Junior Lomomba

6-foot-4 Canadian born Junior Lomomba is on campus this weekend for an unofficial visit as a high school junior. According to Rivals.com, Lomomba has an offer from NMSU. Lomomba was born in Montreal but has been in Wisconsin since the eighth grade or so. He plays his high school ball at Madison Memorial  and AAU ball with Detroit Family. He said he was at West Virginia two weeks ago  and took unofficials to Iowa Xavier and Cincy last year.

On Montreal native Hernst Laroche
"He was with the older guys and I was just a young guy so I used to watch them play."

What do you think about Canadian born players coming the US and having success at this level?
"It's a good thing. Me coming from Canada, it's always good to see other Canadian fellows coming here and doing good. Hernst for example. He came here and since his freshman year, he has been the starting point guard. It's always good thing. They made it to the tournament so it's good for his resume."

What led to coming to check out NMSU in person?
"They have been recruiting me for awhile since the eighth grade. They showed me a lot of love so it's the least I can do is come here and actually take a look at the place. Even though it doesn't have the big name, it's a good college. They made it to the tournament and like coach said, they emphasize helping their players get to the next level and that's a good thing."

Why did you come from Canada to Wisconsin?
"It was a basketball decision. Simply because I have more of a chance in recruiting here than Canada. It's always hard to go to high school in Canada and then have to make the adjustment."

Does a school going to the tournament factor in when it comes time to make a decision?
"Not really. I'm looking for a school where I will be able to come in and play right away and I know I will get better individually and hopefully help my team make it to the tournament and win the conference."

McKines minute

Wendell McKines appeared at NMSU media day on crutches on Thursday. His left foot was heavily wrapped. He said that comes off next week and he starts what he estimates as a seven week process to return to the court. Here are some other things he said.

How did the injury happen?
"It was a 2-on-1 drill. I was the one back, Laroche passsed it to Chili, I planted my left foot to try to contest Chili. I heard it crack. Once I couldn't walk on it, I knew something was wrong. It was a crack in and now there is a screw in it."

Talk about the rehab
"It will be in the water. I'm going to lift upper body but we will do some things in the water to keep my stamina up. I am on a six week program to get back to playing and moving on the court and probably another week to get in shape. That is what we are looking at. I'm taking this as another challenge, not only on the basketball court but in life. I will survive."

Have you ever had surgery before?
"Never. I've never broken a bone, never sprained an ankle. It's the first time. When it first happened, of course I was pretty down about it but anyone who knows me knows I can't stay down for too long. Alright, it happened and I can't change it. What can I do about it moving forward? Once they say I'm not injured anymore, I'm willing to play through pain."

So if you can come back at 80 percent this year rather than redshirt, you will?
"This is my senior year. It wouldn't make any sense to play at 80 percent. Once they say I'm 100 percent and the timing period is ok, then I'm going to play. Once conference goes on, it wouldn't make any sense for me to play a couple months. I'm working to come back. I want to be back before this year is out. But if things go otherwise, redshirting is an option."
(By the timing he talks about, I assume what Wendell means is the possibility of a medical redshirt. Once he steps on the court, the possibility of a redshirt season is gone. He will be eligible for a medical redshirt only if the injury, which would be a re-injury in h is case, occured in the first half of the season and he had played in no more than 30 percent of the team's games)

What kind of support have you received?
"Everyone from Dr. Boston to the towel boy, everybody has been really supportive. This type of thing really showed me that I have the support of the whole staff, even the girls team. It's really humbling. Facebook people are showing a lot of love and on Twitter. I just appreciate the support and I'm working hard to get back."

What about Bandja Sy and Tyrone Watson, who seem to be battling for your spot?
"They are going to be alright. Bandja has been working hard. He got stronger. He's the top 5 most athletic wing in the country. Watson is experienced. He came up big for us in the WAC tournament. Troy and Hamidu and Laroche. We have a solid team, it's just unfortunate that I can't be with them."

Life without McKines

I thought before I wrote about how the Aggies are to move on without Wendell McKines on the court for the near future, I wanted to look back at his career at NMSU. In a way, should we really be surprised? It's horrible to lose McKines because he's such a vital piece to the Aggies, but A.) this team has always had to endure something or other  it seems nothing is easy at NMSU and B.) The past three years of Wendell's career here has has so many twists and turns that this should just be one more to add to his successful career here.


