UNM Lobos host Boise State for big MWC game FS1
Game: Boise State vs New Mexico Lobos
Date: Friday, January 16, 2025
Location: Albuquerque, NM The Pit in Albuquerque, NM
Time: 8:00
Radio: Lobo Sports Network Rob Portnoy/ Hunter Green
TV: FS1 play-by-play Derek Clarke and analyst Casey Jacobsen
Boise State Broncos (13-5, 5-2 MWC) at New Mexico Lobos (14-4, 6-1 MWC)
Mountain West Showdown: Lobos Host Preseason Favorite Boise State on Friday Night
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico men’s basketball team, tied for the top spot in the Mountain West, is set to host preseason conference favorite Boise State in a Friday night showdown at The Pit. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m., with the game airing live on FS1.
The Lobos (14-4, 6-1 MW) are off to a strong start, sharing the Mountain West lead. A victory Friday would give New Mexico its best eight-game start in conference play (7-1) since joining the league.
Key contributors include Donovan Dent, who leads the conference in scoring with 19.0 points per game, and Nelly Junior Joseph, the league’s top rebounder, averaging 9.8 boards per game.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
Meanwhile, Boise State (13-5, 5-2 MW) enters the game riding high after a dominant 96-55 victory over Wyoming on Tuesday—their most significant margin of victory in a Mountain West game in four years.
Led by Tyson Degenhart, the preseason conference player of the year and the team’s leading scorer at 17.7 points per game, the Broncos will build on last year’s regular-season success against the Lobos.
However, when it mattered most, New Mexico got the upper hand, defeating Boise State in the Mountain West Tournament quarterfinals.
The Lobos lead the all-time series 14-12, including an impressive 8-4 record in The Pit, one of college basketball’s most notorious venues for visiting teams.
New Mexico will wrap up its two-game homestand on Monday afternoon with a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matchup against Fresno State.
Tip-off for the matinee is set for 3:00 p.m., with the game airing on CBSSN. Tickets for both games are available at GoLobos.com/tickets.
Friday night promises a thrilling battle of Mountain West heavyweights and a celebration of Indigenous culture—don’t miss it!
New Mexico suffered its first Mountain West Conference loss on the road by one point to San Jose State 71-70
Latrell Davis’s put-back shot in the last seconds dramatically gave the Spartans their victory and handed the Lobos, who had been undefeated until then in Mountain West play, their first conference loss.
New Mexico, now 14-4 overall and 6-1 in the conference, struggled offensively, with only two players scoring double figures.
Despite battling foul trouble, Nelly Junior Joseph led the team with 20 points and six rebounds.
Donovan Dent added 16 points and maintained his status as the only player in the nation to average at least 10 points and four assists in every game this season.
San Jose State showcased a balanced attack, with five players scoring in double figures, including Robert Viahola, who scored 18 points and had nine rebounds.
“We just couldn’t get a rebound on that last possession. We go up two on Mustapha’s three, and their kid hits a ridiculous shot to put them up one.”
“Donovan scores, but we get two stops and can’t get a defensive rebound.”
“We knew San Jose State had been playing everybody tough in our league, besides Colorado State, so we knew this was going to be a challenge.”
“Offensively, we are making it difficult because we aren’t making a lot of shots. Our wings were off today, and we are leaving points at the basket, especially against a team that isn’t a great shot-blocking team like this.”
” It just came down to one or two plays, and they made one at the end.” – Richard Pitino”
Donovan Dent stands alone nationally, maintaining his streak of at least 10 points and four assists in every game this season, and Nelly Jr Joseph had his third 20-point performance of the year.
The Spartans, now 2-5 in the Mountain West, have found momentum with back-to-back wins and will look to extend their streak on the road against Nevada this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Lobos return to The Pit on Friday night for a pivotal matchup against the Boise State Broncos, who are 13-5 overall and 5-2 in conference play.
Boise State is a force on the boards, ranking third in the league with 9.6 offensive rebounds per game, led by Tyson Degenhart’s 2.1 offensive rebounds.
Degenhart also leads the Broncos with 17.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Photo Courtesy of Boise State Athletics
The Lobos will need to improve their offensive efficiency. This season, they’ve made 45.4% of their shots, outperforming Boise State’s defensive field goal percentage of 42.5%.
However, the Broncos’ ability to knock down 7.2 three-pointers per game could challenge a New Mexico defense that has allowed opponents to average 8.1 makes from beyond the arc.
This is the first meeting between the Lobos and Broncos this season, and the stakes are high as both teams jockey for position in the Mountain West standings.
LAST 10 GAMES BREAKDOWN
Lobos: New Mexico has been dominant over their last 10 games, posting an 8-2 record while averaging 82.0 points per game.
They’ve also put up substantial numbers across the board, grabbing 36.4 rebounds, dishing out 15.0 assists, and adding 8.6 steals and 4.6 blocks per game. The Lobos have shot 44.8% from the field during this stretch while holding opponents to an average of 71.7 points per game.
Broncos: Boise State has gone 7-3 in its last 10 outings, averaging 75.9 points per game on an efficient 46.8% field-goal shooting percentage.
The Broncos have also averaged 33.8 rebounds, 13.9 assists, 4.6 steals, and 2.6 blocks per game while limiting opponents to just 64.9 points.
Both teams bring momentum and strong stats into Friday’s highly anticipated showdown.
With both teams delivering strong performances into Friday night, the stage is set for an exciting showdown in Albuquerque.
Can the Lobos bounce back, or will Boise State continue climbing the Mountain West standings? Fans won’t want to miss this battle at the PIT.
Team Performance (Last 10 Games)
New Mexico Lobos (8-2)
- 82.0 points per game
- 44.8% field goal percentage
- 36.4 rebounds per game
- 15.0 assists per game
- 8.6 steals and 4.6 blocks per game
- Holding opponents to 71.7 points
Boise State Broncos (7-3)
- 75.9 points per game
- 46.8% field goal percentage
- 33.8 rebounds per game
- 13.9 assists per game
- 4.6 steals and 2.6 blocks per game
- Holding opponents to 64.9 points
Key Matchup Note
The game could hinge on three-point shooting, with Boise State averaging 7.2 threes per game against New Mexico’s defense, allowing 8.1 three-pointers per game.
Game Details
- First meeting between the teams this season
- Location: The PIT, Albuquerque
- Stakes: Important for Mountain West standings position
- Both teams enter with strong momentum and impressive recent performances
