2024 Mountain West Championship: New Mexico Secures First MWC Tournament Title in Over a Decade with 68-61 win over SDSU

Game Recap: No. 6 New Mexico 68, No. 5 San Diego State 61 Jaelen House get’s his moment & secures his first MWC title in his last conference game. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire New Mexico secures first conference tournament title in a …

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 Game Recap: No. 6 New Mexico 68, No. 5 San Diego State 61


Jaelen House get’s his moment & secures his first MWC title in his last conference game.


Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

New Mexico secures first conference tournament title in a decade, thanks to the play of Jaelen House & JT Toppin.

Las Vegas, NV–If there were any better cherry on top of what has been one of the more competitive & entertaining Mountain West seasons in recent years, it was the championship game slated for Saturday afternoon in sin city. A showdown between longtime conference rivals No. 5 seed San Diego State & No. 6 seed New Mexico.

Two teams that may not have been on everyone’s bracket in the MWC Tournament title game, but two deserving programs nonetheless. New Mexico won three straight games in three straight days to get here. Beating Air Force on Wednesday (82-56), Boise State (76-66) on Thursday & Colorado State (74-61) late Friday night.

While San Diego State got a bye into the quarterfinals on Thursday, where they narrowly squeezed by UNLV 74-71. Then upsetting No. 1 seed & regular season champion Utah State 86-70 on Friday.

It isn’t unfamiliar territory for either program, but it’s been a second home for one & a once in a while destination for the other. San Diego State have become fixtures in the Mountain West Tournament title game the last decade. Making nine appearances in ten years & cutting the nets down four times in that span.

While New Mexico made a Cinderella style run in Paul Weir’s first season in Albuquerque back in 2018. That game was also against the Aztecs & their “first year” Head Coach Brian Dutcher. The Lobos fell 82-75 to their conference rivals that year.

Missing out on the title, one they haven’t brought home to Albuquerque since Craig Neals first year in charge in Albuquerque back in 2014. Noodles inherited a Steve Alford built roster to help lift that trophy. With history & an automatic berth to the big dance on the line, each team needed to cap amazing individual seasons with an amazing win Saturday afternoon.

The Lobos momentum was still in full swing at tip-off. Hitting the floor hard in the opening minutes on a 6-2 run. A Darrion Trimmell three pointer brought the Aztecs to within one. Sparked by Jaelen Houses’ energy, New Mexico found their offensive rhythm, though San Diego State kept things close.

Richard Pitino’s squad enjoyed small runs all throughout the first half. The first thanks to five straight Jamal Mashburn Jr. points, giving New Mexico their biggest lead to that point, 16-8 approaching the ten minute mark. To be followed with four straight three point field goals (3-House & 1-Mashburn Jr.) to extend their lead to double-digits, 30-18.

After a JT Toppin layup gave the Lobos the 34-20 lead approaching the two minute mark, the Aztecs made their stand. Going on a 10-2 run before half-time, with all points coming in the paint from their frontcourt duo of Jay Pal & JaeDon LeDee. As the buzzer sounded, New Mexico went into the locker rooms up 36-30.

Second Half

Even though the Lobos surrendered the closing minutes of the first half to the Aztecs, they wouldn’t let that influence how they emerged from half-time. Earning a quick five points from their backcourt duo before San Diego State decided it was time to put the clamp down.

The Aztecs fell victim to New Mexico’s fast pace style of play most of the game. Leading to their deficit & leadless first half. But Brian Dutcher’s squad wins their games in a much slower & physically charged way. San Diego State made a stand that would turn what was a comfortable Lobo lead most of the game into a one procession dogfight the rest of the way.

The Aztecs would turn to a style of play called, pass the ball to Jaedon. A play that would see LeDee vie for position in the post, receive the ball & eight times out of ten get fouled & head to the line. The other two times out of ten he would make the shot.

Creating quite a conundrum for New Mexico, who became spooked & decided their approach would be fouling the Aztec big to make him earn his points at the free throw line. Well, it sounded nice in theory. But LeDee came into this one shooting 72.4% from the free throw line. LeDee would go to the line multiple times over the next ten minutes, slowing the game down & taking New Mexico out of their offensive rhythm almost immediately.

A Jaelen House technical foul approaching the ten minute mark would trigger a series of plays that ultimately gave San Diego State their first lead of the game at 44-43 thanks to a Reese Waters jumper.

The next ten minutes were an exchange of free throws with a few genuine field goals scattered about. It brought everything down to the final two minutes of the game. Were both squads were tied at fifty-nine a piece, a time where the only way New Mexico would pull the upset would be if someone scored true field goals & rebounded when their opponents didn’t.

In comes MWC Freshman of the Year JT Toppin, Who grabbed four rebounds & scored five points, which became the cushion needed for third year Head Coach Richard Pitino to secure his first conference title.

The Lobos began to celebrate their 68-61 win at the buzzer, as the first No. 6 seed to win the Mountain West Conference Tournament ever. Jamal Mashburn Jr. joined House & Toppin in double-figures 21 points thanks to some very clutch shooting from all three-levels of scoring.

Player Spotlights

New MexicoJT Toppin & Jaelen House

Stat line: House-28 points, 5 rebounds & 3 steals on 10-22 (45.4%) from the floor & 3-7 (42.8%) from deep in 36 minutes of action Toppin-13 points & 11 rebounds on 6-8 (75%) from the floor in 35 minutes of action

The performance House had in the first half is the reason the Lobos were able to stay competitive as the Aztecs began chipping away at their grip on the lead. But it was also his level head in the second half as his team struggled, continuing to give effort & not letting it get to his head. His game high 28 points help attribute to an amazing final MWC game ever. And to go out cutting down the nets in the Pit West, there is no better feeling.

JT Toppin stepped up with his double-double as frontcourt mate Nelly Junior-Joseph was mainly tasked with keeping Aztec x-factor LeDee unimpactful until he absolutely couldn’t. So Toppin contributed in all the best ways down low, blocking & altering shots, securing boards of both variety & making shots when no one else could. I couldn’t give the spotlight to just one players as the game was won with the performances of both.

San Diego State F-Jaedon LeDee

Stat line: 25 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists on 7-12 shooting (58.3%) from the floor & a whopping 11-11 (100%) from the free throw line in 37 minutes of play

LeDee went scoreless in the first fifteen minutes of the game. Which is something no one realized until he began scoring every single minutes of the game going forward. The Aztec big man found his confidence late in the first half & found his role going forward, wrecking ball who can shoot free throws, exactly to his liking. LeDee can score at all three levels but is his most consistent battling for space in the paint.

No other Aztec scored in double-figures & his 100% performance from the charity stripe is the a huge piece of why the momentum of the game was laid gently in their hands most of the second-half. It was an All-Tournament level performance for the ages, a great way to cap a great career in the Mountain West.

Next Up:

With the final buzzer in Las Vegas on Saturday night, the conference postseason comes to a close with an incredible performance from all teams involved. The only thing left to do is tune in tomorrow Sunday March 17th for this year’s production of the NCAA Tournament Selection Show.

