So....Thursday's Aggie basketball game vs. Nevada.
Lets go back, down the stretch of the game, under 2 minutes remaining.
Troy Gillenwater gets fouled and knocks down both free throws. NMSU up 64-61, 2 minutes remaining.
Nevada misses a shot, McKines is fouled, 1/2 from the line. 65-61, 1:32 left. If I were an Aggie fan, I'd be feeling a bit more secure. The team withstood the Wolf Pack's rally and was back up by four. It's a two possession game. It feels OK. Better than being tied, or worse, down.
Babbitt hits a three but LaRoche sinks two more free throws. 67-64 Aggies, under a minute left.
Nevada misses at the other end. Babbitt grabs an offensive rebound and is fouled. He hits the first, misses the second. Nevada gets another offensive rebound. Nevada misses again, but Wolf Pack forward Malik Cook tips the ball back up and into the cylinder. Another offensive rebound. Tied game. Overtime.
No need to get into the extra frame. The game was lost during the prior 2-minute sequence above.
Honestly, the Aggies would have easily won the game if they rebounded better throughtout the entire second half. They don't rebound the ball at all! I counted in the second half. It was a loose count, could be off by a point or two but, in my estimation, NMSU gave up 15 second-chance points in the final 16 minutes of the game. They gave up three offensive rebounds off of missed free throws. That's bad. You gotta grab the ball, particularly when your given position on the block because of free throws.
Rebounding is about heart and desire. Nothing more. Sure, height helps. The Aggies have decent size. Troy Gillenwater played a good game on the offensive end. But he only had two rebounds. You need more in a game like that.
Can't blame fundamentals. The rebounding problem should have been worked on well before the third game of conference play. It should have been pounded home on the practice court.
Nevada wanted the ball more in the second half and was the tougher team. Why did the Wolf Pack win? See rebounding and interior defense. That was the difference.
....
I think Wendell McKines is a great player.
But if I were coaching him, I would not let him play more than five feet away from the hoop.
Sure, I know, his jump shot has gotten better in the last year. If I were his opponent, I would gladly let him shoot from 10 to 15 feet than have to deal with him around the hoop.
The kid is a handful. He should be playing around the basket at all times.
....
It seemed to me that Nevada got away with two walks in the second half.
The first was a basket and the foul by Joey Shaw that cut the NMSU lead to 51-50. It was a big play and Shaw howled after the bucket. But he walked. He caught the ball, took a step, did a jump step, and went in for the layin. It looked like a walk to me.
The second was an Armon Johnson bucket that gave Nevada a 61-60 lead. Johnson was in traffic and looked like he took steps. No call.
On the flip side of the coin, the Aggies had the ball go in when it ricocheted off a hand/arm/body part during an attempted pass. I guess things even out.
....
I said that a split during this homestand was fine. Nevada and Utah State are two solid programs. The Aggies have come out and have said a handful of times, at least it seems, that this is a rebuilding year of sorts.
Two road wins early. Come home to face two upper-echelon teams. Split the homestand. So a win against Utah State would work with that approach. Here's the only problem.
NMSU should have won Thursday. It was the Aggies' game. They could have gotten greedy here on Saturday against the UtAgs. Now, I think they have to win. There's pressure there.
No loss feels good. But to let one like Nevada slip away hurts a little more. It was NMSU's game at the end.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Home stand
The Aggie men's basketball team hosts Nevada on Thursday night and then Utah State Saturday.
NMSU is 2-0 in WAC play thus far on the year, after beating Fresno State and San Jose State on the road last week.
Coming home to play the Wolf Pack and the UtAgs will be another nice test for NMSU. Nevada is coming off a bad loss - 78-73 defeat at the hands of Idaho in Reno last week. Is this a down year for Nevada? I don't think so. They might be off to a sluggish start. But I expect them to take the floor and come out fired up Thursday against NMSU. These two teams are rivals with some history behind them. I think this game comes at a good time of year for NMSU. It's early in conference play, but there will be some fire and emotion in this one. I'm looking forward to it.
As for Utah State, we're talking about a solid team. Last year, NMSU destroyed the UtAgs in Las Cruces. But I believe Utah State will put in a good effort and play hard. I expect them to be in the WAC title hunt as well, along with NMSU and Nevada.
