Utah State Aggies Host New Mexico Lobos
Can the Lobos upset the Aggies at the Spectrum
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The Utah State Aggies (25-5, 13-4 MWC) aim to extend their impressive four-game winning streak as they prepare to face off against the New Mexico Lobos (22-8, 10-7 MWC).
Computer predictions are saying a close game with the Aggies getting the slight edge, the victory 77-75 over the Lobos, so look for a very exciting game to finish regular season play for both teams.
However, they also predicted the Aggies would win over the Lobos in the PIT earlier this year. Still, the Lobos would have the last say in winning that game in Albuquerque.
The teams will play the game on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Catch all the action live at 8:30 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.
In a showdown that left no doubt about Utah State’s dominance, the Aggies stormed to a resounding 90-70 victory over the San Jose State Spartans, extending their winning streak to a formidable four games.
With their sights set on securing an outright regular-season conference championship, the Aggies (25-5, 13-4 Mountain West Conference) are gearing up to defend their home turf against the New Mexico Lobos (22-8, 10-7) on Saturday in Logan, Utah.
Game: New Mexico Lobos vs Utah State Aggies
Date: Saturday, March 9, 2024
Location: ExtraMile Arena, Boise, Idaho
Time: 8:30 EST, 6:30 MST
TV: CBS Sports Network
Stream: FuboTV — get a free trial
Play by Play: Radio: 77kob Albuquerque 96.3 FM Robert Portnoy/Hunter Greene
Overall Series: New Mexico leads 56-38
Against San Jose State, Utah State dictated the tempo from the opening tip-off, crafting a commanding 53-37 lead by halftime fueled by an impressive barrage of 13 three-pointers.
Their offensive onslaught continued unabated as they shot a scorching 53.4 percent from the field and a jaw-dropping 59.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Leading the charge for the Aggies was Darius Brown II, who showcased his sharpshooting prowess with 21 points, including seven triples, along with nine assists and five rebounds.
Mason Falslev contributed 20 points (seven 3-pointers) and six boards, while Great Osobor added 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block. Javon Jackson provided a spark off the bench with 15 points of his own.
Reflecting on the team’s stellar performance, Utah State coach Danny Sprinkle praised his players’ unwavering focus and dedication, emphasizing their collective commitment to excellence.
“It’s kind of one of those feelings that’s hard to explain as a coach, but I knew we were going to play terrific tonight,” Utah State coach Danny Sprinkle said after Wednesday’s win. “Our guys were so locked in. They had a team meeting, and it was a players-only deal. I know the ownership of this group. I knew we were going to play at a high-level tonight.”
With the victory, Utah State now stands a full game ahead of Boise State, Nevada, and UNLV in the Mountain West standings, positioning themselves to clinch the coveted No. 1 seed at the upcoming conference tournament in Las Vegas.
The Aggies have a big reason to end the deal and end the year successfully against the Lobos.
Heady Aggie Coach Danny Sprinkle seems the hands-on favorite for Mountain West Conference coach of the year.
What he has done, with no players returning from last year’s squad, to achieve this performance is impressive.
Meanwhile, the Lobos enter the matchup fresh off a 79-58 win over Fresno State, propelled by standout performances from Jamal Mashburn Jr., JT Toppin, and Nelly Junior Joseph.
Notably, JT Toppin showcased an impressive performance with 15 points and 16 rebounds, marking his 10th double-double of the season and extending his Lobo freshman record.
The New Mexico men’s basketball team will wrap up its regular season schedule this Saturday night with a visit to face No. 22 Utah State.
This matchup marks the Lobos’ sixth encounter this season against a ranked opponent, boasting a 3-2 record in such games. T
The last time UNM secured four victories over teams ranked in the AP poll was during the 2012-13 season, finishing with a flawless 4-0 record.
Currently, the Lobos hold a 22-8 record for the season, with a conference standing of 10-7 in the Mountain West, following their recent 79-58 triumph over Fresno State during Senior Night at The Pit.
Both teams are ready to give their all on the court in a high stakes battle for conference supremacy, with the stage set for Saturday’s showdown between two very good basketball teams.
