New Mexico Lobos host Utah State Aggies at the PIT
Game: Utah State Aggies vs. New Mexico Lobos
Date: Sunday, February 16, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m. MST 4:00 EST
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Venue: The PIT
Radio: Lobo Sports Network, Rob Portnoy/Hunter Green
TV: CBS Sports Network
THE SERIES: Utah State leads the series 34-15
The New Mexico Lobos (21-4, 13-1 MWC) will attempt to extend their seven-game win streak when they host the Utah State Aggies (22-3, 12-2 MWC) in the PIT in Albuquerque.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
MWC-leading New Mexico (21-4, 13-1) rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit Wednesday night to win 71-67 against Wyoming (11-14, 4-10) at home.
Freshman Jovan Milicevic hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 30 seconds left, finishing with 10 points and a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc.
Donovan Dent led New Mexico with 20 points and seven assists, Tru Washington contributed 15 points, and CJ Noland added 12 points off the bench.
Nelly Junior Joseph, who had his five-game double-double streak, snapped, scored 11 points, and grabbed eight rebounds.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
New Mexico has surged to seven consecutive wins since a shocking loss to San Jose State (12-14, 5-9) on a last second shot, with decisive victories over Utah State, Boise State, and Colorado State. The Lobos are chasing their first MWC regular-season title since 2012-13.
“I think you could feel the pressure,” Lobos head coach Richard Pitino said post-game. “It’s that time of the year, and you better learn how to deal with it.”
“It’s great to play meaningful games, whether winning the league or seeding for the conference tournament, the NCAA Tournament. It’s great, and it’s a privilege.”
Coach Pitino and his staff have the Lobos on an impressive roll, consistently finding ways to win games.
All good teams go through adversity, injuries (example Mustapha Amzil) but the really good teams always seem to find a way to win games, thats been the Lobos this year.
With the outstanding leadership of one of the best point guards and post players in the NCAA, Donovan Dent and Nelly Jr Joseph, the team has flourished.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
The increasing contributions from the Lobo bench, enhancing both offensive and defensive performance at crucial moments, have been the perfect ingredients for success for the UNM Lobo Basketball program.
To see what Pitino and staff have done this year after losing some serous offensive & defensive firepower in Jaelen House, Jamal Mashburn and JT Toppin screams volumes what the Lobos have in Richard Pitino and staff.
Defending MWC champion Utah State still faces road tests against New Mexico, Boise State, and Colorado State.
New Mexico dominated in Logan in their first matchup, winning 82-63 and playing one of the most complete games from an offensive and defensive perspective.
One day earlier, Utah State (22-3, 12-2) defeated Colorado State (15-9, 9-4) at home, 93-85.
The Lobos, who have won seven straight games overall, and the Aggies are set to meet at 2 p.m.
On Sunday in Albuquerque. New Mexico won the previous team meeting on the road, 82-63.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
Mountain West Showdown: Utah State Aims to Avenge Home Loss Against Streaking Lobos
The Utah State Aggies have a chance to redeem themselves after suffering only their second home loss of the season when they face the New Mexico Lobos in a high-stakes Sunday matinee.
The Lobos played lights out and defeated the favored Aggies 82-63 at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in Logan, Utah, on February 1.
With 22 wins heading into the weekend—tied with Auburn and Drake for the most in the nation, Utah State is enjoying a historic season, matching the 19th-most wins in program history.
Clash at The Pit
The Aggies (22-3, 12-2 MW) will travel to Albuquerque to take on the Mountain West-leading Lobos (21-4, 13-1 MW) on February 16.
Photo Courtesy of KSLSports.com
Utah State has been impressive on the road, boasting a 7-1 record in true away games being one of the most balanced teams in the NCAA when one looks at the numbers.
Both teams rank among the best in the Mountain West, particularly on offense. New Mexico leads the league in scoring 83.2 points per game (13th in the nation). In comparison, Utah State closely follows with an average of 81.8 points (26th nationally).
The minimal difference in their average win margins, separated by only a tenth of a point, sets the stage for an intensely competitive showdown.
The Aggies come to Albuquerque with a lot to prove, so the Lobos can not afford a slow start in this game if they want to seal the deal for a potential Mountain West Conference Championship.
