For the casual basketball fan, the name Eric Olen might not spark immediate recognition. But for West Coast basketball insiders and hardcore evaluators, Olen’s reputation carries weight. Now, as the 23rd head coach in New Mexico men’s basketball history, Olen is stepping into the spotlight in Albuquerque with an opportunity that feels tailor-made for both coach and program.
The University of New Mexico Lobos enter the 2025–26 season at a crossroads. After years of inconsistency, the program has hit reset, placing its faith in a coach with a proven pedigree for building systems, not just rosters. Olen arrives from UC San Diego, where he carved out a reputation for installing a highly effective offensive system built on pace, spacing, and three-point efficiency. His Tritons teams didn’t just play fast—they played smart, blending tempo with ball movement in ways that frustrated opposing defenses and energized home crowds.
Now, Olen brings that philosophy to The Pit, one of college basketball’s most iconic home floors. This season will be nothing short of a ground-up rebuild: the Lobos feature 14 new players on the roster, a full reset that promises both challenges and intrigue. The season tips off with the annual Lobo Howl on October 4, 2025, giving fans their first look at this new-look, high-octane squad.
Make no mistake—there will be growing pains. Olen himself admits that molding a group of newcomers into a cohesive Mountain West Conference contender is no overnight job. But those close to the program believe that his attention to detail, commitment to offensive efficiency, and ability to get buy-in from his players give New Mexico a foundation that can last.
What makes this match so compelling is Olen’s sincerity. He didn’t just take a job; he chose New Mexico. He vetted the opportunity, understood the community, and wanted the challenge of resurrecting a once-storied program. For Lobos fans hungry for stability and vision, that authenticity matters.
“The foundation has to be real. If the players know I believe in them and in this place, we’ll build something worth watching,” Olen said during preseason media availability.
2025–26 New Mexico Lobos: Full Roster Scouting Report
Symbol Key (Unit 1 Hoop Source)
🎯 shooting • 🧠 IQ/decision-making • 🚀 athletic burst • 🧱 size/strength • 🛡 defense/rebounding • 🔁 versatility • ⚙️ system fit (Olen pace/spacing) • ▲ growth area • ▼ concern • ⭐ impact piece
Guards / Wings
Kevin Patton Jr. — #0, G, 6’8″, Jr.
Projection: 9.5–11.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG
🎯 rim slashing • 🚀 transition stride • 🔁 guards 2–4 • ⚙️ lob target
Strengths: lane pressure, length, rim finishes.
Weaknesses: ▲ jumper consistency • ▲ foul rate • ▼ free throws.
Deyton Albury — #1, G, 6’2″, Sr.
Projection: 10–12 PPG, 3.0 APG
🧠 ball control • 🎯 mid-range craft • ⚙️ secondary initiator
Strengths: steady scorer, late-clock poise.
Weaknesses: ▲ deep-range volume • ▲ finishing vs length • ▼ size vs big guards.
Tajavis Miller — #2, G, 6’4″, Sr.
Projection: 8–10 PPG
🎯 spot-up shooter • 🔁 2/3 versatility • 🛡 strong wing
Strengths: spacing, toughness.
Weaknesses: ▲ creation off dribble • ▲ consistency • ▼ streaks.
Luke Haupt — #3, G, 6’7″, RS-Sr.
Projection: 6–8 PPG
🎯 reliable catch-and-shoot • 🧠 cutter • 🔁 big wing defender
Strengths: glue guy, experience.
Weaknesses: ▲ creation • ▲ lateral quickness • ▼ handle.
Uriah Tenette — #4, G, 5’11”, Fr.
Projection: 4–6 PPG
🧠 poise • 🎯 pull-up flashes • ⚙️ fits pace
Strengths: confidence, tempo.
Weaknesses: ▲ strength • ▲ finishing vs contact • ▼ size.
Antonio Chol — #5, G/F, 6’9″, RS-Jr.
