I apologize for the lack of basketball posts the last few days. Frankly, it's pathetic considering the team plays Boise tonight in their biggest game of the year.
It's hard for me to accurately comment on the basketball team. I don't cover the team - Jason Groves does. But I also understand the importance of Aggie basketball to LC.
I think the Boise game comes down to two simple things. Defending the 3-point shot, something NMSU has struggled doing at times this year. And Boise shoots the three very well. The second element is turnovers. That's obviously been a bone of contention all season. Does this team have a true point guard? Again, I haven't watched them play much but it seems like that position is in a state of transition. It will be interesting to see if JayDee Luster gets minutes tonight. He's gotten spot duty at best this year but Groves' article indicated that Chris Cole might be out of action, leaving Luster as the backup point.
The team has been wildly inconsistent this year, making it hard to predict what will happen. I often find myself picking them to win and then they lose or vice-versa. Last time they faced the Broncos they picked up one of their best wins of the season. 76-73, in Boise, minus Herb Pope and with a banged up Justin Hawkins. If you remember correctly, Jahmar Young drained 33 in the win. Without that, they don't win but it was a good win none-the-less.
Again, if NMSU contains the 3 and hold onto the ball, they win going away. The Broncos will be ready to play and are hungry for the win. But I say Aggies 80-70 over Boise State. Now watch them go out and lose by 7.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Should NMSU recruit more locally?
Some posters on my last entry commented on how Hal Mumme doesn't recruit locally enough. There were defenders of Mumme too.
It's an interesting scenario, particularly when you see two Mayfield players, Nathan Enriquez and Freddy Young, go north to play for UNM. Mumme said that he offered scholarships to local kids and they chose the Lobos - we're going to assume it's these two. He said he wanted one in-state quarterback who got away. His one in-stater to come on board was Los Alamos running back Ruben Martinez.
Lets just say right now, Mumme's obligation is on the football field. It's to win games, not appease the local population. The question is, can these kids help make a difference. And are they being overlooked for no apparent good reason?
At the end of the day, if the team wins, nobody will care who is playing for them. Sure, I guess some will, but the complaining would simmer down a good deal. That's what matters in the end. NMSU needs to recruit in order to perform well on the field. The real issue is then, are they recruiting well? When looking at ESPN.com's rankings, the Aggies are in the bottom-15 in the country in recruiting class this year. Here's the link...
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recruiting/tracker/scorecard?season=
2008
Again, if these projections are wrong and there are good players who make a difference in this year's Aggie class, then it shouldn't matter. But if the team continues to struggle and the local products help the Lobos continue to improve, look out. The complaining won't go away, it will only get louder.
It's an interesting scenario, particularly when you see two Mayfield players, Nathan Enriquez and Freddy Young, go north to play for UNM. Mumme said that he offered scholarships to local kids and they chose the Lobos - we're going to assume it's these two. He said he wanted one in-state quarterback who got away. His one in-stater to come on board was Los Alamos running back Ruben Martinez.
Lets just say right now, Mumme's obligation is on the football field. It's to win games, not appease the local population. The question is, can these kids help make a difference. And are they being overlooked for no apparent good reason?
At the end of the day, if the team wins, nobody will care who is playing for them. Sure, I guess some will, but the complaining would simmer down a good deal. That's what matters in the end. NMSU needs to recruit in order to perform well on the field. The real issue is then, are they recruiting well? When looking at ESPN.com's rankings, the Aggies are in the bottom-15 in the country in recruiting class this year. Here's the link...
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recruiting/tracker/scorecard?season=
2008
Again, if these projections are wrong and there are good players who make a difference in this year's Aggie class, then it shouldn't matter. But if the team continues to struggle and the local products help the Lobos continue to improve, look out. The complaining won't go away, it will only get louder.
Excited for football
I can't wait for football season. I had so much fun covering the team last year and being at the signing day press conference today got my blood going again.
