The telling numbers on Bandja Sy

Looking back on last weekend’s 73-69 loss at Utah State, two key members of the Aggie men’s basketball team had poor shooting nights: Shooting guard Daniel Mullings (4 of 14 shooting performance) and Bandja Sy (4 of 13 from the field). If both — or either one for that matter — perform better, the Aggies likely win.

Which triggers another question: How many times has Sy’s performance been directly linked to the Aggies fortunes. It’s worth pointing out: He’s been a consistently good defender and rebounder for the team all season (he leads the Aggies with 7.3 rebounds per game). He’s also good for at least one highlight-reel dunk per game.

Other than that, however, it’s tough predicting what’s coming offensively, on a night-to-night basis, from the senior forward. When breaking down the basic numbers, on a game-by-game sample size, there might not be more telling statistics for the Aggies: In 18 wins this year, Sy is shooting 49 percent from the floor (94 of 191); in the team’s nine losses, he’s shooting at a 25 percent clip (21 of 82). In game’s Sy’s scored in double figures, the Aggies hold a 13-4 record.

Below is a list of his shooting performances, in wins and losses, this season:

Wins
2 of 9 (22 percent)
5 of 12 (41 percent)
6 of 8 (75 percent)
3 of 7 (42 percent)
4 of 13 (30 percent)
1 of 5 (20 percent)
9 of 12 (75 percent)
6 of 11 (54 percent)
8 of 18 (44 percent)
6 of 10 (60 percent)
7 of 9 (77 percent)
6 of 12 (50 percent)
4 of 10 (40 percent)
9 of 11 (81 percent)
8 of 12 (66 percent)
4 of 11 (36 percent)
3 of 9 (33 percent)
3 of 12 (25 percent)

Losses
4 of 12 (30 percent)
1 of 5 (20 percent)
3 of 9 (33 percent)
1 of 6 (16 percent)
2 of 14 (21 percent)
2 of 9 (22 percent)
1 of 6 (16 percent)
3 of 7 (42 percent)
4 of 13 (30 percent)

It’s certainly worth noting Sy’s percentages have gone up during conference play (and not surprisingly, in the thick of NMSU’s 12-game win streak). Sy shot 30 percent from the floor in 12 pre-conference games (34 of 110), while he’s picked it up to 49 percent shooting during the Aggies 15 WAC games thus far (81 of 163).

Some of that could be attributed to different shot selection. In those 12 pre-conference games, Sy took 3.9 3-point attempts per game, making 17 percent from long range (8 of 47). Once the conference season hit though (again, 15 WAC games thus far) Sy has attempted 1.8 3-pointers per contest, making 32 percent (9 of 28).

In other words, he’s attempting more midrange and interior shots.

And there’s no denying this: When the Aggies can count on Sy as a go-to player, their chances of winning increase. Statistically speaking, a key barometer for the team.

Follow me on Twitter @TeddyFeinberg