You can watch Selection Sunday on CBS at 4:00 PM MT & 3:00 PM PT. A streamed version of the show can be viewed on NCAA.com during their March Madness Live Special.

Larry Muniz covers college basketball as a writer for Mountain West Wire and WAC Hoops Digest. Also as a co-host of the college basketball podcast “Hoops Talk W/Jay & Larry”. He is also a USWBA Member.

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Why San Diego State can win the Mountain West Tournament

After a disappointing 11-7 season, San Diego State has the 5th seed in the Mountain West tournament. Despite finishing lower than most thought they would, there is still hope for a tournament championship, as well as an automatic bid and higher seed …

After a disappointing 11-7 season, San Diego State has the 5th seed in the Mountain West tournament. Despite finishing lower than most thought they would, there is still hope for a tournament championship, as well as an automatic bid and higher seed in the big dance. Here’s why:

Defense

SDSU has the 8th best defense in the nation, and the best in the Mountain West. The Next closest is Boise State down at 28th. That defense has let the Aztecs keep every game close, the only exception being an 18-point loss in the PIT. Even with that loss, the Aztecs average margin of defeat is a mere six points. In their last four losses, it’s only 3.75 points.

Every loss has been one or two plays away from being a different result. Compare that to champion Utah State, who lost their four games by an average of 15.25 points. When other teams have an off night they tend to lose badly. When the Aztecs have an off night, the game can go either way. That’s due to their elite defense. Just like their defense carried them to the national championship last season, it can carry them to the Mountain West Championship this season.

2024 Mountain West Basketball Tournament, Bracket, Schedule

Jaedon LeDee

What needs to be said about Jaedon LeDee? He should be named an All-American, and he is the most deserving player for the Conference Player of the Year award. He ranks first in Player Impact Plus-Minus, Box Plus-Minus, Win Shares, and leads the league in scoring despite being double and triple-teamed every time he touches the ball. He has come across those points in a hyper-efficient manner, ranking in the 91st percentile nationally in terms of points per possession. To top things off, he is also 4th in the conference in total rebounds.

He has been held to less than 15 points only four times since conference season started, all on the road, and has scored more than 20 points ten times in that same span. Opponents can not stop him, they can only hope to contain him. A scorer like that, combined with elite defense, is a great foundation for winning.

Better luck

For those that believe in such things, the Aztecs have had some terrible luck this season. Players who have historically been good shooters have heavily regressed, and are missing wide open shots. Easy layups have rolled out. And to make matters worse, opponents have been hitting shots like the one Max Rice hit in overtime at Viejas.

KenPom measures the luck of each team, and the Aztecs rank 274th nationally in terms of luck. Well below average, meaning they’ve had a healthy amount of bad luck. For comparison, Utah State is 18th nationally, and Nevada is 33rd. In the teams in the top five of the tournament, SDSU is by far the worst.

On the bright side, that could mean fortune is about to change. One extra stop, and one extra basket made is the difference in most of the Aztecs’ losses. Getting that little extra will mean the difference between winning and going home early.

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2024 Mountain West College Football Schedule

2024 Mountain West College Football Schedule The schedule is out! Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Get ready for some football! The Mountain West released its football schedule for this fall, without TV schedules so there could be changes. The league …

2024 Mountain West College Football Schedule


The schedule is out!


Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Get ready for some football!

The Mountain West released its football schedule for this fall, without TV schedules so there could be changes.

The league includes Washington State and Oregon State which are quasi-members of the Mountain West.

Those two schools will play seven games against the Mountain West but they are not eligible to win the conference title.

Television assignments for Fox and CBS will be released at a later date.

Saturday, Aug. 24

Delaware State at Hawai‘i
SMU at Nevada
Montana State at New Mexico

Thursday, Aug. 29

Sacramento State at San José State

Saturday, Aug. 31

Merrimack at Air Force
Boise State at Georgia Southern
Colorado State at Texas
Fresno State at Michigan
UCLA at Hawai‘i
Nevada at Troy
New Mexico at Arizona
Texas A&M Commerce at San Diego State
UNLV at Houston
Robert Morris at Utah State
Wyoming at Arizona State
Idaho State at Oregon State
Portland State at Washington State

Saturday, September 7

San José State at Air Force
Boise State at Oregon
Northern Colorado at Colorado State
Sacramento State at Fresno State
Georgia Southern at Nevada
Oregon State at San Diego State
Utah Tech at UNLV
Utah State at USC
Idaho at Wyoming
Texas Tech at Washington State

Saturday, September 14

Air Force at Baylor
Colorado at Colorado State
New Mexico State at Fresno State
Hawai‘i at Sam Houston
Nevada at Minnesota
New Mexico at Auburn
San Diego State at California
Kennesaw State at San José State
UNLV vs. KansasUtah at Utah State
BYU at Wyoming
Oregon at Oregon State
Washington State vs. Washington

Saturday, September 21

Portland State at Boise State
UTEP at Colorado State
Fresno State at New Mexico
Northern Iowa at Hawai‘i
Eastern Washington at Nevada
San José State at Washington State
Utah State at Temple
Wyoming at North Texas
Purdue at Oregon State

Saturday, September 28

Air Force at Wyoming
Washington State at Boise State
Fresno State at UNLV
New Mexico at New Mexico State
San Diego State at Central Michigan

Saturday, October 5

Navy at Air Force
Utah State at Boise State
Colorado State at Oregon State
Hawai‘i at San Diego State
Nevada at San José State
Syracuse at UNLV

Saturday, October 12

Air Force at New Mexico
Boise State at Hawai‘i
San José State at Colorado State
Washington State at Fresno State
Oregon State at Nevada
San Diego State at Wyoming
UNLV at Utah State

Saturday, October 19

Colorado State at Air Force
Fresno State at Nevada
Hawai‘i at Washington State
New Mexico at Utah State
Wyoming at San José State
UNLV at Oregon State

Saturday, October 26

Boise State at UNLV
New Mexico at Colorado State
San José State at Fresno State
Nevada at Hawai‘i
Washington State at San Diego State
Utah State at Wyoming
Oregon State at California

Saturday, November 2

Air Force at Army
San Diego State at Boise State
Colorado State at Nevada
Hawai‘i at Fresno State
Wyoming at New Mexico

Saturday, November 9

Fresno State at Air Force
Nevada at Boise State
UNLV at Hawai‘i
New Mexico at San Diego State
San José State at Oregon State
Utah State at Washington State

Saturday, November 16

Oregon State at Air Force
Boise State at San José State
Wyoming at Colorado State
Hawai‘i at Utah State
Washington State at New Mexico
San Diego State at UNLV

Saturday, November 23

Air Force at Nevada
Boise State at Wyoming
Colorado State at Fresno State
San Diego State at Utah State
UNLV at San José State
Washington State at Oregon State

Saturday, November 30

Air Force at San Diego State
Oregon State at Boise State
Utah State at Colorado State
Fresno State at UCLA
New Mexico at Hawai‘i
Nevada at UNLV
Stanford at San José State
Wyoming at Washington State

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Utah State Stands Tall at Home, Beating No. 19 Aztecs 68-63

Game Recap: Utah State 68, No. 19 San Diego State 63 Utah State Stands Tall at Home, Beating Aztecs 68-63 Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire Utah State take sole possession of first place with home win over No. 19 Aztecs. A matchup that is …

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 Game Recap: Utah State 68, No. 19 San Diego State 63


Utah State Stands Tall at Home, Beating Aztecs 68-63


Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

Utah State take sole possession of first place with home win over No. 19 Aztecs.

