ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Even though four starters are back, this will be a new-look New Mexico team since the coachs son has left the program to finish his career at Ole Miss.An often tumultuous relationship between point guard Cullen Neal and the fans in the town where he grew up led to his departure and leaves the Lobos minus one returning starter.Cullen doesnt play for me, coach Craig Neal said in responding to a question about his son. You have to go to Ole Miss press conferences.Still, his absence will have an impact.Any time you lose somebody who was going to be your fifth starter, its different. It affects you, coach Neal said.But with a solid nucleus of returning players, the Lobos seek to return to the postseason after a disappointing two-year absence.Leading the way for New Mexico will be a pair of first-team all-Mountain West players in guard Elijah Brown, who led the conference in scoring at 21.7, and power forward Tim Williams, who averaged 16.8.Its led to optimism that the Lobos will be back to challenge for the conference crown again.We had some really high moments and we had some really low moments, Neal said. Now were looking for more consistency. Im really excited because these guys are a year older. I think were on an uptick. The program is on an uptick from where we thought it was going to be.Here are some things to consider as the Lobos chase San Diego State for Mountain West supremacy:WHATS THE POINT: Cullen Neals departure -- he can play right away and will have two seasons of eligibility as a graduate transfer -- leaves a gaping hole at point guard. But coach Neal is convinced returning sophomore Jordan Hunter and incoming freshman Jalen Harris will be effective.Hopefully, well figure it out real soon, Neal said. It wont take very long to figure out whos going to be that fifth guy. I think Jordan and Jalen Harris will be able to do a good job.EXPERIENCED HANDS: Guard Sam Logwood and rail-thin 7-footer Obij Aget are the other returning starters, while six other Lobos also saw minutes last season, led by versatile Xavier Adams, who saw time at forward, off guard and shooting guard.Were excited about where we are as a team, Neal said. Were excited about our depth athletically. I like out athletic ability. I think we have some frontcourt depth this year that we didnt have. I think we can play Xavier Adams at a couple of different positions with his energy and glue and making different little plays.NEWCOMER NUANCES: Of the players new to the Lobos, Arizona State transfer Connor MacDougall is gathering the most attention. A 6-foot-9 redshirt sophomore, MacDougall played in six games for the Sun Devils before deciding to move on.I wish we had him last year, Neal said. He does a lot of good things. He can rebound it. Hes active. Hes big, hes strong. He can score the ball. Hes got great hands. He gives us another guy we can go to on the block.WHERES THE D: The Lobos under Neal and former coach Steve Alford were always defense-oriented. Last year, New Mexicos defense suffered, allowing more than 73 points a game, and it got even worse as the Lobos played out the string.We have to get better on the defensive end, Neal said. The last six games last year, we gave up 77 points a game and we cant turn the ball over like we did last year.BROWN HAMSTRUNG: For the Lobos to have any real chance of getting back into the Mountain West upper echelon, Brown has to be at the top of his game. But he has been sitting out of practice as he recuperates from a hamstring problem that arose at the end of last season. On the pre-season Jerry West Award watch list, Brown is a capable outside shooter who can also drive the lane. But not when hes hindered.Its concerning because its still bothering him, Neal said. Were trying to get him as well as we can and get him 100 percent. Im not going to put him out there at 80 or 85 with a chance of him getting hurt again. Its a lingering situation. Chaussure Vans Old Skool Pas Cher . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. Vans Old Skool Soldes . 10 Texas Rangers jersey for one last time. Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons. http://www.pascheroldskool.fr/ . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Basket Old Skool Pas Cher . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. Old Skool France . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings and the Carolina Hurricanes could both be without key players when they meet on Tuesday night.Detroit hosts Carolina at Joe Louis Arena at 7:30.Red Wings left wing and alternate captain Justin Abdelkader missed Saturday nights 3-0 win against the San Jose Sharks with a lower-body injury and he is day-to-day. Detroit coach Jeff Blashill has not ruled him out for Tuesday.Abdelkader has a goal and is minus-2 in five games.Hurricanes left wing Jeff Skinners status is uncertain after he missed practice on Monday but worked out in the PNC Arena weight room.Skinner did not appear to be injured Saturday during Carolinas 6-3 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. He was involved in a late scrap with Flyers right wing Wayne Simmonds in front of the benches and each was sent off with a roughing penalty.Hurricanes coach Bill Peters said Skinner was not concussed but the team was waiting on results of medical testing. Skinner is day-to-day and will make the one-game game trip to Detroit.I think hes OK, Peters told the Charlotte News-Observer.Skinner owns two goals and six points in five games and is tied with Lee Stempniak for the team scoring lead.Carolina (1-2-2) has yet to play a home game this season.Peters said the team has given up too many goals but does not blame goalies Came Ward and Eddie Lack.He said the Canes five-man play needed to be better, helping the goalies.We knew we had more skill. Now we have to make sure our wwork ethic is where it was last year, he said.dddddddddddd We had a very hard-working team last year. Weve got to get back to that.The Red Wings are 4-2-0 after winning four straight.Before beating San Jose on Saturday, Detroit defeated the Nashville Predators 5-3 at home on Friday night to make it two straight against top teams from the Western Conference.These two games I think we took steps forward as a team, coach Jeff Blashill told mlive.com. We got to measure ourselves against two real good teams. So far, everybody weve played was a playoff team last year, with the exception of Ottawa, and they look to be improved.The Red Wings defensemen played particularly well in the last two wins and are doing a good job of limiting turnovers, preventing opponents from getting easy chances and getting the puck out of the zone quickly.I think were playing better in our own end, left wing and captain Henrik Zetterberg said. I think were faster. Were stopping them a little easier. Theyre not spending as much time (in Red Wings zone) as they did the first two games. When we do that, we spend more time in their end.Detroit defenseman Mike Green was the NHLs Third Star for last week after his first career hat trick in a 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators in the season opener at Joe Louis Arena.Green also posted two assists in four games. ' ' '