The rise of the program continued in the 1964–65 season, led by sophomores Mel Daniels and Ben Monroe. After an early loss at Kansas, the Lobos won ten straight, later building a 19–3 record and attaining a #10 national ranking, their first appearance in the AP poll. They dropped their next four games on the road, however, including a one-point loss at #10 BYU. They were again invited to the NIT, where they lost to St. John's to finish 19–8. Daniels averaged over 17 points and 11 rebounds a game, providing the fast-growing Lobo fan base a preview of things to come. Due to the success of King's first three seasons, attendance at Johnson Gym more than doubled, and plans to build a larger arena began to take shape. In the 1965–66 season, Daniels averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds a game, and the Lobos raced out to an 11–1 record after beating #7 BYU. They faltered down the stretch though and finished 16–8, completing the team's best four-year stretch in nearly forty seasons.