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GAME NOTES: Perhaps the biggest game in Mountain West Conference history is on tap in Provo this weekend, as the 13th-ranked BYU Cougars play host to the 10th-ranked New Mexico Lobos with severe conference title implications.

The Lobos dropped their first two conference games, but have roared back to take the top spot in the league standings with 12 straight victories. Steve Alford's Lobos haven't lost since January 9th and kept the momentum going with this week's 72-66 road win at Colorado State.

BYU is still very much alive to earn the league title as well, sitting at 11-2 in conference play. The Cougars are in striking distance thanks to four straight wins, including an 82-68 home win over San Diego State on Wednesday, improving BYU to 15-0 in Provo this season.

The Lobos are seeking the regular-season sweep after posting a 76-72 victory in Albuquerque on January 27th. BYU however, holds a 74-52 advantage in the all-time series.

New Mexico is averaging a solid 76.9 ppg this season, despite shooting just .438 from the floor. Where the team has excelled however, is on the boards with a +5.6 rebounding margin and in forcing 14.4 turnovers per outing. The team has also benefited from having the same starting five in all 29 games thus far. Four of those players are averaging double figures, led by Darington Hobson's 15.5 ppg. Hobson has been one of the league's most versatile players, ranking among the conference elite in rebounding (second in the league at 8.8 rpg) and assists (third in the league at 4.6 apg). Roman Martinez is another scoring option at 13.9 ppg, thanks in large part to his .428 effort from behind the arc. Dairese Gary and Phillip McDonald round out the top offensive threats with 11.9 and 11.2 ppg, respectively. The Lobos shot just .368 from the floor against Colorado State last time out, but outrebounded the Rams 44-32, including using 19 offensive boards to create 23 second-chance points in the win. Gary led the way with 23 points. Martinez registered a double- double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, as did Hobson with 15 points and 10 boards. McDonald finished things off with 10 points.

It was once again Jimmer Fredette who led the way for BYU in its victory over San Diego State this week. The MWC's leading scorer, Fredette hit 8-of-17 from the floor, including 4-of-8 from three-point range and finished with 26 points, adding six rebounds and five assists for good measure. Jackson Emery added 17 points and seven boards, while Tyler Haws finished with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists. BYU shot just .443 from the floor in the game, but committed half as many turnovers (8), as the Aztecs (16). The Cougars have excelled at both ends of the floor this year, and boast of a +19.0 scoring margin as a result. The team has plenty of offensive firepower, averaging 82.8 ppg on a healthy .488 shooting. Fredette of course, is the leader in that area, averaging a gaudy 21.7 ppg. Scoring support comes in the form of Emery (12.4 ppg), Haws (11.7 ppg) and Jonathan Tavernari (10.5 ppg).

The Lobos are clicking on all cylinders, but winning in Provo is never an easy thing. In what should be a classic battle, look for the Cougars to earn a narrow victory.