New Mexico, still on the edges of contention for an NCAA at-large berth, is presented with an opportunity for a key win. The line has edged up from -1 but has not lost its appeal, given the Lobos' offensive firepower and Colorado State's occasionally leaky defense. The Rams have staggered through a 5-12 straight-up Mountain West record and are 11-18 ATS this season. If the Lobos stumble here, they do not deserve a bid.

Though New Mexico has failed to replicate its early season success in conference play, the Lobos are still not totally out of the running for a first round bye in the Mountain West tournament. New Mexico needs a win at Colorado State and a San Jose State loss on Saturday to win the tiebreaker for the 5-seed, and the Spartans face Air Force on the road in a coin flip game. So in an empty-the-tank spot for New Mexico I like attacking the total, as the Lobos will try to push the pace. Colorado State does not grade out on the season as a notable tempo team -- No. 249 nationally, 7th of 11 teams in MW conference play -- but the overs have been on fire for games in Fort Collins, going 11-3 in Colorado State home games.