All WAC selections

Not much to gripe about with the All WAC selections on Sunday. I believe this is the first time I can really say that. The most deserving player got Player of the Year, despite not playing on the team with the best record. Perhaps Wendell McKines' slight last year was corrected a year later.

Idaho's Kyle Barone was named the Player of the Year after leading the league with 17.7 ppg and 10.9 rpg. Shooting 58 percent, second in the WAC.

I had Mullings and Sy flip flopped with Utah State's Butterfield on the first team, but either way after Barone, Udofia and Appleby, the rest of the league is pretty even to me.

Sim Bhullar had a nice showing. He was third team, all newcomer and the school's first WAC Freshman of the Year. I had him on the second team and thought he could have been all defense as well as he led the league with 3 blocked shots per game.

2012-13 WAC Men's Basketball Postseason Award Winners

All-Conference
First Team
Chris Udofia, Jr., F, Denver
Kyle Barone, Sr., C, Idaho
Raheem Appleby, So., G, Louisiana Tech
Kenneth Smith, So., G, Louisiana Tech
Bandja Sy, Sr., F, New Mexico State

Second Team
Chase Hallam, Sr., G, Denver
Daniel Mullings, So., G, New Mexico State
Joel Wright, Jr., F, Texas State
Spencer Butterfield, Jr., G/F, Utah State
Jarred Shaw, Jr., F/C, Utah State

Third Team
Brett Olson, So., G, Denver
Royce O'Neale, So., F, Denver
Sim Bhullar, Fr., C, New Mexico State
Kevin Butler, Sr., F, UT Arlington
Michael Hale III, Sr., G, UTSA 

Player of the Year: Kyle Barone, Sr., C, Idaho
Freshman of the Year: Sim Bhullar, Fr., C, New Mexico State
Don Haskins Coach of the Year: Michael White, Louisiana Tech

All-Defensive Team
Chase Hallam, Sr., G, Denver
Chris Udofia, Jr., F, Denver
Michale Kyser, So., F, Louisiana Tech
Kenneth Smith, So., G, Louisiana Tech
Daniel Mullings, So., G, New Mexico State

All-Newcomer Team
Alex Hamilton, Fr., G, Louisiana Tech
Sim Bhullar, Fr., C, New Mexico State
Joel Wright, Jr., F, Texas State
Spencer Butterfield, Jr., G/F, Utah State
Jarred Shaw, Jr., F/C, Utah State

Watson and Sy, two exceptional role players at NMSU

Bandja Sy and Tyrone Watson have been very good role players on some very good Aggies teams. The result has been two WAC championships and the Aggies are certainly in contention for a third, which would be quite an accomplishment to cap a career.

I’ve been a big Watson fan throughout his career because of  his versatility. Watson has started all but one game the past three seasons before he was suspended this year.  He never had to do as much as has been asked this season. In 2010, he only played 10 minutes a game as a freshman in a backup role to Wendell McKines or Troy Gillenwater on that loaded offensive team. This year is the first time he’s cracked double figures in scoring with 10.7 points per game. Watson shoots over 50 percent for his career and averages 5 rpg. Some standout moments from his four years in Cruces included a 26 point explosion this year at Seattle where he also had six rebounds, five assists and seven steals. Last year, Watson beat Bakersfield with two free throws with .9 seconds left for a road win. Watson posted his career high in a home loss to UNM in 2010 with 14 rebounds. Watson’s second of his 95 starts, he scored the first seven points in an 87-80 road win at UTEP as a freshman in 2010 on a tournament team that was 2-5 entering that game prior to the return of Gillenwater and McKines.

Sy’s standout moments to me are any of his three dunks throughout his career that ended up on Sportscenter or the countless that didn’t. Sy has always been an amazing athlete but my early impressions of him were of a raw player who didn’t know the language and didn’t really know basketball. Sy landed at NMSU because Menzies was recruiting Chili Nephawe at Stoneridge Prep in California and Sy was a teammate.

“He came to see Chili and he saw me as well,” Sy said. “I could understand English but my teammates helped me a lot. I wasn’t allowed to speak French  but I did anyway.”

There was a play in Sy’s freshman season where there was an Aggies inbounds pass at one baseline and Sy was a safety option near midcourt. The ball was passed long and just as it was crossing halfcourt, Sy saved the ball from a backcourt violation — only in that situation you can go backcourt. How far he’s come. Sy really improved last year as a defensive stopper and a spark off the bench, as shown by his block of Phillip McDonald and 3-point play at the other end to ice last year’s win at UNM or  his 3-4 shooting night from 3-point range to beat Utah State in Logan last year. An interesting note on Sy, his older brother, Amara Sy, has had a nice career for himself in Europe, currently playing for ASVEL in France and wearing the No. 10 shirt. 

