High Stakes as Sam Houston Bearkats Face NM State in Riveting Rivalry Matchup
HUNTSVILLE, TX — The Sam Houston Bearkats are gearing up for an electrifying encounter against the New Mexico State Aggies on Thursday, January 25th. The highly anticipated matchup, set for an 8 PM tipoff at Johnson Coliseum, will be televised on CBS Sports Network, drawing significant attention from college basketball enthusiasts. Both teams enter the contest with a 3-1 record in Conference USA play.
This upcoming game is not just another tick in the schedule; it’s a revisit of a longstanding rivalry with a rich history. Sam Houston holds a 3-2 advantage over NM State in their all-time head-to-head record, dating back to their first meeting on December 21, 1989.
The last time these two teams faced off was on December 31, 2022, where Sam Houston secured a commanding 75-62 victory in Las Cruces, N.M. This win marked the Bearkats’ third consecutive triumph over the Aggies, highlighting a turnaround in the rivalry that once saw them on a two-game losing streak from 1989 to 1992.
In terms of their home and away records against NM State, Sam Houston boasts a confident 1-0 record at home and an evenly split 2-2 record when playing away. Their conference record against the Aggies stands at an unblemished 2-0, further underscoring their recent dominance in this matchup.
The largest margin of victory for the Bearkats came in the 2021-22 season with a 71-46 win in Huntsville, while their narrowest win was a thrilling 78-77 overtime victory back in 2005. Over the years, these clashes have produced an average of 73.2 points per game, with a total of 366 points scored across their five encounters.
This year’s game carries an added layer of intrigue as former Sam Houston head coach, Jason Hooten, now leads NM State. Hooten, a respected figure in college basketball, had a significant impact on the Bearkats’ program during his tenure and will now face his former assistant, Chris Mudge, who currently helms the Sam Houston team.
As fans and players alike count down to this pivotal game, the history and stakes paint a picture of a rivalry rekindled, with both teams eager to etch the next chapter in their storied confrontation.
