McKay faced a major rebuilding project in 2002–03 compounded by further dismissals and injuries that cut the team to seven scholarship players. They languished to a 10–18 finish, the first losing season for the Lobos in twenty years. Senior Ruben Douglas was the lone offensive threat and became the only Lobo ever to lead the nation in scoring, averaging 28 points a game. He was named MWC Player of the Year and finished his career as the fifth leading scorer in Lobo history. A grim year for the program began with a severe spinal cord injury to guard Senque Carey, who would recover fully but never play again. Discipline trouble and player defections continued into the off-season. Misfortune turned to tragedy with the murder of former Lobo Patrick Dennehy – leading to a scandal at Baylor implicating Dave Bliss – and the suicide of Lobo transfer Billy Feeney. Both had close friends and long-time teammates still on the Lobo roster.