On the Lobos side of the ball, what head coach Richard Pitino has done over the last few years since AD Eddie Nunez hired him has also been very impressive.
When he started as the head coach for the Lobos and got hired, he took the Lobos from being ranked 303 in the NET rankings to currently sitting at 25 in just a few years.
New Mexico fans should note what this staff has done to bring life back to the PIT and the fans.
The Lobos have 22 wins for the season, the first time that has happened since 2013-2014 the first conference-winning season since 2017-218.
Last week, the PIT was recognized for having the “Top 25 total attendance” and claiming first place in the Mountain West Conference for Total Average Attendance.
They also have a big incentive in this game: They defeated Utah State in Albuquerque 99-86, holding the Aggies’ stars in check that evening.
The Vegas betting folks predicted an 81-77 victory for the Aggies at the PIT that evening. Still, the Lobos dominated the paint and guard play.
A victory in Logan would help Lobos’s NET Rankings get them out of the NCAA tournament bubble. Still, most forecasters predict them to be around ten seeds, regardless of the outcome.
The last thing they can afford is a blowout loss, so look for the Lobos to bring their A-game. The Lobo basketball team is a solid road warrior in big venues and really don’t let crowd noise affect them for the most part.
With Utah State’s lethal perimeter shooting and New Mexico’s formidable inside presence, fans can expect an electrifying clash between two powerhouse programs vying for postseason glory.
In what promises to be a thrilling showdown, basketball fans will be treated to a skill, intensity, and determination showcase as the Aggies and the Lobos square off in a pivotal matchup with championship implications.
For the Aggies, some players to watch: Great Osobor paces the Aggies with 17.5 points per game and 8.9 rebounds, and Darius Brown II tops the Aggies at 6.3 assists per contest while also posting 4.3 rebounds and 12.2 points.
Mason Falslev posts 11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per contest, shooting 56.6% from the field.
For Richard Pitino’s Lobos, players to watch: JT Toppin paces the Lobos in rebounding (9.0 per game) and averages 12.5 points and 0.5 assists. He also has 1.1 steals and 2.0 blocked shots.
Toppin is the favorite for the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year. His numbers against very tough opponents are impressive.
Donovan Dent is Lobos’ top assist man (5.6 per game), posting 14.9 points and 2.7 rebounds. Big man Nelly Junior Joseph gets the Lobos 9.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.
The Lobos have one of the best guard combinations in the MWC with Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn, and these two are lethal when they get going in transition.
Check out our exclusive footage of a Pitino mic’d up on game day… pic.twitter.com/pnWSRZkcCS
— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) March 7, 2024
In the Mountain West Conference, Richard Pitino’s squad stands out as one of the most formidable teams in terms of raw talent on paper.
Despite showcasing their potential early in the season, they’ve faced setbacks, notably dropping games they were expected to win, such as the disappointing loss to Air Force.
However, they become an unstoppable force on the court when they focus their efforts, led by the dynamic guard trio of Dent, House, and Mashburn.
Supported by the Lobo Bigs duo of Nelly Jr Joseph and JT Toppin, alongside stellar contributions from bench players like Mustapha Amzil and Tru Washington, the Lobos can defeat any opponent in the MWC.
The Lobos must play a solid offensive and defensive game to pull the upset. You can bet other MWC foes are rooting for the Lobos to win on Saturday.
Its just that time of year where there are no excuses, you bring your best game to give your team a good chance to win the game and quiet the fans on the road.
It’s sure to be an exhilarating matchup as the Lobos aim to showcase their full potential against formidable conference rivals.
This game marks a rematch from their Jan. 16 encounter at The Pit, where the Lobos pulled off an upset against the No. 16 Aggies with a score of 99-86, snapping Utah State’s seven-game win streak in the series.
Notably, Nelly Junior Joseph had a standout performance with a season-high 26 points on 11-12 FGs to lead UNM to victory.
Looking ahead, the Lobos aim to achieve a season series sweep with two ranked wins for the first time since 2010-11, when they secured victories against No. 9 BYU at home and No. 3 BYU in Provo on Jimmer Fredette’s senior night.
Additionally, UNM seeks to end a six-game losing streak in Logan, targeting their first win at the Smith Spectrum since 2016.
