New Mexico at Boise State men’s basketball series: How to watch, prediction, odds
Boise State defeated New Mexico 77-53 in the Mountain West men’s basketball opener for both teams Monday night at ExtraMile Arena.
Redshirt senior guard Derrick Alston Jr. scored nine of his game-high 20 points in a span of 1 minute, 2 seconds in the second half. The outburst was part of a 25-5 Boise State run that pushed the Broncos’ lead from six points to as much as 27.
The two teams meet again at 8 p.m. Wednesday, also at ExtraMile (CBS Sports Network).
Boise State was without the services of redshirt junior guard Marcus Shaver Jr. and junior guard Devonaire Doutrive. Shaver has missed the last three games while recovering from a left foot injury, and Doutrive — a transfer from Arizona — has not yet been cleared to play.
“There’s some things that have to be done in private, and that’s what we’re working through,” said Boise State coach Leon Rice when asked about Doutrive’s status after Monday’s win.
During pregame warmups Wednesday night, Doutrive was in street clothes. Shaver, however, was participating in warmups and was dressed in the Broncos’ new orange uniform.
NOTABLES
▪ Sophomore guard RayJ Dennis has already made more two-point field goals in six games this season (29) than he did in 32 games last season (22). Dennis is the Broncos’ second-leading scorer at 14.3 points per game. He has scored in double figures in five games this season.
“All over the floor he’s just been a monster for us at that point guard position,” Alston said. “I think the jump that he’s taken from his freshman year to now has definitely uplifted our team and taken a lot of pressure off myself, (Emmanuel Akot), Abu (Kigab), Mladen (Armus) and all the guys. He’s our anchor, really. He’s our steady force.”
▪ Boise State is tied for 27th nationally with a turnover margin of +5.3 per game. The Broncos have had seven or more steals in six straight games, including a season-high 10 in Monday’s win over the Lobos.
“Defense. That’s what we take pride in. That’s what we hang our hats on,” Akot said.
▪ Boise State ranks No. 41 in the country in 3-point field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to 27.4%. Last year’s team held opponents to a program record 29.9% from deep.
▪ Through four games, New Mexico ranks No. 1 nationally in offensive rebounds per game at 19. The Lobos also are tops in rebound margin (21), but they were outrebounded by the Broncos 35-29. New Mexico senior Makuach Maluach and freshman Bayron Matos went into the first game against Boise State averaging 3.67 offensive boards per game, which was tied for 22nd in the country, but they have since fallen to 109th at 2.75 per game.
▪ After scoring 20 points Monday night, Alston now has 1,098 career points, moving into a tie for 18th on Boise State’s all-time scoring list with Reggie Larry (2006-08).
BOISE STATE VS. NEW MEXICO
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Where: ExtraMile Arena
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: KBOI 670 AM (Bob Behler, Abe Jackson)
Records: Boise State 5-1, 1-0 MW; New Mexico 3-1, 0-1 MW
Series: New Mexico leads 12-7
Last meeting: Boise State won 77-53 on Monday in Boise
Vegas line: Boise State by 12.5
KenPom rating: Boise State 82; New Mexico 216
KenPom & ESPN predictions
Ken Pomeroy, who created the popular college basketball statistical website KenPom.com, ranks every Division I team using an adjusted efficiency margin, which Pomeroy defines as the difference between a team’s offensive and defensive efficiency.
According to Pomeroy’s detailed statistical analysis, Boise State has an 87% chance of beating New Mexico in Game 2. His score prediction is a 77-65 BSU victory.
ESPN’s College Basketball Power Index: Boise State has an 85.1% chance of winning with a predicted point differential of 11.3.
Note: All stats and rankings are through Monday’s games.
This story was originally published December 20, 2020 at 10:12 AM.
