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New Mexico-San Diego St. Preview

Jan 5, 2010 - 3:47 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

New Mexico (14-1) at San Diego State (11-3), 10:30 p.m. EDT

New Mexico players and coaches couldn't be happier with the team's effort during the non-conference portion of its schedule. They also know that early success won't matter if they can't carry it over to Mountain West play.

The 15th-ranked Lobos face an immediate test when they visit San Diego State in Tuesday night's conference opener.

After finishing a surprising 12-4 to tie BYU and Utah for first in the Mountain West last season, New Mexico (14-1) is again the league's surprise team heading into the league opener.

Picked fifth in a MWC preseason poll, the Lobos opened with 12 straight victories for the first time since 1973-74. They've won two in a row to conclude their non-conference slate, including a 68-66 home win over Dayton on New Year's Day.

"Fourteen wins going into the New Year, I just can't say enough about this team," coach Steve Alford said. "I am very, very pleased at the direction of this team and hopefully we can keep getting better."

Unlike last season, New Mexico won't have the luxury of sneaking up on its conference rivals. The league also appears strong. Four MWC teams, including San Diego State (11-3), have won at least 11 games.

"What we did in the non-conference helped us, but it has nothing to do with what we do in conference," New Mexico leading scorer Darington Hobson told the school's official Web site.

New Mexico has won two of the last three meetings with San Diego State, with the exception a 81-76 loss at Viejas Arena on Jan. 21. The Aztecs have won 12 in a row and 21 of 22 on their home court.

"This is what we have been waiting for," San Diego State junior guard D.J. Gay said. "New Mexico is probably the best team in our league. What better way to start the year than playing a great team."

New Mexico is averaging 80.6 points, but San Diego State leads the conference in average points allowed (59.6 points) and is second in field-goal percentage defense (39.1).

"We'll find out real quick where we are in this league," said Alford, whose club has lost five of its last seven MWC openers. "Now, it's going to be a grind."

The Lobos will likely need Hobson and Roman Martinez to continue their strong play in order to be successful in the MWC.

A junior college transfer, Hobson is averaging 16.8 points and 8.1 rebounds. He had 15 points, eight boards and seven assists against Dayton.

Martinez (15.5 ppg), meanwhile, had 17 points and hit a pair of 3-pointers to erase a late deficit. The senior forward is averaging 8.2 points in six career games against San Diego State, but had 17 in New Mexico's 75-49 home win over the Aztecs on Feb. 21.

San Diego State takes a three-game overall winning streak into this contest after beating Division III Pomona-Pitzer 89-54 on Thursday.

Freshman Kawhi Leonard had 17 points with 12 rebounds and Billy White added 13 points for the Aztecs, who are off to their best start in 25 years.

The 6-foot-8 White is averaging a team-leading 12.6 points, while Leonard is averaging 14.0 and 11.3 rebounds in his last seven games.

Though the Aztecs have credible victories over Fresno State, San Diego and Arizona, this is their first game of the season against a ranked opponent. San Diego State has won two of its last three at home versus Top 25 teams.