Lobos Set to Host Utah State in Lubbock

New Mexico vs Nevada
Game 1: Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2020 – 8 p.m. MT / 9 p.m. CT 
Rip Griffin Center, Lubbock, Texas (Capacity: 1,050)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — After coming close to registering its first MW win over Nevada on Jan. 2, the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team will take on Utah State on Wednesday, Jan. 6 on CBS Sports Network at 8 p.m. MT / 9 p.m. CT in Lubbock, Texas.

UNM (3-4, 0-4 MW) led Nevada with just under five minutes left to play on Saturday before the Wolf Pack ran away with the game. The Aggies (7-3, 4-0 MW) enter the series riding a six win streak and are undefeated in conference play.

The matchup will be one to watch under the basket as Utah State enters the series having outrebounded all of its opponents so far this season, while UNM leads the league on the season in rebounds per game with 43.4.

The Lobos are led by two players averaging scoring in double figures on the season including senior Makuach Maluach (14.9) and redshirt-junior Rod Brown (10.4). In conference play, Maluach is the only Lobo in double digits with 12.3 points per game. Maluach also leads UNM in rebounds on the season (6.6 rpg) while Brown leads in MW play with 4.8 per game.

Utah State is led by four players scoring in double figures on the season including Marco Anthony (12.8), Justin Bean (12.1), Neemias Queta (11.8) and Rollie Worster (11.2). Queta  posts 8.7 rebounds per game followed by Bean with 8.1.

In MW competition, Queta is averaging 9.0 rebounds followed by Bean with 8.5 while Brock Miller (13.3 ppg), Bean (12.3 ppg), Queta (10.5 ppg) and Anthony (10.3 ppg) lead the Aggies in scoring.

SERIES HISTORY
Utah State leads the series over the Lobos 27-12 including an 11-9 advantage in Albuquerque. While the games will be officially scored as “home” games for UNM, it’s worth noting that Utah State is just 2-1 in neutral contests with UNM.

UNM is 1-1 over the last two meetings and 1-4 over the last five meetings between the squads with the last Lobo win coming on Feb. 29, 2020 in Albuquerque (66-64).

The last time the teams met was on March 5, 2020 at the Mountain West Tournament after splitting the season’s series. The Aggies claimed a 75-70 win in the Quarterfinals.

THE COACHES
Head coach Paul Weir is 55-51 in his fourth year at the helm of the Lobos, 83-57 in his fifth season as a head coach. Utah State head coach Craig Smith is 61-18 in his third season with the Aggies and is 212-102 in his career.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
Wednesday’s game will be available to watch live on CBS Sports Network. Fans can also follow live via live stats or listen in on the radio LIVE. Robert Portnoy and former Lobo Hunter Greene will be on the call on 96.3 FM/770 AM KKOB.