Lobos (narrowly) picked as preseason favorites; Jake Hall voted Player of Year

The UNM Lobos narrowly secured the title of preseason favorites to win the Mountain West conference in men's basketball, narrowly edging out Grand Canyon University by just one point. The select panel of media members chose Jake Hall, a 6-foot-4 second-year guard, as the league's Preseason Player of the Year. Backcourt teammate Uriah Tenette, also a second-year player, was named to the 10-person Preseason All-MW team alongside Hall.

The Lobos received nine out of 19 first-place votes and a total of 179 points, just one point ahead of Grand Canyon, which received 10 first-place votes compared to the Lobos' 9. The Mountain West conference saw several changes this season, with Utah State, San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State, and Fresno State joining the Pac-12 Conference.

Hawaii, UC Davis, and UTEP are also set to join the MW this season. The preseason All-MW team includes players from the Lobos, Nevada, UNLV, and Wyoming, but the eligibility of Jaden Henley, A.J. Storr, and 2022 Newcomer of the Year Dylan Darling remains uncertain due to recent NCAA rule changes.