The Lobos of New Mexico return to The Basketball Tournament with newfound expectations as The Enchantment.
The Enchantment doubled their all-time TBT victories after a run to the round of 16 last summer in which they took down Austin’s Own and Air Raiders (Texas Tech alumni).
This team doesn’t have the biggest roster, with just 10 players active. But there’s clear chemistry, with three (Scott Bamforth, Troy Simons, Christian Cunningham) of the top four players in MPG from last year’s team returning, and five players with collegiate experience as Lobos.
For more TBT team profiles, click here.
Current Roster:
- Anthony Mathis (New Mexico & Oregon)
- Bryce Alford (UCLA)
- Christian Cunningham (Jacksonville State)
- Isaac Mushila (New Mexico)
- Jacob Wiley (Eastern Washington)
- Joey Brunk (Butler, Indiana, & Ohio State)
- Morris Udeze (New Mexico)
- Roman Martinez (New Mexico)
- Scott Bamforth (Weber State)
- Troy Simons (New Mexico/Kent State)
Coaching Staff:
- Brandon Mason (GM)
- Craig Snow (Assistant Coach)
- Jerome Robinson (Assistant Coach)
- Kenny Thomas (Head Coach)
- Michael Murphy (Assistant Coach)
- Ryan Berryman (GM)
Region: Houston
All-time Record: 3-3
First Matchup: vs. Once a Bronco (July 19 at 4 p.m. on TBT Live)
Team MVP: Scott Bamforth
Bamforth led the team in PPG last year when The Enchantment took home the aforementioned victories over Austin’s Own and Air Raiders. The 34-year-old returns from playing in Liga Endesa to lead The Enchantment on a quest for $1 million. Though he stands at just 6’2”, Bamforth has the ability to score on multiple levels, as shown in both his professional and TBT career.
With Evan Gilyard II gone, Bamforth will have to shoulder more of the offensive load. That, however, is something he’s proved to be able to do in the past. Though he’s getting older, Bamforth is more than capable of leading The Enchantment.
Make-or-break Player: Christian Cunningham
The masses claim that TBT is a guard’s tournament, but every team needs a big man. Cunningham averaged 5.7 offensive rebounds per game, creating second chances for The Enchantment and making the most of every possession. He wasn’t too shabby production-wise either, with an average of 8.3 PPG, a mark that places him 3rd on the team in terms of returning players. The former Jacksonville State Gamecock brings both youth and rim protection to the court as well.
Team Outlook
The Enchantment’s first-round opponent in Houston will be a Mountain West rivalry as they face off against Boise State alumni team Once a Bronco. The former Lobos seem to have the advantage against the Broncos, who enter their second year of TBT competition having yet to win a game. But if they get past their rivals in the first round, a strong test likely awaits them in the second. Houston’s alumni team, Forever Coogs, has both a home-town advantage and a skill advantage, subjectively.
The top seed in the Houston region is Bleed Green, the North Texas alumni team that made the championship last year. Plus, losing Evan Gilyard II and Johnny McCants will hurt. Long story short, The Enchantment has a tough road awaiting them in this year’s iteration of TBT, but they have the talent at the top of the roster to have a chance.