COMMENTARY: Three pivotal match ups when UNM, MU clash
Here’s a bold statement about what influences the outcomes of college basketball games in March: Matchups matter.
From guard-heavy lineups facing brut’s who struggle to cover ground, to teams who rebound well against teams who struggle to make shots.
Programs that find ways to win typically exploit mismatches more effectively, rebound better or make more buckets - pretty simple.
But is it that simple?
Here are three intriguing matchups in the UNM men’s basketball team’s opening-round game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Kam Jones vs. Donovan Dent
It’s the matchup to focus on when the Lobos and Golden Eagles hit the floor and possibly the most exciting one in the first round.
Kam Jones, a Second Team All-American selection, goes head-to-head with Donovan Dent, an Honorable Mention All-American and the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year.
While Jones may be a perennial scorer in the isolation game, Dent is a pass-first point guard with an attack-the-rim mindset.
Both guards are capable of carrying their teams on their backs.
But in different ways.
Marquette’s offense is predicated on creating space for Jones to operate. He’s a slasher who can finish around the rim but is also a high-volume shooter with a silky left-handed shooting stroke (he takes 31 percent of Marquette’s shot attempts).
When teams focus too much on stopping Jones’ penetration, he turns to back-court mates Stevie Mitchell and Chase Ross. Both are capable scorers.
Jones, averages 19.3 points per game and scored 32 or more points three times this season (Stony Brook, Wisconsin, and No.6 St. John’s).
New Mexico’s offense thrives in transition and scores off creating turnovers.
Dent led the MWC in scoring with 20 points per game and 6 assists per game. He also ranks No. 23 nationally in assist rate.
His ability to run the pick-and-roll with Junior Joseph has NBA scouts foaming at the mouth.
Dent is highly effective in high ball screens because of his vision and passing accuracy; he can thread passes through slim seams or reject the screen and attack the basket - one of the most acrobatic finishers in the country.
The focal point will be how each team plans on defending the two All-Americans.
Marquette will likely throw a double-team at Dent or put Mitchell, who’s also Marquette’s best defender, on him.
UNM will look to 6-foot-4-inch Tru Washington to defend the inch-taller Jones. But Pitino might mix in 6’9 defensive specialist Filip Borovicanin as well.
It will be interesting to see how Pitino and Smart align their chess pieces to slow down some of the best guards in the country.
Nelly Junior Joseph vs. David Joplin & Ben Gold
One of New Mexico’s strengths this season was to convert shots around the rim. At 6-foot-10 and 240 lbs., Joseph is a beast down low.
A literal double-double machine who averages 14 points per game and 11.2 rebounds, Nelly can find position down low and has improved his touch around the basket.
He is also a primary screener for Dent in the pick-and-roll game. This two-man game has been considered one of the best in the country.
He shoots above 50 percent from the field and out-muscles most on the boards. His remarkable 15 double-doubles this season led the Mountain West Conference.
For Marquette, the inexperience and lack of size have been susceptible at times.
David Joplin has the most experience but stands at 6-foot-8-inches and prefers to play his game away from the rim.
His style of play doesn’t necessarily fit a true ‘big’ since he tends to draw defenders out towards the perimeter.
His ability to shoot the three stretches the defense and opens the lane for Jones to run his iso attack.
Gold, who has size, has not taken the leap in productivity that Shaka Smart has envisioned.
Gold is lengthy is not a typical near seven-foot rim-protector.
Although the Marquette frontcourt has a stretch feel, the lack of size and physicality may open things up for Nelly.
The key will be how Marquette can limit Joseph’s touches and entry passes from the perimeter.
Tru Washington vs. Stevie Mitchell
Glue guys.
Defensive specialists.
Both Washington and Mitchell embody a dog mentality.
Catalysts in the defensive pressure that both head coaches (Richard Pitino and Shaka Smart) preach in their team huddles.
Washington, an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention selection, leads the Lobos in steals this season with 66. The defensive leader for New Mexico is the best-on-ball defender the Lobos have and the primary driver in causing havoc.
The Lobos’ pace of play (fourth in the nation) and aggressive tendencies lead to turnovers and fast break points. It’s a style of play UNM thrives in.
Mitchell is very similar in how he approaches his defensive style of play. A vocal and physical leader for Marquette, is often praised by Smart and the team for willing the Golden Eagles back in games when they have been down.
Marquette is third nationally in turnover rate at over five a game.
At 77 steals this season, Mitchell lands No. 10 nationally in steal rate and averages just above three steals per game.
The focus will not be so much on the offensive production of these two come Friday, but mostly on things that aren’t captured on a stat sheet.
How much pressure can Tru and Mitchell impose on each opponent?
How uncomfortable can they make each guard they face?
And with how physical they play; how do they stay out of foul trouble?
NEXT UP: No. 10 New Mexico Lobos vs. No. 10 Marquette
Time: Friday, 5:25 p.m.
Location: Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio
Listen: Lobo Radio Network (96.3 FM/770 AM)
Watch: TBS
Betting info: Spread: Marquette -3.5, O/U 151, Money Line: UNM +145 (Consesus Odds from Action Network)
HISTORY: UNM and Marquette have played once. It was a 75-68 Lobos’ victory in Las Vegas during the 2013-14 season.