New Mexico Lobos vs. San Diego State Aztecs 2/16/24 – As we inch closer to March Madness, the clash between the New Mexico Lobos (19-5) and the San Diego State Aztecs (18-6) is shaping up to be a titanic matchup in the NCAAB landscape. Scheduled for Friday, February 16, 2024, at the Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl, this game not only highlights two of the top teams in the conference but also serves as a pivotal moment for NCAAB betting picks, with implications on standings and postseason positioning.
New Mexico Lobos vs. San Diego State Aztecs 2/16/24
| When: | Friday, February 16, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl |
| TV: | FS1 |
| Stream: | SofaScore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lobos | +4 -110 | o151 -110 | +197 |  |
| Aztecs | -4 -110 | u151 -110 | -240 | |
| ||||
Lobos visit San Diego State Friday night in search of fifth straight road win. #GoLoboshttps://t.co/XZLwC66S2R pic.twitter.com/krdSVaBa14
— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) February 15, 2024
Donovan Dent (Guard) vs. Jaedon LeDee (Forward)
In his 23 games played this season, Donovan Dent has averaged 32.1 minutes while putting up 15.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He’s shooting an efficient 52.7% from the field and 38.2% from three point range. His playmaking ability and scoring prowess make him the focal point of the Lobos’ offense. However, Dent’s 2.1 turnovers per game and mediocre rebounding numbers show room for improvement.
Meanwhile, Jaedon LeDee has logged 32.6 minutes per game through 24 appearances for the Aztecs. He’s averaging 20 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.5 blocks while shooting 54.9% overall and 38.7% from deep. LeDee’s versatile inside-out scoring and impact on the glass give him a slight edge over Dent in this matchup. Though turnovers have been an issue, LeDee takes care of the ball better with 2.5 cough ups per contest. His size could also bother the smaller Dent defensively.
This showdown between a skilled scoring guard and dominant forward likely determines the game’s outcome. If Dent penetrates and creates offense while limiting mistakes, the Lobos can steal a win. But LeDee’s two-way play should help the Aztecs prevail at home. His rebounding and low post scoring present a tough matchup for New Mexico.
Lobos’ Strategic Offensive Prowess
The Lobos have been an impressive offensive powerhouse this season, scoring an average of 83.9 points per game on 46.8% field goal shooting and making 7 three-pointers per game while spreading the floor with Dent’s playmaking to create numerous scoring opportunities. Their aggressive defense, leading to 9.6 steals per game sets an extremely fast pace that few teams can match; however their 70.6% free throw shooting could prove costly in close contests.
Aztecs’ Balanced Attack and Defense
San Diego State is more balanced in their approach, averaging 75.8 points per game while maintaining a strong defensive identity that allows fewer points on average. LeDee’s role as both scorer and rebounder (8.6 RPG) underscores their emphasis on controlling both paint and tempo; their slightly lower 3-point shooting percentage of 32.6 may be an issue, yet their defense could help shut down high scoring teams like New Mexico.
NCAAB Betting Odds: TBD, Over/Under: TBD
The betting odds for this matchup are currently TBD, reflecting the closely matched nature of these teams. Bettors should pay close attention to the spread and moneyline as they become available, considering the game’s potential to be tightly contested.
Trends
New Mexico Lobos Betting Trends
New Mexico are 3-2 in their last 5 games.
Lobos are 3-2 in their last 5 games against the spread.
New Mexico are 5-4 in their road games against the spread.
The totals have gone OVER in 4 of New Mexico’ last 5 games.
The totals have gone OVER in 8 of New Mexico’ 14 last games at home.
San Diego State Aztecs Betting Trends
San Diego State are 3-2 in their last 5 games.
Aztecs are 2-3 in their last 5 games against the spread.
San Diego State are 3-8 in their road games against the spread.
The totals have gone OVER in 4 of San Diego State’ last 5 games.
The totals have gone OVER in 6 of San Diego State’ 11 last games at home.
New Mexico Lobos vs. San Diego State Aztecs Betting Picks
Given the offensive prowess of New Mexico and the defensive resilience of San Diego State, this game promises to be a clash of contrasting philosophies. The key to betting on this game will be in understanding how each team’s strengths and weaknesses play off each other. With the Lobos’ high-scoring offense and the Aztecs’ balanced approach, bettors should consider the over/under carefully, especially with both teams trending towards the OVER in recent games.
Predicting the outcome involves weighing New Mexico’s scoring against San Diego State’s defense. Given the game’s importance and the home-court advantage for the Aztecs, they might have a slight edge. However, Dent’s ability to create and score, combined with the Lobos’ aggressive defense, could very well tip the scales. Prop bets on individual performances, such as points or assists for Dent and points and rebounds for LeDee, could offer value. When looking for the best value bets, premier casino sites will offer a wide range of options to consider.
Score Prediction: New Mexico 78, San Diego State 74