We have talked about the WAC this year and how it's a strange season for the league. These two games will be a good indicator for all three teams involved - NMSU, Nevada and Utah State. They are widely considered to be the conference's upper-tier programs. Now's as good a time as any to see how much truth is behind that theory.
NMSU is 2-0 in WAC play thus far on the year, after beating Fresno State and San Jose State on the road last week.
Coming home to play the Wolf Pack and the UtAgs will be another nice test for NMSU. Nevada is coming off a bad loss - 78-73 defeat at the hands of Idaho in Reno last week. Is this a down year for Nevada? I don't think so. They might be off to a sluggish start. But I expect them to take the floor and come out fired up Thursday against NMSU. These two teams are rivals with some history behind them. I think this game comes at a good time of year for NMSU. It's early in conference play, but there will be some fire and emotion in this one. I'm looking forward to it.
As for Utah State, we're talking about a solid team. Last year, NMSU destroyed the UtAgs in Las Cruces. But I believe Utah State will put in a good effort and play hard. I expect them to be in the WAC title hunt as well, along with NMSU and Nevada.
We have talked about the WAC this year and how it's a strange season for the league. These two games will be a good indicator for all three teams involved - NMSU, Nevada and Utah State. They are widely considered to be the conference's upper-tier programs. Now's as good a time as any to see how much truth is behind that theory.
Mumme money
Former Aggie coach Hal Mumme made roughly $540,000 on his way out the door at NMSU.
Lets be clear on this. Mumme made $375,000 through the buyout. The rest of the sum was because of money owed on his previous deal.
This is a lot of money here. It's incredible to me that you can make that type of cash, and be fired at the same time. Heck, I could have gone 11-38 with a football team. Maybe, maybe not, but I could have at least tried. And if it didn't work, I'd make a bunch of money during a time when normal people are struggling to make ends meet.
It just shows how badly the Aggies wanted to get rid of Hal. They would have payed $1 million if it meant he would have hit the road. Obviously I'm being sarcastic, but, at the same time, I'm being kind of serious. Him leaving was not negotiable. How much money he got on his way out, now that was. And it was.
What's done is done. I think looking at the final bill, it stings a bit. You fail as a coach, should you be compensated like that? Tough call but, in Hal's case, I don't think so. He took over a tough job here and had some tough breaks, but did he really have a raw deal at NMSU? The answer, from where I sit: No. He didn't win enough. Plain and simple. I guess in the Aggies' case, they felt like it was addition by subtraction.
Lets be clear on this. Mumme made $375,000 through the buyout. The rest of the sum was because of money owed on his previous deal.
This is a lot of money here. It's incredible to me that you can make that type of cash, and be fired at the same time. Heck, I could have gone 11-38 with a football team. Maybe, maybe not, but I could have at least tried. And if it didn't work, I'd make a bunch of money during a time when normal people are struggling to make ends meet.
It just shows how badly the Aggies wanted to get rid of Hal. They would have payed $1 million if it meant he would have hit the road. Obviously I'm being sarcastic, but, at the same time, I'm being kind of serious. Him leaving was not negotiable. How much money he got on his way out, now that was. And it was.
What's done is done. I think looking at the final bill, it stings a bit. You fail as a coach, should you be compensated like that? Tough call but, in Hal's case, I don't think so. He took over a tough job here and had some tough breaks, but did he really have a raw deal at NMSU? The answer, from where I sit: No. He didn't win enough. Plain and simple. I guess in the Aggies' case, they felt like it was addition by subtraction.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Road sweep
When the NMSU Aggie men's basketball team embarked on there two-game road trip, I wrote that a split would be acceptable. The Aggies did one better and swept Fresno State and San Jose State.
Honestly, by looking at how the Aggies were playing when they hit the road, I didn't think they could get both. The team hadn't won on the road up to that point and really only had one quality win - over UTEP at the Pan American Center. I was wrong.
NMSU handled Fresno thoroughly in the opener. Don't look at the runs they gave up to the Bulldogs. That's basketball. They held them off when they had to and won going away.
The San Jose State game was close down the stretch and NMSU hung on.