McKines was the first player Marvin Menzies signed, and it was a late addition to the roster. McKines arrived in August of Menzies' first year after he originally committed to San Francisco but was let go due to academics. After one year in Las Cruces, McKines planned to leave NMSU and return to the Bay Area, but ultimately returned to campus and proved to be the best rebounder in the WAC. Everyone knows about last season, where if not for his return, a WAC championship probably wouldn't have happened. There has also been an arrest for not paying fines, calling out NMSU fans for poor attendance, establishing his own fan club at one point in the Pan Am and inspiring T Shirts in his name. The foot injury is merely the latest trial McKines has to undergo but he's come out of everything else on top.

McKines underwent surgery on Wednesday. People have talked about the possibility of a redshirt year. Marvin Menzies said it's a possibility but he wants to wait six or seven weeks to see how the foot is healing and where McKines is in his rehab at that point. If the healing is slower than anticipated, Menzies said he would have those discussions. What it does do is take away the likelihood of a possible redshirt season for freshman Renaldo Dixon because without McKines, the Aggies' depth in the frontcourt takes a hit Dixon can play in the Halloween scrimmage against Texas Tech and the exhibition game, but if he plays against Lafeyette, he wouldn't be able to redshirt either. If McKines doesn't step foot on the court this year, it's an automatic redshirt season. If he is cleared and comes back and then is re-injured, the university could look into a medical redshirt. Menzies also said Remi Barry will not be in the equation this year as he still has work to do academically before he will contribute.

Personally I would like to see Wendell sit out, rehab and come back at full strength next season. McKines talked about trying to develop his perimeter game, talking about the next level. While it may hurt the Aggies for the short term, another year developing would give him that much more time to turn into a player who could make a nice living playing basketball. As far as next year, the Aggies would only lose Gordo Castillo and the young players would have one year of experience under their belt. I also think the Aggies could still win the WAC without him. Let's face it, the league isn't that strong and it turns out Utah State big man Nate Bendall is also fighting a foot injury.

McKines sidelined 10-12 weeks

Was informed that McKines will be sidelined from 10-12 weeks and will need surgery on his broken left foot. Hope to have more in the coming days.


Menzies said during the WAC teleconference that the Aggies were hoping to learn more sometime today as he was scheduled to have the broken foot further evaluated. From Wendell's Twitter feed earlier today, "Not a good day. ... That's all I gotta say."

Conference preseason ballot

The preseason WAC teams and all-conference picks are going to be announced on Tuesday morning. Here is how I voted in both men's and women's.


MEN
1. New Mexico State (I picked NMSU last year because they were more athletic than Utah State despite more returners at Utah State. I'm picking NMSU this year because they are more athletic than Utah State despite more returning starters than Utah State)

2. Utah State (I picked them fifth last year. Was way off. They are still solid with Wesley and Bendall inside)
3. Boise State (The Broncos have some nice pieces if they respond to a new coach and other guys fill in.)
4. Nevada (I don't know how they replace Babbitt and Johnson, but the Wolf Pack have always been a competitive WAC team and couldn't see them finish lower than fourth.)
5. San Jose State (George Nessman 51-103 in five years. He does have the best player in the WAC and a good point guard)
6. Fresno State
7. Louisiana Tech
8. Idaho
9. Hawaii

Player of the Year — Adrian Oliver, San Jose State
Newcomer of the Year — Malik Story, Nevada
All WAC — Wendell McKines, NMSU
Troy Gillenwater, NMSU
Tai Wesley, Utah State
Greg Smith, Fresno State

WOMEN
1. Fresno State
2. Louisiana Tech
3. Nevada
4. Idaho
5. NMSU
6. Boise State
7. Hawaii
8. Utah State
9. San Jose State

Player of the Year — Jaleesa Ross, Fresno State
All-WAC — Madison Spence, NMSU
Tahnee Robinson, Nevada
Adrienne Johnson, Louisiana Tech
Hayley Munro, Fresno State

Wendell McKines injured

McKines apparently suffered a broken foot in practice over the weekend. I hope to find out more as to a timetable for his return later on today. His Twitter page said he will be back mid to late November. Not the end of the world if that's the case.

First day of practice

All 13 scholarship players and two walk-ons were on the practice court on Friday. Reynaldo Walters, Daniel Mullings and Remi Barry were in street clothes, which will likely be the case for the season. Renaldo Dixon could also redshirt this year before the regular season tips off.

Everyone else was healthy as the Aggies start the season with 13 scholarships for the first time in two years. More on that later as I have some quotes from Menzies regarding the ups and downs of his first three years.

