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Sometimes you want to make a quick pit stop, empty the bladder, grab a bag of salty snacks and limber up the limbs before hitting the open road again. For the fast-minded who enjoy simple $2 scratchers hoping to uncover the jackpot-winning image, here are quick thoughts and the lean on New Mexico vs. San Diego State.
New Mexico (22-5, 14-2) at San Diego State (18-7, 11-5)
Date: Tuesday, February 25
Time: 11 p.m. ET
TV: FS1
After the hybrid gummy kicks in, plop on the couch, rev the psychedelic senses and let the late-night SoCal hoops action take hold.
Though your altered mind may not realize it, the game at Viejas Arena possesses significant NCAA Tournament implications.
San Diego State, currently a projected No. 10 seed on the Bracket Big Board, sorely needs a resume-solidifying victory against a likely fellow Dance participant.
The pick — SGP: San Diego State ML, Game OVER 130.5 (+109, Caesars)
For their NCAA Tournament dream to be realized, the Aztecs must surrender to REVENGE.
The last time they faced New Mexico — a 62-48 L-catching slog in The Pit on January 11 — they posted a season-low 0.71 points per possession. Building skyscrapers everywhere on the court, they shot 52.9% from the line, 31.2% beyond the 3-point line and an almost impossible 37.5% inside it.
Yep, a devastating case of the basketball barfs.
Though not as sickly of late offensively, San Diego State must outperform its recent string of scoring mediocrity. Over the last month, it’s No. 132 in effective field goal percentage offense, converting an appreciable 56.2% from two but only 31.1% from three. Given the contest’s enormity, Miles Byrd, Nick Boyd and BJ Davis must exhibit a smooth outside stroke.
[ Bracket Big Board: Brad Evans' latest NCAA Tournament projections ]
Defense has defined this season’s Lobos. Only modestly effective scoring the rock, they’re No. 33 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency over the last month, conceding a mere 0.967 points per possession. Their blistering pace is still a calling card (No. 4 in adjusted tempo), but challenging shots and controlling the glass have become trademark characteristics. When matched with their 35.5% 3-point accuracy, Donovan Dent and friends are quite the force.
If Brian Dutcher’s group applies the usual scoring stranglehold (No. 25 in eFG% D over the last month), establishes themselves around the tin and drills the occasional 3, victory will be achieved. Jared Coleman-Jones, Pharaoh Compton and 7-footer Magoon Gwath should have an advantage over a New Mexico attack that ranks 100+ nationally in 2-point percentage offense and defense.
With that info dancing around the dome, the above SGP is this dispensary visitor’s way to play.
Ride high, SDSU.
Season record: 21-22, -1.62 units