Team	1	2	T
New Mexico Lobos	28	42	70
San Diego St. Aztecs	39	42	81

Team

New Mexico Lobos

San Diego St. Aztecs

New Mexico and San Diego State to Battle in Crucial Mountain West Conference Match

Game time: February 16, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET

Venue: Viejas Arena — San Diego, CA

Article updated Feb 15, 10:23 PM EST

On Friday, an important Mountain West Conference match between New Mexico and San Diego State will take place. Both teams currently have an 8-4 record and are tied for second

Game outlook

On Friday, an important Mountain West Conference match between New Mexico and San Diego State will take place. Both teams currently have an 8-4 record and are tied for second place in the MWC. The Lobos previously defeated the Aztecs by 18 points in their first meeting but may face a tougher challenge this time on the road. However, last season the Lobos managed to win at SDSU. The game is scheduled for 7 PM PST at the Viejas Arena on February 16th. San Diego State is currently the favored team with a -5.5 point spread, and the betting line has remained unchanged.

Betting Odds

Moneyline: Lobos +200 | Aztecs -240

Spread: Lobos +5.5 (-110) | Aztecs -5.5 (-110)

Total: Over/Under 153 (-110)

Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that San Diego St. will win straight-up is 71%.

New Mexico Lobos

The New Mexico Lobos currently have a record of 20-5 and are tied for second place in the Mountain West conference with an 18-5 record. Despite falling out of the Top 25, they received 27 votes in the AP poll. According to ESPN's Bracketology, they are considered "The Last Four In" group for the NCAA tournament alongside Nevada. The NCAA's Evaluation Tool (NET) currently has the Lobos ranked 22nd, and they have a 2-2 record in Quad 1 games. KenPom ranks the Lobos 23rd on the 86th toughest schedule. In January, the Lobos had an impressive 5-game win streak, winning by an average margin of 20.6 points and covering the spread in each victory. The streak was highlighted by an explosive 89-55 win over the Nevada Wolf Pack. Since then, they have alternated wins and losses with a 2-2 record, including a loss at home against UNLV which gave the Rebels a sweep on the season. However, they just completed a sweep of their own with a 83-82 win over Nevada in Reno. This win gives them a 5-3 record in away games, including 4 straight wins on the road. In their last game against Reno, guard Jamal Mashburn Jr. played a crucial role in leading the Lobos to victory with clutch shots from distance. He scored 17 points, leading New Mexico in scoring, and was supported by 5 double-digit scorers. Coach Richard Pitino expressed his belief in Mashburn, even when he may be in a shooting slump. Senior center Nelly Junior Joseph also had a strong performance with his 5th double-double of the season, scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Statistically, the Lobos average 84.1 points per game, ranking 14th in the nation, while allowing 70.6 points, resulting in a positive scoring margin of 13.5. They have maintained a high scoring rate in Mountain West conference games, averaging 85.8 points in their last 10 games. The Lobos are efficient as a team, with 15.4 assists to just 10.1 turnovers, and they outrebound their opponents with an average of 35.1 to 31.7. They have 4 double-digit scorers, led by their trio of guards Jaelen MASHBURN!!!! #GoLobos 📺 @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/RBJZbP9CPq

