Preview: Middle Tennessee at New Mexico State

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Interstat) — Two teams riding opposite momentum swings will meet Saturday when the New Mexico State Aggies host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in a Conference USA men’s basketball matchup.

The Aggies (9-5) enter the contest at the Pan American Center fresh off an 80-64 home victory over Western Kentucky on Thursday. Guard Jemel Jones powered the win with 24 points, continuing a strong stretch where he has averaged 18.3 points over his last three games.

Conversely, the Blue Raiders (9-6) are looking to rebound from a tough 83-80 overtime road loss at UTEP on the same night. Guard Sean Smith led Middle Tennessee with 16 points and four assists in that defeat, part of a consistent run where he has scored in double figures in three of his last five outings.

Both teams sit at .500 or better in early conference play, making this a key contest for positioning. New Mexico State has shown a potent offense at home, highlighted by a 104-point performance against Southwest on Dec. 28. Middle Tennessee has demonstrated resilience, with two of its conference wins coming by a single point.

The matchup features a contrast in recent trajectories. The Aggies have won four of their last five, while the Blue Raiders have split their last six games. Middle Tennessee will need to contain Jones and improve its perimeter defense after allowing UTEP to hit 12 three-pointers.

For New Mexico State, the challenge will be maintaining its offensive efficiency against a Middle Tennessee team that held Louisiana Tech to 51 points in a win earlier this month.

Saturday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. MST. Following this contest, Middle Tennessee travels to face Louisiana Tech on Jan. 14, while New Mexico State begins a two-game road trip at Liberty on Jan. 15.