From talking with Coach Menzies before practice, you can clearly tell he is looking forward to the lineup possibilities on a team that seems deeper than any since he has been here.
Looking at the guys that were on the court on Friday was pretty impressive and when Troy and Wendell start practicing, they will be that much more athletic and just the size that they have. Even the guys who aren't cleared yet will add length and competition in practice and eventually in games.
I'm doing a story on the big men who will be playing in the paint while Gillenwater and Wendell are out. Center Hamidu Rahman looks to be in great shape. He said he lost 30 pounds in the offseason, which means he can be out there longer before hitting the wall. Robert Lumpkins has been working at the four spot and could battle Sy and BJ West for minutes at that position. All three of those guys seem like small forward types who will have to play down there at least to start out. But all three will also present matchup problems on the offensive end as well.
Here are some comments from Menzies on Friday
On J.Y.
"He is a really passionate kid who loves basketball. He really got better in the offseason. He got bigger, he got stronger. He is dunking it a lot easier than he did last year. He is also knocking down shots at a higher clip. I am really anticipating a big season from J.Y."
On depth
"I can't really get a grasp on how it's going to unfold and that's one of the exciting things for all of us because one day we come in and we talk about these lineups and then we think about that next guy down the rung and it's like, 'He could be in there too.' There is going to be competition for even the two and the three spot. Gordo has had a great offseason as well and if he's knocking down shots, I'm not taking him off the floor. Gibson has to be consistent or he is going to struggle to stay on the floor if those other guys are playing well. It's just going to be anybody's game."
11 comments:
B.J West is listed at 6'11 on the NMSU roster. He is a true PF/C player, and not a SF.
Good stuff Jason - lot's to be excited about.
Why are you lumping West in as a "small forward type"? Is he not big and bad enough to mix it up at the 4?
I have high hopes (if he gets past the clearinghouse).
Chilero, you and Anon are correct about West playing in the post. I have been told that he can step out and play away from the basket as well. I have only seen him from a distance and although listed at 6-11 on the website, i think he's closer to the 6-8 that was sent out on NMSU's roster for the WAC preview, which made me think of him as a small/power forward. Sorry for the mistake
I think he is bigger than 6'8. Even his prep school coach said that West was bigger than the kid from Kentucky who is 6'9.
Thanks for the clarification.
I don't care if he's 6'7" or 6'11" as long he goes after the ball like there's no tomorrow and can move so we're not vulnerable on defense.
Any o/s touch or offense generally would be a bonus.
We need another Wen on the boards.
And we need Rahman to start playing big instead of just being big.
If West can clear the hut and clear the glass and Rahman steps up his game, we'll be in great shape.
JG - I can already hear the negative posts following losses between now and Jan. from bloviating bloggers who maybe go to the rivalry games. But it sounds like minutes logged by your big men sans WMcK and TG will build experience/bench depth. Come January that will pay off in WAC victories. If JY doesn't have to play 36 and 37 mins of a game and Hamidu can go hard for more minutes - whoa Nellie! Will look for your article.
Gifford said...
JG - I can already hear the negative posts following losses between now and Jan. from bloviating bloggers who maybe go to the rivalry games.
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Talk about bloviating...
Any word on Aboulaye Ndoye surgery? Why did he need surgery?
JG, you said (or coach said) that West should be cleared by Friday. It's Monday now, how about a quote from MM on whats going on?
I believe this story that ran on Saturday will answer both of the above questions. Menzies is out of town so I will know more about N'Doye on Tuesday, but as of last week, coaches thought he could practice this week. It was a minor knee surgery. As far as West, here is what ran in Saturday's paper ...
Menzies said freshmen Justin Standley, B.J. West and Bandja Sy were not cleared by Friday's first practice, meaning the earliest they could be on the practice court would be on Wednesday since the Aggies are going early Monday and are off on Tuesday.
http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-sports/ci_13581013
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