There might not a better time for The University of New Mexico men's basketball team to be playing on a national stage.

Sitting in sole possession of first place in the Mountain West Conference, the Lobos (21-4 overall, 7-2 MWC) can secure a seat in the nation's collective consciousness with a win Saturday in The Pit against No. 11 UNLV (22-5, 6-3).

Tipoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. The early start comes courtesy of a nationally televised game on CBS.

Don't bother trying to secure tickets. The game has been sold out for more than a week thanks to UNM's dominant play of late.

Winners of six straight -- all by double digits -- the Lobos are the hottest team in a top-heavy conference whose star attractions all season have been the Runnin' Rebels and No. 13 San Diego State.

UNM felled the Aztecs on Wednesday in San Diego. A win against UNLV would likely vault the Lobos into the Top 25 next week.

"This team showed tremendous growth bouncing back the way it has," said Steve Alford, UNM head coach, when addressing his team's 1-2 start in conference play.

UNM's biggest obstacle to another win would appear to be UNLV power forward Mike Moser.

The sophomore is the league leader in rebounds (11.3) and is fourth in scoring (15.0). He'll be paired against UNM forward Drew Gordon who is also averaging a double-double with 12.1 points and 10.7 rebounds.

Gordon had 17 points and 17 boards in the Lobos' 77-67 win at San Diego State, but it's the play of the UNM bench that has been most impressive.

The reserves outscored SDSU's 33-11 and, collectively, the team's depth has become one of its strong suits this season.

If there's a team in the conference that can match UNM's production when it turns to its subs, it's UNLV.

The Rebels' bench outscored the Lobos 26-9 in a 17-point win in Las Vegas on Jan. 21.

Contact Will Webber at 986-3060 or wwebber@sfnewmexican.com.