The high school basketball regular season revs up this week with big tournaments around the region. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron offer an overview of the action and highlight the matchups to watch.

James discusses the Jason Abeyta Memorial Tournament at Santa Fe Indian School, the St. Michael’s Shootout and the Northern Rio Grande Tournament at Española Valley. The NRG showcases some of the area’s top Class 2A schools and brings the possibility of a Pecos-Mesa Vista battle in the boys tournament.

In the second segment, the guys make some NFL playoff predictions before discussing the athletic director opening at the University of New Mexico following the departure of Fernando Lovo to Colorado. Will shares his thoughts on interim AD Ryan Berryman, a 32-year-old graduate of UNM and East Mountain High School, and advocates for a youth movement for the department.

The high school basketball regular season revs up this week with big tournaments around the region. In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast,&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron offer an overview of the action and highlight the matchups to watch.
James discusses the Jason Abeyta Memorial Tournament at Santa Fe Indian School, the St. Michael&rsquo;s Shootout and the Northern Rio Grande Tournament at Espa&ntilde;ola Valley. The NRG showcases some of the area&rsquo;s top Class 2A schools and brings the possibility of a Pecos-Mesa Vista battle in the boys tournament.
In the second segment, the guys make some NFL playoff predictions before discussing the athletic director opening at the University of New Mexico following the departure of Fernando Lovo to Colorado. Will shares his thoughts on interim AD Ryan Berryman, a 32-year-old graduate of UNM and East Mountain High School, and advocates for a youth movement for the department.

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 preview a busy slate of prep hoops tournaments and discuss UNM’s AD position

Santa Fe New Mexican sports scribe James Barron is turning 50 as the calendar turns to 2026 and his birthday wish is to one day see successful coaches and administrators at his alma mater stick around for a while.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Barron and University of New Mexico beat writer Will Webber discuss the latest departure from Albuquerque as 37-year-old athletic director Fernando Lovo heads to Colorado after an eventful 13-month stint at UNM.

Will and James talk about the big decisions Lovo had to make in his short time in charge of Lobo athletics, including the hiring of Jason Eck as head football coach and Eric Olen as the men’s basketball coach. Eck went on to become Mountain West coach of the year as the football team’s success ignited a dormant fan base.

The guys touch on why it’s tough for UNM to keep successful coaches and administrators, and share their thoughts on what Lovo is getting into as he heads to Boulder, where Deion Sanders’ presence looms large.

Will and James also share some of their most memorable moments from 2025 and take a look at the local prep hoops scene.

Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports scribe James Barron is turning 50 as the calendar turns to 2026 and his birthday wish is to one day see successful coaches and administrators at his alma mater stick around for a while.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, Barron and&nbsp;University of New Mexico beat writer Will Webber discuss the latest departure from Albuquerque as 37-year-old athletic director Fernando Lovo heads to Colorado after an eventful 13-month stint at UNM.
Will and James talk about the big decisions Lovo had to make in his short time in charge of Lobo athletics, including the hiring of Jason Eck as head football coach and Eric Olen as the men&rsquo;s basketball coach. Eck went on to become Mountain West coach of the year as the football team&rsquo;s success ignited a dormant fan base.
The guys touch on why it&rsquo;s tough for UNM to keep successful coaches and administrators, and share their thoughts on what Lovo is getting into as he heads to Boulder, where Deion Sanders&rsquo; presence looms large.
Will and James also share some of their most memorable moments from 2025 and take a look at the local prep hoops scene.

Will and James reflect on Fernando Lovo’s short but eventful stint at UNM as he heads to Colorado

The Santa Fe High boys basketball team is off to a 6-1 start and showing signs of being a contender in Class 5A. Ahead of the Demons’ trip to The Holiday Classic in San Diego, where they will face off with teams from across the country, head coach Cisco Rivera took some time to chat with Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron about what he’s learned about his team so far.

The guys start with questions about the upcoming holiday tournament, which will place Rivera in his former stomping grounds. The coach talks about his ties to the San Diego area and discusses the opportunity this offers for his players.

Rivera gets into his evolution as a coach and describes what led to the success he and former Santa Fe High coach Zack Cole had together. He also offers credit to the Demons’ assistants, who have provided stability to the program over the years.

After the break, Will and James chat a bit more about prep hoops before talking about college football. They discuss the University of New Mexico's upcoming matchup with Minnesota in the Rate Bowl, as well as the New Mexico Bowl which will pit San Diego State against North Texas.

The Santa Fe High boys basketball team is off to a 6-1 start and showing signs of being a contender in Class 5A. Ahead of the Demons&rsquo; trip to The Holiday Classic in San Diego, where they will face off with teams from across the country, head coach Cisco Rivera took some time to chat with&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron about what he&rsquo;s learned about his team so far.
The guys start with questions about the upcoming holiday tournament, which will place Rivera in his former stomping grounds. The coach talks about his ties to the San Diego area and discusses the opportunity this offers for his players.
Rivera gets into his evolution as a coach and describes what led to the success he and former Santa Fe High coach Zack Cole had together. He also offers credit to the Demons&rsquo; assistants, who have provided stability to the program over the years.
After the break, Will and James chat a bit more about prep hoops before talking about college football. They discuss the University of New Mexico's upcoming matchup with Minnesota in the Rate Bowl, as well as the New Mexico Bowl which will pit San Diego State against North Texas.

Cisco Rivera discusses Santa Fe High's 6-1 start; Will and James talk bowl games, 2025 memories

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, an Albuquerque native and former New Mexico State Aggie, wasn’t exactly gracious after his runner-up finish for the Heisman Trophy and had some choice words for voters in a social media post afterward. Will Webber, Santa Fe New Mexican sports editor and one of 870 media members with a Heisman vote, has some words to share on Pavia, too.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Will explains why he left Pavia off his ballot and speaks with fellow sports writer James Barron about how Pavia's antics and stature could impact his pro prospects. The guys compare him to other Heisman finalists and discuss other flawed athletes to come out of New Mexico.

Will and James turn to hoops talk in the second segment, discussing recent prep basketball results and the University of New Mexico men’s team.

The guys chat a bit about Santa Fe High’s promising start to the season and the impressive displays the Santa Fe Indian School boys and girls have had so far.

The Lobo men, meanwhile, are 9-2 heading into Mountain West Conference play. The guys talk about how the conference seems up for grabs this year and that, at this point, it seems like UNM could be in the mix.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, an Albuquerque native and former New Mexico State Aggie, wasn&rsquo;t exactly gracious after his runner-up finish for the Heisman Trophy and had some choice words for voters in a social media post afterward. Will Webber,&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports editor and one of 870 media members with a Heisman vote,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.santafenewmexican.com/sports/diego-pavia-wasnt-picked-on-this-heisman-voters-ballot/article_e096a7f7-a075-45ed-aaa4-f698112fc63e.html">has some words to share on Pavia</a>, too.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, Will explains why he left Pavia off his ballot and speaks with fellow sports writer James Barron about how Pavia's antics and stature could impact his pro prospects. The guys compare him to other Heisman finalists and discuss other flawed athletes to come out of New Mexico.
Will and James turn to hoops talk in the second segment, discussing recent prep basketball results and the University of New Mexico men&rsquo;s team.
The guys chat a bit about Santa Fe High&rsquo;s promising start to the season and the impressive displays the Santa Fe Indian School boys and girls have had so far.
The Lobo men, meanwhile, are 9-2 heading into Mountain West Conference play. The guys talk about how the conference seems up for grabs this year and that, at this point, it seems like UNM could be in the mix.

Will and James preview a busy slate of prep hoops tournaments and discuss UNM’s AD position

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