The Saint Joseph’s Hawks will take on the New Mexico Lobos in an NIT Tournament game. This postseason game will be held at The Pit in Albuquerque, NM. Fans can catch the action on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN2.
Saint Joseph’s comes into this game with a regular season record of 22-11. In the Atlantic 10 Conference, they finished with a 14-6 record. Last postseason, they played against UAB and lost 65-69.
New Mexico had a strong regular season with a 23-10 record. In the Mountain West Conference, they ended with a 14-8 record. Last year, they beat Marquette 75-66 in the first round but fell to Michigan State 63-71 in the second round.
New Mexico Preview
The New Mexico Lobos play in the Mountain West Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 23-10. Their conference record was 14-8. In the 2025 postseason, they won against Marquette but lost to Michigan State in the second round.
During the 2026 regular season, the Lobos scored an average of 80.5 points per game. They attempted 60.2 field goals per game with a shooting percentage of 46.0. Their effective field goal percentage was 53.8, and they made 9.3 three-pointers per game. Their free throw percentage was 72.5.
In the 2026 postseason, the Lobos improved their scoring to 96.5 points per game. They had a field goal percentage of 50.4 and an effective field goal percentage of 59.0. They made 12.0 three-pointers per game and had a free throw percentage of 72.5. The team also averaged 42.0 rebounds per game.
Key players included Jake Hall, who averaged 16.0 points per game during the regular season. Tomislav Buljan contributed with 12.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Uriah Tenette added 10.4 points per game. In the postseason, Uriah Tenette increased his scoring to 17.5 points per game, while Tomislav Buljan averaged 18.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
Saint Joseph’s Preview
Saint Joseph’s Hawks play in the Atlantic 10 Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they lost to UAB with a score of 69-65. During the 2026 regular season, the Hawks had an overall record of 22-11. Their conference record was 14-6.
In the 2026 regular season, the Hawks scored an average of 73.3 points per game. They attempted 59.8 field goals per game with a shooting percentage of 43.0. The team made 8.3 three-pointers per game, but their three-point percentage was 30.8. They averaged 38.8 rebounds and 15.6 assists per game.
Defensively, the Hawks had 5.5 steals and 4.7 blocks per game. They committed 11.4 turnovers and 14.0 fouls per game. In the postseason, they improved their points per game to 72.5 and rebounds to 43.0. Their shooting percentages were slightly lower, but they maintained strong defensive stats with 6.5 steals and 3.5 blocks per game.
Key players included Jaiden Glover-Toscano, who averaged 15.8 points per game, and Derek Simpson, who contributed 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Justice Ajogbor was notable for his field goal percentage of 65.9. The team had a solid record straight up, with a 22-12 overall and 19-7 as favorites. Against the spread, they were 17-17 overall.
Statistical Breakdown for New Mexico vs Saint Joseph’s
The game between the New Mexico Lobos and Saint Joseph’s Hawks could be shaped by several key stats. The Lobos have a strong postseason scoring average of 96.5 points per game, while the Hawks have a solid defense with 6.5 steals per game. The Lobos’ shooting accuracy, with a field goal percentage of 50.4 in the postseason, contrasts with the Hawks’ lower regular season field goal percentage of 43.0. Rebounding will be crucial, as both teams have shown strength in this area, with the Lobos averaging 42.0 rebounds and the Hawks 43.0 in the postseason.
- New Mexico Lobos Postseason Points Per Game: 96.5
- Saint Joseph’s Hawks Postseason Steals Per Game: 6.5
- New Mexico Lobos Postseason Field Goal Percentage: 50.4
- Saint Joseph’s Hawks Regular Season Field Goal Percentage: 43.0
- New Mexico Lobos Postseason Rebounds Per Game: 42.0
- Saint Joseph’s Hawks Postseason Rebounds Per Game: 43.0
Betting Insights
As the Saint Joseph’s Hawks prepare to meet the New Mexico Lobos, bettors have much to consider. The Hawks have shown strength in recent games, especially in Over/Under trends. Meanwhile, the Lobos have a strong overall record but have struggled against the spread. Here are the top betting insights for this game:
- The Hawks have hit the Over in their last 5 games, going 5-0.
- The Hawks are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games.
- The Lobos have struggled against the spread in their last 10 games, going 3-7.
- The Hawks have a strong record as favorites, winning 73.1% of those games straight up.
- The Lobos have a solid straight-up record as favorites, winning 84.6% of those games.
Free Betting Prediction for New Mexico vs Saint Joseph’s
The New Mexico Lobos have shown strong offensive capabilities, especially in the postseason. Their ability to score 96.5 points per game is impressive. With key players like Jake Hall and Tomislav Buljan, they have the potential to maintain this high scoring. The Lobos’ shooting accuracy and rebounding strength give them an edge over the Hawks.
Saint Joseph’s Hawks have a solid defense, with 6.5 steals per game in the postseason. Their defensive skills could challenge the Lobos’ offense. However, the Hawks’ regular season shooting percentage of 43.0 might limit their scoring potential. The Hawks will need to rely on their defensive plays to stay competitive.
Considering the game odds, New Mexico is favored to win. Their strong postseason performance and home advantage make them likely to cover the spread. The Hawks’ recent success against the spread suggests they might keep the game close. However, the Lobos’ scoring power should secure their victory.
- Our Free Prediction: New Mexico -11.5