Both teams are at that point in the season that there is just too much on the line from a post season seating perspective.
Utah State enters as the most efficient shooting team in the conference, converting 49.8 percent of their field goal attempts.
Photo Courtesy (USU Athletics, Triston Hartfiel)
They will aim to challenge New Mexico’s defense inside and beyond the arc.
Ball control will also be crucial, as both teams lead the Mountain West in turnover margin, showcasing their disciplined play.
Lobos on Fire
New Mexico carries a ten-game winning streak into the weekend after narrowly escaping an upset bid from Wyoming on Wednesday.
The Cowboys’ defense limited the Lobos to just 41.8 percent shooting, including a sluggish 32 percent in the first half.
Star guard and potential MW Player of the Year Donovan Dent continues to shine, averaging 19.6 points per game.
He also ranks second in the conference with 6.5 assists per game and contributes defensively with 1.6 steals.
In the Lobos’ victory over Utah State on February 1, Dent posted 14 points, six assists, four rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
Keys to the Game
Utah State Aggies player Ian Martinez must counter Dent’s dynamic play, while the Aggies must maintain defensive intensity for 40 minutes.
Guard Mason Falslev acknowledged his team’s second-half struggles, emphasizing the importance of consistency. “We guard well in the first half, then struggle in the second half… We just need to have a well-rounded game.
We can’t be too high or too low. We’ve got to be consistent and go at them all night. We’ve got to fight as a team.”
Historically, Utah State leads 34-14 over New Mexico, including a 15-10 record since joining the Mountain West.
However, the Lobos have held the advantage in Albuquerque, leading 16-11 at The Pit.
The Lobos must not start slow but play their game, the up-tempo, can not lose the rebound battle and intense defense to create win the turnover battle.
Aggies are determined to avenge the loss in a most embarrassing way against the Lobos at home, so the Lobos must be focused as a team.
The Aggies and Lobos dominate the Mountain West leaderboards, both individually and as a team. New Mexico boasts one of the top offenses in the league, scoring 83.2 points per game (13th in the nation), compared to Utah State’s 81.8 points (26th in the country).
With a mere tenth of a point separating their average win margins, the competition is fierce.
Utah State leads the MW in shooting percentage at 49.8% and aims to challenge the Lobos’ defense from all angles.
Both teams excel in ball protection, ranking first and second in the conference for turnover margin.
Riding a ten-game winning streak, New Mexico enters the weekend with momentum after narrowly escaping a Wyoming upset on Wednesday night. The Cowboys’ defense held the Lobos to 41.8% shooting, including 32% in the first half.
Donovan Dent, a potential MW Player of the Year candidate, has created nearly a two-point gap between himself and the league’s second-leading scorer, Tyson Degenhart. Dent averages 19.6 points and 6.5 assists per game, along with 1.6 steals, ranking sixth in the league.
In the Lobos’ February 1 win, Dent contributed 14 points, six assists, four rebounds, two steals, and a block.
New Mexico Lobos
- Donovan Dent leads the team with 19.6 points and 6.5 assists per game (ranked ninth nationally), adding 2.6 rebounds.
- Nelly Junior Joseph dominates the boards with a team-best 10.9 rebounds while also contributing 13.6 points and 1.2 assists, shooting 55.3% from the field.
- Mustapha Amzil averages 12.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
Photo Courtesy of Deseret.com
Utah State Aggies
- Mason Falslev leads the team in rebounding (6.2 per game) while posting 14.8 points and 3.8 assists, shooting 50.7% overall and 40.9% from three with 1.5 made threes per game.
- Ian Martinez paces the Aggies in scoring (16.9 points per game) and assists (2.9), adding 3.4 rebounds while shooting 44.3% from the field and 37.2% from deep with 2.3 made threes per game.
- Karson Templin contributes 8.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists while recording 0.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.
A victory for the Aggies on Sunday would level them with New Mexico in the conference standings and tighten the race for the Mountain West crown.
With high-powered offenses, disciplined defenses, and significant conference implications at stake, this Mountain West showdown is set to be one of the season’s most electrifying matchups.