New Mexico at Colorado St.
When: 10:00 PM ET, Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Where: Moby Arena, Fort Collins, Colorado
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THE STORY: The RPI folks rank the Mountain West Conference fourth in the country behind the Big Ten, Big 12 and Big East. That’s right, Tobacco Road: The MVC is ranked higher than the Atlantic Coast Conference, and teams such as New Mexico are the reason. The Lobos are coming off MWC victories last week over San Diego State and UNLV, who were ranked in the top 13 at the time and also appear to be locks to reach the NCAA Tournament. New Mexico can’t afford a letdown, though, because Colorado State is 12-1 at home.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, The Mtn.
ABOUT COLORADO STATE (16-9, 5-5 MWC): If the selection committee decides to invite four MWC teams to the NCAA Tournament, the Rams will be the fourth. Realistically, though, the lack of a quality road win will probably punch Colorado State’s ticket to the NIT. Included in the Rams’ 2-8 record away from home is an 85-52 loss at New Mexico on Jan. 25. The Rams will get one more chance to prove themselves on the road against No. 25 San Diego State on Saturday. Colorado State crushed the Aztecs 77-60 on Jan. 28.
ABOUT NEW MEXICO (22-4, 8-2): Senior forward Drew Gordon on Monday was named MWC Player of the Week for the third time this season. He had 17 points and 17 rebounds in the Lobos’ 77-67 victory at No. 13 San Diego State and a career-high 27 points and 20 rebounds in their 65-45 win over No. 11 UNLV on Saturday. Gordon is sixth in the country with 11.1 rebounds per game. New Mexico, which has won seven straight and leads the MWC by two games over UNLV and San Diego State, is 7-1 on the road.
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1. New Mexico is ranked 24th in the country in rebounding with 38.6 per game while Colorado State is 300th at 31.1.
2. Colorado State leads the MWC in field goal percentage at .480 while New Mexico is No. 1 in field goal percentage defense at .372.
3. New Mexico is 26th in the RPI; Colorado State 29th.
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