Talking Grammer

In Episode 127 of the Talking Grammer podcast, we relaunch the pod for the new sports season with UNM Lobo men's basketball coach Eric Olen in the first a two-part conversation about his second season, this year's roster, what he learned from Year 1 and what life is like lately in a chaotic college athletics landscape. (Ep. 128 will be a player-by-player roster break down)

In Episode 126 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I post some excerpts for a Zoom call local media had with UNM Lobos guard and Mountain West Freshman of the Year Jake Hall about his decision to return to play for Eric Olen and the Lobos next season as well as his opportunity now to play with his brother, and recent UNM signee, Dax Hall.

In Episode 125 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I caught up with UNM Lobos 7-foot-1 center JT Rock, the transfer from Iowa State who has developed this season into a dangerous weapon for head coach Eric Olen's crew. We cover the bases from his recruitment to Iowa State out of high school to his addiction to shoes to why he goest by JT instead of what those initials stand for. (Hint, I'm not at all happy with his answer!)

In Episode 124 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I caught up with Scott Waterman, the Special Assistant to the Head Coach on the UNM Lobo men's basketball team. We talk his unique path to Albuquerque, including having been the six-year head coach at Division II Academy of Art university in San Francisco before that school discontinued is sports programs this past offseason. We also talk his taking five charges in a college game, his role on UNM's staff and about his elite Rick Flair 'Woo!' impersonation.

In Episode 123 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I caught up with Wyoming Cowboys coach Sundance Wicks who has the Pokes at 9-2 in nonconference play and in the top 60 of the NCAA's NET rankings, arguably completing the most impressive, if not unexpected, nonconference slate in the Mountain West. Wicks talks about his name, his energy, his fondness of laughter and 1990s movies and for coaching in the great venues around the Mountain West, including the Pit.

In Episode 122 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I caught up with Lobo freshman guard Jake Hall, the 3,000 point high school scorer who is now one of three UNM freshman averaging double digit points this season. We also get a very entertaining scouting report on Jake from UNM assistant coach Tom Tankelewicz and Jake's younger brother, Dax. That scouting report includes talk of Jake being a competitive surfer when he was younger and some disagreement about who the best golfer in the family is.

In Episode 121 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talked with 2025 NCAA Division I Cross Country champion Habtom Samuel, the third-year UNM Lobo star who helped lead the men's team to a second place finish at the race Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Columbia, Missouri. Samuel had been runner up the past two years. I also have interviews from the race with UNM head coach Darren Gauson and UNM Athletic Director Fernando Lovo.

In Episode 120 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I give my annual team-by-team breakdown of the Mountain West conference season ahead with audio from head coaches of all 12 teams. Here's a time breakdown for each team if you'd like to jump ahead (and not hear me talk so much): Air Force, 8:30; Boise State, 12:07; Colorado State, 16:05; Fresno State, 20:00; Grand Canyon, 24:05; Nevada 29:34; New Mexico 34:05; San Diego State, 39:20; San Jose State, 43:15; UNLV, 46:40; Utah State, 50:30; Wyoming, 53:40.

In Episode 119 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez at the 2025-26 men's basketball media day event in Las Vegas, Nevada. We talk about the state of the league, both football and basketball, but primarily give the commissioner an opportunity to discuss ongoing litigation about exit fees and poaching penalties with five schools departing the league after this season to join the rebuilding Pac-12. This podcast was recorded BEFORE the Mountain West officially filed later in the day an 86-page court filing, including counterclaims made against the Pac 12.

In Episode 118 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNM Lobos guard Luke Haupt. The sixth-year senior transfer from Division II Point Loma Nazarene in San Diego is the son of one of the winningest active coaches in California High School basketball, Mike Haupt. We talk taking the D-II route, his love of big dogs, whether he's got a chip on his shoulder to prove he can play at the DI level and did he really once fly a plane?

In Episode 117 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNM Lobos point guard Deyton Albury, a native of the Bahamas. The senior transfer from Utah State is going to be relied on heavily to lead the new-look Lobos in the first year under head coach Eric Olen. We talk basketball in the Bahamas, compare New Mexican and Bahamian food, he gives three bold basketball predictions, and explains why we're all probably better off that he's here playing basketball and not playing the trumpet.

In Episode 116 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with Kimberly Eck, the wife of new UNM Lobo football coach Jason Eck trying to get a glimpse of the coach we won't see just watching him on game day. She talks about how they met, how he dances, their family's love of Bluey, and the strains of the coach's wife life, including how their five children were born in five different states as Jason moved from job to job in his career, and her superstitions before a game (did she or didn't she wash her car before last week's game at Michigan?).

