5,834 The announced attendance
Props to the student section, which was acknowledge by Marvin Menzies after the game, addressing the fans and encouraging them to show up on Saturday against Boise State. The listed attendance was 5,834, but the student section was full on both sides.
"We had a great crowd" Menzies said. "I wanted to mention that. The students were there in full force. I’m so proud of all the Greeks on campus and the non-Greeks that show up at a late game on a Wednesday. It just shows you that the spirit is alive and well and there is a lot of pride in being an Aggie. Hopefully we can give them a great performance on Saturday."
30.9 — Idaho's field goal percentage, which was a season low for an Aggies opponent this season
24 — The combined field goal percentage of Idaho guards Mac Hopson, Steffan Johnson and Kashif Watson. Hopson was 4 of 14 to finish with 9 points. Watson was 4 of 15 and only scored four points in the second half. Johnson was 0 of 4, all from downtown.
"It was just being there on the catch," Jahmar Young said. "Coach was in our ear and didn't shut up the whole night, just making sure we were where we needed to be and that’s what we needed."
7 — The number of blocked shots from Hamidu Rahman, who also had eight points and 11 rebounds. The blocked shots were a career high for Rahman, who found yet another way to contribute.
"One of the technical aspects of being a good shot blocker is staying down and trying to block the shot after it’s been released," Menzies said. "He’s gotten a lot of fouls this year going for pump fakes. He only had eight points but he still shot 50 percent so we will take it."
16 — The glaring negative stat of the night for the Aggies. They had nine in the first half and seven in the second half.
"We didn't do a great job taking care of the ball," Menzies said. "I don’t mind the missed shots because we were being aggressive but it would have been nice to have done a better job taking care of the ball. 16 turnovers is a lot."
12 comments:
The 9 pm start time will always hurt the Aggies, regardless of their record or who they are playing. That said the Sun News didnt do people any favors by writing that the game was on Friday night and not Wednesday night.
The Aggies probably played their best half of basketball in the first last night. That took Idaho completely out of their game and any chance of winning. The student section was great and I hope they come back Saturday. The rest of the NMSU "fans" that didn't show up last night or the other home games are pathetic. A previous poster said NMSU has been and always will be a basketball school. The attendance doesn't support that position now. That is unfortunate since this is a good and exciting basketball team. I don't know how the rest of the season will play out but I do know the rest of the WAC is looking at NMSU and not looking forward to playing us. As for post season, the CBI is a joke and I completely support the school's decision not to play in it the last 2 years. One person cites UTEP and the experience they achieved last year as to the reason they are successful this year. The reason they are successful this year is they got 3 new players that have made them a decent team. I hope for the NCAA's for the Aggies and would accept the NIT.
Good win. Three more and the conference championship is in the bag.
The CBI is a complete joke, and any school that PAYS to play is just padding their stats for the year.
UTEP is winning because they added Derrick Character who complements Moultrie as a large body and Randy Culpepper as a slasher and shooting guard. No Character, and the Miners would have double digit losses. The Aggies should not play in the CBI, and made the correct decision to stay home.
If the Aggies play their game, play tough defense, they will be in good shape to win the conference and win the WAC tournament. With the talent on the roster, it's all in their hands.
I have a couple of comments on last night's game. First, solid win; great hustle & effort, etc. I continue to be impressed with Gibson's ability to score, while keeping the motor revved 100% on defense for about 35 mins a night. Great defensive effort overall by the team.
I don't want to be a downer, but there were quite a few sloppy moments last night, and questionable decision making that will not fly against a good opponent (and Idaho is not good). The Aggies should have blown it out to 30 in the second half, but lost focus, ran less offense, stopped throwing it down to the block or high post, quick shot 3s, and didn't take care of the ball.
I don't mean to single out McKines, because there are plenty of plays I can refer to and I love him as a player. But a few times per game he quick shoots a 3, or tries to run a break that results in a turnover. It's just unnecessary (get it to Laroche!). Last night I saw 2-4 other plays where we turned it over trying to toss an alley-oop, or a home run pass full court when it's just not there.
I get that Menzies allows them to play because the frentic pace usually works to their advantage, but USU won't take the bait, and it won't work in the post season. I wish Menzies had a faster hook for some of the shennanigans.
I think this team is talented enough to be a factor in March, but I question if they are disciplined enough. They haven't been able to increase big leads when they have them, although it is clear they are learning how to win games and play with a lead.
I will still be watching and rooting, and am very hopeful. I am proud they turned it around to be relevant in late February (especially after that start). Keep it up, and close this thing out. They certainly are good enough to pull it off if they play the right way.
People need to stop blaming the 9:00 PM start for poor attendance. The Pan Am used to be packed for 10:00 PM starts in the early 90's.
The fact is that Las Cruces fans are losers and look for any excuse to not want to support their team. I'm a huge aggie fan and want to give props to the student section last night. The rest of the stands--not so much. You're a disgrace. Quit making excuses and pack the Pan Am for the final home game on Saturday. What else could you possibly have going on?
Ok, we'll stop blaming start times when you stop comparing us to fans in the early 90s. Ok we get it, you were the best Aggies fans ever. No one could ever compare to you back then.
Anon 9:07-
You've got a deal.
Anonymous said...
People need to stop blaming the 9:00 PM start for poor attendance. The Pan Am used to be packed for 10:00 PM starts in the early 90's.
The fact is that Las Cruces fans are losers and look for any excuse to not want to support their team. I'm a huge aggie fan and want to give props to the student section last night. The rest of the stands--not so much. You're a disgrace. Quit making excuses and pack the Pan Am for the final home game on Saturday. What else could you possibly have going on?
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You want to blame something, blame a 3-6 start. Blame getting absolutely pasted by UCLA, UNM and the Miners this season. Blame two starters for not caring enough to take care of business
If this team reversed the start and went a paltry 6-3, attendance would be completely different. If you don't believe it, just look at UNM and UTEP. Neither of those schools sold out of games into well into the season when it was obvious they were winners. NMSU has NOT proven it can win consistently. The Aggies have not proven they deserve a packed house when they get blown out by Fresno by 20 points this late in the season.
If you want to blame something or someone for attendance, you need only look to the team on the floor...
Looks good for Rahman to comeback and establish himself as a force to be reckoned with in the paint. The Pacific game was played out away from the bucket so Troy had to take over in the second half at Stockton. If Rahman had an attitude problem, a game like Pacific might really send him into a funk. But he tied his career blocks by halftime and going to the paint was how Idaho was 5 and 3 over the last eight. (source: Jack's pregame) Completely shut down Idaho's game as you point out with the guards, JG. By halftime the only guard I had any interest in was 6'-7", Adrian Branch (Go Terps!). Mac Hopson played terrific in Pan Am last January, so I know it's not easy to corral him. Now, WAC tourney wasn't enough payback for Boise's victory at Pan Am last year. Jimmy's looking for the Aggies to bring the same game again Saturday and for the sororities to return in droves to the south end again! It was so much fun!
Rahman is my favorite player. Great attitude, hard worker. Gotta' love his gumption.
Anon 1:26:
I agree with you, that the slow start has killed attendance. I don't agree with you about the consistency though. The Aggies are 15-3 over the last 18 games I believe.
Either way the Aggies are winning now, and its a fun team to watch.
I hope that everybody get out to the Pan Am tonight.
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