Looking forward

I don't expect a NMSU letdown on Saturday against UTEP. I think the experience of this group doesn't let the team lay an egg in their home opener.

Plus there is this fact.

NMSU went 2-0 last year. The Aggies werent two games over .500 again until conference play. They were never three games over .500.

UTEP is down and I still think we haven't seen the Aggies get going offensively.

finally, NMSU hasn't started 3-0 since a 4-0 start in 2003-04. All signs point to an Aggies win on Saturday.

Thoughts on UNM

Wednesday's 62-53 victory at New Mexico has the potential to be a program defining victory for Marvin Menzies.

NMSU's WAC title run two years ago included a win over Nevada in Reno. Since that game was a tournament game, I would probably put it ahead of Wednesday night. But it's close for the emotional factor. UNM had seven straight wins  over the Aggies, Marvin Menzies was 1-7 against Steve Alford and the Aggies hadn't won at The Pit since 2002.

Even late in the game when they were trailing, the Lobos seemed stunned the Aggies were playing them close at their own place — something that hasn't happened the past four years. Tony Snelling was dribbling the ball like he was the playground, looking for an opening as if he couldn't believe the Aggies were playing them straight up and knowing that a drive to the paint wouldn't be easy.

Alford isn't known for playing zone defense, but even he dared the Aggies to shoot. Look, we know the Aggies aren't a shooting team, but you don't have to be to beat a zone. In the first half, Aggies players connected twice that I can remember on high low passes to a player cutting along the baseline. The NMSU guards can get into the paint on penetration against a zone and the Aggies have done a good job on the offensive boards with 11 against a physical Lobos team and scoring 17 points off 21 UNM turnovers.

Here are two things I learned about the Lobos moving toward their rematch at the Pan American Center Dec. 28. Tony Snell is really good (5-for-11, 3-6 3s, 18 points including big 3s that tied the game at 40-40 and put the Lobos up 44-42) and Drew Gordon isn't that great. Both UNM starters in the frontcourt were hampered by foul trouble, but Gordon didn't show too much skill around the basket or the ability to score from inside. Going into the game, I thought the front courts between the teams was a wash. After seeing the teams in person for the first time, I give the Aggies a clear advantage there and maybe move a slight edge to the Lobos guards because I don't think the Lobos will shoot as poorly again and Kendall Williams will not go 0-for-9.

Moving along to postgame comments from players and Marvin Menzies.

Wendell McKines is the difference to me. The guy was 0-7 in the first half, but he came out confident in the second half to get the Aggies even at 31 all. He was 5-for-7 in the second half. He hit a big 3 against the zone as well and remained the same player on the boards with nine rebounds. But just as important was his leadership. He pulled Chili Nephawe out of the group in the first half after a Nephawe technical that I still don't understand. Was it taunting or was if for defending his teammates in the scrum? In the second half, McKines ran from in front of the Lobos bench across the court to stop Watson from getting a potential tech after disputing a potential turnover.

"We just had to stay poised. This is a rivalry game so naturally we are going to play outside of ourselves but we have to stay in balance to not get techs from the refs. We had to stay emotionally stable. When I see guys, they trust me and know that they probably need to chill. We know we don't need a technical to hurt the team."

McKines on the win

"It's a really big victory for us, the city of Las Cruces and New Mexico State. It was for you Las Cruces"

McKines on facing UTEP on Saturday

"This roster is full of experience and we know we have to get ready for UTEP. We are going to enjoy this tonight."

McKines on being down just five at halftime

"I still felt like we had the momentum and we were playing at our pace and playing great defense. We missed free throws and weren't finishing things we normally finish. That happens on the road. Our main focus was staying consistent on the defensive end."

Bandja Sy has been a key player after two games for the Aggies. I think that is due to the fact that he got a lot of playing time last year but also that coming off the bench is his true role, along with Daniel Mullings.

"I don't really mind. I just try to do my best when I'm on the court and bring energy and make some plays. That's what coaches ask me to do."

Marvin Menzies on where Wednesday's win stacks up

"I'm still kind of soaking it in and getting ready for UTEP. It's a huge win for us. There is no question. When you can steal a win and steal it at The Pit from such a great program, it makes you feel good and re-affirms that we are doing things the right way."

The Aggies have now won a game in the 80s and one in the 60s. I think this team's true ability is somewhere in between. But it was a good sign when you play in the same league as Utah State.

"I'm glad we won but it's not the way we want to play. I want to get up and down and keep pressure on a team. We want to get runouts and steals and open court scoring. What Steve did by turning it into a half court game was to their advantage but we had some seniors and some guys who made big plays down the stretch."

On hanging around after the Lobos 15-1 run late in the first half to still trail by just five.

"I dont think they worried about the score as much as that they didn't defend the way they should have. I knew we would get scores. I didn't know how they would come. Bandja Sy had a great game. It was a team win"

On facing zone against Alford, a primarily man-to-man coach

"If we didn't play well against it, we knew they would ride it. He wants to play like we play in terms of playing man to man. Tonight I thought that the zone gave us some problems and slowed the game down. We weren't very efficient against it but we did get some offensive rebounds against it and executed against it when we needed to down the stretch."