A matchup that is appropriately dubbed the battle for first place in the Mountain West. Of course there is plenty of basketball left to play that could alter anyone’s course to a regular season championship.

But with both Utah State & San Diego State tied for first place in the conference heading into Tuesday night’s primetime matchup, all eyes had to be glued on the heavyweight game happening in Logan. As the fate of the regular season conference race could very well be decided tonight.

The last time these two programs met was earlier this month inside Viejas Arena. The Aztecs received a stellar three-point performance (9-20, 45%) and found their way to the line all night (20-28, 71.4%). Slowing down the game allowed San Diego State to slowly mount a comeback late in the first-half.  Using that same strategy in the second-half ensured they never lost their lead & beat a than No. 17 ranked Utah State team 81-67.

With the tables turned as Utah State welcomed a No. 19 ranked San Diego State squad to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, hoping for a little bit of payback.

A packed homecourt can give teams a spark right out of the gate, something the Aggies took full advantage of with a 6-0 run in the game’s opening minutes. The Aztecs nearly leveled things before back-to-back baskets by Utah State star Great Osobor kept them at bay.

Brian Dutcher’s group took their first lead of the game (11-10) with a Miles Byrd alley oop. That was just one of five lead changes over the next five minutes or so, along with several other ties. A 6-2 run in the final two minutes of play gave the home team some cushion. As a Darius Brown II jump shot as time expired gave the Aggies the 31-26 lead heading into half-time.

With all of the offensive firepower the Aggies boast, floor general Darius Brown II led all scorers at the half with 12 points, off of 5-7 shooting, which included two threes. While LeDee led the Aztecs with 8 points off of 4-6 shooting down low.

The beginning of the second-half began with a quick five points from the Aggies. San Diego State was quick to respond, or should I say Jaedon LeDee was, with two quick field goals of his own.

After that, Osobor responded with his own 5-0 run on the other end. San Diego State would then go on to miss three consecutive three point jumpers on consecutive possessions, before an Aggie defensive board ended their misery.

As the Aztecs struggled to find success from the floor for the next couple of minutes, they earned their points elsewhere. With four straight free throw makes to bring things to within four (41-37).

Utah State would respond with scoring from three different players, to go on an 8-2 run which included back-to-back three points. Extending their lead to double-digits & ignited the crowd heading into the media timeout.

Brian Dutcher’s group took that time to regroup, with a quick 5-0 run out of the timeout to bring things back to within single digits. It became the theme of the night, as the Aztecs would gain a little momentum & shrink their deficit just for Utah State to do the same & extend it again.

Osobor & Brown II had plenty to do with that for the Aggies, while LeDee had the hot hand for San Diego State. Things slowed down as the game approached the final five minutes of play, but as that happened the Aztecs went on yet another run.

This time a 7-0 run that brought their deficit to just one point (59-58) and was filled with defensive stops. That was enough to force Coach Sprinkle to call a timeout, with 4:37 left in the game.

Luckily for the home crowd, Isaac Johnson was able to capitalize out of that timeout after a missed three pointer by Ian Martinez. This would be followed by a couple of misses from each squad before a Lamont Butler offensive foul ended things before the last media timeout.

Out of that timeout, the man with the hot hand took the three point shot. As Brown II’s shot failed to go in, a Utah State offensive board led to another opportunity from beyond the arc, that one was clean from the graduate transfer.

With time in short supply in Logan, the ball went to LeDee & as he attempted to make the layup, Osobor was there to send it away.

Jay Pal would go on to miss a three on the other end, but LeDee wasn’t prepared to quit just yet and drew a foul that sent him to the line. He would drain those free ones, but it was still a two possession game (64-60).

The Aztec gameplan after that you may ask, foul. Mason Falslev would drain his two shots at the line and made way for Brown II to head to the line immediately after him. As things seemed out of reach for San Diego State, now down 68-60. Miles Byrd hit his only three pointer of the game. But it was too late.

The W stayed in Logan Tuesday night, with Utah State defending their home court with a 68-63 win to take sole possession of first place in the Mountain West.

San Diego State was led by Jaedon LeDee and his 23 points, 15 of which came in the second-half. He was joined in double figures by Reese Waters (11 points) & Miles Byrd (10 points). The Aztecs had a decent night shooting from the floor (24-56, 42.9%), but struggled from deep (3-19, 15.8%).

Utah State simply shot just a tad better. Shooting 25-51 (49%) from the field & a poor but respectable 7-22 (31.8%) from beyond the arc. That figure not see that impressive, but the Aggies sank 4-10 three pointers in the second-half.

Thanks to Darius Brown, who had 13 of his 25 points during that time (including 3-5 3FGs). Other Aggies in double-figures include Mason Falslev with 10 points & Great Osobor with 17 points (13 also in the second-half.

“Everybody had their hand in it, our team is so together. That’s what makes this group special. They know we didn’t win a championship tonight, we have to continue to get better.” said Coach Sprinkle in the post game press conference. “I’m just really proud of their effort & the response they had coming off the Colorado State game.”

Player Spotlights

San Diego State F-Jaedon LeDee

Stat line: 23 points & 6 rebounds on 8-13 (61.5%) from the floor & 7-9 (77.7%) from the line in 33 minutes of action

You can’t say LeDee didn’t bring his A-Game to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Tuesday night. Accounting for over a third of his team’s offensive production as the Aztec’s attempted to keep up with the second highest scoring team in the conference (80.1 PPG).

His consistent scoring is a big part of the reason why the Aztecs were able to hang around until the final buzzer. It wasn’t enough to help his squad secure the road win but LeDee continues to make his case for All-American Honors.

Utah State GDarius Brown II

Stat line: 25 points, 4 rebounds, & 2 assists on 8-13 (61.5%) shooting from the floor, including 5-9 (55.5%) from deep in an impressive 39 minutes of action

Brown II left everything on the floor Tuesday night, only missing one minute of action as the offensive threat Danny Sprinkle couldn’t afford to leave on the bench for a single minute longer. As the Aztecs created continuous defensive spurts to keep their hosts within arms reach, not all of Utah State’s usual offensive weapons were firing.

In comes Brown II, who although has proven himself as a scorer in Logan multiple times this season. Isn’t Utah State’s go-to scorer most nights either. But against the Aztecs he flourished, especially from beyond the arc. His game high 25 points were the difference maker for his squad tonight.

