It’s the most wonderful time of the year in New Mexico. The high school basketball state tournament is about to begin and the Lobo men are looking to raise their profile for the NCAA Tournament. 

In the latest episode of the “The New Mexican Sports Den,” sports writers Will Webber and James Barron pick their winners in all 10 brackets of the high school state tournament and share their insights on the local contenders.

Attention turns to the University of New Mexico for the second segment, as the Lobo men set their sights on the postseason with the Mountain West and NCAA tournaments. Will and James give their update on the Lobos and talk about recent reports of Utah and other programs pursuing UNM head coach Richard Pitino.

It&rsquo;s the most wonderful time of the year in New Mexico. The high school basketball state tournament is about to begin and the Lobo men are looking to raise their profile for the NCAA Tournament.&nbsp;
In the latest episode of the &ldquo;The New Mexican Sports Den,&rdquo; sports writers Will Webber and James Barron pick their winners in all 10 brackets of the high school state tournament and share their insights on the local contenders.
Attention turns to the University of New Mexico for the second segment, as the Lobo men set their sights on the postseason with the Mountain West and NCAA tournaments. Will and James give their update on the Lobos and talk about recent reports of Utah and other programs pursuing UNM head coach Richard Pitino.

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.

Will and James pick winners for every state tournament bracket and talk Richard Pitino suitors

After each home game at the Steve Loy Family Foundation Arena, the men’s basketball players at Eastern New Mexico University make the rounds to shake hands and visit with the Greyhound faithful. Head coach Daven Võ says the fans’ relationship with the team is a big reason why ENMU leads the Lone Star Conference in attendance and has created an intimidating atmosphere for visiting opponents.

While embracing a small-town culture, Võ has assembled a tight-knit group that is reaching new heights. Winners of nine straight games, the 21-3 Greyhounds sit atop the Lone Star Conference standings and are now No. 9 in the Division II rankings. It’s the highest ranking for the program in the NCAA era.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Võ joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron to speak about his team’s impressive run.

Võ says the squad’s success largely stems from its continuity, as it returned eight players from last year’s team that went 18-11. The roster includes players from four countries and states across the U.S., but Võ says the centerpiece is 6-foot-9 senior forward Jose Murillo. The Albuquerque Highland graduate is among the conference leaders in points, rebounds and blocks this season.

In the second segment, Will and James talk about the upcoming state wrestling and swimming tournaments before touching on Will’s recent curling experience and James’ planned participation in the New Mexico Senior Olympics Winter Games.

After each home game at the Steve Loy Family Foundation Arena, the men&rsquo;s basketball players at Eastern New Mexico University make the rounds to shake hands and visit with the Greyhound faithful. Head coach Daven V&otilde; says the fans&rsquo; relationship with the team is a big reason why ENMU leads the Lone Star Conference in attendance and has created an intimidating atmosphere for visiting opponents.
While embracing a small-town culture, V&otilde; has assembled a tight-knit group that is reaching new heights. Winners of nine straight games, the 21-3 Greyhounds sit atop the Lone Star Conference standings and are now No. 9 in the Division II rankings. It&rsquo;s the highest ranking for the program in the NCAA era.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, V&otilde; joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron to speak about his team&rsquo;s impressive run.
V&otilde; says the squad&rsquo;s success largely stems from its continuity, as it returned eight players from last year&rsquo;s team that went 18-11. The roster includes players from four countries and states across the U.S., but V&otilde; says the centerpiece is 6-foot-9 senior forward Jose Murillo. The Albuquerque Highland graduate is among the conference leaders in points, rebounds and blocks this season.
In the second segment, Will and James talk about the upcoming state wrestling and swimming tournaments before touching on Will&rsquo;s recent curling experience and James&rsquo; planned participation in the New Mexico Senior Olympics Winter Games.

Coach Daven Võ on embracing small-town culture to build a D-II contender at Eastern New Mexico

It’s that time again. Every four years, curling has its moment in the spotlight as sports fans fixate on the mesmerizing Winter Olympic event.

Associated with cold climates, the game has also found a foothold in the high desert.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron speak with a local curling expert to learn more about the sport, its social culture and upcoming opportunities to play in Santa Fe.

