‘Everybody’s just excited’: New Mexico’s retentions creates offseason buzz

That belief in the players fueled the players’ belief in them.

“I think to bring them back is a lot about their trust in our staff,” Olen added. “Their progression, their development, the basketball that they’re playing, the environment that they’re in. So we certainly are appreciative of that trust from them.”

But after that stellar freshman campaign, Hall had a rare off night in the most important game of the season – a 1-10 shooting night against San Diego State in the Mountain West Semifinals. If just one more of those shots had dropped, the Lobos would’ve played for a Mountain West title.

He got his chance at making up for it, scoring 19 points per game on 11-21 from three in the regional games during the NIT at The Pit, leading the Lobos to Indianapolis and Hinkle Fieldhouse. There, he had another off night. Hall was just 1-10 from three against Tulsa, and the Golden Hurricane defeated UNM 74-69.

From there, it was decision time. Tenette decided fast. Hall needed time to figure it out. Olen had to find the right things to say, and when to say them. Not only to try to bring him back, but to look out for the best for him in any circumstance.

“We have conversations throughout the year,” Olen said. “The end of the season is always difficult. There’s a lot of emotions when seasons end, especially when you come up short. So with all the guys on the roster, there’s times in this process where you got to let guys breathe and figure some things out on their own, and there’s other times where you’re having more in-depth conversations about the future and what makes sense. I think for all of us, it’s trying to find that balance. Ultimately, we need them to not just want to come back, but want to be part of it. I don’t want them to come back begrudgingly or trick them into it.”

“Our staff does a good job with relationships. So trying to get a feel for (the players) and the people around them in terms of how they’re thinking, which way they’re leaning, when it makes sense to maybe push them and when it makes sense to give them some space. I think this whole thing is much more art than science, and you’re just trying to do right by everybody. If you get good people in the room, and you treat people the right way, and you create an environment that people want to be part of, then it gives you a chance. It doesn’t guarantee anything, but you get a chance to try to keep good players.”

In the meantime, Olen had to figure out some other pieces for his roster. He signed rising sophomore Hudson Mayes from his former school, UC San Diego, where the current head coach is Olen’s longtime second in command, Clint Allard. That’s after losing star big Tomislav Buljan, who was another under-the-radar find last offseason, to Maryland.

There was one commitment though in Albuquerque that hit closer to home for Hall. Even if Olen insists they were completed apart from each other. His younger brother, Dax will join him next season as a freshman.

“Their recruitments are pretty separate, to be honest with you,” Olen said. “Dax is a really good player. If Jake had not come back, we still wanted Dax in the program. I definitely think they went to play together, but I don’t think it was because we took Dax (that Jake came back). And it just certainly didn’t hurt us.”

With Tenette and Hall in tow, along with Mayes coming in, the Lobos have one of the strongest cores in the Mountain West. After the league lost perennial threats Utah State, Boise State, San Diego State, and Colorado State, along with Fresno State, the conference will look much different.

Swapping those schools for Hawaii, UC Davis, and UTEP certainly weakens the league, but it brings new challenges. But there’s nothing Hall and Tenette won’t be ready to face. High expectations won’t bother them.

“I don’t think I need to prepare them for that,” Olen said. “They’re competitive. I don’t think anybody’s outside expectations are going to be any higher than their own expectations. I think if you have players who are in that situation where they have the highest expectations of anybody for themselves, then you don’t have to worry about the outside.”