Utah State vs New Mexico Predictions, NCAA Basketball Picks 2/29/2020

Game: Utah State Aggies vs New Mexico Lobos

Date: Saturday, February 29, 2020

Location: Dreamstyle Arena in Albuquerque, NM

TV: CBSS

Odds/Point Spread: New Mexico +7.5

Total/Over-Under: 147.5

The Utah State Aggies travel to Dreamstyle Arena to play the New Mexico Lobos on Saturday, February 29, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Utah State as 7.5 point favorites.

Utah State comes into this game with an overall record of 23-7. They currently have a point differential of 13.6 as they are averaging 77.1 points per game while giving up 63.5 per contest. New Mexico has an overall record of 17-13. They are averaging 77.2 points per game and surrendering 75.9, good for a point differential of 1.3.

Valuable Utah State Aggies Betting Trends

The Utah State Aggies are 13-15-0 against the spread

The Utah State Aggies are 11-16-1 against the over/under

Important New Mexico Lobos Betting Trends

The New Mexico Lobos are 11-17-1 against the spread

The New Mexico Lobos are 17-11-1 against the over/under

Key Utah State Aggies Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key New Mexico Lobos Injuries

12/22/19 G JJ Caldwell Suspension is out indefinitely
02/27/20 G Vante Hendrix Undisclosed is questionable
02/26/20 G Tavian Percy Foot is out indefinitely
01/24/20 G Drue Drinnon Transferred has left team
01/12/20 F Carlton Bragg Dismissed is out for season

Player Spotlight

Sam Merrill comes into this contest averaging 18.9 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 90%. Justin Bean averages 12.5 points per game in 29.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.0 assists per contest and 10.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

JaQuan Lyle averages 15.3 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.3 rebounds per game and has 4.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 75%. Corey Manigault averages 12.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 24.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.7 rebounds per contest and 0.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is 68%.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah State averages 77.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 37th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 13.6 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 77th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 185th in the nation. They average 41.0 rebounds per game and 16.6 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 9th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 260th with 12.2 per game. The Aggies allow 63.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 34th in the country. They also allow a 39% shooting percentage and a 31% average from behind the arc, ranking them 23rd and 72nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.4 rebounds a game which ranks 29th and they give up 10.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 44th place in Division 1. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 138th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

New Mexico is 35th in the country with 77.2 points per game this year. They are 28th in Division 1 in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 1.3. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 205th in the nation. They are 184th in the NCAA in rebounding with 35.2 boards per game, and 43rd in assists per contest with 14.9. The Lobos are 58th in turnovers per game with 14.5. The Lobos surrender 75.9 points per contest, which ranks them 315th in D-1. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 277th and 283rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 341st with 16.5 assists allowed per contest and 217th with 35.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lobos are 271st in country in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Aggies are 27th in the nation in offensive rating with 110. In terms of pace they are 184th in the country with 69.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 94th. As a team they are 49th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 177th in Division 1. Utah State is 280th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.1 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

New Mexico is 95th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.5 times per 100 possessions. The Lobos are 93rd in the country in offensive rating with 105.5. In terms of pace they are 35th in Division 1 with 73.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 50th. As a team they are 40th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 213th in the nation.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New Mexico +7.5

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