How to watch UCLA vs New Mexico Las Vegas Hoopfest
Venue: Lee’s Family Forum (Henderson, Nev.)
Capacity: 5,567
Tipoff Time: 8:05 p.m. (PT)
Television: CBS Sports Network Direct TV 221 Dishnetwork 158
T.V.: CBS Sports Network Dave Ryan (play-by-play), Dan Dickau (analyst)
Radio UCLA Audio Network, Lobo Sports Network Rob Portnoy, play by play, color Hunter Greene
Series: All-time series tied at 2-2
The UCLA Bruins (1-0) play the New Mexico Lobos (1-0) on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 11:00 p.m. E.T. on CBS Sports Network.
The New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team hits the road this Friday for their first away game of the season, facing the No. 22-ranked UCLA Bruins at the Las Vegas Hoopfest.
Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. M.T. (8:00 p.m. P.T.) at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada.
Photo Courtesy si.com
Fans can catch the action on CBS Sports Network or tune in via KNML Radio, while KKOB will broadcast the UNM football game against San Diego State.
BRUINS VS. LOBOS
UCLA and New Mexico will play this Friday in their first basketball matchup since December 6, 1997, when the Bruins won 69-58 at the John R. Wooden Classic in Anaheim.
In that game, J.R. Henderson led UCLA with 24 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists.
The all-time series is tied 2-2, but the teams haven’t met since 1997-98, a 69-58 UCLA win at the Wooden Classic in Anaheim.
Photo Courtesy si.com
The Lobos’ last win in the series was a 77-66 victory at The Pit in the 1987-88 Preseason NIT.
Before their 1997 encounter, the Bruins and Lobos last met a decade earlier in Albuquerque.
New Mexico defended its home court with a 77-66 win on November 23, 1987.
During the 2023-24 season, UCLA finished with a 16-17 overall record, going 13-11 in non-conference games.
New Mexico ended the season at 26-10 overall and with a strong 12-2 record in non-conference play.
They defeated San Diego State 68-61 in the Mountain West Conference tournament.
The Lobos (1-0) come into the matchup energized by their 91-84 season-opening victory over Nicholls at The Pit.
The Lobos opened their season strong, with three players posting double-doubles, led by senior center Nelly Junior Joseph, who dominated with 28 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks, and nine drawn fouls to stave off an upset and secure a 91-84 win over Nicholls State at the Pit.
Mustapha Amzil added 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Donovan Dent chipped in with 15 points and 11 assists.
“Nicholls made a lot of big shots,” said UNM coach Richard Pitino. “Their guards are dynamic, and we need to improve our defense on the 3-point line. The team did a great job finding Nelly, who was outstanding tonight.”
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA (1-0) also started their season on a high note, defeating Rider 85-50 at home.
The Bruins cruised past Rider with an 85-50 victory on Monday night, building a 41-23 lead by halftime.
UCLA’s offensive performance marked their highest point total since their 86-53 win over No. 15-seed UNC Asheville in the NCAA Tournament on March 16, 2023.
Courtesy Source uclabruins.com
Four Bruins scored in double figures, led by Tyler Bilodeau with 18 points. Dylan Andrews contributed 14 points and six assists, while Kobe Johnson and Sebastian Mack each added 12 points.
The Bruins closed the first half with a 10-point run, securing a 41-23 lead at the break.
Tyler Bilodeau shone in his UCLA debut, scoring 18 points after transferring from Oregon State, as the 22nd-ranked Bruins dominated Rider 85-50 in their season opener.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
T.J. Weeks Jr. led Rider with 15 points, sinking four 3-pointers.
Bilodeau then ignited UCLA’s offense early in the second half, scoring 10 points in the first five minutes to push the lead to 53-32.
Ranked No. 22 in the A.P. poll, the Bruins hold a 2-2 record against New Mexico, though the teams haven’t met since the 1997 Wooden Classic, where UCLA clinched a 69-58 win.
Lobos head coach Richard Pitino sees this game as a valuable early-season test against a respected opponent.
UCLA’s head coach Mick Cronin echoed similar sentiments: “This game provides us with a good early measuring stick, and I have a ton of respect for Richard Pitino and the program he’s building at New Mexico.”
New Mexico fans can catch the Lobos back home next Tuesday when they host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at The Pit.
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The matchup offers another chance to see a team that finished last season with a 26-10 overall record, including a 12-2 non-conference mark.
With both teams hungry for a win and a fresh opportunity to size up their squads, Friday’s game promises to be an exciting showdown under the lights in Nevada.
So the bottom line is this Friday matchup between New Mexico and UCLA at Las Vegas Hoopfest promises an exciting showdown, with both teams eager to make an early statement this season.
The Lobos will aim to showcase their high-powered uptemp offense, while the Bruins bring their trademark defensive intensity.
Fans can expect a battle on both ends of the court as these two teams clash in their first meeting in over two decades.
