New Mexico vs UNLV 3/5/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The UNLV Rebels will travel to The Pit to take on the New Mexico Lobos this Saturday night in College Basketball action.

The UNLV Rebels improved to 18-12 on the season after defeating the Wyoming Cowboys, 64-57, this past Wednesday. UNLV was outstanding on the defensive end against Wyoming and was able to pull away in the 2^nd half after taking a 58-50 lead with 2:36 left in regulation. UNLV shot 38.2% from the field & 38.1% from beyond the arc while holding Wyoming to 34.4% shooting from the field & 26.9% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Rebels was Royce Hamm Jr. who had a double-double with 17 points & 10 rebounds.

On the season, UNLV is averaging 70.4 ppg on 42.9% shooting from the field. The Rebels are averaging 8.4 three-pointers per game on 34.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UNLV has been led by Bryce Hamilton (21.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.3 apg), Donovan Williams (12.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 apg), Royce Hamm Jr. (8.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg), & Jordan McCabe (6.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 4.8 apg, 1.0 spg).

Defensively, UNLV is holding their opponents to an average of 65.5 ppg on 41.0% shooting from the field. The Rebels have a rebound margin of 2.0 and are averaging 5.9 steals per game.

The New Mexico Lobos dropped to 12-18 on the season after being defeated by the Fresno State Bulldogs, 71-68, this past Monday. New Mexico led by a 59-54 margin with just 8:00 minutes left in regulation, however, the Lobos struggled defensively down the stretch and could not fight back after the Bulldogs took a 71-68 lead with :54 seconds left in regulation. New Mexico shot 43.1% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc while allowing Fresno State to 51.8% shooting from the field & 47.6% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Lobos was Jamal Mashburn Jr. who had 27 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 steal.

On the season, New Mexico is averaging 74.3 ppg on 43.6% shooting form the field. The Lobos are averaging 7.8 three-pointers per game on 34.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, New Mexico has been led by Jamal Mashburn Jr. (18.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.1 apg), Jaelen House (16.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.2 spg), KJ Jenkins (9.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg), & Javonte Johnson (7.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg).

Defensively, New Mexico is allowing their opponents to average 75.5 ppg on 45.8% shooting from the field. The Lobos have a rebound margin of -3.8 and a turnover margin of 1.5.

The Rebels are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall, however, are just 7-17 ATS in their last 24 games following a straight up win. The Lobos are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 Saturday games & 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 home games.

UNLV has been solid this season, led by a defense that ranks 69^th in scoring defense & 57^th in defensive FG%, however, the Rebels have struggled at times on the offensive end, ranking t-196^th in scoring offense, and come into this game with just a 4-6 road record. New Mexico has lost 4 of their last 5 games, however, the Lobos have been solid at home this season and as I think their offense, which ranks t-98^th in scoring offense, will have some success on their home court, I think the play here is to take New Mexico and the points. Good Luck!