University of New Mexico sports fans got a big lift late last week with star sharpshooter Jake Hall announcing he’ll be returning to the men’s basketball team for his sophomore season. The only underclassman on the All-Mountain West First Team, Hall will be a key cog for head coach Eric Olen as the Lobos vie for a conference crown and another trip the the NCAA Tournament in the 2026-27 season.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron chat about Hall’s decision, which came just after Hall’s younger brother, Dax, announced that he would be joining the Lobos. Will shares what Jake Hall had to say during a Monday Zoom meeting with New Mexico media members and the significance of Hall’s return to the program.

The guys then transition into talk about the New Mexico United’s push to get a new soccer-specific stadium and the challenges of sharing Isotopes Park with the Albuquerque Isotopes.

Before the break, Will and James share their favorite memories of getting splattered with blood while covering boxing matches.

In the second segment, the guys talk about their selections for NorthStars for the winter season and dive into district races in prep baseball. They also delve into the struggle of Santa Fe’s large school’s competing at the 5A level in baseball and softball.

University of New Mexico sports fans got a big lift late last week with star sharpshooter Jake Hall announcing he&rsquo;ll be returning to the men&rsquo;s basketball team for his sophomore season. The only underclassman on the All-Mountain West First Team, Hall will be a key cog for head coach Eric Olen as the Lobos vie for a conference crown and another trip the the NCAA Tournament in the 2026-27 season.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast,&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron chat about Hall&rsquo;s decision, which came just after Hall&rsquo;s younger brother, Dax, announced that he would be joining the Lobos. Will shares what Jake Hall had to say during a Monday Zoom meeting with New Mexico media members and the significance of Hall&rsquo;s return to the program.
The guys then transition into talk about the New Mexico United&rsquo;s push to get a new soccer-specific stadium and the challenges of sharing Isotopes Park with the Albuquerque Isotopes.
Before the break, Will and James share their favorite memories of getting splattered with blood while covering boxing matches.
In the second segment, the guys talk about their selections for NorthStars for the winter season and dive into district races in prep baseball. They also delve into the struggle of Santa Fe&rsquo;s large school&rsquo;s competing at the 5A level in baseball and softball.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.   
The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp; The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican.

The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.  

The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Discussing Jake Hall's decision to return to UNM, plus NM United stadium and prep sports talk

Eight matches remain in what's been a pretty thrilling World Cup as the cream of the crop national teams head into what’s sure to be a scintillating quarterfinal round, but the tournament is effectively over for Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron.

The U.S. men’s national team is out and so are these two, who tune into soccer but once every four years.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, the guys express their frustration over the USMNT’s epic flame-out against Belgium in the Round of 16. They also chat about the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility rule and the quarterback situations for Santa Fe’s prep football teams.

Will and James feel like they were played by the U.S. men’s national team, having their hopes raised during group play and a gutsy Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, only to have them dashed with a dud of a performance against Belgium.

Will the U.S. ever be able to compete with the top-tier powers? Not with Matt Freese’s disasterclass of a clearance, old Tim Ream frozen in time on the back line and “Captain America” Christian Pulisic laying an egg on home soil.

After venting, the guys chat a bit about American football and Capital quarterback Ace Bachicha, who is hoping to make his final season with the Jaguars a winning one.

In the second segment, Will and James discuss the NCAA’s new five-year, aged-based eligibility rule and its potential impact on the college sports landscape. Will the rule hold up against litigation? Should all eligibility rules be thrown out the window and college athletes be able to play as many years as they want? The guys have some interesting thoughts.

Eight matches remain in what's been a pretty thrilling World Cup as the cream of the crop national teams head into what&rsquo;s sure to be a scintillating quarterfinal round, but the tournament is effectively over for&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron.
The U.S. men&rsquo;s national team is out and so are these two, who tune into soccer but once every four years.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, the guys express their frustration over the USMNT&rsquo;s epic flame-out against Belgium in the Round of 16. They also chat about the NCAA&rsquo;s new five-year eligibility rule and the quarterback situations for Santa Fe&rsquo;s prep football teams.
Will and James feel like they were played by the U.S. men&rsquo;s national team, having their hopes raised during group play and a gutsy Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, only to have them dashed with a dud of a performance against Belgium.
Will the U.S. ever be able to compete with the top-tier powers? Not with Matt Freese&rsquo;s disasterclass of a clearance, old Tim Ream frozen in time on the back line and &ldquo;Captain America&rdquo; Christian Pulisic laying an egg on home soil.
After venting, the guys chat a bit about American football and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.santafenewmexican.com/sports/capital-qb-bachicha-hopes-past-two-years-of-experience-help-jaguars-fashion-winning-season/article_04f1d873-25c3-44f4-924e-e2e4dd311661.html">Capital quarterback Ace Bachicha</a>, who is hoping to make his final season with the Jaguars a winning one.
In the second segment, Will and James discuss the NCAA&rsquo;s new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/division-i-adopts-age-based-eligibility-model/">five-year, aged-based eligibility rule</a>&nbsp;and its potential impact on the college sports landscape. Will the rule hold up against litigation? Should all eligibility rules be thrown out the window and college athletes be able to play as many years as they want? The guys have some interesting thoughts.

