Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Defense wins championships

You need to play some semblance of defense to win in any sport.

Basketball is no different. Which brings us to the Aggie men's team.

NMSU has put up points this season with little or no problem. It's been on the defensive end of the court where the team has struggled.

This was no more apparent than their last time out on the court, versus Boise State. The Broncos did anything they wanted. Inside, outside, they scored at will. On Tuesday at his weekly press conference, Marvin Menzies talked about how he needed his team to play with more fire and urgency on that end of the floor.

Menzies said that you can't do a lot with X's and O's this time of year. But the bottom line is that, when you get down to it, a lot of defense comes down to simple hard work. It's tough to break old habits this time of year, that's for sure. For the most part, you are what you are going into the final conference game of the season.

NMSU should win at Hawaii. The Warriors are not a very good team and the Aggies match up well with their style. Hawaii slows it down and works for every bucket it gets. When they were in Las Cruces, they didn't look to run. This should play in the Aggies' favor.

The WAC is wide open this year. But NMSU could finish outside the top-4. That's no good. We talked about it earlier this year. Just finish top-4! They'll have to win on Saturday at Hawaii to get the job done.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Defense? You want the Aggies to Play Defense? Menzies does not know anything about DEFENSE!!! His opening comments on the post game radio show Monday was, "We scored 92 points, that not to bad Jack".

What a dope, the Aggies are the worst Defensive team in the WAC. They might average the Most points on offense, but they give up as many points on D. 29 games into the Season, and they cannot play Defense or Rebound!!!!(Thank Heavens for Wendell)
The Aggies have enough talent to get hot, but the coaching level of the top teams in the WAC will be able to put a stop to a Late Season Aggie Run.

Go AGGIES.

Anonymous said...

I agree with everything you said.

A win against UH, assures us of a winning season. However, the lack of fire will give us a "one & done" in the WAC tourney.

Sorry guys but, NMSU is not good enough to turn it on and off during the season and still win.

Anonymous said...

No, if you read JG's blog and look at the remaining schedule, finishing in the top four is no longer in our control. Worst scenario is that we drop to 5th and play Boise in the first round. Last season a lot of players left because they didnt get what they wanted or werent happy with the team. It doesnt look like we will make the NCAA this year. Do Young and Wen start looking to other schools? Have they already? I dont think that they have the patience in them to be the leading scorer and rebounder in the WAC and be on a team that cant make post season play.

On a seperate note, someone do something about the pathetic reporting in the Round Up Sports section. If you havent picked one up recently dont bother.

Anonymous said...

11 days on the road-a timid head coach with a band of immature,undisciplined,and spoiled brats posing as a college basketball team-it's either a bad movie script,or in this case,it's how this frustrating season will end-one & done in the tourney-this team has some SERIOUS growing up to do in the next week.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I remember hearing the exact post game comments.

Hey Menzies,
Ever hear of Hal Mumme?
He also liked offense and was clueless on the defensive side. You better get passionate about playing defense and rebounding or you'll be joining him in the soup line!!

Ganja Boy

Anonymous said...

http://www.nmstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1900&ATCLID=3683388

Anonymous said...

4th or 5th, what difference does it make?

Anonymous said...

There is a lot of complaining going on. I agree the Aggies forgot to try on the defensive side of the ball against Boise State. They are developing, obviously quicker on the offensive side of the ball. They need to improve. Don't count them out yet though. There are teams making the tournament right now that had subpar seasons but got hot at the right time and the Aggies obviously have enough talent to get hot. Keep believing and be patient this team will be worth waiting for. **Remember we didn't have one player leave the program this year. We really couldn't have a senior night.