Fresno State vs. New Mexico: Game Preview, Odds, How To Watch
Bulldogs working for a tourney bye
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Can Lobos pull an upset?
Who: New Mexico Lobos (12-17 4-11 in MW play) vs Fresno State Bulldogs (17-10 7-7 in MW play)
When: Monday, February 28th, 7:00 pm pt
Where: Fresno, California
TV: Fox Sports 1
Stream: FuboTV — Get a free trial
Series Record: Fresno Leads 19-17
The Mountain West Tournament is just eight days away as the last week of conference play is wrapping up. Both teams are still jockin for seeding positions. For the Lobos they are locked into being the 8th or 9th seed. For the Bulldogs they can finish anywhere from 5th to the 7th seed. A 5th seed would give the Bulldogs a bye for the first round of the Mountain West Tournament. The Dogs would have to beat the Lobos tonight then go on the road and beat San Diego State and Wyoming. They would also need UNLV to lose at home to Wyoming and then go on the road to New Mexico to get that 5th seed.
Keys to the Game: New Mexico
The last time these two teams met the Bulldogs squeezed out a five point victory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Now the Lobos are looking to avenge that loss. A key moment in the first matchup was Orlando Robinson leaving the game early due to an ankle injury and only playing 15 minutes. The Bulldogs struggled without Robinson.
Now, the Lobos need to do more of the same tonight contain Robinson and have the Dogs beat you with someone else. The Bulldogs don’t have a consistent number two scorer which could really help the Lobos. Offensively the Lobos have to control the paste. The Dogs have struggled this season when it isn’t a slow paced game. Lastly, stretching the floor will be vital if New Mexico wants any success offensively. Fresno is a great defensive team but has struggled to guard the three point line at times and that’s something New Mexico didn’t take advantage of in the first matchup as they shot 5-24 from three.
Keys to the Game: Fresno State
All eyes will be on Junior, Forward Orlando Robinson as this could be his last game at the Save Mart Center. The Bulldogs will have two more games after this both on the road. The Bulldogs could use these last three games to build a resume for a NIT bid. That start’s tonight as the Dogs look to sweep the Lobos. Fresno State is 7-1 under Justin Hutson against New Mexico and have won the last five matchups.
As the Bulldogs look to make it six straight it will start on the defensive side. Forcing turnovers and scoring in transition. The Bulldogs have to take advantage of one of the worst defensive teams in the conference. In the first matchp the Bulldogs controlled most of the first half until Robinson went down. Fresno State needs to bring the same energy getting off to a fast start which they have struggled to do recently and control this game.
Offensively with Robinson in the picture this game changes a lot. Tonight will be a good opportunity to get others involved and get them going as the Conference Tournament is around the corner. Anthony Holland is a name to watch out for. Holland had a big impact in the first matchup with 22 points and 8 rebounds.
March is almost here and the Mountain West Tournament is eight days away. The Lobos have pulled one of craziest upsets this season. Can they pull another one tonight? The Bulldogs look to win their last home game of the season. Will this be Orlando Robinson’s last game at Save Mart Center?
