The second round of the NIT continues today with the New Mexico Lobos talking on the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The Lobos got into the second round by taking care of UTEP 69-57 as a 6.5-point favorite, while the Crimson Tide defeated Coastal Carolina 68-44 as a 12-point favorite. In tonight's matchup the Alabama is a 5-point favorite and the total was set at 129.5.
View New Mexico vs Alabama Odds and Stats.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game matches up the No. 66 (Crimson Tide) and the No. 51 (Lobos) teams in the league, according to our current NCAAB power rank. A 76-74 result in favor of the Crimson Tide has been projected by the scores prediction engine.
How They Match Up:
Scoring and defensive stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features Alabama's No. 234-ranked scoring average of 66.7 PPG, against a Lobos defense rated No. 106 and allowing 65.7 PPG. The Crimson Tide FG% has averaged 44.6% to date this season, less than the Lobos shooters have managed so far (46% per game).
Defensively, New Mexico features the nation's No. 162-rated defense on the road, allowing 70.2 points per game. Alabama, meanwhile, comes in at No. 271 nationally in scoring at home.
A few Lobos at Crimson Tide trends to consider:
New Mexico is 4-7-1 SU in its last 12 games ,on the road
Alabama16-1-1 SU in its last 18 games at home
Alabama17-5-1 SU in its last 23 games
