New Mexico vs. San Diego State: The Lobos are skidding and the Aztecs smell blood

The San Diego State Aztecs (20-6, 10-3 Mountain West) and the New Mexico Lobos (14-11, 6-7 Mountain West) are set to square up on Tuesday night in Albuquerque for the second time this season. SDSU won the first contest 56-42 back in early January in San Diego.

The Lobos don't pose quite the same threat to the Aztecs as they have in years past, but given their recent history, it could still be an entertaining game to watch. All signs point toward SDSU going on the road and serving New Mexico its fifth consecutive loss.

UNM once stood in decent position at 6-3 in conference play, but its recent string of defeats has basically shut the door on the 2014-2015 season. Pride is about all Craig Neal and his squad have left to play for as the Lobos face the danger of finishing the season with a sub-.500 conference record.

Hugh Greenwood led UNM in its 66-63 overtime loss against Nevada on Saturday with 15 points and five rebounds. Sam Logwood added 13 points and Deshawn Delaney threw in another 10. The Lobos couldn't find the bottom of the net in overtime and converted only one of seven shot attempts in extra time.

SDSU is coming off of arguably its best two-game stretch of the season. During their most recent home stand, the Aztecs demolished the Nance-less Wyoming Cowboys and took care of the Colorado State Rams on Valentines Day. Winston Shepard had a combined 37 points on 14-24 shooting from the field in two contests. Shepard dislocated the pinky finger of his left hand on Saturday night but was able to play through it.

The Aztecs' impressive two-game home series came right after they suffered a disappointing road loss at the hands of the Boise State Broncos. SDSU responded with a vengeance and has since taken sole possession of first place in the Mountain West.

SDSU's defense has pretty much been nails all year, and now that its offense has hit a stride of sorts it's hard to see them dropping another game on the road in 2015.

Score Prediction: 64-49. Statement win for the Aztecs.