First, here is a short video interview with Wendell McKines on his number change, why he compares  himself to Ron Artest and what it means to him to be eligible to not only practice, but open the season with his teammates.

Marvin Menzies 

On these early practices

"We had a chance to do some team stuff but were limited. That begins today. It will be a slightly different pace because they are very familiar with a lot of things we are going to do based on our Canada experience and retention of players. Typically this time of year is a little more talking. I hope to do less talking and get more activity out of practice."

Menzies explained that the Aggies don't have a true two guard. Think of them as two wings playing off Hernst Laroche. But there are a number of players  vying for what appears to be one starting spot. Those players are Gordo Castillo, freshman Christian Kabongo, Bandja Sy, Tyrone Watson and Bandja West, giving them what looks to be a solid nine-man rotation of of McKines, Troy Gillenwater, Hamidu Rahman, Hernst Laroche, Castillo, Kabongo, Sy, Watson, West with others filling in.

However, Menzies said,

"You want to give your new kids a chance to compete. You want to give your older guys and returners a chance to prove that they have earned those spots. It will be fun. I'm looking forward to the competition in practice. With me as I've implemented the system, there is not really a two. JY was a three for us but he's really a two. Gibson was a two, but he ran the left lane and played some one as well. We have preached versatility in  your game and being able to play multiple positions. Tyrone could run the right lane. Does that make him a two? Maybe to someone watching, but our two and our three get out and fill the lane. We even have bigs that get out and fill the lane. It's really predicated on what the defense is going to give us more than anything."

Menzies has had an up and down first three years to say the least. Some could be justified. Some things were blown out of proportion to be honest. It appears that he enters his fourth year clear of some of the off the court issues that have cropped up in the past five years at NMSU. Menzies said the key was just to deal with the issues as they came.

"I just dealt with it. If the NCAA tells New Mexico State  you have 12 or you have 11, that's what you got. You just operate within those walls. We have a full compliment but you still have to go lace them up against other teams. I can say that 'We are going to be really good'  but I don't know what anyone else has. How good are the kids that sat out at Nevada? You just have to prepare as hard as you can. ... We have had a lot of people who were very supportive when we didn't have full scholarships or when we had a social misconduct and we have had to deal with it straight on. I'm happy to have that stuff behind us. I would love to say that we are never going to have a kid get in an argument with someone but that's not the real world. It happens in every program. We will recruit the type of student athletes that Las Cruces will be proud of but they are children. I'm very proud of the kids we have in the program now. I've heard people say that it's your team now but they have always been my team. The fact that I didn't recruit them didn't mean I loved them any less. It's just a matter of perspective and how you look at things and right now, I'm happy with what I'm seeing."

No. 1 — San Jose State senior guard Adrian Oliver

Normally I like versatile players who do a lot of things well. But Oliver's 22.5 ppg last year looked so effortless that he can only improve on that this year. Oliver led the WAC and tied for fourth in the country in scoring last year. Oliver shot 44 percent from the floor and 41 percent from 3-point range last year. His 39 points last year against La. Tech was the best WAC performance last year and his 35 against Nevada was second.
I realized while doing this that Oliver is the only guard on this list. There are other guards I like in the WAC, but Oliver is certainly the most gifted offensively. But the WAC is more frontcourt dominated this year it seems, at least in terms of experience and talent returning.

No. 2 — New Mexico State junior forward Troy Gillenwater
No. 3 — Utah State senior forward Tai Wesley
No. 4 — Fresno State sophomore center Greg Smith
No. 5 — New Mexico State senior forward Wendell McKines
No. 6 — New Mexico State junior center Hamidu Rahman
No. 7 — Utah State senior center Nate Bendall
No. 8 — Louisiana Tech junior forward Olu Ashaolu
No. 9 — Boise State senior forward Daequon Montreal
No. 10 — Nevada's trio of Olek Czyz, Dario Hunt and Malik Story

No. 2 — New Mexico State junior forward Troy Gillenwater

I talked to NMSU center Hamidu Rahman on Wednesday. He said Gillenwater has been working on his ball handling to add to an already versatile game. If that's the case, perhaps this is the year people get to see what he's capable of. After coming off the bench as a freshman and missing all but 13 games last year, Gillenwater should get every opportunity to be on the court more than the 22.8 minutes per game last year. Gillenwater is a scorer (In double figures in all but two games last year) and at 6-8, he can score in the paint (He shot 53 percent from the floor last year) or on the perimeter (41 percent from 3-point range, but he never shot more than four in a game). If he added more confidence off the dribble, there is no telling how much his 14.6 ppg last year will increase and there is no longer a Paul George or Luke Babbitt in the league to force him to guard on the perimeter. Gillenwater is athletic enough to be the top interior post defender in the WAC. He had 17 blocks in 13 games last year. He can rebound when he wants. He only had three double-double games, but the last one was against Michigan State in the tournament (17 and 11). Gillenwater has all the talent in the world to put up huge numbers this season, but I put him at No. 2 because he's never done it over time before. He has to this year.

