Lobos Poised to Clash with Rams
- Teams: New Mexico vs. Colorado State
- Date: Saturday, December 28th 2024
- Time: 3:00 PM EST 1:00 MST
- Venue: Moby Arena
- TV: Mountain West Network
- Radio: Lobo Sports Network Rob Portnoy & Hunter Green
Spread: Colorado State is favored by -3.5
Total (Over/Under): 157.5
Moneyline Odds: New Mexico +150, Colorado State -182
Lobos Set for Road Redemption Against Colorado State Rams in Mountain West Clash
New Mexico Lobo fans, brace yourselves for a pivotal Mountain West showdown as the Lobos (9-3, 1-0 MW) hit the road to face the Colorado State Rams (7-5 1-0 MW) in what promises to be an excellent college basketball game.
Saturday’s Mountain West Conference clash will see the New Mexico Lobos (9-3) take on the Colorado State Rams (7-5) at Moby Arena in Fort Collins.
Donovan Dent leads the Lobos with averages of 19.6 points and 7.3 assists per game, while Nique Clifford powers the Rams with 16.3 points and 10.7 rebounds.
Riding high after a 78-71 win over VCU, New Mexico boasts a potent offense, averaging 87.0 points per game.
The New Mexico Lobos come into this matchup with a 9-3 record on the season.
They average 11.8 turnovers and commit 18.7 personal fouls per game. As a team, they grab 40.5 rebounds per contest and have recorded 213 assists this season, ranking 41st in Division I for passing.
Offensively, the Lobos are hitting 36.3% from three-point range (95 of 262) and 67.2% from the free throw line, while averaging 87.0 points per game (12th nationally) on 46.0% shooting from the field.
Defensively, New Mexico forces 17.3 turnovers per game and draws 20.8 personal fouls. They allow opponents to shoot 37.8% from beyond the arc and rank 284th in Division I in points allowed per game (75.4).
Opposing teams are shooting 44.8% against them (320 of 715), and the Lobos give up 37.0 rebounds per contest.
They rank 290th in the nation for assists allowed, having surrendered 186 so far this season.
Meanwhile, the Rams, shooting 45.5% from the field, aim to capitalize on their home-court edge in what promises to be a tightly contested conference showdown with meaningful early-season stakes.Colorado State enters the game with a 7-5 record this season. Offensively, the Rams shoot 45.4% from the field, ranking 170th nationally.
They have scored 880 points this year, averaging 73.3 per game, and collect 35.5 rebounds per contest.
With 15.8 assists per game (91st in the nation), they also average 11.8 turnovers per outing. The Rams commit 18.6 fouls per game and convert 76.0% of their free throw attempts.
Defensively, Colorado State allows 70.0 points per game, ranking 151st nationally.
They force 13.0 turnovers per contest and hold opponents to 42.0% shooting from the field (127th in the country).
Opponents are hitting 36.0% of their three-point attempts (94 of 261) and 66.7% of their free throws.
The Rams allow 12.3 assists and 36.1 rebounds per game, ranking 132nd and 266th nationally in those categories, respectively.
Richard Pitino’s Lobos are 9-3, and with three significant wins against UCLA, USC, and VCU, they are in a good position in Mountain West Play.
These victories have shown the Lobos’ potential and set a positive tone for the upcoming season in Mountain West play.
Not bad for a team that lost some serious ballers (JT Toppin, Jaelen House, Jamal Mashburn) from last year’s Mountain West Conference Championship team.
Both teams are riding the highs of recent victories. New Mexico seeks to notch its first road win, and the Rams aim to protect their impressive home record at Moby Arena, where they are 5-1 this season. Tipoff is set for 3:00 PM EST.
New Mexico vs. Colorado State: A Mountain West Showdown of Strengths
Over the past few seasons, New Mexico and Colorado State have become two of the Mountain West’s premier programs in the Mountain West Conference.
When the Rams and the Lobos play, expect a great game that will often go down to the wire.
Heading into this matchup, the Lobos boast one of the most dynamic offenses in the conference, anchored by Donovan Dent, one of the nation’s elite scorers.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
Dent leads a balanced New Mexico attack, with four players averaging double figures. The team blends perimeter precision with dominant interior play.
While not as explosive offensively this season, Colorado State relies on a dependable backcourt duo in Nique Clifford and Jalen Lake.
Together, they account for nearly half of the Rams’ offensive production. However, the Rams have struggled to find consistency from beyond the arc, which could prove costly against a Lobos team that thrives on efficient scoring.
Both teams have showcased strong defensive capabilities but have been vulnerable to allowing opponents success from three-point range.