In Episode 115 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball coach Josh Pastner, who despite never having had a sip of coffee in his life, brought enough energy to light up the Vegas strip. We talk coaching influences, hand writing more than 1,000 letters to college coaches to try and get recruited, playing for and coaching with Lute Olson, Bill Walton, A.J. Bramlett, his desire to get booed relentlessly in the Pit and much more.

In Episode 114 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new Colorado State Rams head coach Ali Farokhmanesh. We talk his coaching influences, growing up with highly successful college volleyball coaching parents, baggy shorts, big shots and whether CSU and UNM will continue playing basketball when the Rams leave the Mountain West next year.

In Episode 113 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with Grand Canyon University men's basketball coach Bryce Drew, the newest member of the Mountain West conference. What should the league expect of the Lopes this year? How familiar is he with the league and its venues? And this NMSU grad even gets him to say something nice about NMSU the Aggies.

In Episode 112 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNM Lobos assistant coach Mikey Howell, a former point guard at UC San Diego who played for new Lobos head coach Eric Olen and for the past three seasons also coached under him at UCSD. It's the fifth and final episode in the five-part series with the new Lobo assistant coaches.

In Episode 111 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNM Lobos assistant coach Mike Roberts, the former Indiana player whose experience coaching defense and developing big men will be part of his role on this year's staff. It's the fourth in the five-part series with the new Lobo assistant coaches.

In Episode 110 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with New Mexico State University men's basketball coach Jason Hooten. He enters his third season as coach of a program he took over amid a complete rebuild. How will the Aggies be this season? How does he feel the rebuild is going? And a whole lot more.

In Episode 109 of the Talking Grammer podcast, UNM had its first open summer practice on Tuesday with the entirely new men's hoops roster under first year coach Eric Olen. I give some of my quick, first reaction thoughts on some players, even projecting a way-too-early starting five and we hear audio from Olen and senior guard Chris Howell, one of the players who followed Olen to UNM from UC San Diego.

In Episode 108 of the Talking Grammer podcast, we get to know new UNM Lobo assistant men's basketball coach Sam Stapleton, one of three assistants who followed head coach Eric Olen from UC San Diego. Sam, a former D-III player, says he knew since 5th grade he wanted to be a basketball coach.

In Episode 107 of the Talking Grammer podcast, as the NBA Finals are upon us this week, I caught up with former New Mexico State and UNLV coach Marvin Menzies, who recruited and coached Pascal Siakam. The former Aggies great was a 2016 first round draft pick of the Toronto Raptors and is now with the Indiana Pacers, who are in the NBA Finals, which start this week. I talk with Menzies, who is now the head coach of the Kansas City Roos, about Siakam's growth as a player and a person at NMSU and when he knew Siakam was destined to be great.

In Episode 106 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk with one of the new UNM Lobo men's basketball assistant coaches, Michael Wilder. He played at UC Irvine and coached there the past 11 years. We talk about what he learned from successful head coach Russell Turner, which former Lobo great ended his high school career, his role with the Lobos, whether Kobe on his all-time starting 5 and, of course, his glorious head of hair.

In Episode 105 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk with Albuquerque's own Lauren Green, who just completed her first season in the NBA as a sideline reporter and host with the Utah Jazz. The Volcano Vista High School graduate who went on to run track at the University of Nevada and get a graduate degree from Arizona State before returning home to work for KOB, is now in the world professional sports journalism.

In Episode 104 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk with new UNM Lobo basketball assistant coach Tom Tankelewicz, whose primary role with the team is coordinating the offense under new coach Eric Olen. We discuss style of play, the type of recruit this system is looking for, his playing and coaching history, whether "Coach Tank" could have coached "Player Tank" in college and we even discuss the Blue Hose.

In Episode 103 of the Talking Grammer podcast I talk with UNM Vice President for Athletics Fernando Lovo who in his first 120 days on the job conducted a national search for a new football coach, navigated the 60-day legislative session with intense lobbying efforts to secure money for UNM Athletics, conducted a national search for a new coach of Lobo basketball, put together most of his leadership team and moved a family of four from Austin to Albuquerque.

In Episode 102 of the Talking Grammer podcast I get to know new UNM Lobo men's basketball coach Eric Olen, who has coached at UC San Diego the past 21 years and led he Tritons to a 30-5 record, a Big West championship and the NCAA Tournament this past season in the program's first year eligible for the Big Dance. The 44-year-old is considered a rising star in coaching and we talk offense, defense and some background on his coaching history.

In Episode 101 of the Talking Grammer podcast I have an exit interview of sorts with the now former UNM Lobo men's basketball coach Richard Pitino, who about 36 hours prior accepted the head coaching position at Xavier University, ending his four-year run in Albuquerque. We talk about the decision to leave, taking staff, his talking with current Lobos, skyline chili vs. New Mexico chile and more important stuff like where all his Lobo gear is now.