Three Takeaways:

  • Both sides plaid to their advantages on Tuesday night. The Aztecs were able to slow the Aggies down at times, but those defensive stops came in spurts. Which was what the high scoring offense of Utah State needed to pull the “upset”. It may not have been a nail biter but the Aggies showed up and handled their business. Further feeding into the legend that is Danny Sprinkle in Logan.
  • San Diego State didn’t come into this one with the offensive firepower capable of outscoring the Aggies. Yes they had LeDee & some other players certainly capable of scoring, but they excel when they can strongarm their opponent defensively. Utah State simply made more shots, not a bad loss for San Diego State but indicative of the Mountain West gauntlet.
  • Utah State took sole possession of first place in the Mountain West with their win Tuesday night. It was an important win, as the Aggies only have four more games in conference play before head to Las Vegas in March. The only truly threatening game left on their schedule is at home against New Mexico in the last game of the regular season. Yes all aspects of that game would likely paint Utah State as the favorites, but this conference championship could be decided by just one game or even a half. So a major win at home against the conference juggernaut was key.

Next Up:

The Aggies get some time off before they head on the road to take on the Bulldogs in Fresno next Tuesday. Justin Hutson’s squad doesn’t necessarily exuberate upset alert this year. But remember any team can win on any given night.

that game tips off on February 27th at 8:00 PM MT and can be seen on the Mountain West Network.

While the Aztecs stay on the road to take a run at Fresno State themselves on Saturday February 24th. San Diego State needs to win every single remaining game on their schedule. Especially with a rematch against Boise State to end the regular season.

Their clash with the Bulldogs can be seen on CBS Sports & tips off at 7:00 PM PT.

Larry Muniz covers college basketball as a writer for Mountain West Wire and WAC Hoops Digest. Also as a co-host of the college basketball podcast “Hoops Talk W/Jay & Larry”. He is also a USWBA Member.

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New Mexico vs. San Diego State: Preview, Predictions, Odds

New Mexico vs. San Diego State: “Battle of the Big Dogs at Viejas Arena” Battle of the Big Dogs at Viejas Arena Follow @MWCwire Huge Mountain West game The San Diego State Aztecs (19-6, 8-4 MWC) will look to extend a 14-game home winning streak when …

New Mexico vs. San Diego State: “Battle of the Big Dogs at Viejas Arena”


Battle of the Big Dogs at Viejas Arena


Follow @MWCwire

Huge Mountain West game

The San Diego State Aztecs (19-6, 8-4 MWC) will look to extend a 14-game home winning streak when they take on the New Mexico Lobos (20-5, 8-4 MWC) on Friday, February 16, 2024 at Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl.

The highly anticipated clash at Viejas Arena promises to be a heavyweight match with significant implications in the Mountain West Conference rankings. 

San Diego State’s record against the spread this season is 10-13-0, and New Mexico’s is 17-7-0.

 The Aztecs have a 13-10-0 record going over the point total, while games involving the Lobos have a record of 14-10-0 when it comes to hitting the over. 

Over the past ten contests, San Diego State is 4-6 against the spread and 6-4 overall, while New Mexico has gone 7-3 against the spread and 7-3 overall.

 Game time at Viejas Arena is 8:00 p.m. MT (7:00 p.m. PT), and the game will air on FS1 and the Lobo Radio Network. It should be a great college basketball game. 

The Lobos defeated the Aztecs on January 13 at the PIT 88-70, in the PIT, so the Aztecs are looking for a bit of payback in their arena with a very loud fan base.

  • Matchup: New Mexico Lobos (20-5) 8-4 vs. San Diego State Aztecs (19-6) 8-4 in conference
  • Date/Time: Friday, January 16 at 8:00 p.m. MST

The New Mexico men’s basketball team concludes a two-game road trip on Friday with a visit to San Diego State for a battle of teams tied for second place in the Mountain West. 

The stage is set for an epic showdown as the New Mexico men’s basketball team gears up for the final leg of their two-game road trip.

They are heading into San Diego State territory for a high-stakes battle between two titans tied for second place in the Mountain West standings. 

With the clock ticking towards tip-off at Viejas Arena, anticipation mounts for this clash of basketball heavyweights, slated for 8:00 p.m. MT (7:00 p.m. PT) and set to air on FS1 and the Lobo Radio Network.

The Lobos, boasting a formidable 20-5 record this season and sitting at 8-4 in the Mountain West, are riding a wave of momentum after their heart-stopping victory over Nevada on Tuesday night in Reno, Nevada. 

 With four consecutive road wins under their belt, they are hungry for their first five-game conference road win streak since their glory days in 2013-14. 

The Lobos have yet to lose two games in a row this season, so the Nevada win helped keep that streak alive. 

In their recent triumph, Jamal Mashburn, Jr. emerged as the hero, sinking crucial shots to seal the deal for UNM. 

Mashburn had been taking a beating on Twitter from many of the local “armchair quarterbacks” for his poor performance against UNLV.

He responded with two huge three-point shots at Reno to help seal the deal for victory for the Lobos against Steve Alford‘s Nevada Wolf Pack in a massive win. 

The Lobos basketball team used two late three-pointers from Jamal Mashburn, Jr. to down Nevada 83-82 on Tuesday night at the Lawlor Events Center.

Mashburn led the Lobos with 17 points, highlighted by a game-tying three with 1:13 to play and the go-ahead three with 22.4 seconds left. Jaelen House added 13 points and four assists, while Mustapha Amzil had 12 points off the bench. 

Nelly Junior Joseph had his fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while JT Toppin just missed a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. Donovan Dent had nine points to go with seven assists.

Meanwhile, the San Diego State Aztecs, standing at 19-6 overall and mirroring the Lobos’ 8-4 conference record, are no strangers to success. 

Fresh off a sensational comeback win against Colorado State, where they erased a daunting halftime deficit, the Aztecs are led by the dynamic Jaedon LeDee, the conference’s leading scorer with an impressive 20.3 points per game.

With history on the line, New Mexico seeks to replicate their earlier victory over SDSU this season, aiming for their first season sweep of the Aztecs since 2016-17. 

A Friday night win would solidify their dominance over their rivals and mark a rare achievement, making them the first team since Fresno State in 2018 and 2019 to conquer the formidable Viejas Arena in back-to-back years.

As the tension mounts and the stakes soar, basketball fans everywhere brace themselves for what promises to be an unforgettable clash between two powerhouse programs.

Both vied for supremacy in one of college basketball’s most fiercely contested conferences, the Mountain West Conference. 

 Only one team will emerge victorious in this battle for bragging rights and conference positioning, etching their name into the annals of Mountain West basketball lore.

Under the leadership of Richard Pitino, son of the legendary Rick Pitino, the New Mexico Lobos have undergone a remarkable transformation. 

In just three seasons, Pitino has propelled the Lobos to back-to-back 20-win campaigns for the first time since 2014, signaling a resurgence in the program’s fortunes.

Offensively dynamic, the Lobos rank among the elite in the Mountain West and across Division I basketball, averaging an impressive 84.1 points per game, placing them 16th nationally. 

Under Richard Pitino’s leadership, the Lobos have emerged as one of the most formidable offensive forces in the Mountain West and Division I basketball. 

With an impressive average of 84.1 points per game (PPG), they currently rank 16th nationally. 

When the team adopts an up-tempo style and their shots find the mark, success inevitably follows, reflected in their performance in the win/loss column.