On the difference between the UNM and UTEP rivalry

"I think there is a little more hatred in the UTEP rivalry and the UNM one has more history. I'm fully aware that we have four games every year that have nothing to do with the rest of the season."

UNM/NMSU thread

Hopefully fans can post your thoughts on the game here.

I'll start.

First of all, I had the Aggies splitting with the Lobos this year and I'm sticking to that. But after watching the Aggies play this week and thinking more about this game, I wouldn't be surprised to see NMSU pull one out. I think it's going to be a tight game anyway, but it's hard for anyone to go to UNM and come out with a win.

I think that the Lobos backcourt has a slight edge and I think the two front courts are a wash. In last year's loss at UNM, the Lobos outrebounded NMSU 48-31 with 18 offensive rebounds despite 17 rebounds from Hamidu Rahman. Rahman, Chili Nephawe, Wendell McKines and others have to hold their own with Hardeman, Gordon and Bairstow.

I think the Aggies will do a better job taking care of the ball, namely Christian Kabongo. In addition to the potential Gordon/McKines matchup, I'm looking forward to seeing when Kabongo and Kendall Williams get matched up on each other.

I have a final score of UNM 75, NMSU 70

What do you think?

McKines and Watson and Justin Hawkins talk about rivalry week

NMSU is in a unique scheduling situation, having to play a home and home every year with two schools that are normally pretty good. It can be a good thing or a bad thing for the team and the coaches, especially if they get off to a bad start like the current 3-13 trend or get swept by one or either school like the Aggies did last year. Coming off an 0-4 outing against New Mexico and UTEP last year, I think the Aggies players know in the back of their mind that these particular games mean more to NMSU fans and students than most games.

It will be interesting to see how the Aggies handle this week with a game at The Pit on Wednesday against a team they haven't beaten in seven tries, and then on Saturday against UTEP at home. 

NMSU junior Tyrone Watson:

"After what happened last year, it's kind of offensive for the guys now in the lockerroom that we haven't won there. They've (UNM) been winning, basically every game we've seen them. Now I know a little bit about the history of it. These games are meaningful and I think everybody in the lockerroom is aware of that."

"This is going to be one of the most exciting weeks of the season just because it's back to back rivalries and UTEP got us here last time. All of the rivalry games are meaningful but this week in particular is a big week for the Aggies so I'm looking forward to it."

On The Pit

"It's one of the greatest atmospheres in college basketball, just to be there with the history it has. It's something to be a part of. Since I've been here, we haven't won there so this one is very meaningful."

NMSU senior Wendell McKines:

"This game (Wednesday) is all about heart and who is the best team in New Mexico. It's a challenge."

On the Aggies' 0-4 mark vs. UNM and UTEP last year.

"It's not an option. Whatever it takes to win, we just have to do it. Whatever sacrifices we have to make, we have to do it."

I also got some email feedback from former Aggie standout Justin Hawkins. Hawkins played in big time rivalries at Utah against BYU and he never won at the Pit at either Utah or NMSU

"There isnt much difference between the BYU/Utah rivalry and NMSU/UTEP/UNM rivalry. When I was at Utah BYU and Utah had been tournament teams every year for the past 15 years and they where producing pros. Either guys going to the NBA or guys playing at a high level overseas. BYU's arena is incredible it seats like 22,000 so of coarse it is loud and crazy in there. The schools are also 30 mins apart so that makes the rivalry crazy too.

"The NMSU/UNM/UTEP rivalries are basically the same. The cities are close like with when we play UTEP and with UNM we been battling them for who is the more domminant  team in the state the last couple years. Unfortunatly I haven't been able to actually go to any of those games in the last 4 years but when i was playing the intensity was amazing. UTEP was always a physical team so the games would be really physical and UNM is very skilled and run a great system so the team who can impose their will normally wins.

"The biggest thing that makes rivalry games is the fans though. The fans want to come out and support a team that they feel like has a chance to win every night based of the simple fact that they play hard every night. I think that this years team has all the pieces to sweep UTEP and UNM this year. They have all the physical tools and that have coaches that are going to work very hard to make sure that the team is prepared. I also know that everyone in the NMSU locker room coaches, players, managers, have heart and they are determined to go out and give 100% every night."

————

I also asked Daniel Mullings, Watson and McKines about Friday's opener at UNC.

Mullings: Overall we played well. At the beginning we had a couple bumps. It was my first college game and it was good to get one under my belt. At first I had jitters but playing with my teammates and bringing energy on defense got me going."

Mullings had an unbelievable dunk off a steal in transition, showing both his leaping ability and defensive prowess.

"I think that it got us going. It brought us together and got us going as a collective unit."

Watson:

"We just were getting at them. As coach said, the last 10 minutes they would crack and sure enough they did."

McKines:

McKines had 18 and 10 at UNC, but he only scored 3 points in the second half. I asked him if he noticed anything differently in the second half as far as the offensive end was concerned.

