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The Mountain West Conference continues league play on Saturday with a matchup between the New Mexico Lobos (15-3, 3-2 MWC) and the Air Force Falcons (7-9, 0-4 MWC). New Mexico is coming off a big home win over #16 Utah State 99-86, covering as 5.5-point favorites over the ranked team. Air Force lost a tough one in overtime to Colorado State, going down 78-69, but covered as 15.5-point road underdogs. These teams split their matchups last season, with each team winning at home. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 EST from Clune Arena in Colorado Springs and can be found on CBSSN.
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The New Mexico Lobos are currently listed as the “First Team Out” in Joe Lunardi's Bracketology. It does get updated every day, so it is likely to change, but it is clear New Mexico is right on the bubble in terms of making the Big Dance. They did themselves a big favor in their last two games, beating ranked opponents two games in a row. New Mexico took down #19 San Diego State, and followed it up by beating #16 Utah State, with both games at home. In the Utah State game, New Mexico was led by big man Nelly Junior Joseph with 26 points and eight rebounds in the win.
?? Another ranked team left The Pit with an L. #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/eUFZQcGmGy
— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) January 17, 2024
The Lobos have three guards all averaging over 15.0 PPG, they are led by Jamal Mashburn Jr. with 15.9 PPG as a 6'2 senior guard. He has scored in double figures in all but one game this season, and has a high of 29 that came against UT-Arlington. The top shooter on the team is Jaelen House, he is a 6'0 senior guard with 28 made threes on the season on 38.0% shooting from deep. House averages 15.5 PPG and grabs 2.6 steals per game, and he recently put up 26 points in the win over San Diego State. The third scorer is 6'2 sophomore point guard Donovan Dent, he averages 15.1 PPG and also leads the team in assists with 6.4 per game. The best frontcourt player on the team is 6'9 freshman JT Toppin, he averages 12.7 PPG and a team high 7.9 RPG.
New Mexico is currently ranked 31st overall according to KenPom. They rank 60th in offensive efficiency and 28th in defensive efficiency. The guard-oriented team plays fast, they are ran ked 8th in the entire nation in tempo based on their quick pace of play.
Injury Report:
Questionable: G Jemarl Baker Jr. (5.6 PPG)