Lobos Look to Stay Hot as They Visit Bulldogs in MWC Showdown
Follow @MWCwire
Bulldogs will try to defend the home court.
Game: Fresno State Bulldogs vs New Mexico Lobos
When: December 31st, 2024 8 pm EST, 6 pm MT
Where: Save Mart Center Fresno, California
TV: Mountain West Network
Lobos Wrap Up Road Trip with New Year’s Eve Matchup at Fresno State
The New Mexico men’s basketball team (10-3, 2-0 MW) concludes its two-game road swing on Tuesday with a New Year’s Eve clash against Fresno State (4-9, 0-2 MW) at the Save Mart Center.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. MT (5 p.m. PT), with coverage on the Mountain West Network and the Lobo Radio Network.
The stage is set in Fresno, California, as the high-flying New Mexico Lobos (10-3, 2-0 MWC) take on the struggling Fresno State Bulldogs (4-9, 0-2 MWC) in a Mountain West Conference clash Tuesday night at 8 p.m. EST.
The Lobos are riding high after a 76-68 win at Colorado State on Saturday afternoon. Donovan Dent and Mustapha Amzil led the charge with 14 points apiece as UNM secured its first road victory of the season.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
The team is looking to open Mountain West play with three straight wins for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.
After Tuesday, New Mexico returns home on Jan. 3 to host Nevada in the 1,000th game at The Pit. Tip-off is at 9 p.m. MT, with the game airing on FS1.
Fresno State enters the game following an 87-77 loss at UNLV. The Bulldogs are led by Amar Augillard, who averages 13.3 points per game. Both teams rank among the nation’s top 10 in tempo, according to KenPom, with nearly 74 possessions per game, promising a fast-paced showdown.
Historically, Fresno State holds a 21-19 edge in the all-time series, including a dominant 16-4 record in Fresno and 9-3 at the Save Mart Center. While New Mexico has won the last two matchups at The Pit, the Lobos haven’t claimed a victory in Fresno since 2015-16, losing eight straight road games to the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs are 3-2 at home. Fresno State is 1-7 against opponents over .500, while New Mexico is 2-0 against Mountain West Conference Opponents.
Richard Pitinos Lobos, New Mexico, leads the MWC, scoring 18.2 fast-break points per game.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
Fast-Paced Lobos Seek Momentum
The Lobos are off to a strong start in conference play, riding a 2-0 record and showcasing their trademark fast-break offense, which leads the MWC with an impressive 18.2 points per game.
Anchored by dynamic guard Donovan Dent, averaging 19.2 points per game on 49.2% shooting, New Mexico has been a nightmare for opponents in transition.
Coming off a 7-3 stretch in their last 10 games, the Lobos are thriving on both ends of the floor. They average 85.7 points per game while holding opponents to 74.4. Their balanced attack includes 17.2 assists, 9.7 steals, and 4.7 blocks per game.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
Lobos Dominate Early to Secure First Road Win of the Season against CSU
The New Mexico men’s basketball team notched its first road victory of the season with a commanding 76-68 win over Colorado State on Saturday afternoon at Moby Arena.
The Lobos (10-3, 2-0 MW) seized control with a blistering 21-0 run in the first half, setting the tone and delivering the Rams (7-6, 1-1 MW) their first conference loss.
Donovan Dent led the charge with 14 points and six assists, while Mustapha Amzil matched him with 14 points. CJ Noland provided a spark off the bench with 11 points, Filip Borovicanin added 10, and Nelly Junior Joseph came close to a double-double, contributing nine points and 11 rebounds.
The win showcased the Lobos’ depth and defensive intensity as they continued their unbeaten start to Mountain West play.
It’s becoming increasingly evident that the bench players Richard Pitino brought in to fill the gaps left by last year’s star departures are starting to gel and build strong chemistry on the court.
Photo CourtesyBrian Losness-USA TODAY Sports© USA Today Sportsbookwire
Bulldogs Defend Home Court
Fresno State, meanwhile, has struggled to find its rhythm this season. The Bulldogs sit at 4-9 overall and 0-2 in MWC play but have shown resilience at home with a 3-2 record.
Forward Elijah Price has been a bright spot, averaging 9.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.
However, the Bulldogs have found it challenging against strong teams, going 1-7 against opponents with winning records.
Shooting just 40.0% from the field, they’ll need a sharp offensive performance to compete with a Lobos defense allowing 44.8% shooting.
Key Stats and Matchup Highlights
- New Mexico Efficiency: The Lobos are shooting 46.2% from the field this season, a mark that mirrors what Fresno State’s defense typically concedes.
- Fresno’s Challenge: The Bulldogs are allowing 82.0 points per game over their last 10 contests while averaging 73.4 themselves.
As the New Mexico Lobos prepare to face the Fresno State Bulldogs on December 30, 2024, several key players are poised to make significant impacts:
New Mexico Lobos:
- Donovan Dent: A dynamic guard leading the Lobos with an average of 19.2 points per game on 49.2% shooting. Dent’s playmaking abilities and scoring prowess make him a central figure in New Mexico’s offense.
- Nelly Junior Joseph: A dominant presence in the paint, contributing significantly to the Lobos’ rebounding and interior defense. Joseph’s ability to control the boards and protect the rim is crucial for New Mexico’s success.
Fresno State Bulldogs:
- Mykell Robinson: A key player for the Bulldogs, expected to play a significant role in the matchup against the Lobos.
- Elijah Price: A forward averaging 9.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, Price’s contributions on both ends of the floor are vital for Fresno State’s competitiveness.
This matchup will showcase the talents of these players as they strive to lead their teams to victory in this Mountain West Conference showdown.
Mountain West Conference Teams Aim for NCAA
This game marks the first meeting between the teams in MWC play this season. While the Lobos aim to extend their winning streak, the Bulldogs will lean on home-court advantage and standout performances from Mykell Robinson and Elijah Price to pull off an upset.
Expect an electrifying matchup as these two conference foes collide in Fresno!
I predict the Lobos will come away with the win, powered by the dynamic duo of Donovan Dent and Nelly Junior Joseph and the rest of their talented squad that seems to be hitting its stride this season.
Richard Pitino’s strategy of utilizing a deeper bench is paying off, as the numbers clearly show.
Expect the Lobos to send a strong message to the Mountain West Conference that last year’s championship run was no fluke—it’s just the beginning of their dominance.
