UAB at New Mexico 11/25/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

By: Lance |

Last Updated: 11/24/2021 at 10:57 PM ET

The UAB Blazers will hope to continue their strong start to the season when they meet up with the New Mexico Lobos in the Las Vegas Invitational. UAB stumbled on the road against South Carolina but has rolled through everyone else on their schedule capped off with a 45 points win over Alabama A&M to improve to 4-1. New Mexico dropped an early-season game to Colorado but has won three in a row after being West New Mexico 88-63, improving to 4-1 on the year.

Both of these offenses have been high powered with New Mexico averaging 86 points per game, ranking 30th in the country in scoring offense. They’ve shot it well from three, knocking down 40% of their 22 attempts from beyond the arc, and are 43rd in the nation in field goal percentage shooting 49.4% from the field. Sophomore Jamal Mashburn has been a difference-maker averaging 18.4 points on 51.4% shooting.

The fast-paced tempo of the Lobos has put a lot of pressure on the defense and their allowing 76.2 points per game ranking 302nd in the country. Opposing teams are shooting 43.6% from the field, but New Mexico is 42nd in the country in turnover percentage. They’ve allowed too many offensive rebounds and will need to rebound the ball better as the season rolls on. 

UAB is a deep, experienced team that has been an efficient offense this season averaging 86.8 points per game, ranking 24th in the country. THey’ve shot 48.7% from the field and 36.9% from three, ranking 53rd and 92nd in the country. They push the tempo offensively, and with three players scoring 12+ points led by junior Jordan Walker who is averaging 17 points on 46.9% from the field. 

The Blazers might go fast on the offensive end but they’re going to make you work for everything on the defensive end. The Blazers are 95th in scoring defense and have held opponents to 41.2% from the field, they have had some issues defending the perimeter with opponents shooting 40% from beyond the arc, but teams are attempting just 18 per game. UAB leads the country in steals with 14.6 per game and is forcing 22 turnovers, the third most nationally.

This is a very sound UAB team that should have no issues winning this game soundly but I’m eyeing the total in this game. They’ll be playing on a neutral site, at 6 PM on Thanksgiving, and UAB is a very solid defense that is going to make New Mexico work for everything. The Blazers come out a little flat offensively and will lean on their defense late - not afraid to slow the tempo. Since it’s not likely to be a close game, there should be no fouls late so I’m taking the under. Final score prediction, UAB wins and the total goes UNDER 74-62.

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