In Episode 100 of the Talking Grammer podcast I'm in Cleveland previewing the NCAA Tournament for the UNM Lobos with sound from Sunday's Selection Show through Thursday's NCAA pregame press conferences in Rocket Arena, the site of Friday's first round games. The No. 10 seed UNM Lobos play against the No. 7 Marquette Golden Eagles from the Big East. Hear from Richard Pitino, Shaka Smart, Donovan Dent, Nelly Junior Joseph, C.J. Noland, Jon Rothstein and more.

In Episode 99 of the Talking Grammer podcast I catch up with Lobo senior guard C.J. Noland, who this week is playing his first ever NCAA Tournament. We go through his journey from Texas to Oklahoma out of high school to the University of North Texas and then his transfer to UNM for his final season. We also talk about support — from fans, teammates, coaches and his family during his basketball career.

In Episode 98 of the Talking Grammer podcast, it's a joint effort with the Albuquerque Journal, the Field of 68 and Bronco Nation News offering up a preview of this week's Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas. Geoff Grammer, B.J. Rains, Rob Dauster and Jeff Goodman give predictions, storylines, dark horse picks and talk potential coaching changes in the offseason.

In Episode 97 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a conversation with UNM guard Filip Borovicanin, the 6-foot-9 transfer from Arizona whose progression over the past month has been one of the reasons the Lobos are tied for first at the midway point of Mountain West play. We talk getting discovered in Serbia, his time at Arizona, finding confidence at UNM, his relationship with teammate and fellow Serb Jovan Milicevic and the support of his father.

In Episode 96 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a conversation with UNM Lobos forward Jovan Milicevic, the 6-foot-10, 237-pound freshman who has been playing his best basketball recently as the Lobos have been hitting their stride in Mountain West play. We talk about his Serbian roots, role on the team, playing with a great point guard and for a sarcastic coach, and lots more.

In Episode 95 of the Talking Grammer podcast, The Field of 68's Rob Dauster and I do a cross-over (both podcasts broadcasted this), talking all things Mountain West hoops as the conference season is about 1/3 of the way done. We talk postseason chances, contenders, pretenders and go over the big surprises so far around the league while also setting up things to come.

In Episode 94 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a midseason check in with UNM Lobo men's basketball coach Richard Pitino, whose team is 9-3. We cover a lot of ground, from player updates and his thoughts on UNM's new Athletic Director and new football coach to how his son, Jack Pitino, taunts referees and his dad, Rick Pitino, isn't a very good gift giver. Before the interview, I also talk some more about Donovan Dent's huge 40point game vs. VCU.

In Episode 93 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a conversation with UNM Lobo junior point guard Donovan Dent, who takes over as the lead guard in this, his junior season, after having shared the backcourt his first two seasons with two other ball-dominant guards. Dent, a preseason ALl-Mountain West selection, talks about his role on the team now, his evolution on the court and the special connection he's developed on the court with one teammate.

In Episode 92 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a conversation with Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez in Las Vegas, Nev., at the 2024-25 Mountain West Men's Basketball Media Days event at Resorts Worlds hotels and casino. We primarily talk conference realignment, football breaking off, future Mountain West members (including New Mexico State?) and much more.

In Episode 91 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I had UNM Lobo Associate Head Coach Isaac Chew on a live show talking about this year's team, recruiting and more and we took viewer questions live on the show. Now in his fourth season with the Lobos, Chew oversees the recruiting and many other aspects of the program, but is quick to point out the process is a team effort the entire staff gets involved in.

In Episode 90 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk with Jack Nixon, who after 45 years of calling New Mexico State University sporting events on the radio will be retiring after this season. The "Voice of the Aggies" will call his final Aggie/Lobo football game this weekend. Sportscasting wasn't always his dream. We also talk about "The Shades", the sunglasses-wearing rock band he and friends formed in high school in Omaha and, of course, walk down memory lane through his career.

In Episode 89 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk with Tony and Ashley Snell about how their lives have changed since appearing on the Today Show a year ago, telling the world about not only their son's diagnosis with autism, but how it led to the former UNM Lobo star and nine-year NBA veteran getting diagnosed himself -- a rarity for an adult -- and the foundation they've started. Known in college as the "Silent Assassin", Tony Snell says his diagnosis at the age of 31 brought clarity to a life in which he always felt different.

In Episode 88 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with old friend, Albuquerque native and New Mexico State University graduate Gadi Schwartz as the NBC News correspondent is in Paris working his fifth Olympic Games. We talk about mimes, laundry day in Paris, the dad duties that await him when he gets home and his prank wars from the decade he spent working at KOB-TV earlier in his career.

In Episode 87 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I interview former UNM Lobos Morris Udeze, Anthony Mathis, Isaac Mushilla and Kenny Thomas and Del Norte High graduate Scott Bamforth who are all part of The Enchantment TBT team playing in this month's $1 million, winner-take-all TBT (The Basketball Tournament). We talk TBT, their careers, Tuesday's exhibition against a UNM Lobo alumni team and honoring late Lobos Greg Brown, Ruben Douglas and Drew Gordon.

