ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Lobo basketball returned to The Pit on Monday. The men’s and women’s teams open the season.

The women end their third season in a row with twenty wins. The men are fresh off a historic season that saw them become Mountain West Tournament champions.

Now fans are preparing to pack The Pit for the opening game of the men’s home season. Doors open at 5:30 PM and tip-off is at 7:00 PM

But fans can come early and take photos with the Mountain West trophy before the game.

“I studied here 400 years ago and will always be a fan. I have loved them forever,” said Tom Kurly, a Lobo women’s basketball fan.

Some fans say they were surprised it was so early on Monday, but they were still excited to be back in The Pit.

The women lost to NAU in a close game, 80-78. Some fans we spoke to said they would be back for tonight’s game.

We also found an old fan who has been a season ticket holder for the women’s team since 1996. But she’s been a fan for much longer than just the Don Flanagan era.

“I’ve been going to the men’s games since 1967. I was a sophomore in high school when I went to the men’s games. Obviously I was too young to have season tickets, but I know people who did have season tickets,” said Bonnie Sheehan, a Lobo basketball fan. “I like the excitement. I also love the kids because these are young men and women who are progressing with their education and also having a great time playing basketball.”

The men’s match starts at 7pm on Monday, so you still have time to cheer them on. They play Nicholls who travels from Louisiana.