Week 11: Tuesday Night Hoops
Tuesday night brings us several rivalry games on the watch list. We highlight ones to watch.
Playoff Implications
Mayfield (7-12, 0-1) vs No. 24 Las Cruces (10-9, 1-1): Both teams are still considered bubble teams right now and every win only helps; every loss puts them in jeopardy. Mayfield struggles on the road going 2-6 while Las Cruces is 3-2 at home. Both teams are evenly matched up with a young roster but the match-up you want to see is the battle between rising stars in sophomore guard Markus Collins (Las Cruces) vs junior guard Ismael Holguin (Mayfield).
X-Factor: Bulldawgs (backcourt) vs Mayfield (frontcourt). Similar styles of play but Mayfield with Jay Arnold in the paint needs to be the X-factor for Mayfield to win.
Pick: Mayfield by 2 (*Upset)
Manzano (5-12, 0-1) vs Sandia (7-7, 1-0): Sandia still seems the favorite in this district but the Monarchs took the first match-up between the two programs. Sandia has Caleb Wroten coming into his own and he will be the focus if the Matadors want to win this one. Manzano has some good players in their frontcourt as well but experience might come into play.
X-Factor: Matadors have won five of their last six games and do better when the score is low. Both teams averaging around 54 points per game. Sandia starts off slow and the Monarchs need to contain them in the second half when they have runs.
Pick: Sandia by 8.
Seed Game
Los Lunas vs No. 22 Belen (12-3, 2-0): The battle for Valencia County. The Eagles are the better offense teams scoring around 61 points per game. Los Lunas the better defensive team. The Tigers have Martin Trujillo who is continuing to play better and place himself among the best players in the state.
X-Factor: Not allowing Los Lunas to keep the game low. For the Tigers don't allow them to start the game quick. They have good first quarters that could dicate the game, the Tigers can play catch-up the entire game.
Pick: Tigers by 3
Rapid Fire
Cibola vs Rio Rancho: Both are playoff teams but who gets a home game.
Cleveland vs Volcano Vista: The Hawks need a win, but can they contain the depth of the Storm Slowing it down might hurt them against the Storm.
Alamogordo vs Hobbs: Scary game for Hobbs as Alamogordo has too good of a roster to be in position to miss the playoffs. Hobbs can't afford another bad loss.
Tuesday night brings us several rivalry games on the watch list. We highlight ones to watch.
Playoff Implications
Mayfield (7-12, 0-1) vs No. 24 Las Cruces (10-9, 1-1): Both teams are still considered bubble teams right now and every win only helps; every loss puts them in jeopardy. Mayfield struggles on the road going 2-6 while Las Cruces is 3-2 at home. Both teams are evenly matched up with a young roster but the match-up you want to see is the battle between rising stars in sophomore guard Markus Collins (Las Cruces) vs junior guard Ismael Holguin (Mayfield).
X-Factor: Bulldawgs (backcourt) vs Mayfield (frontcourt). Similar styles of play but Mayfield with Jay Arnold in the paint needs to be the X-factor for Mayfield to win.
Pick: Mayfield by 2 (*Upset)
Manzano (5-12, 0-1) vs Sandia (7-7, 1-0): Sandia still seems the favorite in this district but the Monarchs took the first match-up between the two programs. Sandia has Caleb Wroten coming into his own and he will be the focus if the Matadors want to win this one. Manzano has some good players in their frontcourt as well but experience might come into play.
X-Factor: Matadors have won five of their last six games and do better when the score is low. Both teams averaging around 54 points per game. Sandia starts off slow and the Monarchs need to contain them in the second half when they have runs.
Pick: Sandia by 8.
Seed Game
Los Lunas vs No. 22 Belen (12-3, 2-0): The battle for Valencia County. The Eagles are the better offense teams scoring around 61 points per game. Los Lunas the better defensive team. The Tigers have Martin Trujillo who is continuing to play better and place himself among the best players in the state.
X-Factor: Not allowing Los Lunas to keep the game low. For the Tigers don't allow them to start the game quick. They have good first quarters that could dicate the game, the Tigers can play catch-up the entire game.
Pick: Tigers by 3
Rapid Fire
Cibola vs Rio Rancho: Both are playoff teams but who gets a home game.
Cleveland vs Volcano Vista: The Hawks need a win, but can they contain the depth of the Storm Slowing it down might hurt them against the Storm.
Alamogordo vs Hobbs: Scary game for Hobbs as Alamogordo has too good of a roster to be in position to miss the playoffs. Hobbs can't afford another bad loss.
