Just a few weeks ago, New Mexico was well on the way to securing the program’s first March Madness berth since 2014.

Four consecutive losses later, the Lobos have fallen out of field and are in desperation mode ahead of tonight’s game at San Jose State.

UNM started the season with 14 straight wins before suffering their first two losses of the season, then went on a four-game win streak.

But they have lost five of six since, including four in a row, and things are looking pretty perilous for Richard Pitino’s squad. As of ESPN’s latest Bracketology update, they were listed in the “Next Four Out,” which means they may have some work to do in their final five regular season games.

Will the Lobos get back on track tonight in San Jose? Read on for our New Mexico vs San Jose State basketball prediction, as well as our picks for this important Mountain West matchup.

New Mexico vs San Jose State Odds

Odds are via FanDuel as of Friday, February 17, 2023, at 4:53 pm ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• New Mexico +1.5 (-104)
• San Jose State -1.5 (-118)

Over/Under

• Over 143.5 (-110)
• Under 143.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• New Mexico +112
• San Jose -134

Will House’s Return Help New Mexico Silence the Spartans?

Two close losses to Nevada and a loss to Utah State aren’t bad losses by any means, as both of those two teams could very well end up in the March Madness bracket.

But the same can’t be said for last Friday’s 89-77 loss at Air Force, who is 4-10 in the Mountain West, and Tuesday’s 70-56 loss at home to Wyoming, who is 8-17 overall and just 3-10 in MWC play.

The losses to the Falcons and Cowboys came without guard Jaelen House (17.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.6 APG), who is second on the team in scoring, leads the team in assists, and is fifth in the nation in steals per game (2.7). The former Arizona State man also leads the Lobos in threes, having made 42 in his 24 games.

House was out for the games against Air Force and Wyoming due to hamstring issues, and he is a game-time decision for tonight’s matchup against San Jose State.

Can New Mexico win without him? It’s certainly possible, but just last Saturday, the Spartans scored a solid home win over Utah State, edging the Aggies 69-64 behind 27 points from Omari Moore (17.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.9 APG).

San Jose State won 75-66 at UNLV on Tuesday despite Moore going only 4 of 15 from the field, but he is the man that the Lobos will need to lock down if they are to win.

In his last three home games, Moore has gone off, recording 26 points, four rebounds, and six assists in a win over Air Force, a season-high 29 points, six rebounds, and six assists in a win over Wyoming, and 27 points and four assists in the win over Utah State.

New Mexico vs San Jose State Prediction and Picks

Lobos vs Spartans Prediction: New Mexico to win

Lobos vs Spartans Picks: New Mexico ML (Best Value: FanDuel, Caesars Sportsbook & BetRivers) & New Mexico team total over 71.5 points (Best Value: FanDuel)

Things have not looked good for New Mexico recently, but I think that presents a good value opportunity to back them to win tonight at Provident Credit Union Event Center (sheesh, that’s a mouthful).

If House returns, that tips the scales in New Mexico’s favor in a major way, but even if he misses a third straight game, I’m optimistic. The only way to go from these last two losses is up.

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