USMNT crashes out of World Cup; Will and James discuss NCAA’s new five-year eligibility rule

Disregarding the world’s most popular sport for most of their days, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron can’t help but get caught up in the drama of the World Cup when it rolls around every four years.

Will filled out his bracket for the knockout rounds on Sunday, and by Monday his pick to win it all (the Netherlands) was sent packing.

Nevertheless, in the latest episode of “The Sports Den,” the guys feel a moral responsibility to fulfill their duty as sports pundits and spout off some takes.

There’s too much flopping and flailing. Players should be able to use their hands. Are some of these teams even from real countries? The classic All-American gripes are on full display.

In a short interview with University of New Mexico men’s basketball player Federico Grani last week, Will greeted the 6-foot-9 forward by prodding him about how his nation’s team — a four-time World Cup champion — hasn’t qualified for the tournament the last three cycles. Welcome to New Mexico, Federico!

After an unprecedented full segment of soccer, the guys come out of the break talking about a new era for the Mountain West, which will look quite different this year. The Lobos should now be the big dogs of the conference, Will and James say. A trip to the College Football Playoff could eventually be in the cards, as odd as that sounds.

With little else to talk about in this slow period for local sports, the guys bring up high school football, making some predictions about how the Santa Fe squads could look this year.

Disregarding the world&rsquo;s most popular sport for most of their days,&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron can&rsquo;t help but get caught up in the drama of the World Cup when it rolls around every four years.
Will filled out his bracket for the knockout rounds on Sunday, and by Monday his pick to win it all (the Netherlands) was sent packing.
Nevertheless, in the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den,&rdquo; the guys feel a moral responsibility to fulfill their duty as sports pundits and spout off some takes.
There&rsquo;s too much flopping and flailing. Players should be able to use their hands. Are some of these teams even from real countries? The classic All-American gripes are on full display.
In a short interview with University of New Mexico men&rsquo;s basketball player Federico Grani last week, Will greeted the 6-foot-9 forward by prodding him about how his nation&rsquo;s team &mdash; a four-time World Cup champion &mdash; hasn&rsquo;t qualified for the tournament the last three cycles. Welcome to New Mexico, Federico!
After an unprecedented full segment of soccer, the guys come out of the break talking about a new era for the Mountain West, which will look quite different this year. The Lobos should now be the big dogs of the conference, Will and James say. A trip to the College Football Playoff could eventually be in the cards, as odd as that sounds.
With little else to talk about in this slow period for local sports, the guys bring up high school football, making some predictions about how the Santa Fe squads could look this year.

Gripped by World Cup fever, Will and James have some gripes, plus discuss a new-look Mountain West

The highly anticipated vote on instituting a “one-time” transfer rule took place Monday, with New Mexico Activity Association member schools approving the measure by a narrow 67-60 margin.

Student-athletes will now have the option to transfer to another school once without losing eligibility for their respective sports.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron discuss the vote and the impact it could have on New Mexico high school sports.

James gives his forecast on how much he expects the number of transfers to increase, and the guys talk about how small schools, large schools and charter schools could be impacted differently by the change.

After discussing the new transfer rule, Will asks James what he thinks the next big shakeup for high school sports in the state may be.

In the second segment, the guys chat about coaching and administration moves in the area, including an athletic director change at St. Michael’s and a boys basketball opening at Capital following the resignation of longtime coach Ben Gomez.

And what’s this? Have Will and James caught World Cup fever? Not exactly, but they’re getting at least a little excited about the USNMT’s impressive start to group play and enjoying videos showing our foreign friends reacting to America’s food and culture.

The highly anticipated vote on instituting a &ldquo;one-time&rdquo; transfer rule took place Monday, with New Mexico Activity Association member schools approving the measure by a narrow 67-60 margin.
Student-athletes will now have the option to transfer to another school once without losing eligibility for their respective sports.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron discuss the vote and the impact it could have on New Mexico high school sports.
James gives his forecast on how much he expects the number of transfers to increase, and the guys talk about how small schools, large schools and charter schools could be impacted differently by the change.
After discussing the new transfer rule, Will asks James what he thinks the next big shakeup for high school sports in the state may be.
In the second segment, the guys chat about coaching and administration moves in the area, including an athletic director change at St. Michael&rsquo;s and a boys basketball opening at Capital following the resignation of longtime coach Ben Gomez.
And what&rsquo;s this? Have Will and James caught World Cup fever? Not exactly, but they&rsquo;re getting at least a little excited about the USNMT&rsquo;s impressive start to group play and enjoying videos showing our foreign friends reacting to America&rsquo;s food and culture.

Discussing Jake Hall's decision to return to UNM, plus NM United stadium and prep sports talk

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