Preview: Sam Houston Bearkats at New Mexico State Aggies LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Interstat) — A pivotal early Conference USA men’s basketball matchup awaits Sunday at the Pan American Center as the surging Sam Houston Bearkats visit the New Mexico State Aggies. Sam Houston (7-3) enters with momentum from an 85-75 road victory at Oregon State on Wednesday. The Bearkats have won five of their last six, showcasing a potent offense that has averaged 86.2 points during that stretch. Guard Po’Boigh King has been a catalyst, scoring 18 points with three assists against the Beavers. Over his last three games, King is averaging 17 points. He is complemented by Kashie Natt, who had a team-high 19 points against Oregon State, and Veljko Ilic, who added 15. New Mexico State (6-3) looks to rebound at home after a three-game skid on the road, most recently a 70-83 loss at Tulsa on Dec. 13. The Aggies’ defense, which had been stout earlier in the season, allowed an average of 79 points in those three defeats. Forward Julius Mims will be key for the Aggies’ turnaround effort. He led the team with 16 points against Tulsa and posted a double-double of 6 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Georgia State on Nov. 26. Support from Cyr Malonga and Jemel Jones, who combined for 27 points against Tulsa, will be crucial. The game marks the conference opener for both teams. Sam Houston’s strong backcourt, led by King, will test a New Mexico State squad eager to protect its home floor and reverse its recent fortunes. The Aggies are 4-0 at the Pan American Center this season, winning those games by an average of 17.5 points. Tipoff is set for Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in University Park.