The New Mexico Lobos take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Kansas City, MO, as part of the Hall of Fame Classic. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Nebraska is favored by -8 points on the spread with a moneyline of -330. The total is set at 152.5 points.
Here’s my New Mexico vs. Nebraska predictions and college basketball picks for November 20, 2025.
New Mexico vs Nebraska Prediction
My Pick: Nebraska -8 (Play to -10)
My New Mexico vs Nebraska best bet is on the Cornhuskers to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
New Mexico vs. Nebraska Odds
| New Mexico Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8 -110 | 152.5 -110 / -110 | +265 |
| Nebraska Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8 -110 | 152.5 -110 / -110 | -330 |
- New Mexico vs Nebraska spread: Nebraska -8
- New Mexico vs Nebraska over/under: 132.5 points
- New Mexico vs Nebraska moneyline: New Mexico +265, Nebraska -330
New Mexico vs Nebraska College Basketball Betting Preview
New Mexico Basketball
Eric Olen will keep New Mexico in the running to win the Mountain West for years to come.
I'm not buying that the Lobos are on that level yet, though.
The good news is they have the DNA in place under Olen, as they're forcing turnovers on 24% of possessions. Last year at UC Santa Barbara, the Gauchos were among the best at forcing turnovers.
My main worry stems from offense. The Lobos have four double-digit scorers (Deyton Albury, Tomislav Buljan, Jake Hall and Uriah Tenette), but the team shoots only 29% from downtown.
Playing three freshmen such big minutes will lead to some ups and downs. Hall is shooting just 31% from deep, and Tenette has serious issues with fouls. It'll take time for that pair to fully get used to the college game.
The Lobos are shooting just 28% from downtown, and nobody in the starting five is shooting above 33%. I think Albury begins to shoot better soon enough, though.
It's almost a must for New Mexico to buy into speeding things up and being an elite defensive squad. The strides it has to make on the offensive end will take time.
We saw just how valuable defending and forcing turnovers is for New Mexico in Saturday's loss to New Mexico State. The Aggies only turned it over eight times and scored 1.16 PPP.
Nebraska Basketball
Nebraska is coming off a high-scoring win over Oklahoma on a neutral court (105-99). The Cornhuskers scored 1.46 PPP and went 15-for-27 from downtown in the victory.
The Huskers' biggest advantage is their size and skill. With "center" Rienk Mast serving as a hub for the offense, Nebraska can create some serious mismatches. Mast is the team leader and near the top of roster in three pivotal categories: points (15.8), rebounds (7.5) and assists per game (3.5).
The Huskers' leading scorer is Pryce Sandfort, a 6-foot-7 wing who can sink 3s with the best of them. He's been a benefactor of the floor spacing provided by Mast, as he's shooting 41.9% from downtown. He was only a role player at Iowa, but he's blossomed into a shooting star in Lincoln.
Meanwhile, there are definite concerns about Nebraska's defense. The good thing here is Nebraska isn't facing an offense like Oklahoma, which shot 71% from 2 and scored 1.38 PPP against the Huskers.
The lack of a true rim-protector will be worth watching, especially heading into Big Ten play.
In this matchup, I think Nebraska has a huge edge in the turnover department. New Mexico is going to amp up the defensive pressure to force turnovers, and the Huskers sport a dazzling 12% turnover rate.
The Huskers' steady backcourt tandem of the mistake-free Sam Hoiberg and sharpshooter Jamarques Lawrence should do well against New Mexico's pressure.
Fred Hoiberg was an early adopter of the space-and-pace style during his Iowa State days. His current squad in Lincoln mirrors the same style. The Huskers play at the 125th-fastest tempo in America, have five shooters on the floor at all times and launch 3s 49% of the time.
New Mexico vs. Nebraska Betting Analysis
I feel comfortable backing Nebraska up to -10.
The Cornhuskers have a defined style with more talent than the Lobos.
It's going to take a younger New Mexico squad time to find its footing, and Nebraska should settle in nicely if it's not turning it over.
My Pick: Nebraska -8 (Play to -10)
