The New Mexico State Aggies (21-6, 12-0 WAC) welcome the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (12-14, 7-5 WAC) to Pan American Center, where both teams will will attempt to prolong their winning streaks. The Aggies have won their last 15 games, while the Vaqueros have won six games in a row. Action gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 22, 2020.
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs. New Mexico State Aggies Betting Odds
Both teams were victorious in their last game. The Aggies edged the Utah Valley Wolverines 84-82, while the Vaqueros were victorious over the Texas-Permian Basin Falcons 93-80.
UT Rio Grande Valley played a nearly perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 14.7 (better than their season average of 15.7) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.614 (above their season average of 0.484). For those same stats, Texas-Permian Basin was 21.8 and 0.555, respectively. Meanwhile, New Mexico State’s 38.5 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over Utah Valley, who had a rate of 27.3. The Aggies’ mark was above their season average of 33.2. Jabari Rice put together a solid game for New Mexico State with 29 points and eight rebounds. Lesley Varner II, meanwhile had a good outing for UT Rio Grande Valley, finishing with 23 points and six rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Ivan Aurrecoechea led the Aggies to a 67-62 victory. He produced 19 points. The Aggies’ 29.2 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over the Vaqueros, who had a mark of 24.0.
The Vaqueros’ Varner II has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 17 points,7.4 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Rice has averaged 15 points,5.2 rebounds during that same time frame for the Aggies.
The sharp-shooting offense of New Mexico State (26th in the nation with an effective field goal percentage 0.542) will clash against the porous defense of UT Rio Grande Valley (265th in effective field goal percentage allowed 0.522). The Aggies figure to have the edge on that end of the court.
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs. New Mexico State Aggies Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – New Mexico State, ATS Winner – New Mexico State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- New Mexico State ranks first in rebounds allowed per game (27.4) while UT Rio Grande Valley ranks 239th (35.1).
- The Vaqueros rank 14th in steals per game (8.5) while the Aggies rank 140th (6.3).
- New Mexico State ranks fourth in blocks allowed per game (2.0) while UT Rio Grande Valley ranks 72nd (2.3).
- The Aggies rank 52nd in three pointers attempted per game (25.3) while the Vaqueros rank 272nd (18.3).
- New Mexico State ranks 19th in assists allowed per game (10.1) while UT Rio Grande Valley ranks 208th (14.4).
Bettings Trends:
- The Aggies’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.6, up from 10.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Vaqueros have scored an average of 80.0 points per game (6.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 69.6 points per game (0.8 below their season average).