"We are more of a balanced team. the first half, I was scoring a bit more and in the second half, other guys stepped up. It really doesn't matter as long as I come out with the victory. It was obvious that their scouting report was that no matter who is guarding me, when the shot goes up put a body on me."

McKines on junior Bandja Sy, who hit some big 3s in the second half

"Bandja works on those shots. His work  ethic has increased throughout his college career. It's good to finally see him stepping up and playing more of a role."

UNM game is personal for Wendell McKines

I was looking forward to the NMSU/UNM matchup to see Lobos UCLA transfer Drew Gordon play against Aggies senior Wendell McKines.

It turns out, I wasn't the only one.

"I've known Drew since I was 15 years old," McKines said. "He's from San Jose and I'm from Oakland. I've known him, hung out with him. He's a friend of mine so this is definatly personal and definately bragging rights. I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Gordon didn't play against the Aggies last year as he waited to be cleared and McKines was injured.

Both players are double-double machines, who can keep possessions alive on the offensive glass. The question is will we see them play against each other? The UNM front line consists of 6-9 Gordon, 6-9 Aussie Cameron Bairstow and 6-8 AJ Hardeman. Wendell laughed at me when I asked who is going to check Gordon. I had to try. My guess would be to match Wendell up on Hardeman, hopefully saving McKines from getting into foul trouble. That leaves Hamidu Rahman and Chili Nephawe to deal with Gordon.

"I'm welcome to any challenge and I'm sure Hamidu is too," McKines said. "What it all comes down to in defensive effort and it's about rotations and the team aspects of defense. If one person is able to beat us, we are in trouble for the rest of the year."

I don't think Gordon is going to dazzle offensively. He's a hard worker but if his agility poses a problem for NMSU centers, I think sophomore Renaldo Dixon could step in and hopefully be ready to contribute, especially if the game turns into a track meet.

"When you play away, more than likely, you will play at their pace," McKines said. "You have seen us play at Utah State two years ago. We adapt to any situation and can come out victorious."

The Aggies obviously missed McKines last year. It's a different vibe around them this year and it's hard to imagine them going 0-4 against UNM and UTEP this year.

"It's not an option. Whatever it takes to  win, we just have to do it. Whatever sacrifices we have to make, we have to do it."

—————

I spoke with former coach Lou Henson about the rivalry and McKines.

On McKines
"I think he's as good a rebounder as I've ever seen. I don't think I've ever seen a player his size go to the boards like he does."

On UNM
"I think we have a good enough team and I think they can be beaten up there. The Pit will be full. With all of the Big 10 schools that I coached against, they have the same kind of atmosphere at New Mexico. It's a good series and I looked at it just like a conference game. It's important to the fans to do well against those guys, just like it is in football. It's important to be competitive and win some games."

Aggies grind it out

NMSU was clearly the better team in Saturday's 89-75 victory at Northern Colorado. Their depth (eight players played at least 15 minutes) and size (outrebounded UNC 41-27 with 13 offensive rebounds)  simply wore down the Bears. NMSU outscored UNC 31-19 in the last 11:28, shooting a ridiculous 60.7 percent from the floor in the second half.

As someone who watches the Aggies on a regular basis, I must say that it took me about a half to get accustomed to seeing them play straight man-to-man, often for the length of the floor. There were a few times where transition was lax, but forcing 20 turnovers with seven steals (three from Daniel Mullings) is pretty good.

UNC was really bothered by the Aggies' length. At one point, I think McKines was at the top of the full court pressure with Watson and either Sy or Laroche near midcourt. That's pretty tough to see over or dribble through.

If the Aggies cut their turnovers in half, they pull away faster. Christian Kabongo had a tough night in some respects. He led the Aggies with 20 points, was 50 percent from the floor and 10-13 from the foul line, but eight turnovers is concerning for a guy the Aggies will lean on.

I kind of had a feeling that the Bears couldn't sustain their 6 of 9 3 point effort of the first half. UNC was 2-11 from 3 in the second half. GAME OVER.

NMSU was more talented and they should have won. What I liked is that they played solid long enough to prove they had more class than UNC and then pulled away.

They scored in transition and off TOs, but I think they will see a lot of zone this year and will eventually need to win games in the half court. Banda Sy could provide an answer there, but I'm waiting to see if tonight's 13 second half points and 3-4 shooting from 3 will carry over all season. I think the Aggies are a 3-point shooting by committee team, which makes them harder to prepare for. It was Sy's night tonight though, that 3 he hit after UNC made it a four point game with 6 minutes left was a dagger.

NMSU appeals Barry suspension

NMSU freshman Remi Barry will not play on Saturday.

NMSU is appealing a six-game suspension due to Barry’s amateurism status. The suspension stems from Barry receiving benefits unrelated to NMSU staff prior to his arrival in Las Cruces.

The six-game suspension was cut from 12 games to six games. NMSU hopes the suspension is dropped to three or four games and officials hope to receive word prior to the team’s trip to Alaska Nov. 24-26. If the suspension is not reduced, Barry would be eligible to play in the Aggies’ Nov. 29 game against Arizona at the Pan American Center.