Patrick Reid, who runs the curling program at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center, has been involved in the sport for more than a decade. Hooked by the camaraderie and intricacies of the game, he participates in events around the region and teaches newcomers his passion.

Reid says curling is really built around its social aspect and describes a term new to Will and James — broomstacking. It’s a custom where teammates and their opponents socialize, often while drinking, after or between games.

From 2-4 p.m. the next two Sundays, Feb. 15 and Feb. 22, anyone interested in curling will have the chance to give it a try for free at the GCCC and get involved in some broomstacking afterward. Sign up for a 30-minute curling session at santafecurling.com.

In the second segment of the podcast, Will and James talk prep hoops, discuss the implications of a rough week for Lobos men’s basketball and share their thoughts on the announcement that longtime FCS powerhouse North Dakota State will be joining the Mountain West Conference in football.

It&rsquo;s that time again. Every four years, curling has its moment in the spotlight as sports fans fixate on the mesmerizing Winter Olympic event.
Associated with cold climates, the game has also found a foothold in the high desert.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast,&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron speak with a local curling expert to learn more about the sport, its social culture and upcoming opportunities to play in Santa Fe.
Patrick Reid, who runs the curling program at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center, has been involved in the sport for more than a decade. Hooked by the camaraderie and intricacies of the game, he participates in events around the region and teaches newcomers his passion.
Reid says curling is really built around its social aspect and describes a term new to Will and James &mdash; broomstacking. It&rsquo;s a custom where teammates and their opponents socialize, often while drinking, after or between games.
From 2-4 p.m. the next two Sundays, Feb. 15 and Feb. 22, anyone interested in curling will have the chance to give it a try for free at the GCCC and get involved in some broomstacking afterward. Sign up for a 30-minute curling session at santafecurling.com.
In the second segment of the podcast, Will and James talk prep hoops, discuss the implications of a rough week for Lobos men&rsquo;s basketball and share their thoughts on the announcement that longtime FCS powerhouse North Dakota State will be joining the Mountain West Conference in football.

Curling in the desert? Local expert highlights sport's social aspect and chances to play in Santa Fe

Dakota Montoya was a surprise pick to some when he was named head boys basketball coach at St. Michael’s in 2024. The Clayton graduate who played football at Eastern New Mexico University said he recognized there were some critics and question marks early on, but he was excited to step up to the challenge of the school’s high standards.

Following a state runner-up season in 2024-25, Montoya has the Horsemen atop the Class 3A rankings this season as they look to take care of “unfinished business.”

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Montoya joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron to discuss his squad’s strong season, his passion for athletics and how he handles high expectations.

Montoya talks about the luxury of his team having size that’s unusual at the 3A level. He also touches on how the squad has dealt with injuries and how his players have improved at shooting and playing inside-out basketball.

The former ENMU player ends by sharing his thoughts on the school hiring Art Briles to lead its football program, and offers his Super Bowl prediction.

After the break, Will and James dive into some Lobo talk ahead of the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team’s big matchup with Utah State. They also give their predictions for Super Bowl LX.

Dakota Montoya was a surprise pick to some when he was named head boys basketball coach at St. Michael&rsquo;s in 2024. The Clayton graduate who played football at Eastern New Mexico University said he recognized there were some critics and question marks early on, but he was excited to step up to the challenge of the school&rsquo;s high standards.
Following a state runner-up season in 2024-25, Montoya has the Horsemen atop the Class 3A rankings this season as they look to take care of &ldquo;unfinished business.&rdquo;
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, Montoya joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron to discuss his squad&rsquo;s strong season, his passion for athletics and how he handles high expectations.
Montoya talks about the luxury of his team having size that&rsquo;s unusual at the 3A level. He also touches on how the squad has dealt with injuries and how his players have improved at shooting and playing inside-out basketball.
The former ENMU player ends by sharing his thoughts on the school hiring Art Briles to lead its football program, and offers his Super Bowl prediction.
After the break, Will and James dive into some Lobo talk ahead of the University of New Mexico men&rsquo;s basketball team&rsquo;s big matchup with Utah State. They also give their predictions for Super Bowl LX.

Will and James pick winners for every state tournament bracket and talk Richard Pitino suitors

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