No. 10 — Nevada's frontcourt trio of Olek Czyz, Dario Hunt and Malik Story 
No. 9 — Boise State senior forward Daequon Montreal
No. 8 — Louisiana Tech junior forward Olu Ashaolu
No. 7 — Utah State senior center Nate Bendall
No. 6 — New Mexico State junior center Hamidu Rahman
No. 5 — New Mexico State senior forward Wendell McKines
No. 4 — Fresno State sophomore center Greg Smith
No. 3 — Utah State senior forward Tai Wesley

Aggies keys to the season

Beat the Lobos — The Aggies have lost the last five games to the Lobos. UNM has had good teams during that time. I don't think Menzies has to win against the Lobos, but it's certainly the one thing missing on Menzies' resume so far. And I would say if there was ever a time the Aggies could get one, if not two, it's this year. Playing at the Pit is always tough though. The Aggies haven't won there since 2002.

Avoiding a letdown — Expectations are certainly high for New Mexico State coming off a 22-12 season and a Western Athletic Conference tournament championship last year. NMSU returns three starters in addition to their top two players off the bench from last year’s team that was even with Michigan State in rebounding in a 70-67 first-round loss in Spokane, Wash. The Aggies have a challenging schedule, but 20 wins and another run at the NCAA Tournament are realistic goals entering 2010-11.

Replacing Gibson and Young — Losing guards Jahmar Young (declared for NBA after junior year) and Jonathan Gibson (graduated) and their 37.8 points per game will no doubt change the Aggies’ style of play. New Mexico State basketball fans have become accustomed to an up-tempo style of play that put a premium on 3-point shooting. But this year, the Aggies’ most experienced and talented players are all in the frontcourt — Wendell McKines, Hamidu Rahman and Troy Gillenwater. Without a true wing, NMSU will certainly look inside more than the past three seasons. The Aggies roster appears to be versatile enough to defend in multiple styles. With McKines, Rahman and Gillenwater on the back of the Aggies matchup zone gives NMSU lenghth that few teams on their schedule will match. NMSU has players to come off the bench with the athleticism to play man-to-man and pressure full court as well. 

Emergence of young players — While New Mexico State’s strength this season is its interior play, returning one of the top point guards in the WAC in junior Hernst Laroche doesn’t hurt. The Aggies will need two or three younger players to emerge as the season unfolds. The Aggies have high hopes for freshman guard Christian Kabongo to be productive in the backcourt. Sophomore forwards Tyrone Watson and Bandja Sy showed potential as freshmen and can each play multiple positions. Someone will have to mature this year for depth purposes.

Diluted talent pool in the WAC — Nine of the top 10 leading scorers and six of the top 10 rebounders from a year ago are out of the league. While it opens opportunties for other players to step in, experience could determine the league champion and most likely, the lone representative in the Big Dance. New Mexico State and Utah State return the most experienced players in the league and will most likely fight to represent the WAC in the tournament.

Menzies team — Gordo Castillo is the lone player remaining who was recruited by former coach Reggie Theus. And it was Menzies who brought Castillo back after Theus planned to send Castillo to prep school. The rest of the roster is comprised entirely of Menzies recruits for the first time in his four years at NMSU and he has the full compliment of 13 scholarships for the first time in two years. Menzies has continued to search the globe (the Aggie have two players from Senegal, four from Canada, one from South Africa and one from France this year) for players, opting to forego the junior college or Division I transfer route in favor of developing young players. So far, so good, as Menzies is 60-41 at NMSU with a WAC regular season title and and a WAC tournament win last  year. 

No. 3 — Utah State senior forward Tai Wesley

Wesley is one of two returning players who made the All-WAC first team last year. Wesley does it all at 6-7. He led the Aggies in scoring (13.7) rebounding (6.6) and blocked shots (1.31) and was second in assists and steals. He shot 57 percent from the field. I don't see him nearly enough to say for sure, but the reason for the high field goal percentage makes sense because I don't think the Utah State system ever has him more than 8 feet away from the basket. And he has developed a number of post moves over the years. He may be the most unpopular player on the road, but with nights where he was 9 of 10 against NMSU last year, I can see why he drives opposing fans nuts.