In Episode 86 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I sit down with La Cueva High School great and former UCLA Bruin Bryce Alford, who is coming back to Albuquerque this week to both host his annual Bryce Alford Basketball Camp but also to take part in playing for The Enchantment, the team of players with New Mexico ties competing in the $1 million TBT basketball tournament later this month.

In Episode 85 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I sit down with UNM Lobo men's basketball coach Richard Pitino to talk about the past season, the current offseason and the 2024-25 season ahead. The Lobos broke a decade-long NCAA Tournament drought but now with NIL and the transfer portal changing how rosters are maintained and how coaches handle the spring, what is the plan of attack for the Lobos?

In Episode 84 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I join the Field of 68 crew of Rob Dauster and Jeff Goodman for their weekly Mountain West Insider podcast where we preview the six Mountain West teams — New Mexico, Colorado State, Boise State, Nevada, Utah State and San Diego State — that made the NCAA Tournament and talk about their first games and potential paths out of the first weekend.

In Episode 83 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I recap UNM's Saturday loss at Utah State, final conference standings, go over the All-Mountain West awards from the media poll and preview the Mountain West Tournament, from breaking down each of Wednesday's opening round games and potential quarterfinal matchups to reviewing win probabilities for all 11 teams and giving you my always so accurate tournament predictions. • 3:40 -- UNM's Donovan Dent on Boise State's Max Rice • 6:40 -- Recapping Saturday's dramatic UNM at Utah State regular season finale • 14:40 -- UNM's Richard Pitino asked about the end-game referee mistake in Logan • 18:40 -- Nevada's Steve Alford congratulates Utah State on league title • 19:20 -- Recapping final standings/tournament seedings • 22:55 -- Run down on All-Mountain West teams (media poll) • 29:10 -- Breaking down MW Tournament probabilities for all 11 teams • 33:10 -- Breakdown No. 8 Wyoming/No. 9 Fresno State • 39:30 -- Breakdown No. 7 Colorado State/No. 10 San Jose State • 45:50 -- Breakdown No. 6 New Mexico/No. 11 Air Force • 58:45 -- Breakdown Thursday quarterfinal No. 4 UNLV/No. 5 San Diego State and top half of bracket • 1:03:55 -- Breakdown potential CSU/Nevada quarterfinal matchup • 1:05:50 -- Breakdown potential UNM/Boise State quarterfinal matchup

In Episode 82 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a conversation with Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez (starts at 8:50 mark). We talk about the fantastic men's basketball season the league has had enjoyed, how many teams might make the NCAA Tournament, traditional power conferences taking shots at leagues "gaming" the NET rankings and about the future of the league, including the ever-present topic of conference expansion.

In Episode 81 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a conversation with businessman, radio analyst and Lobo hoops legend Hunter Greene (7:35 mark) about his unique perspective calling games for the past decade. We dive into some Lobo hoops memories, including lots of Kelvin Scarborough talk, and his thoughts on the current Lobos, from Saturday's loss to Air Force to current players passing him in the record books.

In Episode 80 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk Lobo hoops, JT Toppin's case for all-league, and have a conversation with one of the best to play in the Mountain West, Colorado State point guard Isaiah Stevens (9:00 mark). We talk his career, his future, his go-to candy after road wins and some Mountain West memories.

In Episode 79 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk Mountain West and UNM basketball and have a conversation with Nevada Wolf Pack head coach Steve Alford (16:20 mark) about his team, the depth of the league, being a grandpa and this week's rematch with the Lobos.

In Episode 78 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk with SI.com's Kevin Sweeney about NCAA Tournament bracketology for the Mountain West conference and the UNM Lobos. Are they in? Are they out? Does any of this really matter in the first week of February? (Nevada 12:00, BSU 14:20, CSU 18:00, USU 21:00, SDSU 28:35, UNM 31:20).

In Episode 77 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk with BJ Rains, Publisher of Bronco Nation News in Boise, covering the Boise State Broncos. We talk the media landscape covering Mountain West level programs, his recent power rankings that drew criticism from some fan (including plenty of angry Lobo fans), and of course Wednesday night's big Boise State Broncos/UNM Lobo men's basketball game in the Pit.

In Episode 76 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk about UNM Lobo basketball breaking into the AP Top 25 rankings, JT Toppin winning his sixth Mountain West Freshman of the Week and have a conversation (11:30 mark) with Lobo forward Mustapha Amzil, the Dayton transfer who put a rough start to the season behind him to become a key piece of the UNM puzzle right now. We talk about his soccer background, his buzzer beater to beat Kansas while playing for Dayton, whether or not his teammates appreciate Finnish rap music and about the proper way to pronounce his name.

In Episode 75 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk Mountain West hoops and have a conversation (11 minute mark) with Danny Sprinkle, the head coach of the No. 16 Utah State Aggies before the UNM-Utah State game in the Pit on Jan. 16. The first-year USU coach has his program out to a 16-1 start and atop the Mountain West standings. Danny and I talk about that fantastic start, his having two former Lobo assistants on his staff and the meaning and importance to his program of UBUNTU.

In Episode 74 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a conversation with former Eldorado Eagles state champion and three-year UNM Lobo Cullen Neal, who is in his second season as Director of Player Development and Video Coordinator for the Rice Owls, who play in this week's Ball Dawgs Classic in Henderson, Nev., along with the UNM Lobos. We talk about basketball, including his time with and departure from the UNM Lobos, playing for his dad, Craig Neal, at UNM and how life is now as a father, husband and aspiring coach himself.

In Episode 73 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a conversation with former UNM Lobos hoops star Hugh Greenwood. The fan favorite, 4-year starter from Australia is back in Albuquerque visiting friends and the family of his Albuquerque-native wife, Kjiersten Straub, ahead of the upcoming Australia Football League season, where he will start his ninth season as a professionally footballer (playing "footie", not hoops and not American football). We talk his current sport, catching up with old friends and some fun memories of his time as a Lobo.

In Episode 72 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I joined Rob Dauster of the Feld of 68, as a guest on the debut show of the Mountain West Insider podcast for a season preview of the college basketball season ahead. We talk NCAA Tournament hopefuls in the conference, top players and top storylines for the 2023-24 season. The Field of 68's weekly Mountain West podcast is available on their YouTube page while this episode is also available as part of the Talking Grammer podcast.

In Episode 71 of the Talking Grammer podcast, we have a conversation with Jason Hooten, the new men's basketball coach of the New Mexico State Aggies. We talk with Jason about taking on a new job after 19 seasons at Sam Houston State, the unenviable task of rebuilding a program from scratch with an entirely new roster and coaching staff, he tells us about his family and he breaks down a little bit of what fans can expect on the court this season as NMSU tries to turn the page on the tumultuous season a year ago.

In Episode 70 of the Talking Grammer podcast, we have a conversation with Matt Flores, the third-year strength and conditioning coach of the UNM Lobo men's basketball team about what his job entails, his background as a player, Marine and father, and how it is working for the second time with head coach Richard Pitino. And who was on the McDonald's cheeseburger diet last year as the team desperately tried adding weight to one player's frame?

In Episode 69 of the Talking Grammer podcast, we have a conversation with Kurt Roth, the founder and president of the 505 Sports Venture Foundation, the collective spearheading college athlete compensation efforts for the University of New Mexico. We talk the law, the ever changing landscape of the NCAA's oversight, how Lobo athletes are taking advantage, recruiting and the relationship between the collective and UNM itself.

In Episode 68 of the Talking Grammer podcast, we have a conversation with Mr. Basketball in New Mexico, Brandon Mason, who played in the state for the NMSU Aggies and New Mexico Thunderbirds, coached collegiately with the UNM Lobos, NMSU Aggies and New Mexico Highlands and is now is the President and Coach of NCAA-accredited ABC Prep and dozens of youth club teams under the Albuquerque Basketball Club umbrella.

In Episode 67 of the Talking Grammer podcast, we have a conversation with UNM Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez on his background as a college athlete, playing basketball with Nick Saban, coming to UNM at a time the athletics department was underneath a mountain of public and state scrutiny, the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, Name Image and Likeness, and the future of UNM Athletics, including basketball and football.

In Episode 66 of the Talking Grammer podcast, we have a conversation with all-Mountain West guard Jamal Mashburn Jr., the UNM Lobos' third-year captain who said he is in his "Deion mode" for the interview, donning sunglasses and talking about the season ahead, his bond with his famous father, how writing and reading helps his mental well-being and much more.

In Episode 65 of the Talking Grammer podcast, we have a conversation with new UNM Lobo men's basketball guard Jemarl Baker, Jr., one of four Division I transfers joining the team this season. Injuries have played a huge part in the playing career of Baker, who is entering his seventh season of college basketball, having previously played for Kentucky, Arizona and Fresno State. We talk about his family, his long career and his role this season with the Lobos.

In Episode 64 of the Talking Grammer podcast, we have part two of our in-depth conversation with UNM Lobo men's basketball coach Richard Pitino. Part one, heard in Episode 63, covered the offseason, the NCAA's transfer portal, and holes on the roster that need to be filled. This episode, Pitino goes player by player over the entire roster, letting fans know what to expect for the season ahead and also dives into a few reader mailbag questions.

