New Mexico
New Mexico vs. Colorado State Prediction, Preview, and Odds – 1-2-2024
New Mexico Lobos (12-1) vs. Colorado State Rams (12-1)
The 2023-24 college basketball season goes on Tuesday, January 2, with the New Mexico Lobos squaring off against the Colorado State Rams in the Mountain West Conference showdown at Moby Arena in Fort Collins, Colorado, with the tip-off at 10:30 PM ET.
The Lobos take on the Rams for the first time this term. New Mexico has only won one of its previous six encounters with Colorado State, but the Lobos have beaten the number three times during that stretch. The Rams open as 3.5-point home favorites with a total of 157.0 points, so let’s find the best New Mexico vs. Colorado State pick.
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New Mexico eyes its 12th straight victory
The New Mexico Lobos (12-1; 9-3 ATS) are rolling on a 12-game winning streak following Friday’s 87-54 victory over the E. New Mexico Greyhounds. The Lobos had an easy job, holding the Greyhounds to 34.4% shooting from the field and forcing them into 15 turnovers. Senior guard Jaelen House led the way for New Mexico with 22 points and five assists, while junior forward Nelly Junior Joseph posted a double-double of 13 points and 16 rebounds.
New Mexico is No. 35 in both NCAA NET Rankings and KenPom rankings, while Bart Torvik has the Lobos at No. 31. The Lobos score 112.1 points per 100 possessions (48th in the country) while surrendering 94.4 points in return (24th).
Five Lobos average points in double figures, including Jaelen House (15.3 PPG, 4.0 APG) and sophomore guard Donovan Dent (16.8 PPG, 6.2 APG). Freshman forward JT Toppin is tallying 12.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, while senior guard Jamal Mashburn, who just returned from a seven-game absence caused by a thumb injury, is posting 18.0 points a night.
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Colorado State shoots for its fourth straight W
The Colorado State Rams (12-1; 8-4 ATS) are coming off Friday’s 106-61 dismantling of the Adams State Grizzlies. It was their third victory in a row, and the Rams made 63.1% of their field goals (14-for-28 from deep). Seven players scored in double digits, and senior guard Isaiah Stevens and senior forward Patrick Cartier led the way with 13 points apiece.
Colorado State is No. 15 in the NCAA NET Rankings and No. 30 in the KenPom rankings. The Rams are No. 28 at Bart Torvik, as they score 118.3 points per 100 possessions (10th in the nation) while yielding 99.2 points in return (86th).
Isaiah Stevens is arguably the best player in this Colorado State team. He’s tallying 17.3 points and 7.3 assists per game while making 45.8% of his 3-pointers. Senior guard Nique Clifford notches 13.2 points and 6.1 rebounds, and senior forward Joel Scott adds 12.2 points and 5.8 boards a night.
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Best Bets for this Game
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This is the conference play opener for both New Mexico and Colorado State. It will be a joy to watch and could easily go either way. I’m backing the Lobos to keep it close and cover a small spread on the back of their defense.
New Mexico’s backcourt is loaded with top-notch players. The Lobos should contain Isaiah Stevens, and they certainly have enough offensive firepower to hurt the Rams. New Mexico loves to pick up the pace, and I’m not sure the Rams will be able to slow them down. Colorado State is not an elite defensive team, so I’m expecting to see a dramatic finish.
Prediction: Take the New Mexico Lobos +3.5 (-110)
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As I’ve mentioned above, New Mexico loves to play fast. The Lobos are 13th in the nation in pace (74.7 possessions per 40 minutes), whereas the Rams rank 223rd in this category (68.6). Colorado State has been one of the most dynamic offensive teams in the nation during the non-conference schedule, but their defense has shown some flaws.
Hereof, I’m expecting to see a high-scoring affair at Moby Arena. The over is 7-2 in the last nine encounters between the Lobos and Rams, and it is 7-0 in their previous seven meetings in Fort Collins. I would ride these betting trends.
Prediction: Go over 157.0 points (-110)