“He tells me to have fun and enjoy myself,” Sy said.

WAC scenarios

2013 WAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Scenarios

Below are the possible seeds for each of the men’s teams after Saturday’s games.  Ties were broken using the tie-breaking principles on the following page.

Possible Seeds

Denver

1      If Denver beats Louisiana Tech and has an RPI better than Louisiana Tech’s. The official NCAA RPI will be used following Saturday night’s game but may not be available until Sunday morning.

2      If Denver loses to Louisiana Tech

Idaho

6      Locked in

Louisiana Tech

1      If Louisiana Tech beats Denver

2      If Louisiana Tech loses to Denver and has an RPI worse than Denver’s. The official NCAA RPI will be used following Saturday night’s game but may not be available until Sunday morning.

 

New Mexico St.

3      Locked in

San Jose St.

7      If San Jose State beats Texas State

8      If San Jose State loses to Texas State and Utah State beats UTSA

 

9      If San Jose State loses to Texas State, Utah State beats UTSA and Seattle beats Idaho OR

      If San Jose State loses to Texas State, UTSA beats Utah State and Idaho beats Seattle

10      If San Jose State loses to Texas State, UTSA beats Utah State and Seattle beats Idaho

 

Seattle

8      If Seattle beats Idaho, Texas State beats San Jose State and Utah State beats UTSA

 

9      If Seattle beats Idaho, San Jose State beats Texas State and Utah State beats UTSA OR

      If Seattle beats Idaho, Texas State beats San Jose State and UTSA beats Utah State

10      If Seattle loses to Idaho OR

      If Seattle beats Idaho, San Jose State beats Texas State and UTSA beats Utah State

UT Arlington

4      Locked in

UTSA

8      If UTSA beats Utah State

 

9      If UTSA loses to Utah State and Idaho beats Seattle

10      If UTSA loses to Utah State and Seattle beats Idaho

Texas St.

7      If Texas State beats San Jose State

8      If Texas State loses to San Jose State and Utah State beats UTSA

 

9      If Texas State loses to San Jose State and UTSA beats Utah State

Utah St.

5      Locked in

WAC Tie-breaking Procedures.

a.            General Procedures

The following procedures are to be used to determine seeding for a Conference tournament or to establish the automatic qualifier to an NCAA Championship subject to any sport regulation tie-breakers.

[1]            Ties for all places in the standings (between two teams or three or more teams) which can be broken based upon head-to-head competition are broken before the implementation of further tie-breaking procedures.

[2]            If more than two teams are tied, the three or more tie-breaking procedures shall be implemented.  If only two teams are tied, the two-team tie-breaking procedures shall be implemented.

[3]            In the case of ties for more than one place, the first tie broken is that of the highest place (i.e., first place, second place, etc.) and continue downward through the standings.

[4]            If the tie is for first place and cannot be broken by a head-to-head results, compare the tied teams’ winning percentage against the next highest finishing team and continue through the standings.  The team with the best winning percentage against the next highest-finishing team or group of tied teams advances.  If the tie is for any position other than first place, the comparison shall begin at the top of the standings.

[5]            Once a tied team has been placed in a position/seed, that team shall be included in all further comparisons of other tied teams from the position/seed in which it has been placed.

b.            Tie-Breaking Procedures

[1]            Two-Way Tie:

[i]            The winner of the head-to-head competition is the higher seed.

[ii]            If the tie is for first place, compare the tied teams’ records against the next highest finishing team and continue through the standings.  The team with the best record/winning percentage against the next highest finishing team or group of tied teams advances.  If the tie is for any position other than first place, the comparison shall begin at the top of the standings.

[iii]            If a tie still remains, the Conference office shall conduct a draw.  The drawn team shall receive the higher seed.

[iv]            Men and Women’s Basketball Only.  If a tie still remains, the institution with the highest RPI at the conclusion of the WAC's regular season shall receive the highest seed. The most recent available official NCAA RPI on the last day of the WAC’s regular season will be used. [5/11]

[2]            Three or More-Way Tie.  Once a tie has been reduced to two teams, the two-team tie-breaker is implemented.

[i]            Compare the records of the tied teams against each other.  The team(s) with the best record(s) versus the other tied teams receives the higher seed or advances to the next tie-breaker; the team with the next best record versus the other tied teams receives the next highest seed or advances to the next tie breaker, etc.

[ii]            If the tie is for first place, compare the tied teams’ records against the next highest finishing team and continue through the standings.  The team with the best record against the next highest-finishing team or group of tied teams advances.  If the tie is for any position other than first place the comparison shall begin at the top of the standings.

[iii]            If a tie still remains, the Conference office shall conduct a draw.  The first team drawn shall receive the higher seed, the second team drawn shall receive the next highest seed, etc.