In Episode 63 of the Talking Grammer podcast, we catch up with UNM Lobo men's basketball coach Richard Pitino for an in-depth, two part conversation that covers a lot of ground from the struggles of his beloved New York Yankees, to the NCAA transfer portal, and plenty about Lobo basketball. In this episode, we talk about the offseason, where the team has come in his two seasons as coach, the rather large holes to fill on the roster and plenty more. Next week's episode 64 will dive into a player-by-player break down of this season's roster.

In Episode 62 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with Kurt Roth, the front man of 505 Sports Venture Foundation, the collective raising money to fund Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) payments to Lobo athletes. What is NIL? Where does the money go? Can UNM compete in the current college athletics landscape without it? How are athletes paid, and how much? We cover a lot of ground on NIL here.

In Episode 61 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with now former UNM starting power forward Josiah Allick who caught Lobo fans by surprise this past week when he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. What went into his decision? Was there a problem with coaches, teammates or will he be getting more NIL money by going elsewhere? He explains his decision and discusses his one season with the Lobos basketball program.

In Episode 60 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with former UNM and current Nevada coach Steve Alford ahead of Tuesday's Mountain West Conference showdown in the Pit between his current and former teams. His first return to the Pit in 2020 had about 12,000 fans on hand in a game in which neither team had postseason or league title hopes. This go 'round will have 15,000 in the Pit and both teams are in the hunt for the Big Dance and a league title. There's also sound from UNM's Richard Pitino and Jamal Mashburn, Jr.

In Episode 59 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a brief conversation with new Mountain West Conference Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, who was in Albuquerque this past week. Just the second-ever commissioner in the Mountain West, Nevarez and I talk about the leagues current positioning in the college athletics landscape, how realignment might affect the league, what the future of the mutlimedia rights deal is and just how important a healthy basketball league is to the conference as it hopes as many as five teams could play in this year's NCAA Tournament.

In Episode 58 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk with UNM Lobo forward Morris Udeze. He recently had a four-game streak of double-doubles, has been stepping up his rebounding game of late and the additions of he and Josiah Allick in the offseason have proven to be what the program had hoped. Their presence has been vital in elevating the Lobos to Mountain West title contenders again. We talk about that, about the team, about his being 'Uncle Mo' to his three freshmen teammates/roommates and what can still be achieved by this Lobos team that sits at 18-2.

In Episode 57 of the Talking Grammer podcast, as Mountain West Conference play is about to begin, I talk with UNM Lobo assistant to the head coach Dave Pilipovich, the former Air Force head coach and now three-time guest on the podcast, about his unique perspective on the challenges of league play, being a part of a 12-0 team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, what his relationship with Richard Pitino is like and what it is he does every day in his unique role with the Lobo basketball team.

In Episode 56 of the Talking Grammer podcast, ahead of Sunday's Pitino vs. Pitino game in the Pit between the Iona Gaels and UNM Lobos, we hear sound from both head coaches -- Rick and Richard Pitino -- and have conversations with the great Dick Vital and with Dan McHale, the former Lobo assistant who has the unique perspective not only of having coached under both Rick and Richard Pitino, but having been on the flight home with both men after the last time the two coached against each other in 2015. We touch on why the game is being played, the attention its garnering, and most important of all, will Richard Pitino try to match his dad's elite suit game on Sunday?

In Episode 55 of the Talking Grammer podcast, after a rather unique first month to the season for the UNM Lobos for a variety of reasons, I thought it would be a good time to sit down with Lobo coach Richard Pitino to talk about the canceled rivalry series with NMSU and how that, along with the team's fast start (7-0 at time of this podcast), played into the decision to find a new, short-notice game coming up in Las Vegas vs. San Francisco. We also talk game-day routine, the upcoming game against his dad's Iona Gaels and go player-by-player for a break down of how each Lobo has played so far this season.

In Episode 54 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I played a little catch up with former Lobo basketball great Cameron Bairstow who lives in Australia. We talk about his professional career, from the NBA to overseas and playing in Australia -- both professionally and with the Australian National team -- as well as his recent decision to retire due to injuries. Cam is now starting a career as a sports agent. We also talk about his upcoming trip back to the Unites States where he hopes to catch a game in the Pit and see his younger brother, Sean Bairstow, play for the Utah State Aggies, where he's a senior guard.

In Episode 53 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I sat down for a conversation with college basketball analytics guru Ken Pomeroy. As the 2022-23 college basketball season begins, I wanted fans to get a good understanding how his ratings work, how the preseason ratings are formulated and how a team like the UNM Lobos could be rated 8th in the Mountain West right now when the preseason poll ranked them 5th (and I even ranked them 3rd). Let's take a dive inside the mind of KenPom.

