Utah Tech opens its 2026-27 men’s basketball season Monday at New Mexico, beginning its first year in the Big Sky after a program-best Division I season. The Trailblazers return preseason All-Big Sky forward Ethan Potter and add 10 newcomers; they’ll face a Lobos team picked to win the Mountain West.

By the Numbers
  • Utah Tech went 19-15 overall and 11-7 in the WAC last season.
  • New Mexico finished 26-11, including a 13-7 Mountain West record.
  • Potter averaged 16.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game last season.
  • The teams’ only previous meeting ended in a 72-63 New Mexico win in 2021.
Yes, But

Utah Tech showed promise in two exhibition wins, but those results came against nonconference opponents and don’t guarantee success against a New Mexico team returning preseason Mountain West Player of the Year Jake Hall.

State of Play
  • Tipoff is Monday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. at The Pit in Albuquerque.
  • Utah Tech was picked seventh in both Big Sky preseason polls; New Mexico was the Mountain West favorite.
  • The Trailblazers open their home schedule Wednesday against Grace U.
What's Next

Utah Tech begins conference play in the Big Sky this season. Its immediate next test is Wednesday’s home opener at Burns Arena.

Bottom Line

Utah Tech starts a new conference chapter with a tough road test: the returning core and Potter’s production will need to translate against a nationally ambitious New Mexico squad.