San Diego St. Aztecs Analysis

The San Diego State Aztecs currently have a record of 19-6 and are tied for second place in the Mountain West conference with an 8-4 conference record. Although they have recently fallen out of the top 25, they have received 84 votes in the AP Poll. Joe Lunardi's Bracketology predicts that the Aztecs will be a 5 seed and one of 6 teams from the Mountain West competing for an at-large bid in the NCAA tournament. The NCAA's Evaluation Tool (NET) ranks San Diego State 19th, and they have a record of 3-6 in Quad 1 games. According to KenPom, the Aztecs are ranked 18th with the 16th toughest schedule. The Aztecs have been performing well in their competitive Mountain West schedule, winning all 6 conference games at home and having a perfect 12-0 record at their home arena, Viejas. In their latest game, they defeated Colorado State, a team ranked 30th in the NET rankings, by a score of 71-55. San Diego State held Colorado State to their lowest scoring output of the season, 23 points lower than their average. Senior forward Jay Pal had an impressive performance with 3 blocks, making it difficult for Colorado State to penetrate the lane. Aztec star Jaedon LeDee scored 27 points in the game and is averaging 20.3 points per game, ranking 26th in the NCAA. Offensively, the Aztecs are averaging 75.6 points per game while allowing 66.8 points per game, resulting in a positive margin of 8.8 points. Guard Reese Walters is the second-leading scorer on the team, averaging 11.3 points per game and shooting 41.7% from three-point range. The team has a slightly positive assist-to-turnover ratio, with 12.6 assists per game compared to 11.4 turnovers. They also have the advantage in rebounding, averaging 33.6 rebounds per game compared to their opponents' 29.5. The Aztecs have been effective at getting to the free-throw line, taking an average of 22.4 free throws per game and making them at a rate of 73.5%. Defensively, San Diego State is allowing opponents to shoot 40.87% from the field and 70.48% from the free-throw

Aztecs Face Tough Challenge as Lobos Look to Secure Victory

The Aztecs have exhibited exceptional performances in all six of their MWC games in San Diego, with their narrowest victory margin being just 11 points against UNLV in their second conference game at the start of January. Throughout the season, the Aztecs have maintained an average margin of victory of 8.8 points, all while enduring the challenges of the NCAA's 16th toughest schedule. Nevertheless, the upcoming game presents the Aztecs with their toughest challenge on their home court, making it a daunting task for SDSU to cover the 6-point spread on Friday night. In terms of trends, the Aztecs have not fared well against the spread this season, with a record of 17-6, whereas the Lobos have showcased a solid 17-7 record against the spread. Moreover, the Lobos have emerged victorious in their last four road games in the MWC while also covering the posted number. Interestingly, a blog by Ken Pomeroy in 2013 highlighted the significance of a team's ability to dominate in their home gym by a margin of 15 if they aim to secure wins on the road in conference games. Although this is not an infallible formula, it has displayed a fair level of consistency over time. Notably, New Mexico defeated SDSU by 18 at The Pit in January. Analyzing the match-up, New Mexico displayed dominance on the glass against SDSU in their previous encounter, securing a 45-35 rebounding advantage and earning 11 more free throw attempts. Furthermore, the Lobos did not heavily rely on three-point shots, shooting only 29% from distance, which bodes well for their performance on the road. Additionally, the Lobos featured four double-digit scorers, including one player with a double-double, while the Aztecs had only three players reach double figures. There is a strong possibility that the Lobos will once again secure a spot in the AP rankings on Monday, and a victory on the road in this game would undoubtedly solidify their position. Even if they are unable to achieve an upset, the 6-point spread is overly generous. Therefore, it is recommended to consider the Lobos as a live dog and take the points.

New Mexico and San Diego State to Battle in Crucial Mountain West Conference Match

Game outlook

Betting Odds

New Mexico Lobos

San Diego St. Aztecs Analysis

Aztecs Face Tough Challenge as Lobos Look to Secure Victory

Lines, trends and availability

Line movement since open

ATS and O/U trends

Injuries and availability

Recent head-to-head

Matchup pick recap

San Diego St. Aztecs defeated New Mexico Lobos 81-70

SportsJaw editorial picks

Tipster picks

Game outlook

Betting Odds

New Mexico Lobos

San Diego St. Aztecs Analysis

Aztecs Face Tough Challenge as Lobos Look to Secure Victory

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Line movement since open

ATS and O/U trends

Injuries and availability

Recent head-to-head

San Diego St. Aztecs defeated New Mexico Lobos 81-70

SportsJaw editorial picks

Tipster picks