New Mexico vs. Nebraska, Picks and Prediction, Thursday, November 20, 2025
Use Code WWWC We're in the holiday season, which means college basketball tournaments, so get ready for this New Mexico vs. Nebraska prediction. New Mexico (3-1) travels to Kansas City, Mo. to take on Nebraska (4-0) at 7pmET on Thursday in the Hall of Fame Classic. Nebraska is a 6.5-point favorite at the time this article was written and the total was 152.5. Check out more free selections in college basketball at Winners and Whiners.
Lobos fall to rival by eight
New Mexico is under new leadership with Eric Olen taking over for Richard Pitino, who went to Xavier. The Lobos lost all five starters from a team that finished 27-8 overall, so like many schools, this becomes Transfer U. The Lobos opened the season at 3-0 (covering just once), but wound up on the losing end on Nov. 15 with a 76-68 defeat at New Mexico State from Rio Grande. New Mexico was a 4-point favorite but allowed 49 points in the second half after giving up just 27 in the first half (tied). Anthony Wrzeczcz led the Lobos with 16 points, while Jemel Jones added 15 points, five rebounds and three steals, but shot just 4 of 14 from the field. New Mexico turned the ball over just four times against the Aggies, but still lost the game.
Wrzeczcz is a 6-4 guard who transferred in from Sam Houston and averages 12 points per game and shoots 53.3% from long range. Jemel Jones is another 6-4 guard, who transferred from Cal State Bakersfield, where he averaged 18.9 points per game. This season, he's averaging 20.7 points to lead the Lobos, while pulling in 5.3 rebounds per game.
KenPom has the Lobos ranked 100th overall and 71st in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency.
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Cornhuskers pass first big test
Nebraska is 3-0, but they opened their first three, with wins over West Georgia, FIU and UMES. On Nov. 15, they took on Oklahoma and won the game in a shootout, 105-99 as a 1.5-point favorite in the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD. The Cornhuskers came back from a 16-point deficit to win the game. Nebraska shot 58% from the field and 56% from beyond the arc. They also tied a program record with just five turnovers. Pryce Sandfort led the way with 28 points and seven assists, while Rienk Mast added 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting.
Fred Hoiberg's team finished 21-14 overall, but just 7-13 in the Big 10. It's a tough league, but Sandfort is one of the key returners along with his son Sam and Berke Buyuktuncel (6-10, 244). Mast (6-10, 250) was out last season with a knee injury, but in 2023-24, he averaged 12.3ppg and 7.5rpg. He's second on the team with 15 points per game and first in rebounds with 7.8 per game, and leads in assists with 3.8 per game. Sandfort leads in scoring with 175 points, on 41.9% from three-point range. KenPom has the Huskers at 40th overall and 22nd in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency.
Key Injury Report for Nebraska:
- C Leo Curtis (7-1, 220). Averaged 5 points per game in the first three games.
- F Ugnius Jarusevicius (6-7, 210) averaged 16.2 points per game at Central Michigan last season.
Spread Pick for New Mexico vs. Nebraska
New Mexico vs. Nebraska Pick and Prediction
- Nebraska -7.5 (4 units)
That's a bit to lay in a neutral site game. I feel that the Huskers are improved from last season with Mast back in the mix at center and their size will be too much for the Lobos. Nebaska's defense has been very strong thus far, as they are allowing just 38.1% from the field and 29.2% from long range. The Lobos are shooting just 29.3% from beyond the arc. Nebraska is shooting 38.4% from three-point range, so expect a solid inside-out game. The Huskers are also more cohesive, while the Lobos have a lot of new players and a new coaching staff.
- Over 152.5 (4 units)
When it comes to pace, Nebraska pushes it some, ranking 125th in Adjusted Tempo. New Mexico hasn't faced a team as efficient as Nebraska offensively so they may need to score at least 80 points to win this game. The Lobos have gone over in two straight games, while Nebraska is averaging 89 points per game, including 50.2 points in the second half.
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