Lobos Embark on First Road Trip; Face UTEP Tuesday
New Mexico at UTEP
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019 – 7 p.m. MT
Don Haskins Center (Capacity: 11,892)
TV: CUSA TV (Watch Live)
Radio: 770 KKOB-AM (Listen Live)
UNM NOTES | UTEP NOTES | LIVE STATS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The 4-0 University of New Mexico men’s basketball team is set for its first road test of the season as the Lobos take on the UTEP Miners in El Paso, Texas on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Lobos are coming off of four straight home victories and will face the 3-0 Miners.
UTEP has taken down a trio of opponents so far this season including New Mexico Highlands, NM State and Eastern New Mexico. The Lobos have also earned a victory over Eastern New Mexico this season, a 91-72 season-opening win in The Pit. The Miners topped ENMU 71-57.
The Lobos are led by five players averaging scoring in double figures including redshirt-senior JaQuan Lyle (19.0), senior Corey Manigault (15.8), junior Makuach Maluach (12.3), redshirt-senior Carlton Bragg Jr. (12.3) and redshirt-junior Zane Martin (11.8).
Bragg also leads the Lobos in rebounding as he has collected 44 so far this season, 14th-most in the country. He posts 11.0 per game as the only Lobo averaging a double-double. He has collected 15+ rebounds twice this season including 18 in UNM’s last contest against McNeese and currently ranks tied for second in the Mountain West in defensive rebounds with 8.3 per game.
Lyle enters the week’s road trip against UTEP and NM State coming off of a spectacular week in which he racked up a career-high 31 points against Green Bay and another 18 against McNeese to average 24.5 points per game on the week to go along with 5.0 rebounds. He also ranks 19th in the country on the season in total assists (25).
UTEP is led by a trio of players averaging in double figures including redshirt-junior Bryson Williams (16.0), redshirt-sophomore Souley Boum (11.0) and sophomore Ere Odigle (10.3). Redshirt-junior Eric Vila leads the Miners in rebounding with 7.3 per game.
LOBOS IN THE NATION
Through the first four games of the season, the Lobos are starting to emerge at the top of some of the national charts. Here is a look at some of the highlights:
3rd – total assists (84)
5th – free throws made (86)
5th – free throws attempted (115)
6th – assists per game (21.0)
10th – scoring offense (93.0)
11th – field goal percentage (53.6)
20th – total steals (39)
Individuals:
12th – Corey Manigault – FG% (73.3)
14th – Carlton Bragg – total rebs. (44)
18th – JJ Caldwell – total steals (11)
19th – JaQuan Lyle – total assists (25)
28th – Carlton Bragg – rebs/game (11.0)
SERIES HISTORY
UTEP is one of UNM’s oldest rivals and the Lobos hold the advantage in the series 78-66, however on the road UNM is just 27-41 in El Paso. The Lobos are 5-3 in their last eight meetings with the Miners.
Last time the Lobos took on the Miners it was the Lobos that earned an 84-78 victory on Nov. 24, 2018 in Albuquerque. UTEP claimed an 88-76 win last time the teams met in El Paso on Dec. 2, 2017.
THE COACHES
Head coach Paul Weir is 37-33 in his third year at the helm of the Lobos, 65-39 in his fourth season as a head coach. UTEP head coach Rodney Terry is 11-21 in his second season with the Miners. He is 137-129 in his career.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Tuesday’s game will be available to watch live on CUSATV (Watch Live). Fans can also follow live via live stats (click here) or listen in on the radio LIVE. Robert Portnoy and former Lobo Hunter Greene will be on the call on 770 KKOB-AM.