Now, a bigger test. Nevada and Utah State come to Las Cruces this week. The Wolf Pack lost at Nevada but don't paint the defeat with a broad brush. The team is always talented and well coached. They will be ready.
Utah State should also be a good barometer. The UtAgs seem solid, as usual.
Don't take anything away from the two-game road sweep. It was a good way to get WAC play going. A lot of basketball still yet to be played.
Honestly, by looking at how the Aggies were playing when they hit the road, I didn't think they could get both. The team hadn't won on the road up to that point and really only had one quality win - over UTEP at the Pan American Center. I was wrong.
NMSU handled Fresno thoroughly in the opener. Don't look at the runs they gave up to the Bulldogs. That's basketball. They held them off when they had to and won going away.
The San Jose State game was close down the stretch and NMSU hung on.
Now, a bigger test. Nevada and Utah State come to Las Cruces this week. The Wolf Pack lost at Nevada but don't paint the defeat with a broad brush. The team is always talented and well coached. They will be ready.
Utah State should also be a good barometer. The UtAgs seem solid, as usual.
Don't take anything away from the two-game road sweep. It was a good way to get WAC play going. A lot of basketball still yet to be played.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Win over Fresno
NMSU's road victory over Fresno State was encouraging.
It was a dominant effort from the Aggies. And I say that word with absolutely no reservation. The team was up double figures throughout. When the Bulldogs made a run, NMSU would push its lead back out to 15 to 20 points and keep Fresno at bay.
Where would this team be without Jahmar Young? It seemed like every time the Aggies needed a bucket last night, Jahmar delivered. He's a pure scorer.
Wendell McKines is phenomenal. He does it all and does it quietly. One look at the box score, though, and you understand his impact. Eighteen points, 12 boards and six assists? His numbers tell the story. He's not slowing down anytime soon, either. McKines is one of the bright spots of the Marvin Menzies era, maybe the brightest. He was the coach's first recruit to come to NMSU. He's a bulldog.
Jonathan Gibson, I know I get on him about his shot selection. He was off last night, but he didn't stop shooting. And he made a big bucket or two. He got to the line and hit two free throws and canned a big 3-ball when NMSU was pushing its lead back up to 20. Again, I've gotten on Jonathan, but maybe you need a player like that. He believes in his ability and isn't afraid to gun it. If this team needed a big shot, Jonathan would be the first player to raise his hand. He wants the ball. And that's not a bad thing.
....
The WAC is flaky this year. Idaho beats Nevada in Reno last night? I really couldn't believe that.
I want to say that the Idaho win was a fluke, but that would be taking too much credit away from the Vandals. They deserve better. It was definitely a major surprise, and there is no denying that.
This brings us to the Aggies. They win at Fresno State. Is Fresno good? Maybe, maybe not. Again, I don't want to take away from NMSU's victory. We don't know what we have yet in the WAC. We don't even know what we have yet with the Aggies. We're learning about this team and this conference with each game.
NMSU at San Jose on Monday. SJSU is 0-1 in conference, losing at home to Louisiana Tech on Saturday. That was another surprise to me. I said on my prior post that a road split for the Aggies would be fine to start WAC play. A 2-0 start would be very solid. We'll continue to learn about this team, and this conference, on Monday.
It was a dominant effort from the Aggies. And I say that word with absolutely no reservation. The team was up double figures throughout. When the Bulldogs made a run, NMSU would push its lead back out to 15 to 20 points and keep Fresno at bay.
Where would this team be without Jahmar Young? It seemed like every time the Aggies needed a bucket last night, Jahmar delivered. He's a pure scorer.
Wendell McKines is phenomenal. He does it all and does it quietly. One look at the box score, though, and you understand his impact. Eighteen points, 12 boards and six assists? His numbers tell the story. He's not slowing down anytime soon, either. McKines is one of the bright spots of the Marvin Menzies era, maybe the brightest. He was the coach's first recruit to come to NMSU. He's a bulldog.
Jonathan Gibson, I know I get on him about his shot selection. He was off last night, but he didn't stop shooting. And he made a big bucket or two. He got to the line and hit two free throws and canned a big 3-ball when NMSU was pushing its lead back up to 20. Again, I've gotten on Jonathan, but maybe you need a player like that. He believes in his ability and isn't afraid to gun it. If this team needed a big shot, Jonathan would be the first player to raise his hand. He wants the ball. And that's not a bad thing.