Despite the formidable challenge posed by San Diego State on their home turf, the Lobos remain undaunted, buoyed by their dominant home-court advantage at “The Pit,” where they boast an impressive 11-2 record this season. 

With three crucial home games remaining, the Lobos understand the importance of capitalizing on every opportunity to secure victory and propel themselves to the top of the conference standings.

However, they are also mindful of the challenges awaiting them on the road, with matchups against formidable opponents such as SDSU, USU, and the Boise State Broncos. 

With the conference title within their grasp, the Lobos are fully focused on the task at hand, prepared to leave it all on the court in pursuit of their championship aspirations.

To this point, the Lobos have generated 84.1 PPG, which lands them 16th in the nation. 

UNM also has three games left on the road, and considering those opponents (SDSU, USU, and the Boise State Broncos), it’s the most challenging part of their schedule this season. 

The San Diego State Aztecs, currently listed at +210, have been a dominant force in the Mountain West, epitomizing excellence both on and off the court. 

As last year’s national runner-up, they clinched the most recent regular season title in the conference, showcasing their prowess as one of the premier programs in the West. 

With an impressive track record, the Aztecs have triumphed in this market nine times, including three of the last four seasons, a feat unmatched by any other MWC school.

Under the guidance of head coach Brian Dutcher, now in his seventh year at the helm, San Diego State has consistently excelled, notching over 20 wins in every season. 

They stand tied for second in the conference with an 8-4 record in MWC play and an overall record of 19-6, firmly positioned to make a run at the top spot.

In 2024, the Aztecs have relied on their trademark stingy defense to power their campaign, holding opposing teams to just 66.8 points per game. 

With a roster boasting 11 players taller than 6-foot-4, including standout forward Jaedon LeDee, who averages an impressive 20.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, the Aztecs pose a formidable challenge to any opponent.

With two pivotal matchups on the horizon, including a crucial clash against UNM this Friday and a showdown against Utah State, the Aztecs have their sights set on seizing control of the conference regular season race. 

These upcoming games carry immense significance and could ultimately determine the conference champion, making them must-watch events for fans eagerly anticipating the outcome.

So fans can expect a great Friday game between two outstanding programs that have their strengths and weaknesses like any team. 

They are also very well-coached with some exciting players who can flat-out play the game of basketball, and depending on who shows up, the outcome and the victory will be determined. 

You never know what you will get in the Mountain West Conference from night to night, and there is a good possibility that six teams could go to the NCAA Tournament this year. 

Only time will tell us that, but for now, this writer will enjoy every second or every game; it’s been that good of a fan experience this year in this powerful conference. 

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Jaedon LeDee Helps Lift San Diego St. Past Colorado St., 71-55 At Home

Game Recap: San Diego State 71, Colorado State 55 San Diego State capitalizes on a poor second-half from Colorado State. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire San Diego State stands tall against visiting Rams, thanks to huge second-half from …

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 Game Recap: San Diego State 71, Colorado State 55


San Diego State capitalizes on a poor second-half from Colorado State.


Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

San Diego State stands tall against visiting Rams, thanks to huge second-half from Jaedon LeDee.

Both the Aztecs and Rams have experienced high & lows this season. A theme no Mountain West team has evaded thus far. Still, both programs find themselves in a four-way tie for second place, just one game behind league leader Utah State.

The last time these two teams met was on January 30th in Fort Collins. That first win stayed with the hosting Rams, thanks to two twenty point performances from Isaiah Stevens & Nique Clifford. Now fast forward a couple of weeks and both squads are in very similar places. Fighting the juggernaut that is the top-7 or so teams in the Mountain West at the moment.

With only six remaining regular season games to not only help these teams vie for beneficial seeding in the Mountain West Conference Tournament but also boost their chances at at-large bids should things not pan out in Las Vegas, time and winning are of the essence.

The Rams didn’t let a second go to waste. After giving up the first points of the game to a Jaedon LeDee Dunk, Colorado State went on an 14-0 before the Aztecs found their next point. The credit for that run goes to the outstanding three point shooting of Josiah Strong, who made three of Rams four opening three pointers.

The Aztecs needed a few moments but they responded. Chipping away at their visitors lead while Colorado State continued their long distance bombardment inside Viejas Arena. Sending their hosts back to their locker rooms down 44-30 at the half.

Brian Dutcher’s group didn’t necessarily have a bad offensive half. Colorado State simply had a great first half from beyond the arc & the Aztecs didn’t have many free throw opportunities to help fill the gap. While Niko Medved’s squad shot over 50% from the floor (16-28) & from deep (7-14).

San Diego State utilized the break to regroup and come out swinging. With the Aztecs going opening the scoring with a 7-0 run, including 5 straight points from their potential All-American Jaedon LeDee.

Colorado State responded with a 5-0 run of their own to help extend their lead back to double-digits (49-37). After that the Rams went several minutes without a made field goal. Which was enough for LeDee to go to work, scoring his team’s next seven points to add to his already fourteen.

The profound defensive juggernaut that is normally San Diego State held the Rams to just 10 points off of 3-17 shooting in the first thirteen minutes of second-half action. Outrebounding Colorado State 22-5 during that same stretch.

Though it wasn’t until the 9:47 mark that the Aztecs too their first lead of the game with a Jay Pal free throw, putting them up 53-52. San Diego State would slow the game down & rely on knocking down free throws to extend their lead.

Scoring became scarcer for the Rams. With a 7-1 run capped by a Lamont Butler Layup before a media timeout grew the Aztecs’ lead to a whopping fifteen points with 3:39 left in the game.

Both sides went scoreless over the next few minutes as Colorado State found themselves still down by fifteen points with a little over a minute to go. After that Brian Dutcher cleared the bench. Sending his star big man to the bench for the night with 27 points, a whopping 22 of them coming in the second-half.

With that San Diego State secured the 71-55 win at home and took sole possession of second place for the time being. LeDee was joined in the scoring column by two 11 point outings from backcourt members Darrion Trammell & Lamont Butler. While Niko Medved had four rams reach double-figures, with the lone exception being starter Joel Scott. Also receiving little to no help (4 points total) from their bench.

Player Spotlights

Colorado State G-Josiah Strong

Stat line: 14 points, 2 assists on 5-12 (41.6%) from the floor & 3-7 (42.8%) from deep in 29 minutes of action

Strong started things off, well strong for the Rams Tuesday night. Although recruited as a scoring sharpshooter, Strong has struggled with his rhythm & injuries during his time in Fort Collins. His three made 3-pointers were a season high and his most since transferring from Illinois State back in 2022.

It’s hard to highlight a good first-half performance after a nearly completely absent second-half (3 points, 1-6 shooting, 0-3 from deep). But let’s look for the silver lining Rams fans.

San Diego State FJaedon LeDee

Stat line: 27 points & 6 rebounds on 10-14 (46.6%) shooting from the floor, including 7-11 (63.6%) from the line in 26 minutes of action

After beginning the season averaging 26.8 PPG & 10.6 RPG over the Aztec’s first five games. LeDee placed his name in contention for national award watch lists. Not to say that reputation has dimmed over the course of the season, I mean the 6-9 big man hasn’t failed to reach double-digit scoring not once the entire season. Not to mention his current season averages of 20.0 PPG & 8.6 RPG thanks to his 54.9% field goal percentage.

