Western Athletic foes will lock horns when the Utah Valley Wolverines (6-9) challenge the New Mexico State Aggies (8-7) at Events Center. Action starts at 9:00 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 7.
The Wolverines come into this game on a high note after topping San Diego Christian 88-79 the last time they played. Marcel Davis played a key role, recording 20 points and 11 rebounds to notch his first double-double this season. The Aggies, meanwhile, are coming off a bitter 54-52 loss against UC Irvine in their last game. Pascal Siakam played well, accounting for his 13th double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Ian Baker has been on fire over the last five games for the Aggies, averaging 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.8 three-pointers.
It will be a battle of conflicting tempos, as the up-tempo Wolverines (ranked ninth in the nation in possessions per game) will look to push the slow-paced Aggies (273rd in possessions per game).
Notes
The New Mexico State Aggies have a defensive rating of 95.7 (ranked 62nd), while the Utah Valley Wolverines have an offensive rating of 97.1 (ranked 301st).
The Utah Valley Wolverines average a field goal percentage of 42.4% this season. The New Mexico State Aggies have a losing record of 2-5 when opponents have a FG% of 42.4% or greater.
The Utah Valley Wolverines rank lower for their field goal percentage (258th) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (250th), but the New Mexico State Aggies have a better FG% ranking (78th) than eFG% ranking (146th).
New Mexico State, the 28th-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 41.5 rebounds per game. Utah Valley does worse, ranked 130th with 37.9.
Utah Valley ranks 42nd in defensive rebounding. When it comes to offensive rebounds, New Mexico State ranks 87th.
Utah Valley has forced an average turnover percentage of 18.3% this season. New Mexico State is an even 5-5 when its TO% is 18.3% or higher.
