Sunday, August 31, 2008

Moving on

Pope is finally gone. It should be interesting to see where he ends up, but I'm sure there are schools lining up at the moment.

http://www.lcsun-news.com/sports/ci_10351693

back and forth

A day after Aggies fans seemed relieved that Herb Pope was coming back, I like some of you, have heard the opposite. That he has changed his mind again and is leaving. I dont know if I've ever seen such a spectacle and it's all over a player that has only played in a handful of games. My gut feeling is that he won't be back, but that, like this story could change the following day. Keep checking back and I'll put something up as soon as I know something concrete. In the meantime, do Aggies fans want Pope back for what he did on the court last year, or is it just how highly he was recruited and you want that kind of a player in a NMSU uniform?

Friday, August 29, 2008

J.Y. court proceeding

Here's a link to Jose Medina's story on Jahmar Young's court appearance this morning.


http://www.lcsun-news.com/sports/ci_10335952

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Jahmar Young

Jahmar Young is schedule for an appearance in district court Friday. The docket shows a motion to dismiss slated for 9:30 a.m., but it's unclear which side is to make the motion. Check online tomorrow.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Here we go again

This topic seems to pop up once or twice a month. I talked to Dr. Boston on Saturday regarding Herb Pope. The fact of the matter, as I understand it is that Pope is enrolled at NMSU and has not been granted a release, as some rumors have suggested. Dr. Boston made a good point saying that at one point, Wendell wasn't on the team and now he's back so roster movement is always possible in all sports. His feeling on Saturday was that Pope will be on the court this season, but the young man is also dealing with personal matters in Pennsylvania.

That's all I know at this point, but I'm sure it will always be a question mark considering he is the highest profile athlete at NMSU and the basketball team will go as far as he takes them, whether he is happy or not.


I also wanted to respond to a couple other questions.....My understanding is that the Menzies has at least three candidates for the strength and conditioning coach opening and that interviews are ongoing. Regarding Clyde VAughn, Menzies was hoping to reorganize his staff while creating a position for Vaughn. As you know, the powers that be shot it down and now Menzies has Matt Grady to replace.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Assistant coaching position

Some of the names being tossed about to replace Matt Grady on Marvin Menzies staff include former Duke and Syracuse assistant and Fairfield head coach Tim O'Toole and former Montana State head coach Mick Durham.


After looking him up, O'Toole stepped down at Fairfield in 2006 after eight years.Durham retired from coaching in 2006 after coaching at Montana State for 16 years.

While I think Matt Grady was a hard worker and has a good future ahead of him, I think bringing in a guy with head coaching experience is a good way to go. Menzies has a good mix of up and coming coaches already so adding a veteran guy could be a positive

Wendell McKines

Wendell McKines is back. Apparently he's enrolled and going to classes.
He was one of those young guys that I was looking forward to watching as a sophomore. If he works his way back into Menzies good graces, he will add some much needed depth in the frontcourt, at the very least, a fan favorite is back.

Starting 5

A previous poster wanted to predict the starting five for the basketball team this season.
Assuming the roster holds up eligibility wise and in a perfect world, here's mine:
PG — Jonathan Gibson
SG — Jahmar Young
SF — Herb Pope
PF — Troy Gillenwater
C — Chris Gabriel

Point guard won't be an issue. I think that this lineup is the most talented lineup, but I could see someone like Johnny HIggins starting and bringing either YOung or Gibson off the bench. Center will be a question mark all season, but Gabriel's rebounding prowess could get him on the court a lot.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Fresno loses guard

Check out this blog entry at the Fresno Bee.

http://www.fresnobeehive.com/sportsbuzz/bulldogs_basketball

Prior to the season, I thought Harvey was in the same category as Herb Pope as far as the WAC Newcomer of the Year, but unlike Pope, Harvey didn't get it done in the classroom and didn't even last a whole season.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Coaching staff

The rumors that former UConn assistant Clyde Vaughn was to be brought in, while true, didn't come to fruition. Coach Menzies wanted to bring him, but the powers that be apparently decided against it on Thursday. It was going to be part of a shuffling of his staff, but the current coaches weren't going anywhere, although they might have had different roles.

I believe Theus wanted to bring him in as well at one point if I'm not mistaken?

On a personal note, I think this will work out best for NMSU. I'm not to say if a coach deserves a second chance or not, and it would have been a great story for him to get that second chance at NMSU. On the other hand, how much are potential recruits worth when there are already a couple of proven recruiters on staff with Menzies and Pompey? I don't know, especially with an administration that is still trying to find its president and an athletic department that is facing a big year financially, which could have a direct tie in to how well the football team does on the field this year.Maybe another potential PR hit factored into the decision makers choice to not pull the trigger.


Menzies does have one staff opening to fill, that being the strength and conditioning opening.

Former Aggie player Cecilia Russell-Nava will most likely take over on the women's staff for the departed Princess Moore. When it becomes official, I will get that out there.