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UNLV vs. New Mexico Preview & Score Prediction
Check out the UNLV vs. New Mexico game preview and score prediction
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UNLV (19-9, 8-7) vs. New Mexico (14-14, 9-6) Game Preview
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Game Info
Date: Sunday, February 25th
Tip-off: 12:00 pm MT/11:00 am PT
Venue: Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit, Albuquerque, NM
Radio: ESPN Radio 1100 AM/100.9 FM Las Vegas/770 KKOB-AM LOBO RADIO NETWORK
TV/stream: CBS Sports Network
Projected Runnin’ Rebels Lineup
G Jordan Johnson – scored 13 points in the Rebels blow out loss to Fresno State
G Jovan Mooring
F Tervelle Beck
F ShakurJuiston
C Brandon McCoy
Projected New Mexico Lineup
G Antino Jackson
G Makuach Maluach – Scored 20 points in the Lobos win over Wyoming
G Chris McNeal
F Dane Kuiper
F Joe Furstinger
Why UNLV Will Win
This is now one of the most important games of the season for the Runnin’ Rebels. Mired in midst of a two game losing streak which has seen the team blown out twice, first by SDSU and then by Fresno State, UNLV now sits in fifth, but tied with SDSU and Wyoming at 8-7. Losing would put the Rebels in serious jeopardy of having to play in the first round of the Moutain West Tournament, meaning four games in four days in order to secure the automatic bid to the NCAA’s. The good thing for the Rebels, is they have been good on the road (last weeks loss to SDSU excluded) as they have won at Nevada, and lost narrowly to Boise State in over time. New Mexico isn’t an overly big team, as their tallest starter, Joe Furstinger, is just 6’9″, so if UNLV can use their size to control the boards, and score in the paint, they should have a good chance of leaving the vaunted Pit with a huge road win.
Why New Mexico Will Win
In the Lobos 119-114 regulation win over Wyoming (yes, you read that correctly, that was the score in regulation) they recevied a huge game from forward Sam Longwood, who came off the bench to score 24 points. Even though Longwood is coming off the bench, he’s likely the Lobos most talented player. If they receive a similar game from him, which is likely, given the Rebels struggles defending in the post, they have a good chance of securing the victory, and further distancing themselves in the standings from UNLV, SDSU and Wyomiong.
KenPom Line
UNM -1, o/u 171
Score Prediction
UNLV 87, New Mexico 85