Texas State: 3 keys and a prediction

Is the Tyrone Watson situation a distraction — From a basketball standpoint Watson is a huge loss. He’s probably the team’s most versatile defender, the best point guard and NMSU’s most experienced player. Can the Aggies replace his production while not letting his suspension and the circumstances surrounding it become a distraction. I expect Renaldo Dixon to replace Watson in the starting lineup and Remi Barry to back him up while Dixon backs up Sim Bhullar. I like Renaldo Dixon, but haven’t seen him in the high post making decisions like Watson did for the Aggies.

Contain Joel Wright —Wright is third in the WAC with 17.5 points per game. He’s been on fire during Texas State’s three-game win streak scoring 16 points against Texas Arlington, 37 against Idaho and 199 against Seattle. Wright had 17 points in the first game between the teams but he was the only Texas State player in double figures. Texas State plays small so I remember Wright bringing Bhullar away from the basket. We will see how they attack Sim tonight.

“He is the best scorer in the WAC right now. We all have to be aware,” Sy said.

Handle the press — The Aggies handled Texas State’s press fairly well in a 78-67 win at home. Texas State had a way of hanging around and probably gave NMSU it’s toughest game at home so far in conference play and I think the reason was because they made NMSU work for every score with the press. Texas State has won three straight games now and they have NMSU at home, a team Texas State probably feels like it can beat from the first game. If NMSU can take care of the ball and continue to rebound, they should be fine.

“It’s tough to limit turnovers because of our style of play,” Sy said. “We know we can do a better job.”

If there was ever a good time to lose another starter, it could be this weekend when the Aggies play 3-6 Texas State and 1-8 UTSA.

In the first meeting, NMSU’s big 3 of  Bandja Sy, Sim Bhullar and Daniel Mullings had a big night. Bhullar and Mullings both with 20- point games and Sy had 16 and 10. I think those three can carry the Aggies this weekend as well. NMSU wins 74-68

Victim plans to file charges

Tyrone Watson has been at New Mexico State for five years now. I must admit, he was the last player I expected to see involved with an off the court incident.

As a result of an alleged assault on a fellow student, Watson's career at NMSU could theoretically be over if charged with a felony. There will be a charge in the coming days as the victim told my collegue James Staley is his intent.   Obviously we don't know yet if the charge will carry a felony with it at this point and if you read Staley's story, there are multiple accounts of just what involvement Watson had in the incident.

It's easy to sit back and recommend what should happen. Watson hasn't been arrested but the fact that he was involved in something like this with the amount of publicity it has received, at this point it's the decision of the basketball program to suspend him or let him continue to play. I'm not going to say how long, but I don't think it would be a bad thing to suspend him at this point because at some point, something like Watson's involvement could drag down whatever accomplishments this year's team reaches on the basketball court. But that's just my take. Following is what Dr. Boston told me Wednesday evening.

When reached for comment Wednesday, NMSU athletics director McKinley Boston said Watson's fate at this point would be determined by the basketball team's head coach.

"The policy at the moment is that Coach Menzies has a relationship with his player and will make a determination to play Tyrone or suspend Tyrone," Boston said. "Without charges against Tyrone, it's a violation of team policy."

Boston said he has been in constant communication with Menzies since the incident has drawn publicity since originally reported on Monday.

"We haven't dismissed it but I'm not the decision maker as I would be if it were a felony charge and it would be on my plate," Boston said. 

Watson has been cooperative with the investigation, Boston said.

"At this point (Watson) is remorseful and he acknowledged that he made an emotional, bad decision," Boston said. "Sometimes those decisions have consequences and those lay with Coach Menzies right now."

Chili Nephawe returns.....to practice

Marvin Menzies said Aggies center Tshilidzi Nephawe was cleared on Tuesday and practiced for the first time since undergoing surgery in December. My question is what do the Aggies do ideally? My personal opinion, and I have yet to  ask NMSU about it until I see Nephawe back on the court, is that they do not need him and I fear his return would diminish somewhat the impact that Renaldo Dixon has had in the Aggies recent play. Perhaps is we are talking about a dominant player returning, but Nephawe could use an offseason and an additional year if redshirted to develop.

