New Mexico Aim to Halt Arizona State’s Hot Streak in Acrisure Classic Opener
New Mexico Lobos Aim to Halt Arizona State’s Hot Streak in Acrisure Classic Opener
The New Mexico Lobos (5-1) are set to face the Arizona State Sun Devils (5-1) in a highly anticipated first-round clash at the Acrisure Classic. This matchup sees the Mountain West Conference square off against the Pac-12, with both teams entering the game riding impressive winning streaks. The Lobos will be looking to extend their momentum after a dominant 99-68 victory over Texas Southern, while Arizona State aims to continue their hot form following a narrow 93-89 win over Cal Poly. The game will take place on Thursday evening, and both squads are eager to assert themselves in this early-season showdown.
Lobos Eye Third Straight Victory
The New Mexico Lobos come into this contest with confidence after securing their second consecutive win. Their 99-68 win over Texas Southern showcased their high-powered offense and ability to lock down defensively when needed. Despite a brief period of trailing in the first half, New Mexico rallied to close the half with a 9-0 run, taking a 38-31 lead into the break. The second half was all Lobos, as they outscored Texas Southern 61-37 and secured a comfortable win.
On the season, New Mexico ranks 36th in the nation for scoring offense, averaging a robust 85.5 points per game. This explosive offense is spearheaded by Donovan Dent, who contributes 17 points and 8 assists per game. Alongside Dent, key contributors such as Nelly Junior Joseph (14.2 PPG, 10.2 RPG) and Mustapha Amzil (12.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG) have helped New Mexico remain a potent offensive threat.
While the Lobos have been impressive on offense, their defense has been a cause for concern, as they rank 232nd in the nation for scoring defense, allowing 73.3 points per game. This defensive vulnerability could be tested by the high-scoring Sun Devils, so New Mexico will need to tighten up at that end of the floor to stay competitive.
Arizona State’s Quest for Fourth Straight Win
The Sun Devils, under the leadership of Bobby Hurley, have also been in fine form, winning three straight games, including a hard-fought victory over Cal Poly. Arizona State jumped out to an early lead, but Cal Poly mounted a comeback in the second half, making things tight. Arizona State ultimately held on to secure a 93-89 victory, improving to 5-1 on the season.
The Sun Devils’ offense is averaging 79.5 points per game, which places them 130th nationally. While they’re not as explosive as New Mexico, their well-rounded offensive attack has been efficient. Joson Sanon has been one of the team’s standout players, contributing 14.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Additionally, Alston Mason (12.8 PPG) and Bashied Jihad (12.7 PPG, 6 RPG) provide solid secondary scoring, ensuring the Sun Devils have multiple threats on the floor.
Defensively, Arizona State has struggled slightly, ranking 237th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 73.5 points per game. While their defensive numbers are comparable to New Mexico’s, their ability to win the battle on the boards has helped mitigate some of those defensive shortcomings. Arizona State has a +5.4 rebound margin this season, thanks in large part to their dominant performance on the glass against Cal Poly, where they out-rebounded their opponents 44-24.
Conclusion
This game could come down to which team can execute their game plan more effectively. If New Mexico continues to fire on all cylinders offensively while tightening up their defense, they could take control. However, Arizona State’s balanced scoring attack and better rebounding may give them the edge in what promises to be a high-paced game.
In a matchup that could be decided by a few key moments, both teams have the weapons to come out on top. With both squads sitting at 5-1, this first-round battle in the Acrisure Classic will provide a great early-season test for both teams as they continue to build towards their conference schedules.
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