Talking Grammer

In Episode 125 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I caught up with UNM Lobos 7-foot-1 center JT Rock, the transfer from Iowa State who has developed this season into a dangerous weapon for head coach Eric Olen's crew. We cover the bases from his recruitment to Iowa State out of high school to his addiction to shoes to why he goest by JT instead of what those initials stand for. (Hint, I'm not at all happy with his answer!)

In Episode 123 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I caught up with Wyoming Cowboys coach Sundance Wicks who has the Pokes at 9-2 in nonconference play and in the top 60 of the NCAA's NET rankings, arguably completing the most impressive, if not unexpected, nonconference slate in the Mountain West. Wicks talks about his name, his energy, his fondness of laughter and 1990s movies and for coaching in the great venues around the Mountain West, including the Pit.

In Episode 121 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talked with 2025 NCAA Division I Cross Country champion Habtom Samuel, the third-year UNM Lobo star who helped lead the men's team to a second place finish at the race Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Columbia, Missouri. Samuel had been runner up the past two years. I also have interviews from the race with UNM head coach Darren Gauson and UNM Athletic Director Fernando Lovo.

In Episode 119 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez at the 2025-26 men's basketball media day event in Las Vegas, Nevada. We talk about the state of the league, both football and basketball, but primarily give the commissioner an opportunity to discuss ongoing litigation about exit fees and poaching penalties with five schools departing the league after this season to join the rebuilding Pac-12. This podcast was recorded BEFORE the Mountain West officially filed later in the day an 86-page court filing, including counterclaims made against the Pac 12.

In Episode 117 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNM Lobos point guard Deyton Albury, a native of the Bahamas. The senior transfer from Utah State is going to be relied on heavily to lead the new-look Lobos in the first year under head coach Eric Olen. We talk basketball in the Bahamas, compare New Mexican and Bahamian food, he gives three bold basketball predictions, and explains why we're all probably better off that he's here playing basketball and not playing the trumpet.

In Episode 115 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball coach Josh Pastner, who despite never having had a sip of coffee in his life, brought enough energy to light up the Vegas strip. We talk coaching influences, hand writing more than 1,000 letters to college coaches to try and get recruited, playing for and coaching with Lute Olson, Bill Walton, A.J. Bramlett, his desire to get booed relentlessly in the Pit and much more.

In Episode 113 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with Grand Canyon University men's basketball coach Bryce Drew, the newest member of the Mountain West conference. What should the league expect of the Lopes this year? How familiar is he with the league and its venues? And this NMSU grad even gets him to say something nice about NMSU the Aggies.

In Episode 111 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I catch up with new UNM Lobos assistant coach Mike Roberts, the former Indiana player whose experience coaching defense and developing big men will be part of his role on this year's staff. It's the fourth in the five-part series with the new Lobo assistant coaches.

In Episode 109 of the Talking Grammer podcast, UNM had its first open summer practice on Tuesday with the entirely new men's hoops roster under first year coach Eric Olen. I give some of my quick, first reaction thoughts on some players, even projecting a way-too-early starting five and we hear audio from Olen and senior guard Chris Howell, one of the players who followed Olen to UNM from UC San Diego.

In Episode 107 of the Talking Grammer podcast, as the NBA Finals are upon us this week, I caught up with former New Mexico State and UNLV coach Marvin Menzies, who recruited and coached Pascal Siakam. The former Aggies great was a 2016 first round draft pick of the Toronto Raptors and is now with the Indiana Pacers, who are in the NBA Finals, which start this week. I talk with Menzies, who is now the head coach of the Kansas City Roos, about Siakam's growth as a player and a person at NMSU and when he knew Siakam was destined to be great.

In Episode 105 of the Talking Grammer podcast, I talk with Albuquerque's own Lauren Green, who just completed her first season in the NBA as a sideline reporter and host with the Utah Jazz. The Volcano Vista High School graduate who went on to run track at the University of Nevada and get a graduate degree from Arizona State before returning home to work for KOB, is now in the world professional sports journalism.

In Episode 103 of the Talking Grammer podcast I talk with UNM Vice President for Athletics Fernando Lovo who in his first 120 days on the job conducted a national search for a new football coach, navigated the 60-day legislative session with intense lobbying efforts to secure money for UNM Athletics, conducted a national search for a new coach of Lobo basketball, put together most of his leadership team and moved a family of four from Austin to Albuquerque.