The No. 9 Wichita State Wheat Shockers (9-0) take on the New Mexico Lobos (8-2) tonight in the Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Classic from the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Tip-off is at 10:30 p.m. EST and no television coverage is provided.
The Lobos won their third straight game Tuesday with a 76-69 victory over Charleston Southern. Eighth-ranked Wichita State, one of five remaining undefeated teams in Div. I college hoops, got past Kennesaw State 74-65 on Tuesday. At 9-0, Wichita State has equaled the 2004-05 team for best start in school history.
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Friday's game between the Lobos and Shockers appears to be a contrast in styles. Through games as of last Sunday, New Mexico was 17th in the nation in scoring offense at 82.9 points a game (now 82.2 ppg) while Wichita State was tied for 23rd nationally in scoring defense at 57.6 points (now 58.4 ppg), a difference of 25.3 points.
Wichita State's 102-46 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore in the first round of the Las Vegas Classic was the third-most lopsided victory in school history. Senior forward Kyle Wilson leads a balanced scoring attack, averaging 13.0 ppg. Five Shockers are averaging more than 9.7 points a game. It's a nationally-ranked WSU defense as opponents are averaging just 58.4 points a game.
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Head coach Mark Turgeon is 120-76 in his 7th year at Wichita State, including a 26-9 record last year when WSU won the Missouri Valley regular-season title and advanced to the Sweet 16. The Shockers beat Seton Hall and Tennessee before falling to eventual Final Four participant George Mason 63-55 in an NCAA regional semifinal.
Tonight’s match-up against Wichita State will be New Mexico's first game against a ranked team since facing No. 13 Washington last year at the Wooden Classic in Anaheim, Calif. UW won 81-71. UNM has an all-time record of 49-110 against ranked teams. 35-49 at home (33-28 in The Pit), 10-51 on the road and 4-10 on neutral floors.
WSU is currently favored over the Lobos by a minus 6 ½ point chalk with a total of 139 ½. While winning SU their last three games, the Lobos have failed to cover ATS in there last three games listed on the offshore board. The Shockers are perfect ATS in all four board listed games they have played in this season.
