New Mexico

Washington State 2024 Opponent Scouting Report: New Mexico

Published

2 years ago

August 17, 2024

Washington State 2024 Opponent Scouting Report: New Mexico

The Cougs will make a late-season swing through Albuquerque.

Who/When/Where: New Mexico will host Washington State on November 16 as both teams will be looking to make a strong push in the closing weeks of the regular season. The Lobos were nothing to write home about in 2023 but with a new (and experienced) coach leading the way, this fall might bring different fortunes. The Cougars should be favored but will need avoid a big letdown on the road.

Offensive Players to Watch: Caleb Medford (WR), Devon Dampier (QB), Entire OL

Defensive Players to Watch: Christian Ellis (S), Kyler Drake (DL), Dimitri Johnson (LB)

The Lobos offense underwent a major overhaul this offseason and a major part of that was the offensive line. All five projected starters for this year are expected to be incoming transfers after essentially all of last year’s bunch left. Tackles McKenzie Agnello (#66) and Baraka Beckett (#56) came in from Texas A&M-Commerce and Campbell respectively. Guards Wallace Unamba (#76) and Richard Pearce (#78) found their way to UNM from FAU and East Carolina while center Juwaun Singletary (#55) is an ex-Tiger of Grambling State.

There’s a lot of questions surrounding that new-look front right now but, by this juncture of the season, everyone should have some familiarity with each other. The Cougars D line might not be able to exploit inexperience from that group in Week 12. If the line is gelling by mid-November and they’re able to protect quarterback Devon Dampier (#4), then the Lobos might have a chance.

Dampier, a sophomore, is pegged to be the starter this year in place of the dual-threat Dylan Hopkins who graduated after last season. Dampier appeared in nine games as a backup last fall, throwing six touchdowns and no interceptions. He will rely on both his legs and arm to make plays for the Lobos. Dampier can zip passes into tight windows with precision but also knows when to call is own number. He rushed for four scores and 328 yards in 2023. If he indeed gets the nod this year, WSU’s defense will have its hands full with containment.

Washington State 2024 Opponent Scouting Report: San Diego State

When Dampier throws, odds are he’ll look to junior pass-catcher Caleb Medford (#12). Medford was tops on the team last year with 551 receiving yards (30 catches) and a pair of touchdowns. He and fellow receiver Ryan Davis (#18) were threats on the outside for New Mexico a season ago and look to be again. Medford is speedy and adjusts to throws will on the run making him a tough cover. Davis, too, is a viable target that has solid hands and nifty footwork. Both will be key assignments for WSU’s DBs.

On the ground, the UNM offense took another big hit with the departure of last year’s star back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Now it will be Andrew Henry (#2) that gets the rock after running behind Croskey-Merritt. Henry piled up 350 yards and three TDs last year. His mix of great downfield vision and cutback ability makes him difficult to tackle. Henry has shown he’s a viable pass-catching option as well.

When the Cougars are in possession, their primary focus should fall on safety Christian Ellis (#8). Ellis is the playmaker of the secondary, coming in off a sophomore season that saw him knock down four passes and log 59 tackles. His speed allows him to hone in the ball carrier and he covers distance with the best of them. Ellis can get behind the line when asked to on blitzes and go deep downfield stride for stride with receivers as well.

Linebacker Dimitri Johnson (#22) and edge rusher Kyler Drake (#45) will handle business over the middle and up front. Both seniors were key pieces of the UNM defense last year. Johnson was responsible for 48 stops and was a master in turning the ball over, recovering two fumbles and forcing another. He’ll use his hands to punch at the ball when he’s in position to and is great at wrapping up when tackling. Drake, who authored 3.5 sacks and six TFLs last year, is a stonewalling defender, specifically in the run game.

Final Analysis: This is a very winnable road game for the Cougars and with the contest coming as late as it does in the year, depth might be a major issue for a New Mexico group that’ll be trying to find its chemistry this season, especially if injuries are in play. That being said this is not a group that Washington State should take lightly. There’s enough returning experience, especially on defense, for the Lobos that might make them sneaky competitive in a lot of games this fall. If WSU’s defense can get through that revamped line to keep Dampier in check and the offense can avoid a letdown against a defense it should have the upper hand on, you’ve got to like the Cougs’ chances.

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New Mexico

School Danger Zones: Data reveals alarming number of shootings near New Mexico schools

Published

17 minutes ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

School Danger Zones: Data reveals alarming number of shootings near New Mexico schools