Photo Courtesy of CSU Athletics
New Mexico’s superior offensive firepower, size, and versatility in this matchup could present significant challenges for Colorado State.
With the Lobos, much depends on what other role players add to Donovan Dent and Joseph Nelly’s contributions in each game.
Expect Donovan Dent to shine once again. New Mexico has the edge with his ability to score at will and the Lobos’ impressive three-point shooting.
Colorado State’s scoring limitations may make it challenging to keep pace, setting the stage for another standout performance from the Lobos’ star.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
Lobos Look to Build Momentum Behind Dent’s Heroics
Donovan Dent delivered a performance for the ages in New Mexico’s thrilling 78-71 victory over VCU.
Refusing to let the Lobos drop back-to-back games, Dent poured in a career-high 40 points on 14-of-26 shooting, adding five rebounds and four assists.
The star guard’s relentless drive sparked a dominant effort in the paint, where New Mexico outscored VCU 44-26 and controlled the glass with a 14-rebound advantage.
Nelly Junior Joseph played a key supporting role, posting a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Mustapha Amzil chipped in 15 points and eight boards.
Despite shooting just 27.3% from beyond the arc, the Lobos outlasted the Rams by leveraging their physicality and depth.
There’s no question that the Lobos’s most consistent shooter from the three-point line this year would be 6-7 RS Soph Braden Appelhans shooting .514 percent, 18-35.
If the Lobo can get more consistant treys from both Appelhans and Senior Mustapha Amzile, the Lobos will be one very much more balanced and flat out dangerous team for opposing teams.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
One thing that stands out to anyone watching Richard Pitino’s squad this season is the growing impact of the bench. Game by game, the reserves are stepping up and making increasingly valuable contributions.
Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
This season, the Lobos are lighting up scoreboards with 83.8 points per game on 44.4% field-goal shooting, showcasing their firepower.
However, their defensive metrics—allowing 75.9 points per game and 38.5% shooting from deep—underscore the challenge of tightening up on the road.
Rams Thrive on Clutch Performances
Meanwhile, Colorado State enters the matchup riding the momentum of a nail-biting 66-64 win over Nevada.
Nique Clifford’s ice-cold free throws with four seconds left sealed the deal, highlighting the Rams’ poise in crunch time.
Clifford was a force throughout, tallying 16 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists. Freshman Kyan Evans matched Clifford’s scoring output with 16 points and added four boards.
The Rams showed grit, overcoming an eight-rebound deficit by excelling in transition, outscoring Nevada 12-1 in fast-break points.
Colorado State averages 73.3 points per game on 45.4% shooting. Their defense, which allows just 70 points per game, has been a key factor in their success. They rank 91st nationally in defensive efficiency.
Fast-Paced Showdown: New Mexico and Colorado State Set to Light Up the Scoreboard
New Mexico and Colorado State are gearing up for a high-octane battle, and fans should expect a track meet.
The Lobos thrive on pace, ranking third nationally in possessions per game and sixth in field goal attempts.
Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Their commitment to pushing the tempo has translated into exciting, fast-paced basketball, with the over-hitting in seven of their 11 games this season.
While not as offensively potent, Colorado State also embraces an up-tempo style. The team ranks 146th in possessions per game.
The Rams’ backcourt duo of Nique Clifford and Jalen Lake provides plenty of scoring punch, and the team has been particularly strong on its home court this season.
Both teams share a common vulnerability: struggling to defend the three-point line.
New Mexico has allowed opponents to shoot well beyond the arc, and Colorado State has shown similar defensive lapses.
Given their fast-paced styles and defensive challenges, this game has all the makings of a shootout.
Expect both teams to capitalize on the up-tempo pace, racking up possessions and field goal attempts.
With each squad likely to score north of 75 points, this contest is primed to hit the over and deliver a thrilling display of offensive basketball.
Keys to the Game
New Mexico’s formula for success is clear: dominate the paint and leverage its offensive firepower with its up-tempo style of play.
However, the team’s ability to adjust defensively, particularly against a disciplined Rams team at home, could define the outcome.
The Lobos’ explosive scoring will test Colorado State’s knack for clutch moments and home-court prowess.
Can the Lobos earn their first road victory and continue climbing the Mountain West standings, or will the Rams extend their home dominance?
One thing is sure: fans on both sides won’t want to miss this show. Given both teams’ history of playing each other, it should be an excellent college basketball game.
I expect the Lobos to win on the road, as I think Donnovan Dent and Nelly Jr Joseph & company will be too much for the Rams.