Sorry for the delayed posting from Saturday's victory, but here we go:
Keep it rolling: It was positive to see the Aggies blow out a lesser opponent at home. South Alabama closed to within 10 a couple times in the second half, but the Aggies were able to respond each time, pushing the lead out to 18 early in the second half and winning by 18 to win their fourth straight game entering WAC play. One of the question marks New Mexico State fans have endured each year it seems is wondering what the mindset of the team would be each night. I think that this year's team seems focused each night regardless of the opponent and they are deep enough to make up for it if one player is saddled by foul trouble like Bhullar was with four fouls or just has an off night, which nobody did against an inferior team, shooting 64 percent.
Rebounding: NMSU dominated on the boards on Saturday, out rebounding South Alabama 38-24 and doing it all in man to man, which is a good sign since smaller, quicker teams have hurt the Aggies on the boards this year and the WAC is full of smaller quicker team.
3-point defense: Another category where South Alabama mirrors some WAC teams. S. Alabama was 0-5 from 3 point range in the first half and finished 3-14, 21.4 percent.
"Our defense has been very strong for us and challenging the 3 will be something that we have to take a lot of pride in going into conference because that is the great neutralizer," Aggies coach Marvin Menzies said. "The one thing that got us in trouble tonight was foul trouble."
4 comments:
OK, we're 11 and 5 heading into conference play. We were 3 and 1 against our rivals and look like we are an improving ballclub. I thought we were weak from the outside but that has improved. I like the defense we're playing. We have played one bad ballgame against UNM but rebounded and beat them at the Pit. Everybody thinks the WAC will be a cakewalk for the Aggies, I do not. We will lose 2 or 3 on the road but still win the tourney. I like the program and what MM is doing. They play hard for the entire game. As I've said before, where are the MM haters. They don't say anything until we lose.
I agree with anon 4:54 in one way...I think MM coached teams play with heart and they give it their all...this is wonderful...
What I don't see is MM coached teams playing with their minds....BB IQ seems sorely lacking...
For years we have blamed that on the PG, but the PG is just the coach on the floor...he gets his orders from the coach on the sidelines...and it goes beyond this...it is fundamentals...seems like fundamentals, basic ones, are missing...it hurts me to watch them making junior high school level boneheaded plays....
Also, the MM coached teams tend to fold under pressure...as great as that win was against the University of Nothing Much at the PIT, even the most ardent homers would have to agree that we practically gave the game away after we had it well in the bag...if it wasn't for UNM shooting themselves in the foot, we probably would have lost...
Sorry, to color this so negatively....it is just how I see it...I would love to see it differently, but every time EVERY TIME I have watched the aggies in the last 4 years or so, I have left feeling like they could be so SO much better with the talent assembled.
And I want this team to do well, mind you. I was born in LC and saw lots of great basketball in my childhood...guess that's why I'm hooked. But not hooked on MM. You can call that hating, but I don't see it that way....don't hate MM. I just want something different.
Happy New Years,
Alan
Like I've said before Menzies is a good recruiter, so is Neal at UNM. Neither are head coaches on the D1 level. Do you consider a win at UNM a quality win? Have you looked at the Mountain West this year!!!! And lets not even mention UTEP with a washed up Floyd. I personally think the WAC doesn't deserve an automatic bid if the aggies don't run the table and win the tournament fire Menzies.
LOL Menzies is one of the most successful and by the book coaches we've ever had at NMSU. Still, the haters gonna hate.
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