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New Mexico Basketball: 2019-20 keys to beat San Jose State in MWC Tournament

By John Vaccaro

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 26: Zane Martin #0 of the New Mexico Lobos rebounds the ball during the second half of their game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Barclays Center on November 26, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 26: Zane Martin #0 of the New Mexico Lobos rebounds the ball during the second half of their game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Barclays Center on November 26, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – FEBRUARY 29: Vance Jackson #2 of the New Mexico Lobos dribbles against Justin Bean #34 of the Utah State Aggies (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – FEBRUARY 29: Vance Jackson #2 of the New Mexico Lobos dribbles against Justin Bean #34 of the Utah State Aggies (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Slow the Game Down

For most of the season, the Lobo offense was built on volume. UNM tried to get as many shots up as they could in their games and just overwhelm opponents with their pace. It led to them being one of the top-50 teams in the country in possessions per game and kept their scoring numbers nice and high. For this game, they need to do the exact opposite.

Over the last couple of games, they have played at a much slower pace and focused on their defense. It has worked out pretty well for the Lobos. They were able to slow down Air Force’s 3-point attack and put themselves in position to win before execution issues on the offensive end cost them that game. Against Utah State, they played their best game we had seen in months and were able to beat a team that looked like they had an NCAA tournament bid locked up.

San Jose State has actually played at an even faster pace than the Lobos this season and they are much more dependent on their pace. The Spartan offense really isn’t particularly efficient and they are below average in scoring in spite of their high pace.

The Lobos need to slow this game down and force the Spartans to play an efficient game to win. I don’t think that’s something San Jose State can actually pull off and that should lead to the Lobos advancing.