No. 10 — Nevada's frontcourt trio of forwards Olek Czyz, Dario Hunt and Malik Story
No. 9 — Boise State senior forward Daequon Montreal
No. 8 — Louisiana Tech junior forward Olu Ashaolu
No. 7 — Utah State senior center Nate Bendall
No. 6 — New Mexico State junior center Hamidu Rahman
No. 5 — New Mexico State senior forward Wendell McKines

No. 4 — Fresno State sophomore center Greg Smith

No. 4 — Fresno State sophomore center Greg Smith

Smith was the WAC freshman of the Year last year, shooting 58 percent which landed him in the top 12 nationally. He was the 50th highest scoring freshman with 11.5 ppg. That number could double this season after Paul George left for the NBA and Sylvester Seay leaving as a senior last year. I think Smith might be one of three WAC players with NBA potential at 6-10, 250 pounds. 

No. 10 — Nevada's frontcourt trio of forwards Olek Czyz, Dario Hunt and Malik Story
No. 9 — Boise State senior forward Daequon Montreal
No. 8 — Louisiana Tech junior forward Olu Ashaolu
No. 7 — Utah State senior center Nate Bendall
No. 6 — New Mexico State junior center Hamidu Rahman
No. 5 — New Mexico State senior forward Wendell McKines

No. 5 — New Mexico State senior forward Wendell McKines

McKines has averaged 8.6 rebounds per game for his career at NMSU. He continued to be a rebounding and double-double machine when he returned to the court last year. He was in double figures rebounding in 14 of the 24 games he played, leading the WAC for the second year in a row with 9.8 boards per game in WAC contests. McKines had nine double-double efforts last season. He enters the season at No. 6 on the school's all-time rebounding list with 761. Since he is around the rim, he gets a number of easy baskets. He averaged 10.7 ppg last year and showed a continued improvement with his jumpshot, although he was still just 16 of 43 from 3 point range last year. While his rebounding shows up on the stat sheet, the Aggies were in trouble last year before McKines rejoined the team as his leadership could be his greatest asset to a team.

No. 10 — Nevada's frontcourt trio of forwards Olek Czyz, Dario Hunt and Malik Story
No. 9 — Boise State senior forward Daequon Montreal
No. 8 — Louisiana Tech junior forward Olu Ashaolu
No. 7 — Utah State senior center Nate Bendall
No. 6 — New Mexico State junior center Hamidu Rahman

No. 6 — New Mexico State junior center Hamidu Rahman

Rahman's continued conditioning could lead to a big year. Michigan State didn't have an answer for his size early in the second half, helping NMSU take the lead. His skill level around the basket has continued to improve throughout his career. He started last season getting all the post minutes he could handle. He started the year with six straight games in double figures. He had three double-double efforts during that time. He finished the season with seven double-doubles and he pulled down  a career-high 17 rebounds at Pepperdine. Rahman shot 55 percent from the floor, scoring 10.3 per game and his summer was no doubt spent working on the free throw line, where he was 52 percent, keeping him off the floor late in games. Rahman was fifth in the WAC with 8.2 rebounds per game and fourth with 1.44 blocks per game.

No. 10 — Nevada's frontcourt trio of forwards Olek Czyz, Dario Hunt and Malik Story
No. 9 — Boise State senior forward Daequon Montreal
No. 8 — Louisiana Tech junior forward Olu Ashaolu
No. 7 — Utah State senior center Nate Bendall

No. 7 — Utah State senior center Nate Bendall

Bendall was third on the team last year with 10.3 points per game and 5.5 boards per game. Bendall is 6-9 but he's crafty around the basket. He was seventh in the WAC with a 56 percent field goal percentage. He was named to the WAC All-Newcomer team. He disappeared in New Mexico State's win at home last year over the UtAgs and it seems like he defered to Tai Wesley and Jared Quayle. You would think USU might look to feed him a bit more this year and I think he's skilled enough to be productive.

No. 10 — Nevada's frontcourt trio of forwards Olek Czyz, Dario Hunt and Malik Story
No. 9 — Boise State senior forward Daequon Montreal
No. 8 — Louisiana Tech junior forward Olu Ashaolu

A solid Herb Pope story

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=5658901


And another story on Herb.

One more link...this on UNM's renovation. 