....
The WAC is flaky this year. Idaho beats Nevada in Reno last night? I really couldn't believe that.
I want to say that the Idaho win was a fluke, but that would be taking too much credit away from the Vandals. They deserve better. It was definitely a major surprise, and there is no denying that.
This brings us to the Aggies. They win at Fresno State. Is Fresno good? Maybe, maybe not. Again, I don't want to take away from NMSU's victory. We don't know what we have yet in the WAC. We don't even know what we have yet with the Aggies. We're learning about this team and this conference with each game.
NMSU at San Jose on Monday. SJSU is 0-1 in conference, losing at home to Louisiana Tech on Saturday. That was another surprise to me. I said on my prior post that a road split for the Aggies would be fine to start WAC play. A 2-0 start would be very solid. We'll continue to learn about this team, and this conference, on Monday.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Hoops road trip
The NMSU Aggie men's basketball team is hittin California this weekend for a two-game road trip.
Last year the team won at both of these venues.
NMSU came alive in the 2nd half in their win last year in Fresno.
The game at San Jose was a wild one, with Jonathan Gibson saving the day after the Aggies almost gave the game away.
Bottom line is that it's a new year with much different circumstances and expectations. Last season, it was expected that NMSU won against these teams, home, away, on another planet. This year, the Aggies haven't won yet on the road and enter WAC play with some question marks. Aside from their poor road mark, NMSU has been up and down and lost a tough game their last time out vs. rival New Mexico.
Both Fresno and San Jose are beatable. Fresno State is in a major transitional period and the Spartans have been playing well lately, but haven't beaten anybody of any significance.
It's the start of WAC play. Menzies has been talking all season about how the team has been gearing up for league competition. It would be nice to see them go on the road and take a game or two on the trip. I think this team needs at least a split to stay competitive the WAC standings.
Last year the team won at both of these venues.
NMSU came alive in the 2nd half in their win last year in Fresno.
The game at San Jose was a wild one, with Jonathan Gibson saving the day after the Aggies almost gave the game away.
Bottom line is that it's a new year with much different circumstances and expectations. Last season, it was expected that NMSU won against these teams, home, away, on another planet. This year, the Aggies haven't won yet on the road and enter WAC play with some question marks. Aside from their poor road mark, NMSU has been up and down and lost a tough game their last time out vs. rival New Mexico.
Both Fresno and San Jose are beatable. Fresno State is in a major transitional period and the Spartans have been playing well lately, but haven't beaten anybody of any significance.
It's the start of WAC play. Menzies has been talking all season about how the team has been gearing up for league competition. It would be nice to see them go on the road and take a game or two on the trip. I think this team needs at least a split to stay competitive the WAC standings.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
First impressions of Walker
DeWayne Walker's press conference was Wednesday morning and it was our first opportunity to meet the new coach of the Aggie football team.
Walker seems more than qualified to take over a program. The NMSU job is not very appealing on the surface. I think to get a coach like Walker - a name that has been out there the last couple of years, someone with experience at big-time college programs and the NFL, a guy who believes in strong defensive football - was a good hire for the Aggies. This guy could be coaching somewhere else. It's not like he's a no-namer or an unknown. This is just his first crack as a head coach. I think people should feel fortunate that he's coming in.
The press conference was Walker's first real interaction with Las Cruces. He talked football - his defense-first approach, the hiring of Timm Rosenbach as offensive coordinator, his belief in honesty, hard work and toughness and how those would be his rooted philosophies in building the program. He flashed his sense of humor, with a few one-liners that drew laughter from those in attendance.
Walker mentioned the community at least four times during the presser. It's obvious that the administration wanted to bring in someone who would try to reach out to Las Cruces. Former coach Hal Mumme was never into it. Getting fans in the seats has always been a challenge for this program simply because it has never really been good. A coach can reach out to the community as much as he wants. What really brings people to games? Wins. I think Walker can bring some here. People will get behind him if he can.
One thing Walker will be is a rookie. It's his first time being in charge of the whole deal. I expect him to grow into the job just like anyone else. Being patient with him will be key. Next year is going to be a transition season for the program. We cannot judge his ability to coach after the first four weeks of the 2009 season. We will gradually learn what he brings to the table as things unfold over time.
