The Blowout Nobody Expected to Be This Brutal
Honestly, the scoreline tells part of the story, but the vibe inside Clune Arena on January 10, 2026, felt like something else entirely. New Mexico Lobos men's basketball vs Air Force basketball is usually a clash of styles—the high-flying, transition-heavy Lobos against the deliberate, Princeton-style grind of the Falcons. But this time? The Lobos basically turned the Academy's home court into a personal highlight reel, walking away with a massive 91-49 victory.
It wasn't just a win. It was a statement.
New Mexico (14-3, 5-1 MW) didn't just beat them; they dismantled them. For the Falcons, who have been spiraling with a 10-game losing streak, it was a dark afternoon that only got darker. You've got to feel for the cadets who packed the stands hoping for an upset, only to see their team fall behind by double digits before the halftime snacks were even cold.
Why New Mexico Lobos men's basketball vs Air Force basketball Was a Mismatch from the Jump
If you watched the first three minutes, you might have been fooled. Air Force actually jumped out to a 5-0 lead. The crowd was into it. Then, the Lobos woke up. A 14-0 run later, and the energy in the building just evaporated.
New Mexico's Jake Hall was the catalyst. He finished with 24 points and went 5-for-11 from deep. It felt like every time Air Force tried to pack the paint to slow down the Lobos' athleticism, Hall was there to drill a three from the wing. By the time they went into the locker room at half, it was 45-22.
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- Turnovers were the killer: Air Force coughed it up 20 times.
- Points off turnovers: The Lobos turned those mistakes into 22 easy points.
- The glass: Tomislav Buljan was a monster, snagging 14 rebounds and giving New Mexico second and third chances they didn't even really need.
The Defensive Clinic
What people sort of overlook with Richard Pitino’s squad this year is the defense. Everyone talks about the scoring, but they forced 16 steals in this game. They were jumping passing lanes and making the Falcons' backcourt absolutely miserable. Kam Sanders tried to keep things respectable for Air Force with 13 points, but he was basically on an island.
The Drama Off the Court: Joe Scott's Suspension
You can't talk about this game without mentioning the elephant in the room. Just hours before tip-off on January 17, the Air Force Academy announced that head coach Joe Scott was suspended indefinitely. That’s a huge blow to a program already struggling to find its footing in a tough Mountain West.
The investigation apparently involves the treatment of cadet-athletes. While Jon Jordan took the reins as interim, the uncertainty clearly weighed on the team. It’s hard enough to beat a top-tier team like New Mexico when everything is perfect. When your leader is sidelined by an investigation? It’s almost impossible.
Historic Context of the Rivalry
This hasn't always been a one-sided affair, though it's felt like it lately. Before this 42nd victory for the Lobos, the series had its share of weirdness. Back in the day, the Falcons' slow-down style would drive New Mexico crazy.
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But under the current regime, the Lobos have mastered the art of speed. Looking at the history, New Mexico now holds a dominant lead in the series (over 60 wins total), and the margin of victory in this latest meeting was one of the largest since the early 2000s.
Why the Lobos are Different This Year
In previous seasons, New Mexico might have played down to their competition. Not this time. They shot nearly 48% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc. They didn't just rely on fast breaks; they executed in the half-court.
- Depth: Four players scored in double figures.
- Efficiency: They only turned the ball over 8 times.
- Intensity: They never took their foot off the gas, scoring 46 points in the second half.
What This Means for the Mountain West Standings
The Lobos are currently sitting pretty at 5-1 in the conference, chasing Utah State and San Diego State for that top spot. This win keeps them in the conversation for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.
For Air Force, the road ahead is brutal. They are 0-6 in the conference and 3-14 overall. With a coaching change mid-season and a roster that seems shell-shocked, the priority now is just finding some sort of identity before the conference tournament in Las Vegas.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following these two teams for the rest of the 2026 season, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Lobos on the road: Their ability to dismantle a disciplined team like Air Force at altitude suggests they can win anywhere. They face Fresno State and Nevada next—games that will define their title hopes.
- The Air Force "Under": Given the offensive struggles and the coaching turmoil, the Under is becoming a very attractive play for Falcons games. They are struggling to break 60 points against even mediocre defenses.
- Jake Hall’s Draft Stock: Keep an eye on Hall. If he continues to shoot with this level of efficiency while maintaining defensive pressure, he’s going to start appearing on more NBA draft boards.
The Lobos return to The Pit on January 21 to take on Fresno State. If they play with half the intensity they showed at Clune Arena, it’s going to be another long night for their opponent. For Air Force, the journey to San Jose State on January 13 was just the start of a very long rebuild under interim management.
New Mexico has officially put the rest of the Mountain West on notice: they aren't just a flashy offensive team anymore. They are a complete unit.
Next Steps for Followers: Check the local Albuquerque listings for the Fresno State tip-off at 8:00 PM MST on January 21. If you're looking for tickets to the rematch in Albuquerque on February 17, buy them now; The Pit is expected to be a sellout as the Lobos push for the regular-season crown. Monitoring the Air Force Academy's official statements regarding Joe Scott will also be crucial for understanding the program's long-term trajectory this spring.