LAS CRUCES — New Mexico State men’s basketball coach Marvin Menzies said Tuesday that injured center Tshilidzi Nephawe was cleared on Tuesday.

Menzies said Nephawe would practice Tuesday for the first time since undergoing surgery the week of Dec. 3 for torn thumb ligaments in his right hand.

“He went to the doctor (Tuesday) and got the green light to tape the hand in practice,” Menzies said. “We will see how that goes. He and I have to sit and make some decisions moving forward whether he will play or not.”

Menzies said a decision has not yet been made  whether to redshirt the 6-10 junior from South Africa or move him back into the lineup.

The Aggies leave on Wednesday for Western Athletic Conference games at Texas State (Thursday) and Texas-San Antonio (Saturday) this weekend. It was unclear on Tuesday if Nephawe would travel with the team, although Menzies has stated the team’s intention on working to get Nephawe back on the court this season.

Nephawe started the first nine games at center for the Aggies, averaging 7.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Nephawe last appeared against South Alabama on Dec. 4. Since his departure, freshman center Sim Bhullar and junior Renaldo Dixon have produced at the position. Bhullar has started 12 games, averaging 9.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game with Dixon coming off the bench for 14.6 minutes per game. 

By rule, Nephawe is eligible to receive a medical redshirt or hardship waiver since the injury occurred in the first half of the season and the player appeared in 30 percent or less of the team’s games.

“Chances are (Nephawe) will be physically capable to play but then we have to look at all of the other dynamics and factor in whether to redshirt him or not,” Menzies said. “That includes your academic situation, your ability to develop and have two more years and being able to contribute right now and helping us with our goals we set in the beginning of the year.”

Jason Groves can be reached at (575) 541-5459. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves.

Latest two Aggie commits

I got a chance to speak with New Mexico State's latest two commits. The Aggies addressed some depth at the point guard with D.C. area native Ian Baker, who is enrolled at NMSU currently and recovering from ACL surgery from the summer.

NMSU also added another Canadian product, this time with 6-5 wing Matthew Taylor, who is from Brampton, Ontario but prepping at Future College Prep in Harbor City Calif., this year. Taylor announced his committment on Twitter last week. Has been described to me as a Daniel Mullings type athlete, but there is still work to be done with his game similar to Mullings. He could fill in nicely for Bandja Sy next year.

Baker played his high school ball at Arlington Country Day in Jacksonville Florida for three years.
"I had a pretty decent time down there. I won two state championships down there," he said.

Baker committed to Providence last May, but never enrolled for two reasons, qualifying and the knee injury.
"I tore my ACL that June and was supposed to get surgery during summer school but didn't realize I was going to have problems with the Clearinghouse so basically they took the scholarship away in late August. That backed the surgery up until September. Three months out of surgery and the leg feels strong. I know I still have a little time left of rehab. That's another reason I'm happy to be in school because I am able to rehab more than what I was getting at home."

Baker said he met Marvin Menzies through a mentor in D.C.
"My mentor told me he wanted me to meet somebody and that is how I met (Menzies). He has recruited me ever since."

Baker said he expects to be cleared by next season. Typically a player who isn't qualified has to go through two semesters, not including the summer, before being qualified, which would mean he could suit up by January by the latest.

"I'm not worried about it. I'm more worried about my knee and the Clearinghouse will take care of itself. If the waiver goes through the Clearinghouse, I may be able to play right away."


Here is a youtube video of Taylor. Another little description from his prep school's website. 

Taylor had a laundry list of offers including USC and San Diego State. He told me he never committed to USC. But like other Canadian players even on the Aggies roster, like Tyrone Watson, Sim Bhullar and Daniel Mullings, Taylor came to the US before stepping on a college court. Unlike those three Aggies, Taylor opted to attend a prep school to further polish his game after four years at Chinguacousy Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario.

"I started basketball late. The first year I played was grade 9 in high school. I went to a couple camps in 8th grade but I was not good enough. In four years, I wasn't exactly tuned enough and thought it would be a better option to prep school in America. I wanted to get used to it and learn more about the game."

Future Prep is 38-8 this year with Taylor scoring 13 ppg with 10 rpg. He has been in double digits 30 times this year with 20 double-doubles against elite competition including 10 junior colleges.
When I spoke to Taylor, he was getting ready for a 6 hour van ride for weekend games in Arizona.

