New Mexico State Aggies
WAC (23-10, 13-1)
This is not quite the same team that gave San Diego State a great game in the NCAA Tournament as a #12 seed last year, but they are not that far off either. A couple of massively important injuries slowed down their progress. And the weak WAC and a tough non-conference slate that failed to generate an eye popping win failed to put the Aggies on the national radar.
Big Wins: 12/6 UTEP (71-64), 12/30 Texas Southern (54-52), 1/3 UC Irvine (70-67)
Bad Losses: 12/3 at New Mexico (47-62), 12/20 New Mexico (67-69), 1/17 at Seattle (52-58)
Coach: Marvin Menzies
Why They Can Surprise:
Even though Sim Bhullar left school early and his little, and by little I mean 7-3 and 335 pounds, brother has yet to make much of an impact, New Mexico State still has the size to battle with anybody in the paint. Tshilidzi Nephawe, a 6-10 senior, missed all of December and half of January with a foot injury and has worked his way back into good form. He has not been as consistently productive as he was last season, but Nephawe is capable of making a big splash on the glass and in the scoring department. Pascal Siakam has emerged as the top interior scorer and rebounder. The 6-9 redshirt freshman is also a fine shot blocker. Remi Barry plays more like a big wing than a 6-8, 225 pound forward. He can knock down shots from long range and is extremely tough to guard.
Why They Can Disappoint:
What this team lacks are shooters in the backcourt. Nephawe, Siakam and Barry would have a much easier time scoring if the opposition could not collapse in the paint. Ian Baker and DK Eldridge are the two players who must connect on some three-pointers if New Mexico State wants to win a postseason game. Baker has been extremely consistent from long range, but does not look to shoot too often. Eldridge has had a bit of a disappointing senior season and probably takes too many three-pointers. Daniel Mullings is the wildcard. The senior guard missed most of December and January with a broken finger and is the Aggie player that can effectively create his own shot. He is not a great shooter, but nobody in the conference attacks the basket and gets to the line as well as Mullings. If he can get some room to operate, New Mexico State’s offense can be surprisingly potent.
Probable Starters:
Ian Baker, Sophomore, Guard, 9.5 ppg, 2.8 apg
Daniel Mullings, Senior, Guard, 12.6 ppg, 2.8 apg, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 spg
Remi Barry, Senior, Forward, 13.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Pascal Siakam, Freshman, Forward, 13.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg
Tshilidzi Nephawe, Senior, Center, 10.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
DK Eldrdige, Senior, Guard, 8.1 ppg, 2.2 apg
Johnathon Wilkins, Freshman, Forward, 3.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 68.5 (150th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 59.5 (20, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.5 (52, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.3 (137, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.8 (306, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.3 (87, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.0 (179, 3)
Rebound Margin: 6.9 (15, 1)
Assists Per Game: 11.9 (233, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.1 (294, 6)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 NCAA Second Round loss to San Diego State
2013 NCAA Second Round loss to Saint Louis
2012 NCAA Second Round loss to Indiana
2010 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Michigan State
2007 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Texas
2000 NIT First round loss to Arizona State
1999 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Kentucky
1995 NIT First round win over Colorado
1995 NIT Second round win over UTEP
1995 NIT Quarterfinal loss to Virginia Tech
*all team stats through 3/8
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
