COLLEGE BASKETBALL — February 27

NEW MEXICO at BYU
(BYU -8.5) — [private] As big a showdown as there is going to be in the country on Saturday (aside from Syracuse vs. Villanova, that is), this game features two teams that can fill it up from beyond the arc, take care of the ball and play a little defense. Jimmer Fredette is on fire for the Cougars, hitting better than 50% in his last three games and averaging 28 ppg during that time. The Lobos did a pretty good job with him in the previous meeting (Jan. 27). Sure, he got his points (27), but he was just 8-for-21 from the field. And BYU didn’t seem to have an answer for New Mexico point guard Dairese Gary, who got to the line 17 times, scored 25 points, and made all the big buckets toward the end. BYU is 17-0 at the Marriott Center, and has run roughshod through many teams. But turning back the Lobos, who have won at Texas A&M, UNLV and Utah, won’t be a lead-pipe cinch.

THE PLAY: NEW MEXICO +8.5 ***

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)
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