No. 8 — Louisiana Tech junior forward Olu Ashaolu

Ashaolu could afford to have off nights and get lost in the mix last year with Kyle Gibson, Jamel Guyton and Magnum Rolle around. But the 6-7 Ashaolu still shot 53 percent from the field for 11 ppg. He's the leading returning rebounder at 8.1 per game over the course of the season last year, which was fourth in the WAC. We will see more from his offensive game this year, but he was in double figures in 19 games and he had 10 double-doubles. He led the team with 175 rebounds on the defensive end, which was better than Rolle's 166.

No. 10 — Nevada's frontcourt trio of forwards Olek Czyz, Dario Hunt and Malik Story
No. 9 — Boise State senior forward Daequon Montreal
 

No. 9 — Boise State senior forward Daequon Montreal

I think Boise State is going to be better than what some may think. They have three scorers in La'Shard Anderson, Robert Arnold and Montreal. Arnold had 26 against the Aggies in one game and 35 in Las Cruces. Montreal chipped in with 22. Who knows if the Broncos will play the same style though with a new coach.


But Montreal led the Broncos with 14 ppg to go with 5.4 rebounds per game in WAC play once he got comfortable after transferring from Southern Idaho. The 6-8 senior ended up on the all newcomer team. He shot 56 percent from the floor, earning his share of putbacks after averaging 2.4 offensive boards per game. He only started 11 of the 16 WAC games. Perhaps he earned himself a spot in the starting five this year.

No. 8 on Thursday

No. 10 — Nevada's frontcourt trio of forwards Olek Czyz, Dario Hunt and Malik Story.

Top 10 players in the WAC

This post will start a 10-part series every day until practice opens on Oct. 15.

The WAC lost a ridiculous amount of talent from a year ago. Adrian Oliver from San Jose State is the lone returning player in the top 10 scorers from a year ago. The top 3 rebounders and six of the top 10 are gone. It opens the door for new players to step in, but from top to bottom, this year is a down year in talent level across the board. It will be interesting to see what newcomers emerge as the year goes on, but here are some of the names that to me at least, will carry the torch early on.

All but two of the Top 10 are returners. Hawaii has a transfer from Arizona in Zane Johnson, Fresno State has former Lobo Jonathan Willis and Brandon Wiley returns for Idaho after missing last year with an injury. And freshmen are always hard to figure.

The definition for what qualifies for the Top 10 are somewhat loose. Like I said before, the determining factor you will notice is they are all proven guys in the WAC and for their particular teams. When the preseason polls come out, I think Utah State and New Mexico State will be unanimous as first and second in some order and the number of quality players returning on both teams are a big reason. Not every team is represented here, but the lower teams have some great players who are capable of putting up numbers anywhere.

So here is No. 10.


No. 10 — Nevada's frontcourt trio of forwards Olek Czyz, Dario Hunt and Malik Story. This is the only number that combines more than one player I promise. But Nevada has proven over time to be a quality program and it's fair to say one or all of these guys will produce for the Wolf Pack. Perhaps 10 will prove to be low as the season goes on, but the fact remains they are an unknown but there is a gaping hole left by the departure of Luke Babbitt, Armon Johnson, Brandon Fields and Joey Shaw.

Czyz is a 6-7 redshirt sophomore who left Duke to return to Reno, where he won two high school championships. Story is a 6-5 redshirt sophomore who played in 31 games on one year at Indiana where he averaged 6 ppg. Hunt is somewhat proven. 6-8 very athletic shot blocker was on the All-Defensive team last year and was third in the league with 1.94 blocks per game to go with 6.5 points and seven rebounds. We shall see if he has the offensive game to go with it as the Wolf Pack look to replace 64 points per game.

Look for No. 9 on Wednesday.

Question for readers

I was hoping to do a Mailbag of sorts for the print and online version of the Sun-News this year. That is assuming that I could get five to 10 questions regarding NMSU and/or WAC questions a week from folks who follow this little blog? And assuming I'm smart enough to come up with an answer. What do you think? It would also require a name and location when you write in, which I hope won't discourage questions. They will remain private until they show up in print, online and on the blog. I have to approve all comments before they are published.

I got an email for the 2010-11 John Wooden Award preseason Top 50. Here are some names I thought you might find interesting. Let me know if you want the whole list.

2010-11 NMSU opponents
Randy Culpepper, UTEP sr
Nikola Vucevic USC jr
Derrick Williams Arizona sophomore


Other notable names perhaps

Kalin Lucas, Mich. State sr.

Durrell Summers, Mich. State sr.

Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt junior, two-year player at Hobbs High