New Mexico Lobos (14-0) vs. Fresno State Bulldogs (5-8)
The 2022-23 NCAA men’s basketball season continues Tuesday, January 3, with the New Mexico Lobos squaring off against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the Mountain West Conference showdown at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
Last season, the Bulldogs swept their two-game set against the Lobos. Fresno State is undefeated in six straight meetings with New Mexico, but the Bulldogs are listed as 4.5-point home underdogs for Tuesday’s battle.
The New Mexico Lobos (14-0; 8-4-1 ATS; 2-0 conf.) started the conference play with an 88-69 thrashing of the Colorado State Rams this past Wednesday. Three days later, the Lobos visited the Wyoming Cowboys as 1.5-point favorites and escaped with a victory in a dramatic fashion. Junior guard Jamal Mashburn Jr. hit a couple of free throws with 18 seconds remaining in the second half to give the Lobos a one-point lead, while the Cowboys blew a couple of opportunities to grab the win.
Mashburn Jr. finished the game with 20 points and a couple of assists. Senior guard Jaelen House posted a line of 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, five steals, and three blocks, while senior forward Josiah Allick had a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds. The Lobos made 44.3% of their field goals (8-for-21 from deep) and notched a 12/11 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Jaelen House making plays!! #GoLobos
Watch on @FS1 pic.twitter.com/rsSIdCRD8y— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) December 31, 2022
New Mexico is No. 18 in the NCAA NET Rankings and No. 57 in the KenPom rankings. The Lobos rank 37th in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency (110.4 points per 100 possessions) and 87th in adjusted defensive efficiency (97.5). They shoot 53.9% from inside the arc (87th in the nation) and 36.3% from beyond the 3-point line (83rd) while making 19.4 free throws per game (2nd).