The New Mexico State Aggies will travel to the Don Haskins Center to take on the UTEP Miners this Friday night in College Basketball action.
The New Mexico State Aggies had their 2-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 5-2 o the season after being defeated by the New Mexico Lobos, 101-94, this past Tuesday. New Mexico State had no answers on the defensive end against New Mexico and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 49-42 margin. New Mexico State shot 46.8% from the field & 29.0% from beyond the arc while allowing New Mexico to shoot 46.8% from the field & 40.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Aggies was Teddy Allen who had 31 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 block.
On the season, New Mexico State is averaging 77.1 ppg on 46.6% shooting from the field. The Aggies are averaging 10.4 three-pointers per game on 36.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, New Mexico State has been led by Teddy Allen (18.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.4 apg), Sir’Jabari Rice (13.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.6 apg), Donnie Tilman (9.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.6 apg), & Johnny McCants (8.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.1 bpg).
Defensively, New Mexico State is allowing their opponents to average 72.1 ppg on 42.2% shooting from the field. The Aggies have a rebound margin of 5.1 and a turnover margin of -3.0.
The UTEP Miners improved to 4-2 on the season after defeating the Florida A&M Rattlers, 67-53, this past Wednesday. UTEP led by a 30-25 margin at halftime and was able to pull away later after taking a 57-43 lead with 4:40 left in regulation. UTEP shot 35.6% from the field & 34.8% from beyond the arc while holding Florida A&M to just 37.5% from the field & 30.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Miners was Jamal Bieniemy who had 21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, & 1 steal.
On the season, UTEP is holding their opponents to an average of 59.3 ppg on 41.8% shooting from the field. The Miners have a rebound margin of 3.2 and a turnover margin of 5.5. Offensively, UTEP has been led by Souley Boum (20.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.7 spg), Jamal Bieniemy (16.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.0 spg), Keonte Kennedy (9.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.5 spg), & Tydus Verhoeven (5.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.2 bpg).
Defensively UTEP is holding their opponents to an average of 59.3 ppg on 41.8% shooting from the field. The Miners have a rebound margin of 3.2 and a turnover margin of 5.5.
New Mexico State is just 2-5 ATS in their last 7 December games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. UTEP. The Miners are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games & 4-1 ATS in their last 5 December games.
This is going to be a game in which we are going to have to pay close attention to the injury reports as UTEP has been without their top scorer, Souley Boum, the last two games due to COVID. Even with Boum, New Mexico State was able to secure a 77-71 victory over UTEP earlier this season, however, the Aggies defense has struggled this season as they rank just 243rd in scoring defense & t-300th in turnover margin. If Boum was healthy and 100% playing, I would probably side with the Miners as they are a tough team at home, however, as we just don’t have the information at this point, if I’m placing a bet right now, I’m going with the Aggies to pick up a road win here and I just don’t see UTEP, without Boum, keeping up with the Aggies offense.