Boise State men’s basketball tries to get even with New Mexico: See odds, how to watch
New Mexico senior Jaelen House recently missed two games because of a hamstring injury, and the Lobos lost both contests without him.
The Boise State men’s basketball team won’t be so lucky.
House returned to New Mexico’s starting lineup late last week and is expected to play Wednesday when the Broncos host the Lobos at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at ExtraMile Arena.
“They’re definitely so much faster (with House),” Boise State’s Naje Smith said. “They definitely play with a different spark to them. You can tell when a team’s missing their No. 1 point guard. He’s a great defender and he gets a lot of steals. He just adds a completely different dimension to their team.”
With House and fellow guard Jamal Mashburn Jr., the Lobos have one of the best backcourt duos in the Mountain West. Mashburn is averaging a league- and team-leading 20.0 points per game along with 3.1 rebounds, while House ranks second on the team — and fifth in the league — in scoring (16.9 ppg) and first in assists (4.6 apg) and steals (2.8 spg).
“I think those guards are a complement to each other because House seems like an emotional leader and plays to the energy of the crowds,” Boise State coach Leon Rice said. “I think Mashburn is a little more reserved, so they just complement each other so well. They’re both fearless. They’re both shot makers, ballers. There’s no other way to describe it.”
House and Mashburn both performed well against the Broncos the first time around. The Lobos won 81-79 in overtime at The Pit in Albuquerque, as Mashburn had 25 points, seven rebounds and two assists, and House added 16 points and four assists.
New Mexico’s Morris Udeze made a layup with 2 seconds left in OT to set the final score. The Broncos got a look at a potential game-winning 3-pointer, but Marcus Shaver Jr.’s shot was off the mark.
“We lost a heartbreaker down there. We’re just excited to have another chance at them, and to play a really good team,” said Boise State sophomore Tyson Degenhart, who sank a 3-pointer to send the game to overtime. “Their record may not show it in conference, but they’re a really good team, especially with House coming back. They’re a completely different team. He adds such a different dynamic to their team.”
The Broncos are alone in second place in the Mountain West standings with four games remaining, highlighted by a showdown with first-place San Diego State on Tuesday, Feb. 28. The Aztecs currently own a one-game lead on the Broncos, leaving little wiggle room down the stretch, including against the Lobos, who have fallen to fifth place in the league.
But it isn’t just the conference’s regular-season crown the Broncos have to worry about. Their NCAA Tournament hopes are dependent on a strong finish. Right now, ESPN bracketology expert Joe Lunardi has the Broncos in his bubble category as one of the “last four byes” alongside Memphis, Oklahoma State and Nevada.
“You just love it. You love this time of year. You love the energy. You love everyone coming around and supporting us,” Smith said. “We’re just going to do our best to stay locked in and keep playing hard.”
NEW MEXICO AT BOISE STATE
When: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: ExtraMile Arena, Boise
TV: Fox Sports 1
Radio: KBOI 670 AM (Bob Behler, Abe Jackson)
Records: Boise State 21-6, 11-3 MW; New Mexico 20-7, 7-7 MW
Series: New Mexico leads the all-time series 13-8
Vegas line: Boise State by 5.5
KenPom rating: Boise State 27, New Mexico 48
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 a 69% chance of beating New Mexico. His score prediction is a 76-70 BSU victory.
ESPN’s College Basketball Power Index: Boise State has a 74.5% chance of winning with a predicted point differential of 9.1.
This story was originally published February 21, 2023 at 5:24 PM.