In Episode 52 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I offer up an 11-team Mountain West Conference basketball preview as the 2022-23 season that starts this week. The podcast features storylines and sound from each of the league's 11 coaches and is presented in order of the preseason media poll: SDSU (4:10), Wyoming (11:40), Boise State (18:45), Colorado State (26:40), UNM (34:50), UNLV (42:00), Fresno State (46:30), Utah State (51:15), Nevada (57:35), San Jose State (66:05) and Air Force (70:55). Hope you enjoy.

In Episode 51 of the Talking Grammer podcast, we cover a lot of ground with Lobo guard K.J. Jenkins, from his riding motorcycles growing up in Georgia and his relationship with his cousin Deandre Hopkins, the All-Pro wide receiver of the Arizona Cardinals, to his college basketball journey that has included getting only one Division I scholarship offer out of high school, redshirting at a DII school, playing in junior college and now his being voted by his teammates a team co-captain.

In Episode 50 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a conversation with the Lobos' two new big men Josiah Allick and Morris Udeze. The pair is being counted on to add size, strength and physicality that was lacking on last year's UNM hoops roster. I also go over the Lobos' surprising scrimmage result from Saturday against Northern Arizona.

In Episode 49 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a conversation with the Lobos' two returning All-Mountain West guards, Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn Jr., about what they learned in Year 1 at UNM about themselves and each other, and what fans should expect from Year 2 from the highest scoring returning backcourt in the league. Both have NCAA Tournament expectations, but don't shy away from acknowledging the work starts with defense.

In Episode 48 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I have a conversation with new Lobo basketball assistant Tarvish Felton, who worked at Utah State for a decade and was at Fresno State the past four seasons. He told me stories of coaching Sam Merrill and Orlando Robinson and old WAC rivalries with NMSU. So what's his role now with the Lobos and how good does he think this roster is?

In Episode 47 of the Talking Grammer podcast, as the first official team practices for the 2022-23 men's basketball season are starting, I thought it would be a good time to catch up with second-year Lobos coach Richard Pitino as expectations have been elevated for his team. How did the offseason go? How is putting up with his dad on Twitter? Which player was the offseason MVP? And lots more.

In Episode 46 of the Talking Grammer podcast, in an interview recorded in June, I caught up Arizona State transfer Jaelen House who is vying to be the starting point guard for the UNM Lobos this season. "The ball finds energy," he told me, which sums up what his approach to the game is. He plays hard -- on defense, especially -- and feeds off the crowd. We talk about his hair, his rich hoops DNA and why he decided to branch out from his Arizona roots.

In Episode 45 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I caught up with second year Lobo football coach Danny Gonzales ahead of his program's 2021 season in an interview that has less to do with X's and O's and more to do with his growing up in Albuquerque, his role in the Athletic Department beyond coaching football and, yes, even his sensitive side. From his memories of Dukes baseball and Lobo basketball growing up to the split personalities he shows on the sidelines vs. at home with his family, we cover a lot of ground.

In Episode 44 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I caught up former Lobo Anthony Mathis ahead of his playing both in the Lobo alumni all-star game in the Pit and as part of the Enchantment TBT team that will play in the $1 million, winner-take-all The Basketball Tournament event later this month. We cover his time as a Lobo, his leaving for Oregon, his playing in the G-League and what he plans to do if friend and former teammate Joe Furstinger flexes on him in the All-Star game or in any pickup game the two play each other.

In Episode 43 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I caught up with Makuach Maluach who recently made official his decision to move on from UNM after graduating and his pursuit now to play professional basketball. We talk about his degree, his future, the future of the Lobo basketball team, practicing with new coach Richard Pitino and I see what he thinks of my list of my Top 5 memories covering his four-year Lobo hoops career.

In Episode 42, I caught up with UNM Lobo women's soccer coach Heather Dyche ahead of her program hosting the Mountain West soccer championship match against San Diego State. While we talk about the game, a possible NCAA Tournament berth and her team's recent MWC awards (including who she thinks the league snubbed from her team), she also indulges me in some Ted Lasso talk and you might be surprised who she says is most like the Roy Kent character on her team. Fun conversation here with Heather that covers a lot of ground.

In Episode 41, I caught up with former Albuquerque Journal staffer Andy Katz to talk about his time spent with the NBA on TNT crew over an 18-day span in Atlanta covering the NCAA Tournament, including Charles Barkley at one point saying he would bet the Albuquerque Journal doesn't even exist anymore. Not only does it, but now we've got Andy on the podcast (for a second time) talking about it. Katz also offers up some thoughts on UNM's new hoops hire, Richard Pitino.

In Episode 40, I have a brief cell phone (recored for the the podcast) conversation Tuesday with newly hired UNM Lobo men's basketball coach Richard Pitino. We talked about what didn't work at Minnesota, what he loves about the UNM opportunity and the influences on him as a coach from people like his dad, Hall of Famer Rick Pitino, and Billy Donovan, who had some guidance in his hiring at UNM. And what can Lobo fans expect to see on the court from a Pitino-coached team? He explains.

