College betting: Boise State will shoot down New Mexico

Junior forward James Webb III might be the best player in the Mountain West. He's a big reason Boise State is a title contender, but there are several other reasons.

Broncos coach Leon Rice has assembled a veteran team that is loaded with offensive firepower. Senior guards Anthony Drmic and Mikey Thompson are potent scorers and experienced winners.

Boise State is a home favorite over New Mexico on Saturday in a significant game in the conference race. The Broncos (6-2) and Lobos (5-2) are chasing San Diego State (8-0).

Webb, averaging 16.3 points and 9.3 rebounds, is a double-double threat each time out. He had 14 points and 11 rebounds in a loss at UNLV on Wednesday. Thompson, a Canyon Springs High product, scored 19 points in a return to his hometown.

The Broncos are 10-1 at home, falling 56-53 to the Aztecs two weeks ago, when San Diego State's defense dictated a slow pace. New Mexico's up-tempo style makes this a favorable matchup for Boise State.

Elijah Brown and the Lobos can run and shoot, but the Broncos will be more efficient offensively on their home floor and should cover the 6-point line.

Seven more plays for Saturday (home team in CAPS):

• West Virginia (+1½) over FLORIDA: Defense and rebounding will decide this game. The Mountaineers rank 10th in the nation in rebound margin (plus-10.1) and 21st in scoring defense (63.6 points per game). The Gators might be without starting forward Justin Leon (concussion). West Virginia, which lost 70-68 at Oklahoma two weeks ago, is 5-1 against the spread in its past six games.

• Nebraska (+11½) over PURDUE: With a week off, the Cornhuskers are rested and in a good spot. Nebraska is 4-1 straight up and ATS in its past five, a stretch that included road wins against Illinois and Michigan State. Shavon Shields, a 6-foot-7-inch senior forward, can score in the paint against the bigger Boilermakers.

• KANSAS (-5) over Kentucky: The Jayhawks are in a funk, failing to cover their past five games. But coach Bill Self will get his team to snap out of it, and this is a good time to start a turnaround. Kansas is 11-0 at Allen Fieldhouse. This test is as tough as it gets for the young Wildcats.

• San Diego State-UNLV (Over 125): In order to win, the Rebels need to apply pressure and speed up the pace, and it will be easier to do that in front of a fired-up crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Aztecs are winning ugly, a compliment to coach Steve Fisher. UNLV is a 4½-point favorite, but I made the line 2. Instead of laying the points, I'll project the Rebels to win 67-64 and push it over the total.

• Providence (+2½) over GEORGETOWN: Laying points with the Hoyas is playing with fire. Ben Bentil (20.0 points per game) and Kris Dunn (16.9) lead the Friars, who are 3-0 straight up and ATS on the Big East road with impressive victories over Butler, Creighton and Villanova.

• Mississippi State (-2) over MISSOURI: Ben Howland's return to coaching is not going well. The Bulldogs are 1-6 in the Southeastern Conference, but four of the losses were by six points or fewer against quality opponents. The Tigers, off a 34-point loss at Kentucky, are terrible.

• UTAH STATE (-5) over Unr: Because of a canceled flight, the Wolf Pack took a nine-hour bus trip to Logan. UNR is a poor perimeter shooting team that relies a lot on Marqueze Coleman's driving and playmaking. The Aggies should win fairly easily behind Jalen Moore and Chris Smith.

Last week: 5-3 against the spread

Contact sports betting columnist Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247