Lobos Open Acrisure Classic Against Arizona State on Thanksgiving

 

The New Mexico men’s basketball team is heading to Palm Springs, Calif., to compete in the Acrisure Classic, featuring a stacked field.

The Lobos will kick off the tournament with a Thanksgiving night showdown against Arizona State at 9:30 p.m. MT.

 Thursday, November 28th Games:

• 1:00 pm: TCU vs. Santa Clara (Men)
• 3:30 pm: Washington vs. Colorado State (Men)
• 6:00 pm: USC vs. Saint Mary’s (Men)
• 8:30 pm: New Mexico vs. Arizona State (Men)

The game will be broadcast on TruTV and the Lobo Radio Network. Coming off a dominant 99-68 victory over Texas Southern on Sunday, New Mexico (5-1) brings positive momentum into the tournament.

Arizona State and New Mexico enter their Thanksgiving clash with identical 5-1 records in non-conference play, showcasing strong starts to the season.

Photo Courtesy (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Sun Devils have excelled against quality competition, holding a 5-1 mark against teams with winning records.

They also bring a potent perimeter game, averaging 10.2 made 3-pointers per contest — 2.7 more than the Lobos typically allow.

New Mexico, ranked fourth in the Mountain West Conference in offensive rebounding, averages 11.0 per game, fueled by Nelly Junior Joseph’s 3.0 boards per outing.

Courtesy of UNM Athletics

From beyond the arc, the Lobos average 8.0 made 3-pointers per game, just 0.8 fewer than Arizona State surrenders to opponents.

This battle of well-matched teams may hinge on the Sun Devils’ 3-point shooting efficiency versus the Lobos’ work on the glass.

Tru Washington led the way in their last game with 19 points and ten assists, marking his second double-double.

Courtesy of UNM Athletics

In comparison, Mustapha Amzil contributed 18 points and reached the significant milestone of 1,000 career points.

Additionally, Donovan Dent has been outstanding; currently the only player in the nation averaging 17.0 points and 8.0 assists per game.

Arizona State (5-1) enters the tournament riding a three-game winning streak after rebounding from an early loss to Gonzaga.

The Sun Devils are led by Joson Sanon, who averages 14.3 points per game and recently scored 22 points against Cal Poly.

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

This Thanksgiving matchup will be the 86th all-time meeting between these former WAC rivals, but it’s the first time they will play at a neutral site.

The Lobos lead the series 47-38 and have won the last four matchups, with the most recent encounters taking place in the 2011-12 season.

New Mexico aims to defend its reputation as a November tournament powerhouse, striving for its third consecutive title after winning the Ball Dawgs Classic last year and the Lobo Classic in 2022-23.

Photo Courtesy of NM Magazine

Depending on the outcome of Thursday’s game, the Lobos will face either USC or Saint Mary’s on Friday in either the championship game at 7:30 p.m.

MT or the consolation game at 10:00 p.m. MT. New Mexico has split its last two meetings with Saint Mary’s, and they haven’t faced USC since 2015.

Following the Acrisure Classic, the Lobos will return to Albuquerque for a four-game homestand, starting with their Mountain West opener against San Jose State on December 4.

Here are the key players to watch in the Thanksgiving showdown between the New Mexico Lobos and Arizona State Sun Devils:

New Mexico Lobos

1. Donovan Dent (Guard)
   • Averaging 17.0 points and 8.0 assists per game, Dent is the only player in the nation with such a high-scoring and playmaking combination. His ability to control the tempo and create scoring opportunities makes him the engine of the Lobos’ offense.
2. Tru Washington (Guard)
   • Coming off a stellar 19-point, 10-assist double-double performance, Washington provides a two-way impact. His confidence will be key as the Lobos face stiffer competition in this tournament.
3. Mustapha Amzil (Forward)
   • Amzil, fresh off reaching the 1,000-point milestone in his career, is a versatile scorer who can stretch the floor. His leadership and ability to knock down key shots make him a player to watch in critical moments.

Arizona State Sun Devils

1. Joson Sanon (Forward)
   • The reigning Big XII Co-Newcomer of the Week, Sanon leads the Sun Devils in scoring with 14.3 points per game. He’s a dynamic scorer who can take over games, as evidenced by his season-high 22 points against Cal Poly.
2. Frankie Collins (Guard)
   • The Sun Devils’ floor general, Collins, is steady on both ends. His ability to distribute and defend will be critical in countering New Mexico’s fast-paced attack.
3. Shawn Phillips (Center)
   • A dominant presence in the paint, Phillips will play a key role in controlling the boards and protecting the rim against New Mexico’s slashing guards and versatile forwards.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Donovan Dent vs. Frankie Collins: A battle of playmakers who can dictate the game’s flow.
• Mustapha Amzil vs. Joson Sanon: Two versatile forwards who can score inside and out.
• Rebounding and interior defense: Arizona State’s bigs against New Mexico’s attacking style will be decisive.

 

Both teams have depth, but the performances of these standout players will likely determine who advances in the Acrisure Classic.