San José State Spartans vs New Mexico Lobos Picks & Predictions for Saturday December 20 2025

By: Kim Smith Published 12/20/2025, 02:35 AM ET
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The San José State Spartans open Mountain West play on the road against the New Mexico Lobos on Saturday, December 20, 2025, with tip-off scheduled for 9:00 PM ET at The Pit in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This late-night conference matchup will air on MWN and features a San José State team trying to find consistency against a New Mexico squad that has been one of the hotter teams in the league. For more daily insight across the board, check out free college basketball picks.

San José State Spartans Preview: Competitive but Vulnerable on the Road

San José State enters this matchup at 5–6 overall, beginning Mountain West play after a narrow 86–82 loss to Stanford. The Spartans have shown flashes of offensive upside, winning three of their last five games, but they remain inconsistent, especially when stepping up in competition.

Statistically, San José State averages 75.7 points per game while allowing 73.8, shooting a respectable 46% from the field. However, the Spartans lag in several secondary areas, including rebounding (33.7 per game) and assists (11.4 per game), which can be problematic in road environments where execution matters more.

Offensively, Colby Garland is the clear leader, averaging 18.9 PPG on an efficient 53.4% shooting while also converting 80.4% from the free-throw line. Garland gives San José State a reliable scoring option, but if he’s slowed down, the Spartans can struggle to keep pace.

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New Mexico Lobos Preview: Riding Momentum at The Pit

New Mexico comes into this game with a strong 9–2 record and riding a six-game winning streak. The Lobos are coming off a convincing 75–59 win over Florida Gulf Coast, continuing a stretch where they’ve controlled games on both ends of the floor.

The Lobos average 81.5 points per game while allowing just 68.9, one of the stronger defensive marks in the Mountain West. They rebound well (37.7 per game), move the ball efficiently (15.0 assists per game), and apply steady defensive pressure with 8.1 steals per contest.

Leading the way is Jake Hall, who averages 14.2 PPG on 47.0% shooting and is reliable at the line (83.3% FT). While New Mexico doesn’t rely on one dominant scorer, their balanced offense and defensive consistency make them difficult to beat—especially at home.

Key Points To Watch For

  • Home-Court Advantage: The Pit is a major edge for New Mexico
  • Current Form: New Mexico has won 6 straight; San José State is just 2–3 in its last 5
  • Defensive Gap: Lobos allow nearly 5 fewer points per game
  • Depth vs Star Power: Garland vs New Mexico’s balanced scoring

San José State vs New Mexico Pick

Best Bet: New Mexico Lobos -Spread I’m backing New Mexico against the spread because the matchup heavily favors them in terms of momentum, defense, and location. San José State can score, but their lower assist numbers and rebounding issues are a concern against a New Mexico team that controls pace and limits second-chance opportunities. At The Pit, New Mexico has consistently dictated games, and I expect more of the same here.

Lean Pick: Game Total Under I lean to the under because New Mexico’s defensive efficiency and San José State’s tendency to slow down against disciplined teams should keep this game from turning into a shootout. If New Mexico establishes control early, the tempo should remain steady and methodical.

Overall, New Mexico’s current form, defensive edge, and home-court advantage make them the clear side in this Mountain West opener. Check out all the sportsbook promos to see if you are getting a great deal on your bets on San Jose State. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for Nevada with the Kickr promo code. Make sure when you place your bet on Nevada vs San Jose State you are using the BetMGM bonus code.

Final Score Prediction

New Mexico 78, San José State 66

The Lobos pull away in the second half and cover comfortably at home.

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