"We have two Canadians on our roster. Canada produces really good talent," Future Prep coach Les Bean said. "Canada produces good talent who understands the game. The education system is different from the States and a lot of them can't get eligible through the NCAA. Matt and other kids made the change to find a way to get their books together."

For  a player with so much interest, I asked Taylor why commit so early.

"I wasn't really looking for a big name school, just basically what I felt most comfortable with," Taylor said. "When Coach Weir came out and the more research I did, I felt it was the right time for me. I think I fit in well. They have a lot of pieces right now. I think I can rebound and defend and do the dirty work and just work my way into the rotation."

Not only Weir, but Taylor said he has a relationship with Sim and Tanveer Bhullar, which helped him commit to NMSU despite never setting foot on campus.

"They have  always been an option," Taylor said. "I grew up with Sim Bhullar and have known of Tyrone and Daniel, who I have seen play. Sim's brother, Tanveer, told me about the environment and that the fans are supportive."

NMSU in second place at halfway point

I believe after New Mexico State's 53-42 victory over Denver, the Aggies are the team to beat in the Western Athletic Conference. With all due respect to Louisiana Tech, the Aggies have clearly figured it out on defense and have the ability to shut down any number of styles. Having said that, NMSU has tough games like at San Jose, at Denver, at Utah State, all games NMSU has struggled with in the past as well as first place La. Tech at home. Very impressed with the NMSU defense, more with the amount of focus the Aggies displayed on their current home stand and throughout the seven games after two straight losses to open conference play.

Denver: Three keys and a prediction

Patience defensively: I'm no basketball coach but from my understanding, when you are playing against the Princeton offense, some of the key actions you have to defend against are the back door cut and weak side screens. Terrel de Rouen said this week that the Aggies will play more straight up with the players on the wing because they are going to look to make that backdoor cut. Another idea is that the Aggies are probably one of few teams that have the length and speed to almost dare the Pioneers to make the cut because Mullings and Sy and Watson can recover and Bhullar or Dixon should be somewhere near the basket for help. On the ball, the Aggies shouldn't switch, at least when the center's man is making the screen. When the ball is on one side of the court, NMSU has to be aware on the weakside for back screens and skip passes that set up open 3s and Denver shoots a lot of them.

Get off to a fast start: Fast is a relative term. Denver naturally slows the pace of the game down, but if the Aggies can force some turnovers, use their considerable size advantage on the boards on both ends, NMSU could get an early lead and make it uncomfortable for Denver, putting more pressure on them to score every time down.

Terrel de Rouen: I've said since early in the season that I believe NMSU's best lineup was Bhullar, Watson, Sy, Mullings and de Rouen at the point guard. Due to injury to KC Ross Miller, that will be the likely starting lineup. de Rouen has good energy coming off the bench and Mullings hopes that the Aggies can use that energy to start the game off. He just needs to limit the bad decisions and turnovers.

The way things have played out, NMSU has probably beaten the teams they were supposed to during their six game win streak, although the fashion in which they beat Utah State kind of stood out to me. A win tonight and I would say the Aggies probably the team to beat at the halfway point.

I have NMSU winning 62-59

San Jose State: Just one key, an obvious one

Don't let down vs. weakened Spartans: San Jose State scored 37 points in its last game, a road loss at Denver. The Spartans are playing without WAC leading scorer James Kinney, as well as Louis Garrett, both missed the past two games due to disciplinary reasons. Both were not with the team on Friday and are not expected to play tonight.  Even with Kinney, NMSU is better than San Jose State. NMSU can't afford a letdown after a big win on Thursday and an even bigger game on Wednesday against Denver. The key for this type of game with or without Kinney is to not give San Jose State life. The Spartans still have guard DJ Brown and forward Chris Cunningham 10 ppg and 9 rpg and guard DJ Brown, who scores 9 per game and shoots 32 percent from 3 point range. I remember when NMSU was missing players when the Aggies went to Louisville in Menzies first year and the Aggies made a late run to get within five I think. Rick Pitino said NMSU played like a wounded animal. Tonight will be San Jose State's third game without two guys in the lineup so they are used to it. NMSU needs to start fast and blow them out early.

Final score, New Mexico State 75, San Jose State 58