Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs New Mexico State Aggies Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Thursday January 8 2026
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, currently holding a 9-5 record overall and 2-1 in Conference USA play, are hitting the road for a crucial matchup in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where they’ll face off against the New Mexico State Aggies. The Aggies have a respectable 8-5 overall record and are 1-2 in the conference so far this season. Get involved in the action with our free college basketball picks.
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Western Kentucky vs. New Mexico State Game Information
- January 8, 2026
- 9:00pm EST
- Pan American Center
- ESPN+
New Mexico State Form & Recent Results
New Mexico State heads into this game looking to snap a two-game losing streak, having lost three of their last five matchups. In their most recent battle, an 89-82 defeat to Missouri State, Julius Mims stood out for the Aggies, putting up an impressive 22 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Jemel Jones also contributed three assists in that contest. As a team, the Aggies shot 46% from the field and made 83% of their free throws, but they struggled with turnovers, giving the ball up 12 times, and collected a total of 35 rebounds.
This season, Jemel Jones has been the scoring leader for New Mexico State, averaging 15.2 points per game and consistently providing offensive firepower. Julius Mims has also been a key asset, as the second-leading scorer with an average of 10.8 points, and he’s been a workhorse on the boards, leading the team with 7.2 rebounds per game. Gabe Pickens has taken charge of distributing the ball, averaging a team-best 3.3 assists. Defensively, the Aggies haven’t been quite as solid recently, allowing opponents to score an average of 74.4 points across their last five games. One bright spot, however, has been their performance at home. New Mexico State boasts a perfect 6-0 record in their own arena, where their offense has been on fire, averaging 84.2 points per game. With a challenging test against Western Kentucky ahead, the Aggies will need to regroup and rediscover the high-powered offense they’ve shown in Las Cruces if they’re hoping to get their season back on track and bring their conference record to an even 1-1. Returning to their home-court form could be just what they need to kindle some momentum for the rest of the season.
Western Kentucky Form & Recent Results
Western Kentucky heads into this game riding the momentum of a two-game winning streak, having come out on top in three of their last five games. In their most recent matchup, the Hilltoppers edged out Louisiana Tech with a 66-61 victory. Teagan Moore was a standout performer for Western Kentucky, finishing the game with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. The team shot 33% from beyond the arc and an impressive 80% from the free-throw line, maintaining control of the contest for almost the entire game, leading for 93% of the time.
So far throughout this season, Teagan Moore has been the main offensive force for the Hilltoppers, averaging 18.2 points per game. Not far behind is Armelo Boone, who has been consistently reliable as the team's second-leading scorer at 12.2 points per game. Bryant Selebangue has set the pace for the team, grabbing an average of 6.9 rebounds each game, helping Western Kentucky control possession. Additionally, Terrion Murdix has been the Hilltoppers' top playmaker, averaging 3.7 assists per game this season. Recently, Western Kentucky has been productive on the offensive end, putting up an average of 83.6 points across their last five games. However, they’ve had some struggles on the road this season, managing just one victory in three away games, during which they've allowed an average of 78 points to their opponents. As they prepare to take on New Mexico State, Western Kentucky hopes to secure their third Conference USA win of the season and keep their positive momentum going.
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| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +1,788.00 |
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| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,400.00 |
Key Stats
- Western Kentucky Hilltoppers this season: 42% field goal percentage, 42.6 rebounds, 13.8 assists, 2.8 blocks, 8.4 steals per game
- New Mexico State Aggies this season: 45% field goal percentage, 37.5 rebounds, 13.8 assists, 3.8 blocks, 8.2 steals per game
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- NMSU -3.5; O/U 155.5
Western Kentucky vs. New Mexico State Picks and Prediction
New Mexico State has been unbeatable on their home court this season, walking away victorious in all six of their home games, a streak they’ll want to keep alive as they try to get back on track. While their defense has faltered in recent matchups, the Aggies will be fueled by their impressive home record as they look to balance their record within Conference USA and catch up to Western Kentucky in the standings. On the other hand, the Hilltoppers will be putting their hopes on a strong showing from their offense as they head into this crucial game in Las Cruces, aiming to avoid a loss and hold their ground in the conference race. Final Score Prediction, New Mexico State Aggies win and cover the spread, 79-73.
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