Balance

One thing NMSU has on the basketball court is balance, particularly on offense.

Many scorers are on the NMSU roster and they can hurt you in different ways. Six players average double-digit points per game.

Justin Hawkins is their most versatile offensive player. He can hit it from long range and his midrange game is his strong suit. He can also take it to the tin and finish. Justin just does it all.

Johnathan Gibson might be their most gifted scorer. He likes to fill up the basket and wants the ball when it matter most. Johnathan is by far the biggest tease on the roster because he can look brilliant at times and he can frustrate you at others. But he has been more brilliant than not as the season has progressed and his play correlates with NMSU's success. It seems like when Johnathan is scoring the ball, the Aggies win games. I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but they need him being aggressive and finishing.

Passos is at 11.4 per game. Herb Pope is at right around 10 as is Fred Peete. Perhaps the biggest surprise is Jahmar Young. He's averaging 10.3 points per game. Obviously his 30-plus effort in Boise helps but still. He's only played in 14 of the team's 28 contests and mostly in a reserve role. Very solid for him.

The Aggies have weapons and they like to score the ball. Obviously they've been hurt by the lack of a true point guard who can distribute and is also explosive on the perimeter. A great PG would get these scorers the ball even more, make them more dangerous in the open floor and the halfcourt. But whatever. The team clearly has the ability to put the ball in the bucket when they so please. A very cool makeup of players which makes for exciting basketball. Will they keep it together on this road trip? One thing the team has been consistent at this year is being inconsistent. Lets hope that changes in the coming days.