New Mexico vs San Diego State: 2019-20 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
By Joey Loose
New Mexico and San Diego State match up again in another MWC contest; will the Aztecs keep rolling or can the Lobos put together a winning effort?
TV schedule: Tuesday, February 11, 11:00 pm ET. ESPN2
Arena: Viejas Arena in San Diego, California
In a different situation, this New Mexico (17-8) team could be a really talented team built for success in March. However, injuries, suspensions and departures have ravaged the team in recent weeks. The Lobos have struggled mightily, losing five of their last seven games including a home blowout at the hand of these Aztecs just two weeks ago. Does Paul Weir’s team have a crazy upset in them?
Senior forward Carlton Bragg Jr. (12.6 ppg, 10.3 rpg) is gone from the team and sorely missed, but senior forward Corey Manigault (12.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg) has really stepped up recently. Manigault has led the team in scoring in four of the last five games, including a 28-point effort in their most recent game, a home win over lowly Wyoming. Back from suspension, senior guard JaQuan Lyle (16.5 ppg, 4.8 apg) is another player to keep an eye on, though he has struggled with turnovers this season.
New Mexico sits 133rd in KenPom, ranking 69th in offensive efficiency. Clearly the loss of Bragg and other minutes lost have had an impact on the team’s recent play. The Lobos play at a fast pace and are one of the nation’s better free throw shooting teams. They’re going to need to be firing on all cylinders to leave Viejas Arena with the road win.
On the home side, we’re almost running out of things that can be said about this San Diego State (24-0) team and their perfect start. While they aren’t perfect, the defense has been elite and the offense has had stretches of absolute brilliance. They’ve taken care of business to this point and are establishing themselves as a potential 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
A balanced attack leads the Aztecs, though no player is as important as junior guard Malachi Flynn (16.5 ppg, 5.1 apg). Recently, the play of senior guard KJ Feagin (8.8 ppg, 3.3 apg) has been impressive, leading the team with 21 points in their recent win at Air Force. Senior forward Yanni Wetzell (11.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg) continues to blossom into a force down low while junior forward Matt Mitchell’s (12.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg) has only improved since joining the starting lineup a few weeks back.
San Diego State tops the NET rankings and sits at 4th in KenPom. They have the 9th ranked offense and 11th ranked defense, with both on display in recent weeks. Two weeks ago, they put on a defensive clinic early against the Lobos while their shooting and offensive efficiency have carried them in their last two victories.
For the Lobos, this is going to take a herculean effort to topple San Diego State. Clearly, they need to avoid another slow start, dropping into a 17-0 hole in the last matchup. This Aztecs defense has looked vulnerable, but the Lobos need to avoid sloppy play and hit their shots to make it happen. For the Aztecs, they can’t afford to overlook their opponent, though I doubt coach Brian Dutcher will let this happen.
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If the Aztecs lockdown again on defense, then I don’t see how New Mexico leaves southern Cali with the win. On paper, the Lobos are massively outmatched, but there’s a reason they play the games. This has been a crazy college basketball season and it might take something crazy to keep San Diego State from reaching 25-0.