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What: New Mexico Lobos vs. Colorado State Rams
When: Wednesday January 15th, 2020 at 7 p.m. Mountain
Where: Moby Arena in Fort Collins, CO
Coverage: Game can be streamed on ESPN3, or will be on the UNM Sports Radio Network
Series: The Lobos own a 78-47 record in the overall series. Colorado State is 33-25 in Fort Collins, however. Last time in Fort Collins the Rams won 91-76. The last time these two teams played the Lobos won in The Pit by a final of 77-65.
Breakdown:
The New Mexico Lobos will look to pick up a road victory in the Mountain West Conference when they visit the Colorado State Rams Wednesday night. The Lobos will be without Carlton Bragg, who was removed from the team this past Sunday following an arrest. UNM is 15-3 overall and 4-1 in the Mountain West. New Mexico is coming off an 84-78 win over Air Force on Saturday.
The Rams are 11-7 overall and 2-3 in the MWC. Colorado State is coming off an 81-70 win at San Jose State on Saturday. The Rams have won four of their last five contests, with their only loss coming to Nevada in a 67-61 decision.
Who stands out for CSU:
The Rams have three players who score in double figures in points. Led by freshman Isaiah Stevens with 12.7 per game. Stevens had 21 points in the win over San Jose State. The next leading scorer is Nico Carvacho who averages 12.6 points per game. He had six points only against San Jose State, but had 16 rebounds and averages 10.7 rebounds per game. The third player who averages in double figures in points is David Roddy. He averages 11.7 points per game and had 21 points as well against San Jose State.
Lobos X-Factor:
This one without a doubt goes to Corey Manigault. With Bragg now off the team, the onus now falls on Manigault to carry the Lobos inside the paint. In this one he needs to slow down Carvacho if the Lobos want to win this contest. If Manigault is off and can’t get rebounds, it’ll be a long night for UNM.
Prediction:
The Lobos tend to struggle in Moby against the Rams. Now with no Carlton Bragg again, the Lobos will be thin up front. It will be imperative that Manigault and Makuach Maluach stay out of trouble. I feel Vance Jackson and JaQuan Lyle will have big games. Expect this one to be close and for the Lobos to eek one out. I got Lobos-75 Rams-71.