EDITORIAL: Be patient, Olen’s style will fit The Pit

UNM Athletic Director and head men’s basketball coach Eric Olen lift a UNM jersey with his last name on during Olen’s introductory press conference on Tuesday. Olen took the position on Sunday after 21 years at UCSD. Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics

Eric Olen will have a new coaching approach.

The new UNM head men’s basketball coach’s five-out approach, with a heavy influence on three-pointers, isn’t something New Mexicans are used to seeing in recent years.

Now that Richard Pitino’s traditional post-heavy offense with a heavy pick-and-roll influence is gone.

Lobo Nation can expect an offensive approach that utilizes spacing, cutting, switching, and dribble penetration, complemented by kickouts and swings to open men around the perimeter. 

UCSD, this past year and during their 30-5 run in the regular season, would almost disorientate their opponents.

Now, this fast-paced offense will be center stage in front of over 15000 screaming New Mexicans a mile above sea level.  

At times this season, the Lobos’ offense would almost go stagnant when UNM couldn’t disrupt the opponent’s offense.

Pitino feeds off a man-to-man defense and looks to create ball pressure. Look at UNM games against Boise State. Leon Rice’s defenses would create ball pressure and not allow the Lobos’ pick-and-roll game to work.

Pitino would have to revert to his traditional post-game offense that relied heavily on Nelly Junior Joseph and Donovan Dent’s pick-and-roll.

Which could look unstoppable at times.  

However, games like the losses to St. John's, the loss to Arizona State, the two losses to Boise State, the loss to San Diego State in Viejas Arena, and the NCAA Tournament loss to Michigan State: the Lobos couldn’t get Joseph and Dent going simultaneously or at all.

The rest of the team would fall apart. UNM ranked No. 142 in the country in 3-point percentage.

The Lobos only had three players who shot over 90 3-pointers in 2024-25 and the best per attempt was Tru Washington. Washington shot 33 percent.  
That would have come in fifth on last year’s UCSD team, which saw over five players with at least 90 attempts. Hayden Gray shot nearly 42 percent on 153 attempts.

However, he was still only third in total 3-pointers taken behind Tyler McGhie. McGhie shot 310 3-pointers himself, while boasting an impressive 38 percent 3-point shooting percentage on 117 makes.

UNM’s offense last year had two players who attempted more than 3-pointers than McGhie. That being Tru Washington with 125 attempts, and Mustapha Amzil leading the way with 142 attempts.  

Olen’s new look Lobos will still look to create pressure on the ball, but will do it differently. Lobo Nation can expect to see a match-up zone defense that forces turnovers by switching constantly. UNM will feature a front post with an immediate double and will also look to double baseline drives.

The defense is anchored by a four-man unit, with someone almost playing like a quarterback spy, resulting in UCSD having over 345 steals. Gray led the way with 110 steals by himself and newly committed Lobo Chris Howell comes in next with 76 steals.

There’s no doubt there will be an adjustment period, not only for Olen but for Lobo fans, too. Olen said he has high expectations for the UNM in 2025-26.

There shouldn’t be a big drop-off in year one.

If the fans can support Olen, as they supported former head coaches Steve Alford and Pitino, the Lobos should be able to compete and take hold of the Mountain West Conference again.

Even with conference realignment.

This is still an exciting time for Lobo Basketball.

UNM faithful will be patient with an open mind.

Why?

The UNM men’s basketball team could be on the verge of turning into a sleeping giant in the West.

-Keno Kiehne