New Mexico State at UTEP 11/12/19 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

By: Jim |

Last Updated: 11/11/2019 at 9:14 PM ET

New Mexico State has high hopes for this season after an excellent run last year. The Aggies won 19 games in a row before being flushed by one point in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by eventual Final Four team Auburn.

A relatively young team this season, New Mexico State will rely heavily on the leadership and production of transfer junior guard Shawn Williams, who put up double-digit point averages in his first two seasons at East Carolina. Last year, he poured in 12.8 points per game, including three 20-point performances over his last seven games.

Sophomore guard Jabari Rice looks poised to have a breakout season for the Aggies. He scored 21 points in his team's season-opening route of West New Mexico. Rice saw limited action last seaosn but had a couple games in which he scored in double digits.

UTEP breezed its way to an easy win against New Mexico Highlands to start the season. The Miners got 20 points off the bench from sophomore forward Efe Odigie, who averaged 12.7 points per game last year. One of Odigie's best games of 2018-19 came against Marshall, when he scored 22 points and grabbed 20 boards despite his team's five-point loss. 

Junior forward Bryson Williams was also a regular scorer last season for the Miners. He averaged 13.8 points and capped his season off by dropping 23 points against San Diego State in the Mountain West Conference tournament

New Mexico State is starting to get the culture that is going to be needed for the wins and that will carry over in this game here as the New Mexico State squad is youthful, but has the culture. The culture will help to carry the team here and while the Miners are bringing back some decent scorers it will still be difficult for the Miners. Final Score Prediction, New Mexico State Aggies win and cover 75-69.

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