New Mexico vs Long Beach St: Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread Info and Predictions

The matchup between the New Mexico Lobos and the Long Beach State 49ers will feature lockdown defense against potent offense.

New Mexico finished the season 27-6 and rolled past nationally-ranked UNLV and San Diego State to win the Mountain West Tournament.

Long Beach state went 25-8, and got revenge by beating UC Santa Barbara in the Big West Tournament final, after the Gauchos had defeated them in the previous two seasons.

Where: Portland, Oregon at the Rose Garden

When: Thursday, March 15 at 4:10 p.m. ET

Watch: TBS

Listen: Here is a link to Long Beach State's internet radio station. Here is a link to AM 770, an Albuquerque, NM radio station that broadcasts all New Mexico basketball games. 

Betting Line: New Mexico -4 according to Wager Minds.

Key Injuries

*All injury information via USA Today.

Long Beach State guard Larry Anderson hurt his knee on March 3 against Cal State Fullerton. He missed the Big West Tournament, but is expected to play in the NCAA Tournament.

New Mexico has no reported injuries.

What's at Stake?

March Madness nearly always features an upset in the 5/12 matchups, and New Mexico will desperately try to keep this from happening. Taking care of business will be the main priority for the Lobos, while Long Beach State hopes to become this year's Cinderella story.

What They're Saying

Sports Illustrated's George Dohrmann believes New Mexico forward Drew Gordon is going to have a big impact in the tournament.

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"Mid-majors rarely have a player like Gordon, the UCLA transfer who averaged a double-double (13.4 ppg and 11 rpg) for the Lobos. New Mexico is most comfortable in a half-court offense, with Gordon on the block, and he is an excellent rim protector on defense, allowing the New Mexico guards to apply high pressure. Gordon is also an elite rebounder, helping New Mexico outrebound its opponent in 27 of 30 regular season games."

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Andrew Murawa of the Huffington Post believes that Long Beach State is battle tested and ready for the dance.

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"Of all the mid- and low-major automatic qualifiers, the 49ers are the least likely to be intimidated by the bright lights of the NCAA Tournament. No, this squad has never made a Big Dance before, but for the third consecutive year, they played one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation. Just this year alone, they have seen Louisville, Kansas, North Carolina, Creighton, San Diego State, Xavier, and Kansas State – all NCAA Tournament teams." 

 

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Most Important Player to Watch: Long Beach State guard Casper Ware

The 5'10" point guard scored a game-high 33 points in the Big West Championship against UCSB. He is averaging 17.4 points per game and has unlimited range on his jump shot.

Ware endeared himself to NBA scouts this summer with his performance in the Drew League. Despite some of the game's biggest stars taking part in games, Ware was named the league MVP.

Key Matchup: Stopping the stars

Each team has an NBA-caliber talent as its leader, and the game will likely be decided by the performances of Gordon and Ware.

If Ware is able to take advantage of a favorable matchup with New Mexico point guard Hugh Greenwood, then the 49ers will be wearing glass slippers.

But Long Beach has no answer for Gordon down low. If the 6'9" forward dominates the paint, then New Mexico will avoid an upset.

Prediction: Long Beach State 68, New Mexico 64

Long Beach will keep the game close heading into crunch time, then Ware will take the game over. His electric scoring capabilities will be too much for New Mexico down the stretch.