New Mexico vs Evansville
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017 – 7 p.m.
Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit (Capacity: 15,411)
TV: AT&T SportsNet/ROOT
Radio: 770 KKOB-AM Lobo Radio Network
UNM NOTES | UE NOTES | LISTEN | LIVE STATS | TICKETS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team is set to return to Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit on Wednesday, Nov. 29 when the Lobos host Evansville in the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge at 7 p.m.
The Lobos (2-4) enter the game coming off of a pair of losses in the Emerald Coast Classic including a narrow 69-67 defeat against then receiving-votes TCU.
The Purple Aces (5-1) are coming off of their only loss of the season, a 63-61 final against Louisiana Tech on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Evansville has not played since last Wednesday’s matchup and will have had a full week of rest entering the game in Albuquerque.
The Lobos are led by three players scoring in double digits including Chris McNeal (17.2), Sam Logwood (16.0) and Anthony Mathis (10.3). Evansville has two players scoring in double figures including Ryan Taylor (21.3) and Dru Smith (11.2).
ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN WEST/MISSOURI VALLEY CHALLENGE
Wednesday’s game is the Lobos’ Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge game. The Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge is a series that features head-to-head competition between 10 Mountain West and 10 Missouri Valley teams annually, which each conference hosting five games apiece each season.
Last season, the Mountain West and Missouri Valley split the 10-game series, 5-5. The MW has an all-time series edge of 3-1-2 in six previous Challenge seasons, including an overall advantage of 33-22 in games played in association with the series. The agreement between the two conferences is in the third year of a four-year term.
LOBOS IN THE NATION
The Lobos are performing well in many categories in comparison to the rest of the nation’s teams. Here is a look at where the Lobos stack up nationally in key categories:
4th – free throw percentage (82.0)
8th – 3-point field goals per game (12.0)
15th – total 3-point field goals (72)
21st – steals per game (9.3)
23rd – scoring offense (89.0)
Individuals:
29th – Troy Simons, steals per game (2.50)
31st – Joe Furstinger, total blocks (14)
36th – Joe Furstinger, blocked shots per game (2.33)
SERIES HISTORY
The Lobos and the Purple Aces have not faced each other in program history. Wednesday will be their first meeting.
THE COACHES
UNM head coach Paul Weir enters the game 2-4 in his first season at the helm of the Lobos, 30-10 in his career. Evansville is led by EU alum Marty Simmons who has guided Evansville to a 172-161 overall record in 11 seasons and is 271-233 overall in his career.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Wednesday’s game will be available to watch live on AT&T SportsNet. Fans can also follow live via live stats (click here) or fans can also listen in on the radio. Robert Portnoy and former Lobo Hunter Greene will be on the call on 770 KKOB-AM (click here to listen).