Projection: 7.5–9.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG
🔁 versatile • 🛡 defensive length • 🎯 corner 3 developing
Strengths: activity, transition.
Weaknesses: ▲ shooting consistency • ▲ physicality • ▼ turnovers.
Sir Marius Jones — #7, G, 6’4″, Fr.
Projection: 3.5–5 PPG
🚀 athlete • 🛡 defensive tools • ⚙️ transition
Strengths: energy, rim running.
Weaknesses: ▲ decision-making • ▲ jumper • ▼ strength.
Chris Howell — #8, G, 6’6″, RS-Sr.
Projection: 11–13 PPG, 3–4 APG
🎯 veteran shooter • 🧠 connector • ⚙️ initiator
Strengths: leadership, perimeter scoring.
Weaknesses: ▲ finishing vs size • ▲ turnovers • ▼ on-ball defense.
Kallai Patton — #11, G, 6’4″, RS-Fr.
Projection: 3–4.5 PPG
⚙️ role fit • 🧠 ball mover
Strengths: coachable, connective play.
Weaknesses: ▲ strength • ▲ defensive size • ▼ consistency.
Jake Hall — #23, G, 6’4″, Fr.
Projection: 2.5–4.0 PPG
🛡 effort • 🧠 discipline
Strengths: energy, structure.
Weaknesses: ▲ creation • ▲ 3-point volume • ▼ experience.
Timéo Pons — #29, G, 6’8″, Fr.
Projection: 4–6 PPG, 3.0 RPG
🔁 jumbo guard • 🛡 passing lanes • ⚙️ 5-out intrigue
Strengths: matchup value, length.
Weaknesses: ▲ strength • ▲ foot speed • ▼ jumper mechanics.
Milos Vicentić — #31, F, 6’7″, Gr.
Projection: 7–9 PPG, 4.0 RPG
🎯 pick-and-pop • 🧱 strong frame • 🔁 stretch big
Strengths: spacing, maturity.
Weaknesses: ▲ foot speed • ▲ rebounding vs size • ▼ verticality.
Frontcourt
Tomislav Buljan — #10, F, 6’9″, Fr.
Projection: 5–7 PPG, 4.0 RPG
🛡 rebounding • 🚀 mobility • ⚙️ rim runner
Strengths: energy, length.
Weaknesses: ▲ strength • ▲ foul trouble • ▼ offensive polish.
JT Rock — #35, C, 7’1″, RS-So.
Projection: 8–10 PPG, 6–7.5 RPG, 1.5 BLK
🧱 size • 🛡 rim protector • 🎯 soft touch • ⚙️ anchor
Strengths: shot blocking, screens, interior scoring.
Weaknesses: ▲ endurance • ▲ mobility in space • ▼ passing.
Unit 1 Hoop Source Final Take
The 2025–26 Lobos embody both volatility and promise. With 14 newcomers under a new head coach, the challenge is cohesion. The pieces, however, fit Olen’s pace-and-space DNA: versatile wings, transition athletes, and a true 7’1 anchor in JT Rock.
The outcome hinges on three metrics:
- Paint protection and defensive rebounding with Rock and Buljan.
- Corner-3 efficiency from Haupt, Miller, and Vicentić.
- Turnovers vs pace when Howell and Albury run the show.
Ceiling: top-5 Mountain West finish, carving an identity as a high-tempo, spacing-driven squad.
Floor: rocky early season as freshmen/role players adjust, but signs of growth by conference play.
This is a rebuild—but one with clear vision. For scouts, evaluators, and fans alike, the Lobos will be one of the most intriguing programs to track in 2025–26.
Editorial Disclaimer (Unit 1 Hoop Source)
This scouting report reflects our independent evaluation based on official roster data, prior performance context, and film-study principles aligned with Eric Olen’s offensive/defensive tendencies. Projected statistics are forecasts, not guarantees, and will evolve with role, opponent, and development. Roster facts are verified against UNM’s official site as of September 21, 2025.
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