Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Local recruiting for Aggie hoops

Following my Jim Coleman post, the topic came up about local recruiting for Aggie basketball in general.

Two Oñate senior guards are currently borderline Division I prospects in Tim Jacobs and Terrel de Rouen.

Considering all Aggies, should these kids be looked at for scholarship offers from the program?

From my understanding, both have received interest with de Rouen garnering slightly more. Again, from my understanding, no scholarships have been offered.

Terrel is very athletic, with a long wingspan and high hops. At just over 6-feet tall and wiery, he seems to have a couple more inches to grow in him. He’s a great competitor, which can boil over at times. With that being said, he’s instilled that fiery nature in his Oñate teammates, which all-in-all has been a positive for the program. His jump shot is spotty. He has swagger on the court and is driven.

Jacobs is much more understated — steadier in nature, less flashy on the court. He is a true point guard. He understands the game — he has an innate sense for where all 10 players are on the floor. He has a good feel for the tempo of a game and can affect the outcome without scoring a single point. His jump shot isn’t consistent at this point and his athleticism doesn’t jump off the court. He’s a good kid who steers clear from trouble and seems to do well in the classroom.

Inconsistent shooting is correctable in the offseason simply by getting in the gym and putting up jumpers. I have no doubt both players will work on this craft.

In the end, they’re local kids. Could they make an impact on the Aggies? That’s for coach Marvin Menzies to decide during the recruiting process.

Right now they have one scholarship available which seems will be going to 6-foot-7 wing player Remi Barry. They have a need at point guard — Hernst Laroche will be a senior next season and the team hasn’t had a suitable backup this year. And no matter what a starter will need to step in when Laroche departs.

The team will also need improved shooting — Gordo Castllo, their one classic catch-and-shoot player — is a senior.

They also need to put more fans in the seats — I don’t think anyone would dispute that — and local players will help in that effort, to a point.

Another scholarship or two could open up depending on if the Aggie roster sees any turnover during the offseason. At the end of the day it’s about doing what’s best for the program and getting wins in the process.

I think de Rouen and Jacobs will be fine college players, but at what level and where? Should the Aggies bring them on board?

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Jim Coleman

The Aggies are showing serious interest in Tularosa boys basketball sophomore Jim Coleman.

Standing at 6-foot-3, Coleman is long and lanky. He is a strong ballhandler with either hand. He has good court vision and is Tularosa’s point guard. It is very conceivable that Coleman could grow another two, three inches, which would make him a possibly 6-5, 6-6 PG on the next level.

“They just told me I’ve got to play hard and keep my grades up and they’ll keep looking at me,” Coleman said.
“They’re interested.”

Coleman said NMSU likes the way he handles and pushes the ball and that the school would like to see him continue to improve on his jumpshot.

Coleman is Tularosa’s second-best player behind his older brother Emery, who’s a senior at the school.

Obviously a player being recruited out of Tularosa is rare which makes Coleman’s situation interesting. The consensus is that the Wildcats are the top team this year in Class 2A, although the team just lost on Friday night at Mesilla Valley Christian School.

At this point Coleman hasn’t received much interest from other schools, although expect other regional programs to come looking.

There is also word that the Aggies have interest in another in-state sophomore, Clovis point guard John Dawson. He stands at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds. He’s averaging 8.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Mayfield players coming to NMSU as preferred walk-ons

Mayfield High School had a ceremony in their weight room on Friday announcing Matt Ramondo and Brandon Betancourt signing with their respective colleges — Michigan State and New Mexico State.

The football program also announced three more players going to NMSU as “preferred walk-ons.”

That would be Brock Baca, Andrew Zapien and Devante Minor.

Baca, a standout linebacker and kicker on MHS, will push for playing time in the kicking game. He could get a look as a kickoff specialist or as a long-range field goal kicker.

Zapien, an offensive lineman and lead blocker for the Trojans, will get a shot at linebacker at NMSU.

Minor, a defensive back, will get a crack at safety.

The Aggies have done a nice job going after New Mexico players. They signed three from in-state on Wednesday and will bring on these additional walk-ons. If nothing else, it's a good PR move for the program. If these kids can come in and make an impact, even plug some holes, it will be even better.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Aggie defensive line/linebacker corps

The New Mexico State Aggies bulked up along their offensive line during 2011 Signing Day.

But what about their defensive line? This unit had nine sacks last year and NMSU couldn't stop the run.

The team added defensive end Sean Brown and tackle Abram Holland. Brown is a junior college transfer from Chabot College while Holland will be a true freshman from Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho, NM.

Don't be surprised to see the Aggies move some things around at the defensive tackle position. Tommy Stuart and David Mahoney — two players brought in last year — will need to produce. Both didn't make an impact, with Stuart injuring his knee at Idaho and not taking the field the rest of the year.

Augafa Vaaulu held his own as a true freshman and has size.

But also keep an eye on some offensive linemen — namely Dejuan Yates and Dylan Lusk — to get moved to the defensive line to provide some more beef up front.

The team signed just one linebacker, that being Alexander LaVoy who can step in and compete at middle linebacker. That might help, but the program is also expecting Dylan Davis and Anthony Joyner, two sophomores who played on special teams last season, to step up.

The team was one of the worst in the nation at getting to the quarterback and stopping the run last season. Both of those things will need to change, which means the team will need better play along its front-seven.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Jeremy Buurma, Robi Trigo set to sign

For Las Cruces High football fans, quarterback Jeremy Buurma and lineman Robi Triego are set to sign letters of intent on Wednesday.

Buurma will sign with Eastern New Mexico while Trigo will sign with Fort Lewis College.

Signing will take place outside the LCHS gym at 10:30 a.m.