SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2010 – #10 New Mexico Lobos (26-3) vs #13 Brigham Young Cougars (26-3)
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Team records:
New Mexico Lobos (26-3)
BYU Cougars (26-3)
The No. 13 BYU Cougars will host the No. 10 Mountain West Conference leader the New Mexico Lobos at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah on Saturday night, in a battle for the top spot in the division.
The game marks the first-ever matchup of top 15 squads in the Mountain West’s 11 seasons. In the previous meeting, the then- No. 23 Lobos snapped the Cougars’ 15-game winning streak, beating them by a final of 76-72, at The Pit back on Jan 27.
The Lobos are on a 12-game unbeaten streak, beating Colorado State 72-66 on Tuesday night. Junior guard Dairese Gary scored 23 points, Roman Martinez had 17, while Darington Hobson had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Phillip McDonald added 10 points in the win. It was a close contest with the difference being an 18-of-23 performance at the charity stripe by the Lobos in the second half. Hobson, a transfer from the College of Eastern Utah, has been the Lobos go to player this season.
He is one of five players to have started all 28 games for New Mexico and leads the club in scoring (15.5 ppg), rebounding (8.8 rpg) and assists (129). The Lobos are averaging 76.9 ppg, while holding their opponents to just 66.4 per contest
On the other hand, the Cougars are sitting just one game back of New Mexico in the conference and win could move them into a tie with one game at hand.
They are currently on a four game win streak with their latest coming by way of an 82-68 thumping of San Diego State on Wednesday. Cougs leading scorer Jimmer Fredette scored 26 points and Jackson Emery added 18 to move within a half-game of first place in the Mountain West Conference. Emery had seven rebounds and Fredette grabbed six to help the Cougars outwork the conference’s best rebounding team, 38-37.
BYU is outscoring their opponents by an average of 19 points per contest.
BYU’s challenge will be to stop New Mexico’s versatile attack. This won’t be an easy win for the Cougars, who are 15-0 at the Marriott Center, as the Lobos won a school-record 10 times on the road including six straight.
New Mexico vs. BYU Odds
The odds makers have BYU as –8-point favorites in this one.
Betting Trends:
New Mexico is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against BYU
New Mexico is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against BYU
BYU is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
BYU is 21-2 SU in its last 23 games
Free Lobos vs. Cougars CBB Pick
I expect the Cougars to edge out a narrow 3-point victory over the Lobos who are winning but seem to be stuttering against much less potent teams of late.
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Matt Martz is a freelance writer located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.
One reply on “Lobos vs. Cougars Preview | Free Pick (Feb. 27)”
Last Game for New Mexico: 72-66 victory at Colorado State (ATS loss -7.5)
Last Game for BYU: 82-68 victory vs. San Diego State (ATS win -7.5)
Line: BYU -8
Matchup history: New Mexico 76 – BYU 72 at NM (NM ATS win -1.5)
For both teams I hope this game is a thrilling battle that whets the appetite for some March craziness. There is a lot at stake in this one as a BYU win, especially a close one will inform the basketball world that these two teams are pretty fairly matched and capable of putting a scare into some of the nation’s elite. If the Lobos can travel up to Provo and grab a victory they might be looking at a top 10 ranking heading into the tournament and the loosely worn crown of King of the Mid Majors. At least for a little while. Lets just hope it is entertaining because many will be watching.
New Mexico has not lost since Jan. 9 a streak of 12 games including a couple overtime close calls. Sure it is the Mountain West but this team knows how to win Cal, Dayton, and Texas A&M among their victims, all likely Tourney teams. Darrington Hobson is doing his best Evan Turner impression leading the Lobos in points, rebounding and assists. When NM beat BYU earlier this year he shot a lousy 1-11 but led all players with 14 boards and NM with 4 assists. If he can deliver a more command performance NM should be able to hang with BYU even on the road.
They only have three losses but nobody seems to be talking about BYU anymore. They have one of the most efficient teams in the country and are led by the best guard nobody knows about Jimmer (don’t call him Jimmy) Fredette. The key to beating this team is making them work for it. They are not overly athletic but if you let them they will kill you with deadeye shooting, they are 8 in FG% (48%), 3rd in 3FG% (41%) and first in FT% (77%). If they get a good lead they are tough to comeback against even though they are not a stifling defensive team. They always make the most of their opportunities which can frustrate teams that rely on athleticism.
Score Prediction:
New Mexico – 71
BYU – 69
Pick: Should be a very good one. I like the Lobos to make a statement with the road victory. Take the small spread and play it with confidence.