The New Mexico State Aggies (18-8) head to Wichita State to play the No. 25-ranked Shockers (18-7) in what should be a low-scoring game. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Monday, Feb. 15 and can be seen on EFC and ES3.
The Shockers are hoping for a better outcome after their 53-50 loss to Northern Iowa on Saturday. Ron Baker finished with 12 points to lead the team. The Aggies, meanwhile, are coming off a 69-55 win over Chicago State on Saturday. Pascal Siakam led the game in scoring with 24 points on 10-for-12 shooting.
Points could be at a premium in this matchup between two of the nation’s best defenses. Wichita State ranks seventh in the nation in defensive efficiency (91.6), while New Mexico State is 20th (94.8). It could also be a sloppy game for the offense of the Aggies, which ranks 310th in ball security (TO% of 20.7%). They’ll be going up against the gambling defense of the Shockers, which forces the sixth-most turnovers in the nation (23.9%).
The Shockers enter the game with records of 18-7 Straight Up (SU) and 14-9 Against The Spread (ATS). Few teams in the nation have a higher assist-to-turnover ratio than Wichita State, which ranks 35th at 1.37. As for the Wichita State defense, teams routinely struggle to score points against the Shockers, who allow only 60.4 points per game. The Shockers prevent teams from making three-pointers, ranking 50th in the nation with 148 total three-pointers allowed (5.0 per game).
In the other locker room, the Aggies have 18-8 SU and 10-5 ATS records. New Mexico State has done particularly well ATS over its past 10 matchups, going 8-2. The Aggies have controlled the glass with an average of 41.6 rebounds per game, 10th in the country. Moving on to the New Mexico State defense, the Aggies allow just 64.7 points per game, ranking them 28th in the nation. The New Mexico State defense has been a problem for competitors, allowing only .394 shooting from the field to its opponents.
Predictions: SU Winner – Wich, ATS Winner – Wich
Notes
New Mexico State scores an average of just 74.4 points per game (ranked 120th). Wichita State ranks sixth in points allowed, giving up 60.4 points per game.
New Mexico State scores just 68.6 points per away game (ranked 155th). Wichita State ranks third in points allowed at home, giving up 55.8 points.
The Wichita State Shockers have a defensive rating of 91.6 (ranked seventh), while the New Mexico State Aggies have an offensive rating of 109.0 (ranked 107th).
The Wichita State Shockers average a field goal percentage of 43.0% this season. The New Mexico State Aggies have a subpar record of 3-6 when opponents have a FG% of 43.0% or greater.
The Wichita State Shockers rank lower for their field goal percentage (235th) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (204th), but the New Mexico State Aggies have a better FG% ranking (26th) than eFG% ranking (73rd).
New Mexico State ranks 60th in assists, recording 15.5 per game. Wichita State performs worse at 114th with 14.3 assists per game.
New Mexico State, the 46th-ranked team in blocked shots, registers an average of 4.8 per game. Wichita State does worse, ranked 176th with 3.4.
New Mexico State is one of the top defensive rebounding teams, ranking 11th. Wichita State ranks 96th in offensive rebounding.
The New Mexico State Aggies make an average of 3.8 steals per game. When the Wichita State Shockers give up 3 or more steals, they are a solid 14-6.