But, his effectiveness to not only dominant a game but help his team win one came into question after San Diego State dropped four games since conference play began. None of that came into LeDee’s head on Tuesday night. As his team emerged from half-time down by 14 points, he went to work. Scoring 22 of his 27 points all in the second half and shooting an impressive 8-11 (72.7%) while doing it.

I can’t see the Aztecs winning so comfortably without that second-half dominance. Which could be extremely useful going forward in San Diego State’s remaining six regular season games.

Three Takeaways:

  • San Diego State made a comeback that came with a side of defensive stalwart that only the Aztecs could have made. It spoke to the always dangerous program that Brian Dutcher has continued to mold since taking over. It made for must see Mountain West TV while kicking off what turned out to be an exciting night for basketball in the conference.
  • Colorado State shot lights out in the first half. It’s always hard to keep offensive momentum going after a half-time break. Which, combined with the Aztec’s infamous defense, led way to a horrendous second-half performance inside Viejas Arena. As ugly as this loss became, it doesn’t spell doom for the Rams. There are plenty of other opportunities to help climb themselves up the conference ladder & better build their Tournament resume.
  • With the Aztecs win, the conference race was better defined Tuesday night. Gone was a huge four way tie for second place. And with it San Diego State helped further solidify their place as a top-3 finish team in this league.

Next Up:

The Aztecs will stay in San Diego to end their two game homestand against longtime conference rivals New Mexico. The Lobos won the first leg of this series back in Albuquerque on January 13th. That 88-70 loss came at the hands of a red hot New Mexico squad. Since then Richard Pitino’s squad has succumbed to the gauntlet that is the Mountain West.

Regardless of previous games, any team can win on any given night, so Viejas arena needs to show up to help avenge their loss at home last season to New Mexico. That rare Friday night game will tip-off at 7:00 PM PT and can be seen on FS1.

While Colorado State returns home to defend Moby Arena against league leaders Utah State on Saturday February 17th. Aside from being the feel good story of the year, the Aggies are a dangerously good team.

But the Rams gave them a run for their money last time out in Logan, so stay tuned for what could be the marquee game on Saturday.That game tips off at 3:30 PM MT and can be seen on the CBS Sports Network.

Larry Muniz covers college basketball as a writer for Mountain West Wire and WAC Hoops Digest. Also as a co-host of the college basketball podcast “Hoops Talk W/Jay & Larry”. He is also a USWBA Member.

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San Diego State vs. Boise State: Game Preview, Odds, How To Watch

Can the Aztecs get a key road victory, or will the Broncos rebound after a tough home loss? Who: The Boise State Broncos (12-5, 3-1) vs the San Diego State Aztecs (15-3, 4-1). When: Saturday, Jan 20, 2024. 11:00 am MT (10:00 am PT). Where: Extramile …

Can the Aztecs get a key road victory, or will the Broncos rebound after a tough home loss?

Who: The Boise State Broncos (12-5, 3-1) vs the San Diego State Aztecs (15-3, 4-1).

When: Saturday, Jan 20, 2024. 11:00 am MT (10:00 am PT).

Where: Extramile Arena; Boise, Idaho

TV: CBS

STREAM: FuboTV — get a free trial

Line: SDSU -1 on KenPom

The San Diego State Aztecs are traveling to Boise Idaho to take on the Boise State Broncos. It is a battle of heavyweights as these programs have won the conference the last two years, and both are pushing for another championship this season.

Boise State is coming off a tough home loss to UNLV, and will be looking to get back in the win column. A second home loss could remove them from the race for the conference title.

SDSU is coming off a home win vs Nevada and will want to expand their win streak. Picking up a win in Boise would put the Aztecs in a Prime position to win the conference.

Keys for SDSU:

The Aztecs will need to find a few key things. First, they will need to handle the crowd. They let the environment get to them in the Pit and blew a double-digit lead to lose by 18. This Aztec team will need to stay more composed.

The Broncos can occasionally be turnover-prone, and the Aztecs will want to force that issue.

Lastly, Boise State plays an aggressive style of defense that can result in committing extra fouls. The Aztecs will want to try and get key players in foul trouble early, especially O’Mar Stanley. That will let Jaedon LeDee get more work done down low.

Keys for Boise State

The primary focus needs to be slowing down Jaedon LeDee. LeDee is on pace for an all-American level season, and the Aztecs haven’t had consistent help for him. Other guys may play eel for a couple games, but he’s been the only constant. Slowing him down is a must.

The other key is offensive rebounding. It is a problem that has plagued the Aztecs off and on all season. Freshman JT Toppin had nine offensive rebounds on his own against SDSU. If the Broncos as a team can get second chances it will wear down the Aztec defense.

X-Factor

Rebounding. The Aztecs had 20 offensive rebounds in their win over Nevada. Boise State did rebound well in their loss against UNLV. If the Broncos clean that up they should win. If not the Aztecs should pull off the victory.

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New Mexico blows out No. 19 San Diego State, 88-70

Game Recap: New Mexico 88, No. 19 SDSU 70 New Mexico enjoyed a double-digit win over rivals San Diego State in front of a sold out crowd. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire The Lobos received a team effort to put away top-25 ranked Aztecs at …

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 Game Recap: New Mexico 88, No. 19 SDSU 70


New Mexico enjoyed a double-digit win over rivals San Diego State in front of a sold out crowd.


Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

The Lobos received a team effort to put away top-25 ranked Aztecs at home.

Albuquerque, NM–A conference rivalry that was on the verge of extinction this time last season was truly alive in Albuquerque on Saturday afternoon. In front of a sold out crowd inside the Pit, two of the Mountain West’s best hit the hardwood.

For the No. 19 Aztecs it was an opportunity to put the smackdown on a talented Lobo team who is coming off of a tough couple of road losses. For New Mexico, it was a shot at knocking off a top-25 opponent at home, who just happens to be one of your oldest rivals.

Things were tight from the opening tip. As the Lobos & Aztecs traded buckets most of the 1st half. With high energy, high emotion plays coming left & right. But the Aztecs began to play their game around the ten minute mark to separate themselves in front of an involved Lobo crowd.

A slowed down approach on both sides of the ball made every basket count. And when the Lobos went on a dry spell during that time, the Aztecs took advantage. Taking their first double-digit lead (29-19) behind offensive efforts from Darrion Trammell & Miles Byrd.

The Lobos weren’t going to take a beating like that lying down, certainly Jaelen House wasn’t. The graduate combo guard helped ignite a 17-0 run that would shrink their double-digit deficit and give them the 36-35 lead approaching the 2:15 mark.

Aside from House’s 14 first-half points, the Lobos were given the edge heading into the half by way of their free throw shooting. New Mexico’s three guard trio of Dent, House & Mashburn Jr. combined for 12-12 from the charity stripe. It’s hard to point to anything else offensively in the first twenty that gave them an advantage.

The second-half started out similarly, this time with the Lobos in the driver seat. Running and gunning off of defensive turnovers, the crowd inside the Pit was treated to highlight reel dunks left and right.

