photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
Lobos Finish Road Trip Tuesday at Nevada
Game Information
Matchup: New Mexico Lobos vs. Nevada Wolf Pack Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2026 Time: 8:00 p.m. PT (9:00 p.m. MT /
11:00 p.m. ET) Location: Lawlor Events Center – Reno, Nevada TV: CBS Sports Network (Chris Lewis, play-by-play; John Henson, analyst) Radio: 77 KKOB (Albuquerque – Rob Portnoy, play-by-play; Hunter Greene, analyst) | 95.5 KNEV (Nevada – John Ramey, play-by-play; Nick Fazekas, analyst)
The New Mexico Lobos finish their two-game road trip Tuesday night with a key Mountain West showdown against Nevada.
The game features former Lobo head coach Steve Alford on the opposing side and comes just days after the Wolf Pack defeated first-place Utah State in Reno.
Prediction Breakdown
Early projections indicate a highly competitive game, with New Mexico holding a slight advantage.
Most computer models predict a combined score of around 157 points, implying each team will likely score in the high 70s or low 80s.
Nevada is currently ranked No. 66 in the NCAA NET Rankings, while New Mexico is at No. 43.
In the KenPom (Pomeroy) ratings, the Wolf Pack is ranked No. 67 and the Lobos No. 43 — figures that show two closely matched teams with postseason goals.
First Meeting: New Mexico secured an 80–73 win over Nevada on January 24 in Albuquerque.
Scoring Edge: The Lobos average 81.4 points per game, compared to the 72.0 points per game that Nevada allows.
Home-Court Advantage: The Wolf Pack has been dominant in Reno, posting a 13–2 home record this season and a 7–1 mark in Mountain West play.
Matchup to Watch: New Mexico’s Deyton Albury, coming off a 21-point game, and leading scorer Jake Hall (15.9 ppg) will face Nevada’s top scorer, Corey Camper Jr. (17.7 ppg).
New Mexico (21-6, 12-4 MW) can secure a first-round bye in the Mountain West Tournament with a win and tie the program record for conference road wins with its seventh of the season.
The Lobos are ranked No. 44 in the NET and stay strongly in the NCAA Tournament at-large discussion.
Most national bracket projections, including those from Joe Lunardi and Jerry Palm, place New Mexico near the “Last Four In” or comfortably on the bubble — making every remaining game crucial.
Freshman guard Jake Hall leads the Lobos with 15.9 points per game. His ability to stretch defenses with perimeter shooting and create off the dribble has consistently provided New Mexico with an offensive spark, especially in tough road environments.
Nevada (18-9, 10-6 MW) is coming off an impressive 80–77 victory over Utah State, ending the Aggies’ eight-game winning streak.
The Wolf Pack shot 51% from the field and 53% from three-point range in their win, coming back from a second-half deficit.
Corey Camper Jr. scored 20 points, while Elijah Price added a double-double and led the defense.
That performance only adds to Nevada’s confidence heading into Tuesday’s matchup.
Series History
Nevada holds a narrow 14–12 lead in the all-time series and owns a 7–5 advantage in Reno. However, New Mexico has won five straight meetings.
Eight of the last nine matchups have been decided by single digits, underscoring just how competitive this series has been in recent years.
The connection between former Lobo coaches Steve Alford and Craig Neal once added extra intrigue to this matchup, and the familiarity between the programs continues to fuel a spirited rivalry.
What’s at Stake
Mountain West Seeding: A win guarantees New Mexico a first-round bye in the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas (March 7–14).
NET Impact: This represents a Quad 1 road opportunity for the Lobos and a résumé-building opportunity for Nevada.
Road Milestone: New Mexico can tie the school record for conference road victories in a single season.
Matchup Outlook
New Mexico will look to dictate tempo with defensive pressure and transition offense. Forcing turnovers and limiting Nevada’s perimeter shooting will be critical.
Nevada prefers a disciplined half-court approach built on ball movement and shot selection. Slowing the pace and minimizing New Mexico’s fast-break opportunities will be a primary focus for the Wolf Pack.
Interior play could also prove decisive. How New Mexico’s Tomislav Buljan handles the physical presence of Elijah Price may determine which team controls the paint and the glass.
Players to Watch
New Mexico
Jake Hall (G): The Lobos’ leading scorer at 15.9 ppg and a prolific three-point shooter. Hall averages more than 15 points in wins and around 11 in losses, making his production a key indicator of success.
Tomislav Buljan (F): Nearly averaging a double-double (12.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg), Buljan anchors the paint and provides second-chance opportunities.
Deyton Albury (G): A versatile senior averaging 11.2 ppg and a team-high 3.2 assists per game. He enters Tuesday with momentum after a career-high 21-point outing at Fresno State.
Nevada
Corey Camper Jr. (G): The Wolf Pack’s leading scorer (17.7 ppg) and an elite perimeter shooter (45.2% from three). He scored 20 points in the previous meeting with New Mexico.
Elijah Price (F): A strong two-way presence averaging 12.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg, and 1.7 blocks per game. He posted 16 points, 11 rebounds, and six blocks in the first matchup.
Tayshawn Comer (G): Nevada’s primary playmaker, averaging 12.5 ppg and 3.8 assists per game. His ability to control tempo will be vital.
Looking Ahead
Following Tuesday’s contest, the Lobos return home to face San Diego State on Saturday in a sold-out Pit. Tipoff is set for noon on CBS (KRQE 13 in Albuquerque).
With postseason implications mounting, that game looms large — but first, the Lobos must handle business in Reno.
Prediction
Winning in Reno is always a challenge, especially with conference standings and NCAA Tournament positioning hanging in the balance. Both programs understand the magnitude of this matchup, and the intensity should reflect it.
Nevada’s home-court strength and recent momentum make the Wolf Pack a formidable opponent. However, if New Mexico can apply defensive pressure, control the tempo, and execute in late-game situations, the Lobos have a legitimate opportunity to secure a defining road win.
A victory would not only strengthen their NCAA Tournament résumé but also reinforce their status as one of the Mountain West’s top contenders heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