On average, more than once a week, there is a shooting near a school in New Mexico, and nearly half the time, someone is killed.According to data obtained by the Get the Facts Data Team, there have been 833 shootings adjacent to New Mexico’s schools in the past ten years, resulting in 526 people killed.”When you first told me the numbers, I thought I heard you wrong,” said Darren White, former Bernalillo County sheriff and public safety director. “I was shocked that there are so many shootings close proximity to our schools,” White said that numerous state laws make penalties harsher for crimes occurring near schools, including firearm possession and drug dealing. “We put laws in place years ago because we recognize that schools should be sanctuaries, right?” White said.La Mesa Elementary in Albuquerque’s International District leads the list. In the past ten years, there have been 24 shootings within 500 yards of this school, resulting in 20 deaths. However, this school is not alone in being close to gunfire.A map from the data team shows that statewide, Missouri Avenue and Valley View Elementary Schools in Roswell had 11 and 8 shootings, respectively, while Las Montanas Charter and Lynn Middle Schools in Las Cruces both had 8 and 8 respectively.”If it’s being reported that it’s over 800 in this period of time, how many more are taking place that haven’t been reported that we didn’t know about?” White asked. “And so I would argue, like in many of our crime stats, that number is even higher. And, uh … It’s chilling, it really is.”These shooting have either occurred at or close to the shools.For instance, 16-year-old Andrew Burson was killed right next to the football field at West Mesa High School. Another incident involved a shooting right outside Sandia High School and Christ Lutheran School, which led to both institutions being locked down in the middle of the day.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

On average, more than once a week, there is a shooting near a school in New Mexico, and nearly half the time, someone is killed.

According to data obtained by the Get the Facts Data Team, there have been 833 shootings adjacent to New Mexico’s schools in the past ten years, resulting in 526 people killed.

“When you first told me the numbers, I thought I heard you wrong,” said Darren White, former Bernalillo County sheriff and public safety director. “I was shocked that there are so many shootings close proximity to our schools,”

White said that numerous state laws make penalties harsher for crimes occurring near schools, including firearm possession and drug dealing.

“We put laws in place years ago because we recognize that schools should be sanctuaries, right?” White said.

La Mesa Elementary in Albuquerque’s International District leads the list. In the past ten years, there have been 24 shootings within 500 yards of this school, resulting in 20 deaths. However, this school is not alone in being close to gunfire.

A map from the data team shows that statewide, Missouri Avenue and Valley View Elementary Schools in Roswell had 11 and 8 shootings, respectively, while Las Montanas Charter and Lynn Middle Schools in Las Cruces both had 8 and 8 respectively.

“If it’s being reported that it’s over 800 in this period of time, how many more are taking place that haven’t been reported that we didn’t know about?” White asked. “And so I would argue, like in many of our crime stats, that number is even higher. And, uh … It’s chilling, it really is.”

These shooting have either occurred at or close to the shools.

For instance, 16-year-old Andrew Burson was killed right next to the football field at West Mesa High School.

Another incident involved a shooting right outside Sandia High School and Christ Lutheran School, which led to both institutions being locked down in the middle of the day.

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New Mexico

New Mexico vs. Tulsa Prediction Odds, Key Player to Watch for NIT Semifinal

Published

12 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico vs. Tulsa Prediction Odds, Key Player to Watch for NIT Semifinal

It’s not just the NCAA Tournament that’s down to the final four teams, but the NIT also has just four teams remaining in its bracket. The semifinals are set to begin on Thursday night, with the first of two games being a showdown between New Mexico from the Mountain West and Tulsa from the American.

Let’s dive into the odds and my best bet for Thursday night’s matchup, with a berth in the NIT final on the line.

New Mexico vs. Tulsa Odds, Spread, and Total

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

Spread

New Mexico -3.5 (-118)
Tulsa +3.5 (-104)

Moneyline

New Mexico -178
Tulsa +146

Total

OVER 161.5 (-110)
UNDER 161.5 (-110)

New Mexico vs. Tulsa How to Watch

Date: Thursday, April 2
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
Venue: Hinkle Fieldhouse
How to Watch (TV): ESPN
New Mexico Record: 26-10
Tulsa Record: 29-7

New Mexico vs. Tulsa Betting Trends

Tulsa is 1-5 ATS in its last six games
The OVER is 8-3 in Tulsa’s last 11 games
Tulsa is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games as an underdog
New Mexico is 5-0-1 ATS in its last six games
The OVER is 13-7 in New Mexico’s last 20 games

New Mexico vs. Tulsa Key Player to Watch

David Green, F – Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

If Tulsa wants to pull off the upset and win this game, they need David Green to step up in a big way. He’s the team’s leading scorer, averaging 15.7 points per game, but he scored just five points in the NIT quarterfinal. Let’s see if he can bounce back with a strong performance tonight.

New Mexico vs. Tulsa Prediction and Pick

Tulsa has already beaten one Mountain West team in the NIT, taking down UNLV by a score of 77-66, and I think they can at least cover as underdogs against New Mexico.

The Golden Hurricanes are one of the best shooting teams in college basketball, ranking 25th in effective field goal percentage. Well above New Mexico, which comes in at 70th in that metric. Tulsa is also a solid team defensively, ranking 106th in defensive efficiency.

The Mountain West continues to be an overrated conference. Their regular season and tournament champion lost in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, Colorado State and Wyoming both lost in the first round of the NIT, and UNLV fell in the second round to Tulsa.

I’m going to continue to follow my strategy of fading the Mountain West in postseason tournaments.

Pick: Tulsa +3.5 (-104) via FanDuel

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