College Basketball Countdown : New Mexico Lobos - #53

College basketball is right around the corner. Games will be starting before you know it, and practices are just right around the corner.

Here at Roundballchat I will release my top 100 teams for the 2012-13 college basketball season. I will start at 100 and count my way down. I will rank all the 75 programs in the six major conferences, as well as 25 mid majors in my top 100 countdown.

Along with my top 100 countdown I will also feature a ton of previews. Like the top players at each position, All Conference teams, top players by class, top games, previewing the early season tournaments and much more.

Who will put at number 1? Louisville or Indiana or maybe a surprise stay tuned to Roundballchat for the next month to find out.

#53 New Mexico

Coach: Steve Alford (5 seasons at New Mexico 126-46 ) Overall 434-229, 19 years

2011-12: Record 28-7 overall, 10-4 in MWC ( Tie/ 1st)

Starters Returning (3) Hugh Greenwood, Kendall Williams, Tony Snell

Preseason Tournament: Paradise Jam

Top Non-Conference Games: vs. Davidson, vs. Valparaiso, at Cincinnati, at St. Louis

Transfer In : Merv Lindsay (Kansas)

Steve Alford has guided the Lobos to a conference championship or a share the last three seasons. He has built a consistent program in Albuquerque. This season looks to be another strong season for Alford. The Lobos return 4 of their top 5 scorers from last season. This team will be very strong in the backcourt the question will be in the frontcourt.

Leading the Lobos in the backcourt will be point guard Kendall Williams (12.1 ppg). He is very underrated nationally. He very versatile he can shot the three and drive to the basket. Williams is also a good passer and takes care of the ball. Joining him in the backcourt is shooting guard Hugh Greenwood (6.3 ppg). Greenwood had an excellent season as a freshman despite only being 6’3” he was second on the team in rebounding. At the 3 spot for the Lobos will be Tony Snell (10.5 ppg). He is the best shooter on this team making 72 of them last season. The Lobos have two great options off the bench here. Those players are Jamal Fenton (6.5 ppg) and former Arizona State transfer Demetrius Walker (7.4 ppg). Fenton is extremely quick. Also providing depth will be Chris Perez (.6 ppg) and freshman Cleveland Thomas and Kory Alford.

The question for this team lies in the frontcourt, they must replace all everything Drew Gordon. Alex Kirk will be the man at center. He sat out last season due to a back injury. In the 2011 season he averaged 4.7 ppg. Joining him up front will be Cameron Bairstow (3.7 ppg). Bairstow, from Australia will have to pick up his game with more playing time. Pushing for these players for playing time will be two freshman that Alford thinks high of in Nick Banyard and Devon Williams. Senior Chad Adams (3 ppg) can play both inside and out.

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