Sam Houston Bearkats vs New Mexico Lobos: NIT 1st Round Preview

Bearkats look to pull off upset as 11-point underdogs against Lobos

Mar. 17, 2026 at 9:02pm

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The Sam Houston Bearkats (22-11) will travel to Albuquerque to take on the New Mexico Lobos (23-10) in the first round of the NIT on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The Lobos are 11-point favorites at home in The Pit, with the total set at 165.

Why it matters

This matchup features two teams looking to extend their seasons in the NIT after falling short of the NCAA Tournament. The Bearkats will try to pull off the upset on the road against a tough Lobos squad that finished the regular season 23-10.

The details

Sam Houston is led by Jacobe Coleman, who scored 18 points in the team's last game against Kennesaw State. The Bearkats average 82.2 points per game (49th in Division I) while shooting 46.4% from the field. Defensively, they force 11.6 turnovers per game but allow 74.2 points per contest (194th in D-I). New Mexico is paced by Deyton Albury, who had 20 points in the team's last outing against San Diego State. The Lobos score 80.5 points per game and connect on 46% of their shots, but their defense has struggled at times, allowing 70.8 points per game (97th in D-I).

  • The game will be played on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
  • Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET and will be televised on ESPN+.

The players

Jacobe Coleman

A key player for the Sam Houston Bearkats, scoring 18 points in the team's last game.

Deyton Albury

The leading scorer for the New Mexico Lobos, pouring in 20 points in the team's previous contest.

Sam Houston Bearkats

The 22-11 Bearkats are the underdogs in this NIT first-round matchup.

New Mexico Lobos

The 23-10 Lobos are hosting this NIT game at The Pit in Albuquerque.

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What they’re saying

“We must be ready for a tough battle against a scrappy Sam Houston team. They have some talented players who can really fill it up.”

— Richard Pitino, Head Coach, New Mexico Lobos (New Mexico Daily Lobo)

What’s next

The winner of this game will advance to the second round of the NIT to face the winner of the Clemson vs. Iona matchup.

The takeaway

This first-round NIT contest features two teams looking to extend their seasons and prove they belong in the postseason. While New Mexico is the favorite at home, Sam Houston has the offensive firepower to pull off the upset if they can slow down the Lobos' attack.