Lobo Pack: UNLV Series Preview

The New Mexico Lobos will take on the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels in a series that will happen on Saturday evening and on Monday night in Las Vegas. Here is what you need to know.

Games:

Saturday at 3:30 p.m. MT on CBS Sports Network, Lobo Radio Network

Monday at 7:00 p.m. MT on Fox Sports 1, Lobo Radio Network

Records:

New Mexico enters the series at 4-6 overall and 0-6 in the Mountain West Conference. Last game out the Lobos beat Dixie State 72-63.

UNLV is 2-6 on the season and 0-2 in the MWC. Last game out for the Rebels saw them score a 95-34 win over St. Katherine of NAIA.

Series:

UNLV owns a 37-25 series record and have won the previous four contests between the two. The last New Mexico win came back in 2017 when the Lobos won 91-90 in Albuquerque.

What to expect from UNLV:

The Rebels rely heavily on two players; Bryce Hamilton and David Jenkins Jr. Hamilton is averaging 21.3 points per game this season, which is 28% of the Rebels’ offensive production this season. Coupled with Jenkins’ 15.4 points per game, and the two account for 50% of the scoring on average for UNLV.

The Rebels also do not have a ton of depth, on average they only go eight or nine players deep. Fatigue could become a factor for the Rebels given the Lobos game plan for up-tempo.

What to expect from UNM:

The teams are about even when it comes to size, meaning we could see a fast-paced game with both teams going up and down the floor on one another.

Saquan Singleton had a breakout game for the Lobos against Dixie State. He drove a ton to the basket and was able to draw six fouls against defenders in the game on Wednesday night. He very well could do the same in this contest, and that could play into the Lobos’ hand with the lack of depth for the Rebels.

Makuach Maluach will be needed a ton in this one, like he will be all season, scoring in double figures in eight of 10 games this season. If Maluach and Singleton do as they did against Dixie State, this game could be close.

Prediction:

Vegas has the Rebels as an 11-point favorite in game one. It is easy to see why as the Lobos have lost by 10 or more points in every one of their MWC games this season. I think this one might be a little closer, but given the state of UNM right now, I don’t know if they can come away with a win in this series. This might be their best chance, however, to grab a conference win. I like the Rebels in both:

Game 1: Rebels-85 Lobos-78

Game 2: Rebels-80 Lobos-76