The bottom line is that Walker faces a stiff test at New Mexico State. I didn't think the program was as far away as people thought it was under Mumme. There were many close games that went the other way. The team won at Nevada last year! You don't do that without talent. But they were lacking in critical areas as well and seemed to lack a mental toughness. Now, Walker gets an opportunity to turn things around. It won't be easy by any stretch. If he does though, he will be a local hero.
....
Some of my favorite quotes from the press conference? I left my recorder at the office but here they are paraphrased.
Walker saying he was "pissed off" after the Lobos beat the Aggies in basketball on Tuesday night.
The coach saying that the program had losses on its resume but that it isn't "a losing program."
When a question came as to how fast he expected to turn things around, he turned to AD McKinley Boston and asked "I have a five-year contract, right?" This caused a chorus of laughter.
"We're gonna win some games here. We're gonna win some games."
Again, I'm sure there are some more to remember, but this is off the top of my head. They just stood out.
....
As pointed out by Infamous Chuck on the last post entry, the Aggies will bring in Keith Murphy to coach wide receivers/special teams at NMSU. Murray was a quality control/special teams assistant for the St. Louis Rams last year.
....
At the bottom of Felix's Rosenbach story is a quick hit about NMSU scheduling.
Apparently, the team is looking to start a home-and-home series with Baylor. They also have a home-and-home with Ohio, starting in 2010.
Walker seems more than qualified to take over a program. The NMSU job is not very appealing on the surface. I think to get a coach like Walker - a name that has been out there the last couple of years, someone with experience at big-time college programs and the NFL, a guy who believes in strong defensive football - was a good hire for the Aggies. This guy could be coaching somewhere else. It's not like he's a no-namer or an unknown. This is just his first crack as a head coach. I think people should feel fortunate that he's coming in.
The press conference was Walker's first real interaction with Las Cruces. He talked football - his defense-first approach, the hiring of Timm Rosenbach as offensive coordinator, his belief in honesty, hard work and toughness and how those would be his rooted philosophies in building the program. He flashed his sense of humor, with a few one-liners that drew laughter from those in attendance.
Walker mentioned the community at least four times during the presser. It's obvious that the administration wanted to bring in someone who would try to reach out to Las Cruces. Former coach Hal Mumme was never into it. Getting fans in the seats has always been a challenge for this program simply because it has never really been good. A coach can reach out to the community as much as he wants. What really brings people to games? Wins. I think Walker can bring some here. People will get behind him if he can.
One thing Walker will be is a rookie. It's his first time being in charge of the whole deal. I expect him to grow into the job just like anyone else. Being patient with him will be key. Next year is going to be a transition season for the program. We cannot judge his ability to coach after the first four weeks of the 2009 season. We will gradually learn what he brings to the table as things unfold over time.
The bottom line is that Walker faces a stiff test at New Mexico State. I didn't think the program was as far away as people thought it was under Mumme. There were many close games that went the other way. The team won at Nevada last year! You don't do that without talent. But they were lacking in critical areas as well and seemed to lack a mental toughness. Now, Walker gets an opportunity to turn things around. It won't be easy by any stretch. If he does though, he will be a local hero.
....
Some of my favorite quotes from the press conference? I left my recorder at the office but here they are paraphrased.
Walker saying he was "pissed off" after the Lobos beat the Aggies in basketball on Tuesday night.
The coach saying that the program had losses on its resume but that it isn't "a losing program."
When a question came as to how fast he expected to turn things around, he turned to AD McKinley Boston and asked "I have a five-year contract, right?" This caused a chorus of laughter.
"We're gonna win some games here. We're gonna win some games."
Again, I'm sure there are some more to remember, but this is off the top of my head. They just stood out.
....
As pointed out by Infamous Chuck on the last post entry, the Aggies will bring in Keith Murphy to coach wide receivers/special teams at NMSU. Murray was a quality control/special teams assistant for the St. Louis Rams last year.
....
At the bottom of Felix's Rosenbach story is a quick hit about NMSU scheduling.
Apparently, the team is looking to start a home-and-home series with Baylor. They also have a home-and-home with Ohio, starting in 2010.
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