[iv]            Men and Women’s Basketball Only.  If a tie still remains, the institution with the highest RPI at the conclusion of the WAC's regular season shall receive the highest seed. . The most recent available official NCAA RPI on the last day of the WAC’s regular season will be used. [5/11]

La. Tech: Three keys and a prediction

Transition defense: NMSU outrebounded Louisiana Tech 42-33 in the first game with 12 offensive rebounds. The Aggies scored 36 points in the paint. NMSU averages 12.4 offensive rebounds per game. I asked Marvin Menzies if the Aggies can afford to be so aggressive on the offensive boards against a team that wants to push every possession.
"Right now, our defensive transition is one of our concerns because of how well they push the ball from multiple positions. The flip side is that if you do a good job hitting the glass, they slow down because they have to block out because they are giving away too many put backs and won't be so fast to leak out."
Another factor that hurts the Aggies is bad shots that lead to transition (Aggies need to play inside out they attempted 37 free throws in the first game) and turnovers (La Tech scored 21 points off 14 NMSU turnovers in the first game, NMSU coming off 18 turnovers at Denver.) Louisiana Tech leads the league with 17 turnovers forced per game and steals with 9.2 per game

3-point defense: Louisiana Tech made 11 3s in the first game against NMSU. Brandon Gibson was 5-5 from 3 and Kenyon McNeail was 4-6 but Cordarius Johnson Raheem Appleby  and Alex Hamilton are among the others that can shoot. La Tech shoots 24.7 3s per game and make 8 per game.

Rotation: Now that Tyrone Watson is back in the lineup, say what you will about the rotation at Denver, but I feel like Menzies knows that perhaps at least Renaldo Dixon was lost in the mix. My opinion is that won't happen again. In a game like tonight specifically, I don't think it can. Dixon can back up both Watson and Sim Bhullar, whose conditioning has improved but you don't want him playing over 30 minutes per game this time of year while Dixon has proven to be nearly as effective on the glass and protecting the rim. Not to mention the fact that La. Tech plays up to 11 guys nightly.
"This game will be more conducive to (Dixon and Remi Barry) playing and getting back into the groove. They will both have an opportunity in this game."
La Tech's bench outscored NMSU 38-19 in the first game.


I like NMSU tonight. This is typically the type of game that the Aggies get up for under Menzies and the Aggies are 13-1 at the Pan Am. I'm also not a big fan of La. Tech. I don't think they have played anyone, even in the WAC since the first weekend. I think its realistic they can lose both road games this weekend. But they have that weapon of the 3 ball and a very good point guard in Kenneth Smith. NMSU is capable of playing a faster pace to match La. Tech, but perhaps Bhullar can play a bigger role tonight. NMSU wins 76-71

Aggies drop a game to Denver

It's looking like a No. 3 seed for the Aggies with a possibility of a No. 2 with two challenging games next weekend.

If you read my three keys, I thought NMSU really only accomplished one of them and that was get it inside and feed Bhullar. Otherwise Denver's 8  made 3s, NMSU's 18 turnovers and a weird rotation after Watson's return to the lineup were the three big take aways for me. Takes some luster off the La. Tech game, but both teams will still need it with Denver now two back of La Tech with NMSU a possible tiebreaker.

New Mexico State nearly erased a late 10-point deficit, but the Aggies fell 66-60 at Denver on Saturday in a game that should decide the No. 2 seed in the Western Athletic Conference.

The Aggies fell to 19-10 and 12-4 in the WAC, falling behind the 14-2 Pioneers. NMSU trailed by 10 with just over six minutes to play. The Aggies closed to within one, but couldn’t end Denver’s win streak, which was extended to eight.

“We learned that it’s not over until it’s over in the UTEP game,” Aggies coach Marvin Menzies said. “It was a one-point game but we didn’t get a good look at the basket. It’s where we have to have leadership on the floor.”

A day after his suspension was officially lifted, NMSU senior Tyrone Watson joined the Aggies in the starting lineup, finishing with 10 points and five assists in 38 minutes. 

Watson knocked down a pair of free throws to put NMSU up 34-27 as the Aggies extended a one-point halftime lead to a seven-point advantage.

But Denver’s methodical attack and NMSU’s carelessness with the basketball contributed to a 15-0 Denver run that put the Pioneers up 52-42 with 6:37 to play. NMSU committed five straight turnovers during the run. Denver scored 27 points off 18 NMSU turnovers.

“It’s disappointing,” Menzies said. “We knew that if we take care of the ball, there is a good chance to win the game — 18 turnovers is just not acceptable.”

DU went up 48-42 with  7:21 to play as Denver shot 50 percent in the second half, adding lay ups to a 8-for-14 (57.1 percent) effort from the 3-point line after shooting 3-for-18 from 3-point range in an Aggies win in Las Cruces.

