SAN JOSE, Calif. — After the dream season The University of New Mexico Lobos have already strung together, they aren't about to let a little thing like the infamous Sports Illustrated jinx get in their way.

So the Lobos decided to bite back before the jinx bit them.

Wednesday's edition of the national magazine, the same magazine known through the years for occasionally bringing bad luck to those featured in its pages, has a two-page feature on the Lobos.

Included in the spread are pictures of Lobos head coach Steve Alford and players Darington Hobson, Roman Martinez, Dairese Gary and Phillip McDonald, all taken by SI photographer John W. McDonough.

About 15 minutes into Wednesday's open practice for the Lobos at San Jose's HP Pavilion, with McDonough sitting near one of the baskets, an errant Lobos shot led to a ball drilling the unsuspecting photographer in the head.

McDonough dropped to the ground and required medical attention, and paramedics even wheeled a stretcher out on the court before determining it was not necessary.

And the Lobos wonder why they don't get more national media attention.

Ticket rush

As the only current Lobo with California roots, Nate Garth was peppered all week by friends, family and casual contacts for tickets to today's game.

While he hadn't made the final list as of Wednesday evening, he knew his parents, grandparents and siblings would be getting tickets.

Some who might not make the cut?

"I had an old girlfriend call and ask, and even some people I hadn't seen since middle school," said Garth.

High honors

A Montana-based reporter asked UNM head coach Steve Alford on Wednesday if he ever had the governor of Indiana declare a state 'Steve Alford Day' similar to the recent 'Roman Martinez Day' declared by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

Alford, who said Martinez was very deserving, said he couldn't think of an honor quite like that one for himself.

But his middle school coach from New Castle, Ind., could.

Carl Benson, who was at the HP Pavilion on Wednesday during the practice, said Alford's hometown of New Castle had a day in his honor in 1984 when he came home from helping lead Team USA to a gold medal.

"They rolled out the red carpet for him," Benson said. "It was amazing. The whole town came out for that."

From Hobbs to Tennessee

Former Hobbs High School star Jeffrey Taylor, now a sophomore swingman for the Vanderbilt Commodores, the No. 4 seed in the West Region who plays No. 13 Murray State today in San Jose, was asked about how he adjusted to Nashville, Tenn., coming from southeastern New Mexico.

"It was pretty easy, I'm an easygoing guy, so getting used to how life is in Nashville, pretty easy going, people are nice to you as it was in New Mexico," Taylor said.

He also had high praise for the Lobos.

"Coach Alford has done a great job with the program, and it's fun," Taylor said. "Hopefully we will be able to watch 'em play, and I wish 'em the best of luck."

It's the hair

Had the Pitt Panthers not beaten Marquette on Feb. 18, things could have been real hairy on Wednesday.

The Marquette Golden Eagles started Big East play 2-5, and head coach Buzz Williams instructed his team to stop cutting their hair.

The same team that all shaved their heads entering last year's NCAA Tournament, this year began finding Samson-like strength in their locks, winning five straight and re-entering the NCAA Tournament picture.

They cut it after Pitt beat them on Feb. 18.

So why all the hair superstitions?

"If you're listening to me for the first time, you can tell I have quirks and idiosyncrasies about me," said Williams, still sporting a tight buzz cut. "I used to get my haircut every Friday at noon, and all the gel and the conditioner and the certain things used to begin to wear me out, and it was my way of saving money in preparation for our first child. So that was the first time I'd grown out my hair in eight and a half years."

With the call

The CBS broadcast team calling today's UNM game, and all games in San Jose, will be longtime broadcaster Bob Wenzel and Los Angeles Lakers radio broadcaster Spiro Dedes.

Dedes said he has been following the Lobos all season, but has also leaned on good friends at the Mountain Network for additional scouting reports.

Dedes also spent several minutes talking with a Lobos reporter about Roman Martinez and how the UNM senior wasn't recruited by hometown UTEP or nearby New Mexico State University, which is where his grandfather, Kiko Martinez, is a member of the Aggies' Hall of Fame for basketball.

Contact Geoff Grammer at 986-3060 or ggrammer@sfnewmexican.com. Read his blog at grammerschoolblog.com.