New Mexico Lobos at No. 20 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
Saturday, 1/21/12, 10:15 PM EST, TV: N/A
Opening Point Spread: UNLV -6
Current Betting Line: UNLV -6
Opening Total: 147
Current Total: 147
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
New Mexico had its 13-game win streak snapped last time out in dropping a 75-70 decision to the San Diego State Aztecs as 11-point home favorites. “It was a great run, a great streak and now we have to try and start again,” commented Lobos head coach Steve Alford. The Lobos will be meeting the Runnin’ Rebels for the 43rd time, posting a 15-27 record, including a 5-16 mark when playing in Sin City. The program will be looking to break a two-game losing streak in this series. New Mexico is 1-5 ATS in its last six games as an underdog of 6.5 points or less.
The Lobos have registered a solid 46-20 mark during Mountain West Conference play during Alford’s time on the sidelines. New Mexico has also faired well during his watch against ranked opponents, winning eight of 12 such contests. Offensively, there’s no question that forward Drew Gordon must possess the rock in this game, combining to score 25 points and grab 27 rebounds in two meetings with the Runnin’ Rebels during the 2010-11 campaign.
UNLV came away with a dominating 101-78 win over the TCU Horned Frogs as 19-point home favorites last time out, which was a nice bounce back effort from suffering a two-point road loss to the San Diego State Aztecs. “Tonight, we got back to Runnin’ Rebel basketball,” commented head coach Dave Rice. “We felt like we let a great opportunity slip away in San Diego.” The program is 10-0 when playing inside the Thomas & Mack Center this season, winning those games by an average of 22.4 points. UNLV is 6-13 ATS when playing on Saturday.
The Runnin’ Rebels have three players averaging in double figures, with Chace Stanback leading the way in scoring 14.7 points per game. UNLV has been very good in distributing the basketball offensively, ranking third nationally with 18.8 assists per game. Success was certainly expected by the program this year despite having longtime head coach Lon Kruger take off for Oklahoma, as four starters returned from last year’s team that finished 24-9 a year ago.
Bettors will likely back the Lobos due to the underdog being 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings, while the Runnin’ Rebels are 0-5 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 points or less.
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