NCAA BK

Sat, Feb 23, 2013 - 4:00 PM ET
Game Preview
 

New Mexico-Colorado St. Preview

Share This Story

Updated Feb 22, 2013 6:19 PM ET
     
 

New Mexico coach Steve Alford has seen in the last two seasons what a difficult environment Colorado State's Moby Arena has become.

The No. 22 Rams own the nation's third-longest home win streak at 27 games heading into a battle with the No. 16 Lobos for first place in the Mountain West Conference on Saturday.

New Mexico (22-4, 9-2) has won 10 of the last 12 meetings with Colorado State (21-5, 8-3), and owns a one-game lead in the MWC.

The defeats came in each of the previous two seasons, and Moby Arena is expected to be a sellout - something that wasn't happening not too long ago.

"Over the last couple of years, that energy has really changed," Alford said. "Our last two trips have been near sold out or sold out and their home record has changed drastically."

This contest is being billed as possibly the biggest home game in Colorado State's history. New Mexico, which won the regular-season title and conference tournament a season ago, would like nothing better than to end the streak and take a two-game lead.

"We have a locker room full of guys who have won it and understand a championship run," Alford told the Lobos' official website. "They have a group in their locker room who is trying to break through."

New Mexico won 66-61 at home Jan. 23 in these teams' first meeting. Tony Snell led the Lobos with 23 points, two more than he had in three previous career starts against the Rams.

The Lobos led 54-32 with 12:26 left before the Rams nearly came all the way back behind Dorian Green, who scored 11 of his 14 points over the remainder of the game.

Colorado State finished with an unsurprising 42-28 rebounding edge. The Rams lead the nation in rebound margin at plus-13.0, and 6-foot-10 center Colton Iverson had 15 points and 14 boards compared to three in each category for Lobos 7-footer Alex Kirk.

"Iverson is one of the best centers in the league," Kirk said. "I don't really do excuses, but last time around I really didn't give him my best shot."

Colorado State could have entered this contest tied for first place, but it fell 61-59 at UNLV on Wednesday. Iverson had 16 points and 10 rebounds as the Rams were outrebounded for the first time all season, 38-31.

"Plain and simple, we got outworked, outlasted and outrebounded," coach Larry Eustachy said. "It's something our players will have to be held accountable for. We didn't come in ready to play."

The Rams had their six-game win streak snapped, a run that began after the first meeting with the Lobos. Green made 2 of 9 shots for eight points after averaging 19.0 points in his previous two games.

New Mexico has not played since overcoming 34.7 percent shooting in last Saturday's 60-50 home victory over Boise State.

Neither of these teams shot well when they met in Albuquerque, with Colorado State at 36.8 percent and New Mexico at 36.5. Wes Eikmeier scored a team-high 20 points for the Rams.

These squads combined for 49 free throws in that meeting and lead the MWC in attempts.

Tagged: Colorado, Colorado State, New Mexico, Colton Iverson

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA BK Videos

Kansas lands top recruit Posted: May 14, 2013
Reid Forgrave on Kansas landing top recruit Andrew Wiggins. Find out if he think...

Burke bolts for NBA after 2 season Posted: Apr 14, 2013
Wooden Award winning guard Trey Burke talks about opting to head to the NBA afte...

Zeller to enter NBA draft Posted: Apr 11, 2013
Hear what Indiana's Cody Zeller has to say about entering the NBA draft.

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/885881/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_885000/ff_885881_xl.jpg&w=100 74.95 Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black
    Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Georgetown_Hoyas/browse/featuredproduct/1030243/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1030000/ff_1030243_xl.jpg&w=100 119.95 Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue
    Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Duke_Blue_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/1032710/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1032000/ff_1032710_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue
    Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oregon_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/1052002/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052002_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green
    Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Ohio_State_Buckeyes/browse/featuredproduct/1052645/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052645_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet
    Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Indiana_Hoosiers/browse/featuredproduct/1124528/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1124000/ff_1124528_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Cri..
    adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Louisville_Cardinals/browse/featuredproduct/1127200/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127200_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red
    adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey - White http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish/browse/featuredproduct/1127218/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127218_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey ..
    Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Gonzaga_Bulldogs/browse/featuredproduct/1155821/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1155000/ff_1155821_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue
    Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Champions Adjustable Hat – Green http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Hurricanes/browse/featuredproduct/1177723/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1177000/ff_1177723_xl.jpg&w=100 25.95 Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Cham..
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft