Lobo fans are ready to pack The Pit for the season opener

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

The women are entering their third straight season with 20 wins. The men are coming off a historic season in which they became champions of the Mountain West Tournament.

Now fans are preparing to pack The Pit for the opening game of the men's home season. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., tipping time is at 7 p.m

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

“I went to college here 400 years ago and have been a fan forever. I’ve always loved her,” said Tom Kurly, a Lobo women’s basketball fan.

Some fans said they were surprised Monday's game came so early, but were still excited to be back at The Pit.

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

We also found a long-time fan who has had a season ticket 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 started coming to the men's games. Obviously I was too young to have season tickets, but I know people who had season tickets,” said Bonnie Sheehan, a Lobo basketball fan. “I love the excitement. I also love the children because they are young men and women who are advancing their education and also having a lot of fun playing basketball.”

The men's game starts at 7pm on Monday, so there's still time to come and cheer them on. They play Nicholls, who travels from Louisiana.