The New Mexico Lobos and the New Mexico State Aggies meet Friday in college basketball action from Pan American Center. New Mexico is 9-1 on the year so far. The Lobos beat Santa Clara in their latest outing. As for New Mexico State, they’re sitting at 5-6 overall following a win over Northern New Mexico on Tuesday. Let’s get into our New Mexico vs. New Mexico State prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

New Mexico Lobos

The Lobos only have the one blemish so far this year, a 72-58 loss to Saint Mary’s in game two. Outside of that New Mexico took out Texas Southern, TX-Arlington, Toledo, Rice, Pepperdine, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State and UC Santa Barbara in their first nine games. In the win over the Gauchos, the Lobos shot a nice 51.5 percent from the floor. 

New Mexico was able to keep it going in their last matchup versus Santa Clara. The Lobos jumped out to a 47-27 edge going into the second half and cruised on 46 more points for a 93-76 win. Donovan Dent was the top team scorer with his 22 points, four assists and six boards. 

New Mexico State Aggies 

Over on the Aggies’ side, they went a sketchy 4-6 in their first 10 games this year. The wins in that time were over Sul Ross State, Western New Mexico, Northern Colorado and University of the Southwest. Otherwise, New Mexico State fell to Kentucky, UC Irvine, Fresno State, Southern Illinois, Louisville and New Mexico in that time. 

Matched up against Northern New Mexico in their last outing, the Aggies came back from a 31-30 halftime deficit to secure a 76-71 win after 46 second-half points. Kaosi Ezeagu was the top team scorer with his 14 points and five rebounds in the victory effort. 

ANDREW’S FREE NEW MEXICO VS NEW MEXICO STATE PREDICTION 

I’ll stick with New Mexico. These teams met each other recently, and the Lobos didn’t have too many issues. New Mexico shot a nice 60.4 percent from the field and 14-of-25 (56 percent) in the 106-62 blowout victory on December 2, posting just seven turnovers to the Aggies’ 17. The Lobos have scored 74 or more points in nine of 10 total games this year, all victories. 

As for New Mexico State, they’re coming off a pretty solid win versus an overmatched opponent in Northern New Mexico. The Aggies will face a big jump in competition here though, and I don’t think they’ll keep a cover pace.