[Maddhatter]

Get it while you can. I noticed its offered at the usual books at this hour but not @ the SBR Book. Let's take a closer look at this game...

NM St 14-5 SU, 9-5 ATS this year, 4-1 ATS last 5. Hawaii 10-8 SU, 8-7 ATS, 6-1 ATS last 7. Ostrowski missed Thursday's game w/ LA Tech due to a staph infection and they lost outright at home along with it being their only loss ATS in their last 7 games. Note that Johnson (Hawaii's leading scorer) was also out w/ the flu. Since Ostrowski joined the team after playing for the football team, they are 7-1 ATS. Without him, 1-5 ATS. His ball handling and distribution earns him a 3.38 assist to turnover ratio and also the conference assist leader at 9/game. As of today, he still hasn't practiced with the team and is questionable to play tonight. Nothing is noted about Johnson and his status but I'm sure he's recovered and is going to play but who know's what effects the flu still has on him. Hawaii at home can be tough but I still feel that without Ostrowski, they are a different team. He may still play but its highly unlikely.

Common opponents this year:
NMST (-8) @ SJST 79-63 W
NMST (-5.5) @ LATECH 83-73 W

SJST @ Hawaii (-8) 69-82 W
LATECH @ Hawaii (-9.5) 74-70 L

The Aggies are 14-5 this season and 4-0 in the WAC. NM State has two players in double figures with Wendell McKines leading the way @ 18.6 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, and senior guard Hernst Laroche @ 12.1 pts/game. Rahman at 6'11" should give Juaquim some problems in the paint with his presence and size. McKines should also matchup well vs Thomas of Hawaii.

Hawaii is still dangerous with their bigs down low and Johnson will be the dark horse. Nothing is certain and if Johnson is on fire, Hawaii may cover and win. Based on what I've seen and heard on internet streams, Hawaii is a turnover prone team. Look for NMSt to take advantage. I'll be taking my shot, going large against Hawaii and figuring that w/out Ostrowski.... NMST wins 81-72.

Far from being a lock but I would be cautious if taking Hawaii in this spot. Fade or tail at your own risk. Good luck everyone.

[NotJoshRay]

Im staying away but the actual big stat here really only has to be the @ Hawaii. Things generally get dicey when teams travel to play then.

[jtorre28]

I actually love this game as well...im a homer tho,,,, its hard sometimes for these teams to travel to the island..however i think nmsu has way too many weapons and are playing with a chip on their shoulder

[BernardMadoff]

Like the pick but dont like the officiating in Hawaii, ever. They know only bettors will be watching this game and remotely, just too iffy right now for me to take, I may make a decision later.

[Maddhatter]

Zane Johnson reported still quesy as of yesterday's practice and will be a gametime decision. Regardless if he plays... doubt he'll be 100%.

[Maddhatter]

Oh and its still not offered in the SBR Book. Already locked in my plays with my bookie but wanted to pound the SBR Book with this play. Not offered. I am hoping that's a good thing for NMSt backers.

[Vol_Bengal]

what's status of the Hawaii guard with staph? I'd assume still out but haven't found anything...

[alexn]

up to -3 now.

[Maddhatter]

Hawaii coach quoted saying, "Miah's very doubtful. He wasn't cleared today (at practice)" Interview was done last night after practice.

Still listed as questionable on all injury reports.

[Letsgobows]

Zane and Miah both doubtful for tonight. Even if zane plays, we will still be turning the ball over way too much to compete. Without miah playing, were 2 - 5, and that's against mediocre competition. Ill post my wac leans in a few. If there's any updates tonight ill be sure to let you guys know.

[Vol_Bengal]

so they're questionable to doubtful at this point? would love if somewhere hears something definitive before gametime!

[Vol_Bengal]

Appreciate it bows! I'd actually looked for your topic earlier hoping to get theirs status' and your play....

[Maddhatter]

Zane and Miah both doubtful for tonight. Even if zane plays, we will still be turning the ball over way too much to compete. Without miah playing, were 2 - 5, and that's against mediocre competition. Ill post my wac leans in a few. If there's any updates tonight ill be sure to let you guys know.

Yo man... was hoping you'd chime in. Good to hear we are on the same side.

[Letsgobows]

Based on current status' I would take nm st. Up to 4

[Letsgobows]

Yeah, sorry I'm kinda late on this. Crazy busy Saturday and I might not even get home til after tip off tonight...posting via cell phone lol

[alexn]

Does anyone have the betting trend numbers? What I hate about Hawaii home games is that pregame and vegasinsider never show the betting percentages because the game starts at 12am est (considered the following day). I want to know if everyone is pounding NMSU so I can make it a no play for me. I really want to take them but not if EVERYONE else takes them too.