In Episode 39, I have a brief, but insightful conversation with Lobo senior wing Makuach Maluach. Due to the state of New Mexico's public health order, the senior from Australia is about to play his "Senior Night" game at the U.S. Air Force Academy for the Lobos final "home" game of the season -- 400 miles north of the Pit, where he quietly etched his name deep into Lobo record books. We talk about his future (will he come back with the NCAA not counting this season against player eligibility?), the past (the bond he formed with teammates in that 2017-18 freshman season), the time he asked Paul Weir on a recruiting call to call back because he was busy working, and a lot more. Maluach is one of my favorite Lobos I've covered. Hope you enjoy the brief talk we had.

In Episode 38, I catch up with Colorado State head coach Niko Medved about his team that was supposed to be a year away, but didn't care and put itself right in the middle of the Mountain West title race this season led by a pair of sophomore Player of the Year candidates and a roster without a senior. Medved, who was an assistant at CSU from 2007-2013, recalled one painful Lobo memory in Moby Arena -- Kendall Williams' 46 point game with 10 made 3-pointers that pretty much clinched the 2013 MWC title for UNM with a couple weeks still to play. This year's CSU team is flirting with being the first Rams squad since that 2013 season to get into the NCAA Tournament. How'd they get there?

In Episode 37, I catch up with Lobo basketball assistant coach Ralph Davis, in his third year with the program but first as assistant coach. We recorded this podcast last week as the team just returned to Albuquerque allowed for the first time this season to practice in the state due to the public health order. We talked about him enjoying being home for trash day, winning the 2003 New Jersey high school triple jump state championship, he asked about my love of the movie La Bamba and, of course, we talk Lobo hoops and whether his time as a junior college coach prepared him for this season.

In Episode 36, I catch up with former Air Force head coach Dave Pilipovich about his new role as special assistant to the head coach for UNM Lobo men's basketball in what has been a crazy season of relocation, on-court struggles and having to find quarters for washing machines on the road. Dave talks about the new perspective he's getting from outside the head coaching spotlight and how he hopes to help Lobo players and Lobo coach Paul Weir in any way he can. We also talk about the Mountain West overall and how many teams he thinks might get into the NCAA Tournament.

In Episode 35, I catch up with former Kentucky Wildcat national champion, former NBA first round draft pick and current UNM Lobos assistant coach Scott Padgett. We talk about the craziness of this season, the unique time to move a family -- his wife and three kids -- to New Mexico where schools haven't been open for in-person learning and what he uses as a coach from influences like playing for Rick Pitino and Jerry Sloan or as a teammate alongside guys like John Stockton, Karl Malone and later Yao Ming. Fun trip down memory lane with Scott. Hope you enjoy.

In Episode 34, I catch up with former NMSU Aggie basketball star and former UNM Lobo assistant coach Brandon Mason trying to figure out what he's been up to since resigning in August. Has he been watching the Lobos, many of whom he recruited to Albuquerque? What's next for him with basketball in the state? And how's that Lobo alumni team coming along for this summer's TBT (The Basketball Tournament)?

In Episode 33.1, (correcting Ep 33 that started 10 minutes into the podcast) I catch up with UNM assistant Dan McHale about what makes a good press defense? How often with the Lobos press this year? What are the pitfalls of pressing? The product of the Rick Pitino coaching tree walks me through a bit of the basics on what to look for in a press and why the Lobos will do more of it as the season goes on. Also, there's some sound from NMSU coach Chris Jans about telling his team about their recent game cancellation in California as he found out during a practice and how he handled that.

In Episode 32, I catch up with NMSU Aggies coach Chris Jans about life as a program relocated out of New Mexico due to the public health order, what he did on the team's recent COVID pause (spoiler alert, we talked streamed shows and Christmas movies) and what he knows about his team so far in this crazy season as games are (finally) about to start again for his team.

In Episode 31, I catch up with La Cueva High and UCLA graduate Bryce Alford about his participation in TBT (The Basketball Tournament), his take on what his older brother will be like in his first head coaching job at an NAIA school in Indiana, his dad's return to he Mountain West with Nevada, what his own basketball future may bring and plenty of other things.

In Episode 30 I catch up with Albuquerque Academy graduate Cody Toppert, former NBA assistant and current Memphis Tigers assistant about his upcoming gig as a coach in TBT (The Basketball Tournament), the Elam Ending, coaching with Penny Hardaway, basketball analytics and whether or not his team has a shot at winning $1 million.

In Episode 29 I catch up with UNM Lobo basketball rising seniors Makuach Maluach and Keith McGee (the team's third senior, Zane Martin, was not available). They talk about the odd offseason being away from teammates, expectations for next year, who is the best at video games and what they're learning watching 'The Last Dance' documentary on the Chicago Bulls.