2010 March Madness Montana vs. New Mexico Picks & Predictions

Last Updated on March 18, 2010 7:12 pm by drew

N. Mexico-Montana Pick

One of Thursday’s primetime matchups in the NCAA Tournament features a game between Montana and New Mexico at 9:40PM ET.

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These two teams will battle it out in the East Regional with their game taking place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. New Mexico is the No. 3 seed and Montana is the No. 14 seed.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL have made New Mexico 9-point favorites over Montana on Thursday night. The over/under has been set at 135.

New Mexico is making its 12^th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and first appearance since 2005. The Lobos are 29-4 on the season and 14-2 in the Mountain West Conference. The Lobos average 76.4 points per-game on offense, which ranks 34^th nationally. On defense, New Mexico gives up 66.9 points per-game, which lands them 134^th in the NCAA. The Lobos are led by Darington Hobson, who scores 16.2 points and grabs 9.2 rebounds per-game while also dishing out 4.6 assists. Roman Martinez puts in 13.8 points and six rebounds per-game, while Dairese Gary scores 12.7 points per-game.

Montana is making its seventh NCAA Tournament appearance this year as the Grizzlies won the Big Sky Conference Tournament to earn the automatic bid. Montana is 22-9 on the year and 10-6 in the Big Sky. The Grizzlies score 70 points per-game, which ranks 132^nd in the NCAA.

Montana gives up 61.2 points per-game, ranking 31^st in the country. Anthony Johnson averages 19.6 points per-game to lead Montana while three other Grizzlies add in eight to nine points per-game.

New Mexico has many questioning them as they play in the Mountain West, but Steve Alford has done a good job with the program. While the Lobos may get tested early in the tournament, we don’t see it in this game. Look for the Lobos to cover the spread in a high scoring game.

Our NCAA Tournament Free Pick for this matchup is: NEW MEXICO -9 and OVER 135
March Madness Betting Trends
Montana is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games

Montana is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games

The total has gone OVER in 8 of Montana’s last 10 games

The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Mexico’s last 5 games

New Mexico is 15-1 SU in its last 16 games

New Mexico is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games

March Madness Injury Report
NEW MEXICO

No Injuries Reported

MONTANA

[F] 12/20/2009 – Eric Hutchison out indefinitely ( Foot )
March Madness Game Odds
New Mexico Lobos -9 Over 135

Montana Grizzlies +9 Under 135
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Posted: 3/18/10 7:12PM ET