Air Force vs New Mexico Prediction 2/17/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Air Force Falcons and the New Mexico Lobos meet Tuesday in college basketball action from the Pit. Here’s a Air Force vs New Mexico prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Air Force vs New Mexico pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Air Force Falcons Betting Preview

It’s been a tough run for Air Force since starting the season at 3-4. The Falcons would lose to Northern Colorado, South Dakota, Pacific, Navy, San Diego State, Wyoming, UNLV, Utah State, New Mexico, San Diego State, Nevada, Colorado State, Boise State, Fresno State, Grand Canyon, San Diego State and Colorado State over the next 17 games, giving the tam a 3-21 run through their first 24 outings.

In game 25 versus Fresno State on Saturday, Air Force was pretty far behind by the break, trailing 45-33 on the scoreboard. The Falcons were outscored 48-30 the rest of the way and limped to a blowout loss on the road 93-63 as the game concluded. Tops in scoring was Lucas Hobin with 26 points and two rebounds while Kam Sanders doubled up on 10 points with 11 assists and five rebounds.

New Mexico Lobos Betting Preview

Over on the Lobos’ side, they started out the year on a pretty solid 10-3 clip then beat Wyoming, Colorado State, Air Force and Grand Canyon before another loss to San Diego State. New Mexico beat Fresno State, Nevada, UNLV and San Jose State before two more losses to Utah State and Boise State. After a win over Grand Canyon the Falcons had a 19-6 record in the books.

Matched up against Grand Canyon back on Wednesday the Lobos were sitting in the locker room with a 40-27 edge. New Mexico was outscored 37-30 the rest of the way but managed to hang on in the end for a nice win on the road 70-64. Jake Hall paced the team on 23 points with four boards and Tomislav Buljan had 12 points with nine rebounds and one assist in 29 minutes of work.

Air Force Falcons @ New Mexico Lobos Betting Trends: February 17, 2026

Why the New Mexico Lobos will win

• Air Force has lost each of its last 24 night games against the Mountain West Conference.
• New Mexico has won 23 of its last 25 games at The Pit against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• New Mexico has won the first half in six of its last seven night games against Air Force.

Air Force vs New Mexico Prediction

I’ll just stay with New Mexico. The Lobos beat a pretty solid Grand Canyon team in a road matchup last week, hitting 47.1 percent from the field and a very nice 56.3 percent (9-of-16) from 3-point range. New Mexico did get out-rebounded 34-27 however, and had 14 turnovers. The Lobos are just 1-2 in their last three games but they’re also 5-2 in their last seven. This matchup should be penciled in as a victory as well.

These teams played back on January 10 in a 91-49 blowout victory for the Lobos on the road. In that one New Mexico shot a nice 47.8 percent from the field with 81.3 percent (13-of-16) at the line and a 40-25 rebounding edge. The Lobos posted just eight turnovers to the 20 from the Falcons. Air Force needs to get a handle on the ball-control mistakes if they want to finish anywhere close in this road rematch.

Andrew Jett's Pick: New Mexico Lobos -28.5