Texas Longhorns vs New Mexico State Aggies Picks and Predictions December 12th 2024

Texas Aims to Regain Momentum Against New Mexico State

The Texas Longhorns look to bounce back from a tough loss as they host the New Mexico State Aggies on Thursday in Austin. With the nonconference schedule winding down, both teams have their sights set on finding consistency and building momentum.

Longhorns Look to Rebound After UConn Loss

Texas (7-2) saw its seven-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday with a 76-65 loss to defending champion UConn. Despite freshman standout Tre Johnson’s 24-point performance and Arthur Kaluma’s strong showing with 20 points and nine rebounds, the Longhorns couldn’t recover from a sluggish first half.

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Trailing by 18 points at halftime, Texas managed to cut the deficit to eight in the second half but ultimately fell short. The loss served as a wake-up call for a team preparing for the challenges of Southeastern Conference play in the new year.

“The SEC ain’t no joke,” said Kaluma. “Losses like (the one to UConn) help us build and look back on the film and see what we really need to improve on. We have to learn a lot from that game, and I feel like we’re only going to be better for it.”

Johnson, who has been a consistent force for the Longhorns, continued his impressive freshman campaign, leading the team in scoring for the ninth consecutive game.

Aggies Snap Skid in Thrilling OT Win

New Mexico State (4-5) comes to Austin riding high after an 89-83 overtime victory over in-state rival New Mexico on Saturday. The win snapped a five-game losing streak and provided a much-needed confidence boost for the Aggies.

Christian Cook led the way with 27 points, while Robert Carpenter added 20. Despite committing 17 turnovers and racking up 20 fouls, New Mexico State dominated the extra period, scoring 10 of the first 12 points to secure the win.

“To snap a big (losing streak), it don’t matter who you’re playing,” said Aggies coach Jason Hooten. “Any win is good at that point. But I know how much (a victory over the Lobos) means to everybody.”

Historical Context and What’s at Stake

Thursday’s game marks the fifth meeting between the Longhorns and Aggies, with the series dating back to 1979. Texas has won three of the previous four matchups, including the most recent one in November 2007.

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For Texas, this game represents an opportunity to fine-tune their play ahead of the grueling SEC schedule. The Longhorns need to address their offensive inconsistencies, as only two players scored more than six points in the loss to UConn. Meanwhile, New Mexico State is looking to build on the momentum from their overtime victory and prove they can compete with tougher opponents.

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What to Watch

• Tre Johnson’s Impact: The Longhorns’ freshman phenom has been the team’s go-to scorer all season. Can he continue his stellar play and lead Texas to a bounce-back win?
• Aggies’ Confidence: New Mexico State’s win over New Mexico could provide the spark they need. Will Cook and Carpenter maintain their offensive production against a tough Texas defense?
• Adjustments and Depth: Texas must get more scoring contributions from players beyond Johnson and Kaluma. Watch for how the Longhorns respond after reviewing the tape from their UConn loss.

As both teams look to build momentum, Thursday’s matchup promises to be a compelling contest between two squads eager to solidify their identity.