[Maddhatter]

http://www.twominutewarning.com/bettracker.htm showing 69% on NM St.

http://www.sportsbookreview.com/betting-odds/ncaa-basketball/ showing 48.7% on NM St.

[alexn]

Thanks Maddhatter

[Letsgobows]

Guys, anyone who thinks hawaii will cover tonight, just remember something. Hawaii lost to la. Tech by 4 the other night. La tech is a bad team. Nm st. Is favored by 3. They're a good team. Its gonna take a miracle for hawaii to take down new mexico st. without zane and miah.

If miah is cleared tonight, hawaii should keep it within one possession and possibly win straight up.

[Maddhatter]

Expect Joaquim to get into foul trouble and/or even foul out just like against LA Tech. I expect both teams to really post it up tonight with a possibility of a lot of fouls inside the paint on both sides. If that's the case, the edge would be on NM St's side with the deeper bench. Thomas is really athletic but so is McKines. A fully healthy Hawaii team would be hard pressed with NM St, regardless if its on their home court or not.

[cashville03]

hey hatter, any thoughts on unlv -7? im thinking of parlaying these two plays

[alexn]

hey hatter, any thoughts on unlv -7? im thinking of parlaying these two plays

I know this is coming from a homer, but I think SDSU -11.5 is a real good play. They've won 7 straight games against Air Force with an average margin of 17 points. The fact that 60-70% of the public on AF tonight makes SDSU an even better play.

UNLV is a great team especially at home but UNM is also a very solid team and it could come down to one or two possessions.

I'm starting to like NMSU less and less with the public AND the forum on them. Usually a bad sign. Its NMSU or no play though.

[Maddhatter]

hey hatter, any thoughts on unlv -7? im thinking of parlaying these two plays

Didn't play it myself but I'd lean more towards UNLV in this spot over NM. The problem with UNLV this year is they can be a little "lackluster" at times. I'm not sure if it was because they were playing down to teams or they just lacked something in their play based on games I've watched. Marshall has been hot lately so possibly look to him as a catalyst in their game play w/ Moser as a beast in the paint. Stanback always a threat from outside and can really boost them with clutch 3 pt shooting. UNLV at home is the play or no play for me IMO. I stayed away from this game. Good luck with what you choose.

[Maddhatter]

I know this is coming from a homer, but I think SDSU -11.5 is a real good play. They've won 7 straight games against Air Force with an average margin of 17 points. The fact that 60-70% of the public on AF tonight makes SDSU an even better play.

UNLV is a great team especially at home but UNM is also a very solid team and it could come down to one or two possessions.

I'm starting to like NMSU less and less with the public AND the forum on them. Usually a bad sign. Its NMSU or no play though.

On SDSU for a large play for me already but I got a crap # at -14. Glad someone else likes them too. I have to admit a little nervousness at seeing the line drop like it did.

[cashville03]

thanks guys. alex from what ive seen from air force they have trouble scoring, so i might take sdsu -11 but i really havent seen sdsu play much but i do know they are good and beat a good nm on the road.

[Checkerboard]

Oh and its still not offered in the SBR Book. Already locked in my plays with my bookie but wanted to pound the SBR Book with this play. Not offered. I am hoping that's a good thing for NMSt backers.

is midnight on the dot the end of Saturday or the beginning of Sunday?

maybe 00:00:00 is a no man's land that the sbr Sportsbook software can't handle

[sc3ball25]

01/20/2012 - Zane Johnson is upgraded to probable Saturday vs. New Mexico State ( Flu )

[cashville03]

sdsu and nm it is....thanks guys and gl

[Maddhatter]

is midnight on the dot the end of Saturday or the beginning of Sunday?

maybe 00:00:00 is a no man's land that the sbr Sportsbook software can't handle

Earlier today it was listed but blank with no lines at the SBR book. Now its off completely.

[southpaw74]

So Zane is in but no miah? I wish both were out. I've gotten killed today

[Letsgobows]

weird, no injuries for hawaii listed on bovada....if miah AND zane both play tonight, I'm going to hammer Hawaii +3.5

[alexn]

Damn if Zane is in I can see a Hawaii win tonight. Line at -4 now...

[Maddhatter]

On SDSU for a large play for me already but I got a crap # at -14. Glad someone else likes them too. I have to admit a little nervousness at seeing the line drop like it did.

Lost the game but glad I got 2H -4 to juice out.

[alexn]

Lost the game but glad I got 2H -4 to juice out.

Good hit on the 2H to save yourself Mad. Looks like UNLV coming through too so this thread is doing well. Let's see if NM State can pull through for you guys. I've decided to lay off this game

[Letsgobows]

Should have an update in a minute...men's game won't be tipping off for at least another 10 - 15 minutes anyways