Almost 19 years later, Gary Spitzberg told the Albuquerque Journal he did "everything I was supposed to do by the book" the last time Arizona played the Lobos at The Pit.
Of course, that wasn't the way Lute Olson saw it, and even then-Lobo coach Dave Bliss wondered how his team completed a two-person, length-of-the-court play in 4.6 seconds (ICYMI our story about the game is here).
It's not clear whether Rawle Alkins or Brandon Randolph will start at small forward at New Mexico, but whatever the case, UA coach Sean Miller doesn't appear likely to cut Randolph's minutes.
"Brandon offensively is really talented," Miller said earlier this week. "Shooting an open shot from 3 is a good shot for our team. Very few players on our team I'd like to see shoot that more than him. Allonzo (Trier) might come to mind, Parker’s (Jackson-Cartwright) right there, but Brandon has a lot of confidence. He’s not small. He can get his shot off at 6-foot-5.
"The thing that’s impressed me the most is he’s put the ball on the floor a couple of times and really made some great plays. He’s done it against some great competition... We believe in him. The key for him is just continuing to get better on defense. Where to be, how to do it, playing against some of the most physical players on the other team and being able to guard them. That’s no fault of his. He’s young. He should have a lot of room for growth so it’s up to us to get him there."
New Mexico declared Saturday’s game a “premium game” and added $5 to all lower-bowl tickets, but the tickets priced at $27 and up are not sold out and are pricing lower on StubHub than on New Mexico’s website.
New Mexico's athletic department ran up a $4.7 million deficit in fiscal year 2017, according to the Journal and a deficit reduction plan has been delayed.
The Wildcats opened as a 16-point favorite, according to Vegas Insider, but the line dropped to 14.5 or 15 as of midday Saturday.
Miller expressed plenty of concern about New Mexico, so here's some more that I couldn't fit in:
"(Coach) Paul Weir did a great job at New Mexico State and is going to do a great job at New Mexico. I know that they have a great fan base. We’re looking forward to playing a game in that arena. It’s a historic arena. When you’re playing against a team like that in an arena like that in a nonconference setting venue on a true away court -- those are really rough games but those are the games that make you better.
"If you’re ever fortunate enough to escape with a win, those are the games you really hang your hat on. ... How we go about it, we'll see."
