San Diego State vs New Mexico Prediction Basketball Picks 2-16-24

The New Mexico Lobos and the San Diego State Aztecs meet Friday in college basketball action from Viejas Arena. New Mexico is fresh off a win over Nevada that brought the Lobos to 20-5 overall. As for San Diego State, they’re currently 19-6 following a win over Colorado State. Let’s get into our New Mexico vs. San Diego State prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

New Mexico Lobos

The Lobos only lost three of their first 16 games this year, falling to Saint Mary’s, Colorado State and UNLV in that time. New Mexico is 7-2 since then with wins over San Diego State, Utah State, Air Force, San Jose State, Nevada, Wyoming and Nevada again in that stretch.

In the rematch with Nevada on Tuesday, the Lobos had a very close call. New Mexico was up 45-35 by halftime, but then got outscored 47-38 from there in a tense 83-82 win. Leading team scorer Jamal Mashburn Jr. posted 17 points and Nelly Junior Joseph added 11 points with 13 boards.

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San Diego State Aztecs

Over on the San Diego State side, they only took four losses over their first 20 games this year. Those came versus BYU, Grand Canyon, New Mexico and Boise State. The Aztecs are 3-2 since then with wins over Utah State, Air Force and Colorado State alongside losses to Colorado State and Nevada.

Matched up against Colorado State again back on Tuesday, the Aztecs didn’t have too many issues after the first half. San Diego State trailed 44-30 in the locker room, then stormed back on a 41-11 run for a 71-55 victory. Jaedon LeDee posted 27 points with six boards in the victory effort.

ANDREW’S FREE NEW MEXICO VS SAN DIEGO STATE PREDICTION

I’m going to try San Diego State here. You could call this one either way, though; it’ll be a great matchup. The Aztecs started slow in their latest outing versus Colorado State, but ultimately hit 44.4 percent from the field with a nice 46-24 rebounding edge. The 16 turnovers and tepid 18-of-25 from the line (72 percent) will need some work, though. San Diego State has now scored 71 or more points in five of their last six outings.

The last time these teams met up back on January 13, New Mexico took an 88-70 win at home. Both teams had double-digit turnovers and shot above 40 percent in that one, but San Diego State got out-rebounded 47-37 and hit just 11-of-20 (55 percent) from the free throw line. I’d imagine the home atmosphere will give the Aztecs a push in the rematch, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see New Mexico control this one either.