All of this until the Aztecs wore them out a tad. A few San Diego State buckets shrank the lead to within five. The Lobos answered as they had all game, with solid defensive plays from their guards & bigs.

A technical foul on San Diego State’s Miles Byrd around the 14th minute mark was a testament to how physical things were all night. The Aztecs were given two more technical just minutes later for some pushing & jarring once again. Those moments can be momentum killers but

The Lobos continued to trade buckets with their visitors. Eventually going on an 11-1 run approaching the ten minute mark to take their largest lead of the game (64-51). That lead would get as high as 19 behind the efforts of Mashburn Jr. and the rest of his team. The senior guard has looked out of rhythm since his hand injury back in November.

New Mexico never looked back, with multiple guards with red hot hands & JT Toppin in the post to defend and flush the ball any chance he got it was over.

“We were able to do it on a national stage against a nationally ranked team.” said Coach Pitino “A great day for our team and our fans”

Player Spotlights

New Mexico F-JT Toppin

Stat line: 17 points, 16 rebounds & 5 blocked shots

I changed this multiple times throughout the game, cycling through House, Mashburn Jr. & Toppin several times. But when I went to the box score & saw the freshman’s double-double and 4 blocked shots it felt necessary. Those four blocks could have easily been 8 or 10 as Toppin was active in the post all night, deflecting shots & passes.

“We knew we were going to win on defense, we knew we were going to score but we had to win on defense.” said Toppin on his squads defense

He also would have had over twenty points if he would have made some free throws (1-8). I don’t think the Lobos win without Toppin, their lack of interior defense has been an issue all season, not Saturday.

SDSU G– Darrion Trammell

Stat line: 12 points, 2 assists & 2 steals in 29 minutes on the floor.

There are not many stat sheet stuffing moments from the Aztecs during the season. They just aren’t that sort of team, they can get the job done as a team with no flashy stats. Trammell was one of the few Aztecs on the floor that looked to be score or create offense every time he touched the ball.

Three Takeaways

  • Sometimes passion is what’s needed when facing adversity. There isn’t another player on the court with House at the same time that has more passion than him. He was a maestro for his squad’s offense as well the crowd’s involvement all game.
  • The Aztecs played their game all game long. If your opponent is cold like the Lobos were in the first half you dominate and win. Once they find a rhythm as the Lobos did, the firepower isn’t always there to play catch up. A good showing by Brian Dutchers group, but let’s hope for a No. 25 ranking come Monday after that loss.
  • This has become a marquee Mountain West matchup in the Pitino era. Something the Lobo fanbase needed while also contributing to the juggernaut reputation of the conference. Games like this are good for fans, nothing more to be said.

Next Up:

The Lobos take their win and continue their two game homestand against a red & hot top-25 ranked Utah State. Danny Sprinkle has the Aggies rolling in year one and that 8:30 PM MT tip-off can be seen on FS1 on Wednesday night.

While SDSU returns home to face Steve Alford and his Nevada Wolf Pack on Wednesday night as well. Nevada is always a tough conference matchup and boast two of the better guards in the Mountain West in Kenan Blackshear & Jarod Lucas. That 8:00 PM PT tip-off can be seen on the CBS Sports Network.

Larry Muniz covers college basketball as a writer for Mountain West Wire and WAC Hoops Digest. Also as a co-host of the college basketball podcast “Hoops Talk W/Jay & Larry”. He is also a USWBA Member.

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New Mexico vs. San Diego State: How Lobos Can Defeat Aztecs

New Mexico vs. San Diego State: How Lobos Can Defeat Aztecs Huge game on broadcast on TV Follow @MWCwire Lobos hosting Aztecs in a huge game On Saturday, the 19th-ranked San Diego State encounters a challenging assignment as it travels to …

New Mexico vs. San Diego State: How Lobos Can Defeat Aztecs


Huge game on broadcast on TV


Follow @MWCwire

Lobos hosting Aztecs in a huge game

On Saturday, the 19th-ranked San Diego State encounters a challenging assignment as it travels to Albuquerque, N.M., to take on New Mexico Lobos in the infamous PIT.

The San Diego State Aztecs (14-2, 3-0 MWC) are seeking to prolong their seven-game winning streak as they face the New Mexico Lobos (13-3, 1-2 MWC) at 2:00 PM ET on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at The Pit.

The Aztecs (14-2, 3-0 MWC) have won seven in a row; however, they know the Lobos (13-3, 1-2) are dangerous opponents at home who need a good Quad 1 victory.  

The Saturday matchup will be broadcast on CBS to a national prime-time audience, promising an exciting game from both the Lobos and Aztecs. 

When these two rivals play at the PIT in Albuquerque or Viejas Arena in San Diego, prepare for the fireworks like a pair of prize fighters exchanging punches.  

UNM Athletics announced a sold-out status for the upcoming game against No. 19 San Diego State, enhancing the spectacle with a planned red and white “stripe out” inside the Pit.

There is no doubt that this Lobo team is one of the more talented Lobo teams this writer has seen in a few years to wear the cherry & silver Lobo uniforms.  

They are a legitimate top FBS team on paper but have struggled at times, especially with the energy levels or slow starts in the second half of the game. 

  • Matchup: New Mexico Lobos (13-3) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (14-2)
  • Date/Time: Saturday, January 13 at 2:00 PM ET
  • Location: The PIT in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Yes, they are 13-3, 1-2 in the MWC, but the games they have lost have all been pretty much the same recipe: start strong in the first half, start weak in the second half, get behind, and try to catch up before the clock runs out. 

The Lobos must have the “come to Jesus moment” to realize how good they can be when playing smart, fundamentally sound basketball. 

They have got to find a way to find consistent scoring at the three-point line, and Coach Pitino said in today’s presser, “There is no way to win games if you can’t score from the three-point game in this day and age.” 

By this time next week, following their matchups against SDSU and Utah State, we should gather ample evidence to form a conclusive judgment on how good this team is. 

The Lobos pulling the upset in the next two games would be huge for this team and their confidence going forward for the rest of the season. 

I think no team has this much talent, especially at the three-guard spot in the Mountain West Conference. 

We are talking about hitting free throws and taking and scoring more three-point shots, and their big man must play sound defense; the leaders on this team must step up! 

They must play sound fundamental basketball with many good teams in this conference to win games, especially on the road. 

Their big Nelly Junion Joseph, at 6-10 240 pounds, must put his mean socks on and play more intensely and physically, especially against the Aztecs, or it could get ugly. 

While Lobo fans have relished Jaelen House‘s vibrant and animated presence and personality, he must maintain emotional composure, particularly in critical moments when his team relies on him to give his team a fighting chance to win big games. 

Local beat writer Geoff Grammer for the Albuquerque Journal reported, “For 15 seasons, UNM has declared a sellout 31 times, with seven sellouts occurring during nonconference matchups and 24 in Mountain West play.

Notably, among all opposing teams, none have drawn more sold-out crowds to the Pit than UNM’s in conference rival San Diego State, surpassing even in-state rival New Mexico State University.”

