
NEWS
Olen’s Blueprint: Creating Chaos on Defense to Light It Up on Offense
UNM’s Defensive Identity—UNM head coach Eric Olen is bringing his signature fast-paced, space-and-pace offensive style to the Lobos — but it starts with defense. With 14 newcomers, the team has embraced a high-intensity, turnover-focused defensive identity that mirrors Olen’s 2024–25 UC San Diego squad, which ranked among the nation’s best in efficiency and steals. The Lobos are expected to at times run a disruptive matchup zone that blurs the lines between man and zone defense, designed to confuse opponents and fuel transition offense. Despite some fan concerns about a lack of traditional bigs, Olen emphasizes the team’s length and versatility across positions. The vision is clear: create chaos on defense, run the floor, and let it fly from deep