
Site: Moby Arena, Fort Collins, Colo.
On the air: KNML-AM (610)
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There are two Amanda Adamsons on the Lobos basketball team.
It's a split personality sort of thing: Dr. Jump Shot and Ms. Hide Your Ability.
The good doctor comes out in University of New Mexico practice sessions when there really isn't that much accountability - or benching - for mistakes, for turnovers, for missed jump shots.
There, Adamson often shines and shows the potential reflected in her past:
McDonald's All-American "Dream 100" in 2004.
Street and Smith All-American honorable mention.
Recruited to Syracuse University.
In a Lobos game, Adamson becomes a 6-foot Ms. Hide Your Ability.
She averages 2.5 points and 2.4 rebounds. She has 19 turnovers, 15 assists and two starts in UNM's 20 games.
"It's time I reversed things," said the UNM junior. "In a game, I seem to worry too much about making a mistake and getting pulled out.
"But in practice, things don't matter as much. You make a mistake and you don't get pulled. I need to take that mentality into a game and think that nothing matters and I have to play as hard as I can.
"If I go out (in a game) and don't try hard and don't do anything because I'm afraid to make a mistake, then I'm going to come out. If I go out and make a mistake because I was trying hard and being aggressive, I might come out, too, but I'd rather it be that way."
The UNM junior said she decided to change things this week. Kill off Ms. Hide and let Dr. Jump Shot loose.
"It started (Monday)," she said. "I'm going to attack the basket, make good passes, be aggressive, be confident, try to be relaxed and just let things happen."
If Adamson is looking for a breakout game (her highs this season are 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, and one 3-point goal), tonight might be the perfect time and the perfect foe.
Colorado State is 2-18 and riding an 11-game losing streak. The Rams scored 28 points in their last game.
CSU might be the magic potion Adamson's Dr. Jump Shot needs to become the dominant personality.
The Lobos probably could use a shot of CSU, too.
UNM squashed a bad UNLV team 94-64 Saturday in The Pit. The Lobos were 3-7 in their previous 10 games.
UNM visits No. 22-ranked Wyoming Sunday in Laramie. Lobos coach Don Flanagan is looking for another big gulp of confidence.
"I think it's too early to say we've turned the corner," said Flanagan, referring to the 94 points scored against UNLV. "But I think we created better confidence."
The confidence Flanagan's Lobos need is on the offensive end. They average 62.4 points a game. They shoot 38.8 percent from the floor. They have only two players in double figures: Dionne Marsh at 14.4 and Amy Beggin at 13.2.
Brandi Kimble and Angela Hartill have the potential to score in double figures. So does Adamson.
She averaged 16.2 points for Heritage High in Denver and was recruited by UNM. She didn't reach her potential in two years at Syracuse and is still struggling as a Lobo.
"What she needs to do is play a game like she does in practice," said Flanagan. "That's being more physical, more aggressive, harder, more relaxed.
"She has the ability, but she hasn't played up to her potential yet."
Adamson isn't alone in that category. Flanagan says his Lobos can get better, too - turn that corner, become a force in the Mountain West Conference.
The corner won't be found tonight in Moby Arena. It might beckon Sunday at Wyoming. For UNM. Maybe for Adamson, too.

