ALBUQUERQUE, N.M – The New Mexico men’s basketball team plays its first ranked opponent of the season with a visit to No. 23 San Diego State on Saturday night. Game time at Viejas Arena is 7 p.m. MT (6 p.m. PT) and the game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and the Lobo Radio Network.
The Lobos (15-2, 2-2 MW) return to Mountain West action after completing an unbeaten non-conference schedule with an 82-75 victory over Oral Roberts on Monday night. Jamal Mashburn, Jr. led UNM by matching a season-high of 24 points and grabbing a career-high seven rebounds. Josiah Allick (15 pts, 13 rebs) and Morris Udeze (12 pts, 10 rebs) both posted a double-double against the Golden Eagles.
San Diego State (13-3, 4-0 MW) is the only team unbeaten in Mountain West play and enters the game on a six-game win streak. The Aztecs are undefeated at home this season and have won 16 straight games at Viejas Arena, dating back to last season. SDSU is coming off a 74-65 home victory over Nevada on Tuesday.
The Lobos lead the all-time series 48-43, but the Aztecs lead 28-13 in San Diego, including 15-7 at Viejas Arena. San Diego State has won the last three meetings, including 72-47 last season at Viejas Arena.
UNM is looking for its first road win against a ranked team in a decade, since a 91-82 at No. 22 Colorado State in 2012-13. The Lobos won their only game last season against a team ranked in the AP poll, posting a 75-66 win over No. 22 Wyoming at The Pit.
New Mexico will return home next week for a pair of Mountain West games at The Pit. The Lobos host San Jose State on Tuesday night and Boise State on Friday night. Tickets for those games are available at GoLobos.com/tickets, including a $30 off January three-pack that also includes the Jan. 27 game against Air Force.