A look back at the history of the UNM Lobos in the AP Top 25 men's basketball poll
Jan. 4—The Associated Press Top 25 college basketball poll is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
While the AP has produced multiple stories about the history of the poll, and the poll's evolution through the years, the Journal compiled a listing of the UNM Lobos' history with the AP Top 25.
With the help of Journal archives and the media relations departments of UNM and the Mountain West conference, here is a snapshot of the UNM Lobos' history in the AP Top 25 poll and that of the Mountain West conference.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Journal's Geoff Grammer has been an AP Top 25 men's basketball voter since the fall of 2012.
UNM Lobos in AP Top 25
—Highest rank: 3 (Jan. 9, 1967)
—Highest preseason rank: 6 (1966-67)
—Highest final rank: 6 (1967-68)
—Weeks in AP Poll: 152
—Most consecutive weeks in Top 25: 55 (1996-1999)
—Total weeks in Top 10: 40
—Last time ranked: Jan. 23, 2023 (No. 25)
—This week: UNM is receiving votes in the AP Top 25
UNM Lobos vs. AP Top 25
—Record: 53-113
—At the Pit: 21-54
—Highest ranked win: UNM 61, No. 1 Arizona 59 (Jan. 2, 1988, in the Pit)
Mountain West in AP Top 25
—Highest final ranking: 6 (San Diego State twice, 2011 and 2020)
—Top 10 teams in final rankings: 5x (SDSU twice, UNM twice, BYU)
—UNM in Top 10 of final poll in MW era: 2x (8th, 2010; t-10th, 2013)
—MW in this week's AP Top 25: Colorado State ranked No. 13 and San Diego State, Nevada and New Mexico receiving votes.
Lobo AP All-Americans
This listing only includes AP All-American honors. Several Lobos have received other All-America recognitions, too.
Only first, second and third team selections are considered official All-American's by AP, but listed here include those Lobos chosen as honorable mentions:
AP All-Americans
—Mel Daniels, 1966-67 (3rd team)
—Darington Hobson, 2009-10 (3rd team)
AP All-American Honorable Mentions
—Ron Nelson, 1966-67
—Willie Long, 1970-71
—Kenny Thomas, 1997-98
—Danny Granger, 2004-05
—Cameron Bairstow, 2013-14
