College basketball betting preview: Cowboys vs Aztecs

THE STORY:  Thanks to a 6-1 start in conference play, the Aztecs remain tied for second with UNLV, behind first-place New Mexico. Like the Aztecs, Wyoming is looking to snap a three-game skid. The Cowboys have lost four straight to San Diego State, including a 52-42 defeat on Jan. 22. The 42 points allowed were the fewest surrendered by the Aztecs in 70 contests between the teams.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, The Mtn., Channel 4 San Diego

ABOUT WYOMING (18-8, 4-6 Mountain West): After shooting 1 of 10 against the Aztecs in January, San Diego native JayDee Luster would love to rebound with a strong showing in his hometown. The senior guard leads the Mountain West in assist-turnover ratio (2.3) and ranks sixth in assists (3.6). Guard Luke Martinez averages 12.8 points, and he scored 15 on five 3-pointers in the Cowboys’ 54-46 loss at Colorado State on Saturday. Forward Leonard Washington, who had 12 points and eight rebounds in the first matchup with San Diego State, averages 12.5 points and a team-high 6.7 boards. Wyoming is 5-7 in games decided by fewer than 10 points, and the Cowboys have led at halftime in each of their last three losses.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO STATE (20-6, 6-4 Mountain West): The Aztecs are optimistic that leading scorer and rebounder Jamaal Franklin will return after missing Saturday’s game against Air Force with a sprained ankle. Franklin had 12 points and a career-high 11 rebounds against Wyoming in January. Garrett Green started in Franklin’s place against Air Force and grabbed 10 rebounds before leaving early in the second half with an ankle injury. He’s questionable to face the Cowboys. San Diego State had only seven scholarship players available at the end of the Air Force game, and its lack of depth is a concern. The Aztecs average 70.9 points, while Wyoming allows 54.2 points to lead the conference.

TIP-INS:
1. San Diego State is 6 of 30 (20 percent) shooting from 3-point range in its last two games.

2. Wyoming leads the series 37-33, but has dropped 15 of the past 22 matchups.

3. The Aztecs held a players-only meeting after being upset at Air Force, which was 1-74 all-time against ranked opponents before beating San Diego State.

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