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New Mexico vs. UC Santa Barbara: Preview
The Lobos look to continue hot streak against UC Santa Barbara Wednesday.
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New Mexico to finish three-game homestand against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos.
WHO: New Mexico (7-1, 0-0 in the MWC) vs. UC Santa Barbara (4-2, 0-0 in Big West)
WHEN: Wednesday, December 6th, 7:00 PM MT
WHERE: University Arena aka “The Pit”, Albuquerque, NM
STREAM: Mountain West Network
Line: KenPom, The Lobos are favored by 14 Points
Fandom in Albuquerque could not be higher as we venture further into the Month of December and closer to conference play. The Lobos are currently on a six game winning streak, sweeping their opposition in Henderson and returning to the Pit to add a couple more victories to their win column. One of those victories was one for the history books.
That aforementioned game was the second largest margin of victory over New Mexico State. Their in-state rivals fell 106-62, in the first Rio Grande Rivalry since the 2021-2022 season.
The Lobos were led by Jaelen House who scored 26 of his 28 points in the first-half, shooting 9-11 (81.8%) from the floor and a very impressive 5-6 from deep (83.3%), tying a career best in just 26 minutes on the floor.
Aside from House’s stellar contributions, the Lobos got a little help from everyone on Saturday night. With every single New Mexico player scoring at least one field goal, and a double-double from sophomore sensation Donovan Dent.
Plus a career night from emerging freshman Tru Washington, whose career high 21 points & 6 rebounds helped earn him his first Mountain West Freshman of the Week honor.
It was a dominant performance in every sense of the word and it’s added confidence to a surging New Mexico program that could very well not lose another non-conference game.
One of those games is an away game in Las Cruces against the Aggies on their own turf. Until then, they’ll host the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. A Big West program that has been a silent power house on the west coast since the arrival of their Head Coach, Jon Pasternack.
Like others before them, march down the ramp inside the Pit Wednesday night in hopes of leaving with an upset in one of the sport’s greatest venues.
UC Santa Barbara Breakdown
The Gauchos are lead by Jon Pasternack, their now 7th year head coach. Who spent time at Arizona as an Associate Head Coach under Sean Miller. During his time in Tucson Pasternack was crucial to the Wildcats’ success, which includes trips to five NCAA Tournaments, two Sweet 16s and two Elite Eights.
This success gave him the opportunity to return to the head coaching ranks once again. This time time around in Santa Barbara, CA, where Pasternack has built quite the powerhouse in the Big West. Producing five 20+ win seasons and two Big West trebles that include two trips to the big dance.
And while attracting future NBA talent like Aaron Gordon & Stanley Johnson to Tucson is easy, finding and developing NBA talent at UCSB is far more impressive. Coach Pasternack has done just that, sending Gabe Vincent (Lakers) & Jacquori McLaughlin to the bright lights of the NBA from a Big West school.
So, UC Santa Barbara has similar expectations this season to what Pasternack has gotten fans used to. Picked to win the Big West yet again, two returning starters and a boosted frontcourt by SEC transfer Yohan Traore (15.2 PPG/67.3% FG). Who brings high major size and athleticism to UCSB.
The Gauchos also boast one of the bigger (all guards 6’4+) and more experienced backcourts in the west. And it’s headlined by the returning Big West Player of the Year Ajay Mitchell (see below). On the perimeter he’s joined by stat sheet stuffer Josh Pierre-Louis who can score at all three levels and helps leads the team in assists (tied at 4.3 APG w/Mitchell). Not to mention returner and fellow long range shooter Cole Anderson (15/35, 42.9%).
Players to Watch:
G Jaelen House–New Mexico
After his spectacular performance against New Mexico State on Saturday, Jaelen House is officially back. Which is good news for Richard Pitino. As his leading scorer Jamal Mashburn Jr. is likely still questionable after missing the last three games with an undisclosed injury.
While House is back from dealing with an injury of his own that sidelined him for the first five games of the season. There appears to be no rust to shake off, since his return he’s averaged 22.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.0 APG & 3.0 SPG, shooting both 50% from the floor and 3-point range.
Though perhaps missed the most is House’s play making ability for himself and others. Something lacking at times this season, but as we saw Saturday, he make’s everyone around him better.
G Ajay Mitchell-UC Santa Barbara
Returning a conference player of the year in this day and age is a victory in and in itself. Whether through transfer portal poaching or the professional ranks, which Mitchell has received interest from during his first two seasons in Santa Barbara.
Though this season he’s taking things up a notch, in every statistical category that matters. Currently leading the Gauchos in scoring with 23.3 PPG while also chipping in 5.3 RPG, 4.3 APG & shooting 63.5% from the floor, 84.6% from the free throw line and an improved 50% from deep.
Mitchell can do it all, score at all three levels, get to the free throw line and take advantage. All of that at the point guard spot, at 6’5 190. Mitchell may be a big defensive assignment for most of the Lobos’ backcourt.
Keys to the Game
For New Mexico: Distribute the ball well, Take and make the 3 & Defend the perimeter
The Lobos logged a season high in assists against the Aggies (24) and arguably their best assist to turnover ratio of the season as well (3:1). If the team can build on that ball movement and shoot the three ball similarly (14-25, 56%) while taking the three point shot away from the Gauchos, a quality win should be expected.
Prediction: New Mexico 90, UC Santa Barbara 76
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.