CBS will broadcast the game at noon local time, marking the season’s second sellout after the December 2 victory against in-state rival New Mexico State. 

This game, being televised in front of a national audience on CBS, promises to be one thunderous, excellent basketball game in the infamous PIT. 

The Aztecs, with a formidable record of 14-2 (3-0 Mountain West) and a presence in April’s national title game, bring standout players like All-America candidate forward Jaedon LeDee and guard LaMont Butler, known for breaking Lobo fans’ hearts with a buzzer-beater last February and repeating the feat in the Final Four against Florida Atlantic.

After last week’s Aztec win against UNLV: “It’s all the difference,” LeDee said. “At this level, everybody can shoot, everybody has skill, everybody gameplans. 

It’s about who wants it the most, who’s willing to go out there and do what it takes. That’s kind of what our identity is. 

Whether it’s last year’s team or this year’s team, it doesn’t matter what team it is; we’re going to be tough, and we’re going to compete.”

So you can see what the Aztecs want their identity to be, and this is where the Lobos must match this mindset with tough, physical, smart play in the PIT to beat them. 

You are coming to our House (no pun intended), the PIT, and we are a darn good team that belongs with the upper tear Mountain West teams this year! 

You can bet that the Lobos have not forgotten last year’s game, losing at a last-second shot to Lamont Butler and seeking revenge on one of their rivals in the MWC. 

With a current record of 13-3 (1-2), the Lobos aim to bounce back from a recent road loss at UNLV and defend their undefeated 8-0 home court performance this season.

New Mexico has achieved a 9-5-0 record against the spread this season, while San Diego State stands at 6-7-0. 

Five of the Lobos’ games surpassed the point total, whereas seven of the Aztecs’ games exceeded it.

 New Mexico boasts a 7-3 against the spread in the last ten games and an 8-2 overall record. San Diego State has a 5-5 against the spread and a 9-1 overall performance.

Six of the Lobos’ games this season have exceeded the point total, whereas eight of the Aztecs’ games have done the same. 

New Mexico boasts a 7-3 record against the spread in their last ten games and an 8-2 overall record. San Diego State has a 4-6 record against the spread and a 9-1 overall record.

New Mexico Key Players to Watch

Donovan Dent leads the Lobos in both points and assists per game, showcasing impressive stats of 15.7 points and 6.1 assists.

Nelly Junior Joseph dominates the rebounding category for New Mexico, securing an average of 7.8 boards per game while also contributing 8.8 points to each contest.

Jemarl Baker Jr. leads the Lobos in three-point shooting, averaging 1.4 shots from beyond the arc per game.

Dent stands out as the leader for New Mexico in the steals department, averaging 1.7 takeaways per game. Meanwhile, JT Toppin takes the lead in blocks, recording an average of 1.5 rejections per contest.

JT Toppin averages 12.5 points, 0.6 assists, and 7.6 rebounds in each game. Nelly Junior Joseph leads the Lobos with 7.8 rebounds per game, contributing 1.3 assists and 8.8 points.

Without question, Lobo Guard Jaelen House is the emotional sparkplug for this team this year. 

If House stays out of foul trouble and stays focused on helping lead this team, the Lobos will get upset, and if he gets into foul trouble, it will spell trouble for him sitting on the bench.  

Jaelen House scored 29 points in last season’s win in San Diego, and Jamal Mashburn Jr. had 22. They also combined for 35 points in the loss to the visiting Aztecs.

San Diego State Key Players to Watch

Jaedon LeDee stands as the Aztecs’ leading scorer, averaging 22.0 points per game (ranking fifth in college basketball), and is also their top rebounder with 8.8 rebounds. LeDee contributes 1.5 assists per game.

Micah Parrish contributes 10.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game for the Aztecs.

Reese Waters maintains a stat line of 12.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. He showcases impressive shooting accuracy, making 44.2% of his field goals and 42.1% from 3-point range while averaging 1.5 triples per game.

Lamont Butler leads the San Diego State team in assists, averaging 3.3 per game. Additionally, he contributes an average of 8.4 points and secures 1.8 rebounds per game.

On December 29, San Diego State secured its most notable victory of the season with an 84-74 road win against the No. 23 Gonzaga Bulldogs.

 Reese Waters emerged as the leading scorer in the game, contributing 22 points, five rebounds, and two assists.

Micah Parrish tops San Diego State in steals, recording an average of 1.6 per game, while Jay Pal leads in blocks with an average of 0.7 per game.

For fans tuning in to this prime-time national game, the spectacle promises to exceed the value of admission or the ticket price. 

While UNM aims for the upset, it’s clear that overcoming this highly skilled Aztec team will require a collective effort. The well-coached Aztecs, known for their resilience, don’t back down when facing opponents, as evident in their gameplay.

This would be a tremendous quad-one win for UNM, and boy, do they need it if they have any hopes of advancing in the NCAA tournament; it’s all about winning from here on out. Advertisement

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No. 19 Aztecs Return To The Top 25 With A Vengeance

No. 19 Aztecs Return To The Top 25 With A Vengeance After besting #13 Gonzaga at the Kennel on December 29th, fans were surprised to see the Aztecs outside of the Top 25 last week. Contact/Follow @tedmcgovern & @MWCwire Brian Dutcher’s Aztecs fire …

No. 19 Aztecs Return To The Top 25 With A Vengeance


After besting #13 Gonzaga at the Kennel on December 29th, fans were surprised to see the Aztecs outside of the Top 25 last week.


Contact/Follow @tedmcgovern & @MWCwire

Brian Dutcher’s Aztecs fire on all cylinders entering Mountain West conference play.

After a 5-week break, the San Diego State Aztecs (13-2, 2-0 MW) are back in the Associated Press Top 25, advancing seven spots from #26 last week to #19 in both the Associated Press and the Coaches Poll.

Gonzaga’s home court, the McCarthey Athletic Center a.k.a. “The Kennel” is a very hard place to win. How difficult? When the Aztecs defeated the Bulldogs, a.k.a. Zags, it was their first home loss to a non-conference opponent since 2015. As well, coach Mark Few and the Zags have been in the AP Top 25 since the end of the 2015-16 season. The Aztecs managed to close with a ten-point victory, leaving Zags fans stunned.

After New Year’s Day, the Aztecs opened up conference play on Wednesday, January 3rd, against another Bulldogs squad. This time it was the Bulldogs of Fresno State. Aside from an early lead in the opening minute of the game, SDSU thumped coach Justin Hutson’s crew 74-47.

Then, on Saturday, January 6th, the Aztecs led wire to wire against a dazzling, dangerous UNLV Runnin’ Rebels team with a 72-61 win.

The Aztecs have simply become impossible to ignore.

In light of this season’s Mountain West Conference play being as formidable as it has ever been, also including #17 Colorado State and #20 Utah State, and five spots removed Nevada Wolfpack, the Aztecs will be tested intensely. They will also have potential ranked team wins in conference, for once.

The Aztecs are back in the Top 25, and this time they might stick around.

SDSU plays at San Jose State on Tuesday, January 9th (8 p.m. PST CBS Sports Network) and at New Mexico on Saturday, January 13th at 11 a.m. PST on CBS.