Southern California @ New Mexico St. preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 21, 2010 ) Southern California 80, New Mexico St. 61

USC coach Andy Enfield has started a different lineup in six straight games because of injuries, but forward Chimezie Metu has been one of the few constants. The 6-11 junior looks to continue his strong play as the Trojans face New Mexico State on Christmas Day in the championship game of the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu.

Metu scored 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds in Saturday’s 89-84 victory over Middle Tennessee State as the Trojans won for the fourth time in their last five contests following a three-game losing streak. The short-handed Trojans are playing without dynamic guard De’Anthony Melton, who did not make the trip to Honolulu and has yet to play this season while the school investigates his eligibility. Forward Bennie Boatwright has looked strong in Honolulu after missing two games because of a plantar wart, but guard Jonah Mathews has missed two of the past three contests with a sprained right ankle and is listed as day-to-day. The Trojans figure to be tested by upstart New Mexico State, which recorded its first victory over a ranked team in 10 years with Saturday’s 63-54 win over previously unbeaten Miami.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT USC (8-4): Boatwright turned in one of his best efforts of the season Saturday, scoring 23 points along with a career-high six assists, six rebounds and two blocks. “I thought he was great. He was efficient. He made the right decisions,” Enfield told reporters. “He got to foul line 16 times, so he put the ball on the floor when he had to. He drove it hard. He posted up and then he made threes when he was open.” Enfield was also pleased by the play of guard Shaqquan Aaron, who scored 10 points off the bench and had two assists, two rebounds and a steal with no turnovers.

ABOUT NEW MEXICO STATE (11-2): Guard Zach Lofton had 15 points and nine rebounds in the upset of seventh-ranked Miami, which was held to 34 percent shooting by the tenacious Aggies defense. “It’s a defining program win,” coach Chris Jans told reporters. “We don’t get many opportunities like this to play a highly-ranked team on a neutral court. Couldn’t be more proud for a group of a guys than I am right now.” The Aggies, picked to finish second in the WAC preseason coaches poll, are holding opponents to 64.5 points per game with a rebounding margin of plus-8.8 -- 18th-best nationally.

TIP-INS

1. USC holds a 5-1 lead in the series, including an 80-61 victory in the last meeting Nov. 21, 2011.

2. New Mexico State is 9-0 when registering more steals than its opponent.

3. The Trojans are 5-0 all-time in the Diamond Head Classic and won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2009.

PREDICTION: New Mexico State 75, USC 73