A few things of note. First off, the team has two big holes at the two tackle positions on offense going into spring ball with the depatures of James Farrelly and Mike Martinez. Patrick Blount surprised the Aggies last year during spring ball and heading into the season but never saw the field. He could be a starter. But they brought in two JUCO guys, David Norman and Joe Suder. Suder is a house - 6-foot-6, 330 pounds. O-line is so important, particularly at tackle when you pass just about every play. They'll need good play there, the question is, who starts? Nobody talked about the O-line last season, but they were pretty solid considering how many times the team threw the ball. Check that, they were above average and much improved from the year before. That will be a key unit all year and one to keep an eye on.
Linebacker got beefed up some. Dante Floyd is gone, so they need some help in the middle. Three of the four starters from last year are back though and they brought in three newcomers as well. Joe Lee Dunn runs a defense with five linebackers in its base formation so obviously having a lot of bodies here is important here.
A little concerned about the secondary. It doesn't look like they have anybody really new here and the corners - Chris Woods and Davon House - got thrown on last year. House showed flashes but he was a freshman. He got picked on too. When I think of Woods, I think of the Nevada game. Stopping on one play because he thought the receiver stepped out of bounds and watching the Wolf Pack go in for a score and giving up the game-winning completion from 30-yards out with a minute remaining. That game was a gut-wrenching 40-38 affair that really nailed home NMSU's season. I'll never forget the press conference after that game. The team was beat down physically and emotionally. Football is a tough sport when you're not winning. Harder than any other when you're not winning I believe.
Offensively, when this team is healthy, points will not be a problem. It makes for exciting football. For those who don't watch the team often, you're missing out on some fine receivers, particularly Chris Williams who can flat out fly. If Chris is on the field all year, he will get 20 TDs. I really believe that, look at last season, he would have gotten it if he didn't break his collarbone. Chase Holbroook is a leader and can chuck it. Tonny Glynn is always interesting because of his rare abilities as a runner in the open field. And they have other pieces too. Everyone will score if this team is healthy.
But we all know the key is defense. How much better will they be? Can they win a 17-14 game where the D steps up in the fourth quarter and puts the opposition away? That's how you win consistently. With a stout D. Who knows? That's the beauty of the new year. Optimism is high. And I can't wait to find out how it will go down.
TF
A few things of note. First off, the team has two big holes at the two tackle positions on offense going into spring ball with the depatures of James Farrelly and Mike Martinez. Patrick Blount surprised the Aggies last year during spring ball and heading into the season but never saw the field. He could be a starter. But they brought in two JUCO guys, David Norman and Joe Suder. Suder is a house - 6-foot-6, 330 pounds. O-line is so important, particularly at tackle when you pass just about every play. They'll need good play there, the question is, who starts? Nobody talked about the O-line last season, but they were pretty solid considering how many times the team threw the ball. Check that, they were above average and much improved from the year before. That will be a key unit all year and one to keep an eye on.
Linebacker got beefed up some. Dante Floyd is gone, so they need some help in the middle. Three of the four starters from last year are back though and they brought in three newcomers as well. Joe Lee Dunn runs a defense with five linebackers in its base formation so obviously having a lot of bodies here is important here.
A little concerned about the secondary. It doesn't look like they have anybody really new here and the corners - Chris Woods and Davon House - got thrown on last year. House showed flashes but he was a freshman. He got picked on too. When I think of Woods, I think of the Nevada game. Stopping on one play because he thought the receiver stepped out of bounds and watching the Wolf Pack go in for a score and giving up the game-winning completion from 30-yards out with a minute remaining. That game was a gut-wrenching 40-38 affair that really nailed home NMSU's season. I'll never forget the press conference after that game. The team was beat down physically and emotionally. Football is a tough sport when you're not winning. Harder than any other when you're not winning I believe.
Offensively, when this team is healthy, points will not be a problem. It makes for exciting football. For those who don't watch the team often, you're missing out on some fine receivers, particularly Chris Williams who can flat out fly. If Chris is on the field all year, he will get 20 TDs. I really believe that, look at last season, he would have gotten it if he didn't break his collarbone. Chase Holbroook is a leader and can chuck it. Tonny Glynn is always interesting because of his rare abilities as a runner in the open field. And they have other pieces too. Everyone will score if this team is healthy.
