Fresno State vs New Mexico Prediction 12-31-24 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Fresno State vs New Mexico Prediction for this college basketball game on Tuesday, December 31st, at the Save Mart Center. Let’s take a look at a Fresno State Bulldogs vs New Mexico Lobos Pick. 

Fresno State Has Problems

Fresno State has problems heading into this game and overall they have won only four games this season. In the last game against UNLV, the offense was good, scoring 77 points, but the defense gave up 87 points, and that led to the defeat. Mykell Robinson had a strong game putting up 18 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. There were four differen players that put up at least 13 points. Two games ago against California Baptist, the offense scored 69 points but the defense gave up 86 points. The defense gave up 50 points in the second half and that led to the defeat. 

Fresno State is averaging 72.3 points while their defense is giving up 80.2 points per game. The offense is ranked 261st in the league while the defense is ranked 342nd in the league. Amar Augillard has been the top player for Fresno State averaging 13.3 points while shooting 37.3 percent from the field and 24.3 percent from behind the three-point line. Shane Douma Sanchez has been shut down for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. 

Why Fresno State Will Beat New Mexico

• New Mexico has lost each of its last eight games at Save Mart Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Fresno State has won each of its last seven day games against New Mexico.

Is New Mexico a Tournament Team?

New Mexico believes they are a tournament team, but to accomplish that, this isn’t a game that they can lose. The last game for New Mexico came against Colorado State and they scored 76 points on the way to the eight-point victory. In the second half, the defense wasn’t as good and gave up 43 points. If they have a bad second half in this game, they might not get as lucky. There were four different players that put up at least 10 points. Two games ago against VCU, the offense scored 78 points and they ended up winning by seven points. 

New Mexico on the season is averaging 86.2 points while their defense is giving up 74.8 points per game. The offense is ranked 19th in the league while the defense is ranked 273rd. They like to push the pace and they are attempting 66.6 shots per game which is 6th best in all of college basketball. Donovan Dent has been the top player for New Mexico averaging 19.2 points while shooting 49.2 percent from the field. There are four different players that are averaging at least 10.8 points per game. 

Why New Mexico Will Beat Fresno State

• Fresno State has lost each of its last six games against the Mountain West Conference at Save Mart Center.
• New Mexico has won each of its last six games against Conference opponents.
• New Mexico has won the first half in each of its last eight games against Conference opponents.

Fresno State vs New Mexico Prediction

What is something that both of these teams have in common? They both have some major issues with the defense. New Mexico is giving up 74.8 points per game and they are going to really struggle to defend in this game. Fresno State is giving up 80.2 points per game and their defense is ranked 342nd. 

Especially New Mexico is going to have no issue putting the pace, and that is going to end up being the difference here as this game is going to end up being higher scoring.  This Fresno State defense has no one to slow down Dent and company in New Mexico and it’s going to be a shootout. Back the over to cash here.