“It’s one thing to not be scoring if they aren’t either but they shot the ball so well,” Menzies said. “We knew they would be better at home but didn’t think they would shoot 57 percent from 3.”

NMSU shot 47.8 percent from the field in the first half and finished 48.8 percent for the game but the Aggies went without a field goal for nearly nine minutes. Daniel Mullings struggled offensively, but he scored six straight points to make it a four-point game and Bandja Sy hit the Aggies’ first 3-point attempt of the game to make it 55-54 with 1:55 left. Forced to pressure full court, the Aggies gambled and left Chase Hallam alone for an open triple that extended the lead to 60-54 with 50 seconds left. 

Sy led the Aggies with 21 points and 11 rebounds and Sim Bhullar scored 17 points. Mullings finished with eight points and seven turnovers.

“I know the guys wanted to beat them twice and make a statement,” Menzies said. “Obviously it’s a sad lockerroom. We have two games left, luckily both are at home.”

Denver: Three keys and a prediction

Defend the 3: Denver probably won't go 3-18 from 3-point range against the Aggies again, but I think the Aggies' length on the wings and now with the additional depth with Watson will again make it difficult for Denver to get open shots. Denver center Chris Udofia, who had some success driving past Bhullar early, was 1-6 from 3-point range in the first game. Udofia seems to be a completely different player at home, shooting 47 percent from 3 while shooting 30 percent for the season from long range. Bhullar and Dixon will have to step out further on him, which could open the paint up for those back cuts.

Pound the paint again: NMSU out rebounded Denver 41-24 in the first game wtih 18 offensive rebounds. The Aggies had eight more shot attempts than Denver but shot just 36 percent. NMSU probably has to shoot closer to 40 percent tonight like they did in the first half of the first game. The Aggies also need to take care of the ball. Denver is second in the WAC with 15.4 turnovers forced per game.

Remain focused: NMSU has already had so many distractions this year that Tyrone Watson's return likely won't affect them. It will be interesting to see how the Aggies move roles around though.

The Aggies were very good defensively in the first game, very disciplined and if they take that same focus on the road, which they have for the most part, I think NMSU wins 64-60 on the road.

Watson's re-instatement shouldn't come as a surprise

As things stand today, the New Mexico State basketball team will put a player on the court who’s facing a felony charge — something that according to the school, would ultimately result in his removal from the program if there is conviction of a felony. 

If there is an assumption charges will be reduced or dropped against senior Tyrone Watson all together, then why was he suspended in the first place for a fight at a college party as Watson acknowledged in his only public comments since the incident. Watson isn't the first to be re-instated facing such a future, and there is the problem.

What kind of message does that send to the public and future incidents in basketball or other programs at NMSU, and what will the reaction be when the Aggies return home next weekend — senior weekend at the school no less?

Watson was indicted by a Grand Jury on Friday and his suspension was officially lifted on Friday. Aggies head coach Marvin Menzies indicated on Tuesday that Watson will join the Aggies on the court at Denver on Saturday.

Watson may very well be cleared of all wrongdoing. Personally, I hope that happens. The description of Watson as a standout member of the program is well warranted in my limited access, as well as talking to folks in and around the program during his five years at NMSU. Watson made a mistake and fair, or not, his stature as a basketball player (one of 13 on scholarship) puts him under a microscope. A microscope with a glare that’ll glow brighter the further the Aggies travel in their postseason journey.

A decision in the court system won't likely come until after basketball season. If the courts reduced or dropped the charges before the end of the season, then by all means put him on a plane to immediately join his teammates. But that seems unlikely to happen within the next month, which is unfortunate for a fifth-year senior who is close to graduation.

What is more important it seems to the university is getting Watson back in action, no matter the possible reaction by the public. 

That wasn’t the case in a recent incident where four Alabama football players were arrested and charged for second degree robbery and credit card fraud. Less than two weeks later, the players were not only dismissed from the team but from the school. 

The school didn’t waffle and didn’t wait to see how the issues worked their way through the legal system. The decision appeared to be made with the reputation of the school and the program in mind.

Alabama coach Nick Saban said the players' actions did not "reflect the spirit and character that we want our organization reflect."

There are some who believe NMSU missed an opportunity in their ruling of Tyrone Watson’s playing status, to handle difficult circumstances with a sense of empathy. Instead, it appears such a decision was made, typically, with no more than one or two people in mind

An NMSU committee didn’t wait for the courts to make their decision. They recommended his suspension for a quarter of the season was sufficient. Athletics Director McKinley Boston agreed to let Watson return to the team.

This is indicative of a university that operates in its own little world.

Who can blame Watson or the basketball coach for reinstating Watson operating under that umbrella. It's business as usual at NMSU.