But we all know the key is defense. How much better will they be? Can they win a 17-14 game where the D steps up in the fourth quarter and puts the opposition away? That's how you win consistently. With a stout D. Who knows? That's the beauty of the new year. Optimism is high. And I can't wait to find out how it will go down.
TF
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Ground game should be fine
The loss of Justine Buries will hurt to a degree. Justine was a solid player and he provided a different presence in the Aggie backfield last season. When both he and Tonny Glynn were healthy, NMSU's ground attack was very solid. Solid with Justine and explosive with Tonny. And they were a strong combo.
Still, NMSU has brought in some backs in the offseason. And I'm sure Justine felt like the odd-man-out to a degree. Glynn needs to stay on the field. And the Aggies will need a newcommer or two to emerge as a bonafide ball carrier. I've said it before and I'll say it again. A healthy Aggie offense will put up points. They proved that last year. And with that, the team will be competitive. Still, injuries are a part of the game. To avoid them, it takes some luck.
Still, NMSU has brought in some backs in the offseason. And I'm sure Justine felt like the odd-man-out to a degree. Glynn needs to stay on the field. And the Aggies will need a newcommer or two to emerge as a bonafide ball carrier. I've said it before and I'll say it again. A healthy Aggie offense will put up points. They proved that last year. And with that, the team will be competitive. Still, injuries are a part of the game. To avoid them, it takes some luck.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Buries transfers
I spoke with NMSU running back Justine Buries tonight. Apparently, he transfered to Hofstra. He and Gerald Gurrier. Justine told me about Gerald going. Buries was a decent back for the Aggies and at times he was better than that. He played well last year and started when Tonny Glynn went down with an ankle injury. Even when Glynn was healthy, they were a good 1-2 punch together.
Gurrier redshirted last season. He was a DB and the team moved him to wideout. If I remember correctly, they liked his speed and athleticism. But I never saw him play at receiver.
Justine said he was excited about Hofstra and that the move to a run-first offense was great for him.
Gurrier redshirted last season. He was a DB and the team moved him to wideout. If I remember correctly, they liked his speed and athleticism. But I never saw him play at receiver.
Justine said he was excited about Hofstra and that the move to a run-first offense was great for him.
NMSU left out of TV Bracketbuster
WAC Commissioner Karl Benson announced that three WAC schools will have televised games during ESPNU's Bracketbuster weekend Feb. 23-24.
The Aggies are not one of those teams, which shouldn't come as a big surprise given their record. I was hoping to at least have their opponent for the Feb. 23 home game, but Benson said he could not comment on that until the member schools announce it, sometime around 4 p.m. today.
US-Santa Barbara plays at Utah State on that Friday.
Nevada travels to Southern Illinois on Saturday
Sienna travels to Boise State on Saturday.
Benson said the network schedule and times have not been worked out. Ill have something later and in tommorows paper.
JG
The Aggies are not one of those teams, which shouldn't come as a big surprise given their record. I was hoping to at least have their opponent for the Feb. 23 home game, but Benson said he could not comment on that until the member schools announce it, sometime around 4 p.m. today.
US-Santa Barbara plays at Utah State on that Friday.
Nevada travels to Southern Illinois on Saturday
Sienna travels to Boise State on Saturday.
Benson said the network schedule and times have not been worked out. Ill have something later and in tommorows paper.
JG
Saturday, February 2, 2008
San Jose State game
Starters:
NMSU
Justin Hawkins
Herb Pope
Martin Iti
Fred Peete
Jonathan Gibson
SJSU
Tim Pierce
C.J. Webster
Chris Oakes
Jamon Hill
DaShawn Wright
Jahmar Young has indeed joined the team for tonight's game. JayDee Luster is dressed after sitting out on Thursday because of illness.
JG
NMSU
Justin Hawkins
Herb Pope
Martin Iti
Fred Peete
Jonathan Gibson
SJSU
Tim Pierce
C.J. Webster
Chris Oakes
Jamon Hill
DaShawn Wright
Jahmar Young has indeed joined the team for tonight's game. JayDee Luster is dressed after sitting out on Thursday because of illness.
JG
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