New Mexico at Utah State Expert NCAA Basketball Picks 2/20/2019

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Smith Spectrum

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The New Mexico Lobos head to Smith Spectrum to take on the Utah State Aggies on Wednesday, February 20, 2019. The opening line for this game has Utah State as 14 point favorites.

New Mexico comes into this game with an overall record of 11-14. They currently have a point differential of 0.2 as they are averaging 76.6 points per game while giving up 76.4 per contest. Utah State has an overall record of 20-6. They are averaging 78.9 points per game and surrendering 66.1, good for a point differential of 12.8.

Valuable New Mexico Lobos Betting Trends

The New Mexico Lobos are 9-15-0 against the spread this season

The New Mexico Lobos are 13-11-0 against the over/under this year

Important Utah State Aggies Betting Trends

The Utah State Aggies are 12-12-0 against the spread this season

The Utah State Aggies are 13-11-0 against the over/under this year

Key New Mexico Lobos Injuries

09/30/18 G JaQuan Lyle ACL is out for season

Key Utah State Aggies Injuries

11/09/18 C Klay Stall ACL is out for season
11/09/18 F Roche Grootfaam ACL is out for season

Player Spotlight

Anthony Mathis comes into this game averaging 15.3 points per contest while playing 29.4 minutes per night this year. He grabs 2.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.0 assists per game. His FG percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is 89%. Vance Jackson averages 13.0 points per contest in 26.9 minutes per game. He averages 2.4 assists per game and 7.0 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% for the season while his free throw percentage is 65%.

Player Spotlight

Sam Merrill scores 20.0 points per contest while playing 33.9 minutes per game. He hauls in 3.4 rebounds per contest and has 4.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 89%. Neemias Queta averages 11.3 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 26.0 minutes per game. He also brings in 9.0 rebounds per game and has 1.5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 62% and his free throw percentage is 57%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Mexico averages 76.6 points per contest, which is 88th in D-1. Their average scoring margin is 0.2 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a unit, which has them ranked 269th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 123rd in the nation. They average 36.5 boards per contest and 13.6 assists per game, which ranks them 123rd and 172nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 64th with 14.5 per game. The Lobos allow 76.4 points per contest, which is 289th in the NCAA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 254th and 209th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 37.8 rebounds a game which ranks 309th, and they allow 15.0 assists per game which puts them in 300th place in the country. They force 13.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 218th in Division 1.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah State is 51st in the nation with 78.9 points per contest this season. They are 36th in the country in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 12.8. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 86th in the NCAA. They are 19th in D-1 in rebounding with 39.9 boards per contest and 9th in assists per game with 17.3. The Aggies are 187th in turnovers per contest with 13.0. The Aggies give up 66.1 points per game, which ranks them 51st in Division 1. Their defense surrenders a 39% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 11th and 219th in those defensive statistics. They rank 45th with 11.2 dimes allowed per game and 14th with 30.6 boards surrendered per contest. The Aggies are 128th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 12.7 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Lobos are 195th in the nation in offensive rating with 102.8. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the country with 74.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 202nd. As a team they are 174th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 45% of their shots, ranking 42nd in Division 1. New Mexico is 110th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.1 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Utah State is 193rd in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.1 times per 100 possessions. The Aggies have an offensive rating of 112.3, which is ranked 29th. They are 138th in D-1 in pace with 70.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 41st. As a unit they are 26th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 171st in the country.

Who will win tonight's New Mexico/Utah State college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take New Mexico +14

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink