BASKETBALL Middle Tennessee (6-12, 0-3) @ NMSU (8-10, 2-1), 8PM, Saturday, January 20, 2024

[SpaceRaider]

NEW MEXICO STATE

Location: Las Cruces, NM
Enrollment: 11,231
Conference: Conference USA
Arena: Pan American Center (12,572)
Website: nmstatesports.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/NMStateMBB
Colors: Crimson & White Nickname: Aggies
Head Coach: Jason Hooten Record at School: 0-0 (1st Season) Career Record: 261-169 (14th Season)
2022-23 Record: 9-15, 2-10 Finish: Season Suspended Postseason: None
Starters R/L: 0/5 Letterwinners R/L: 0/12
Roster: Aggies
Series: NMSU Leads 5-3

Television: ESPN+
Radio: Classic Hits 93.3 - 95.1 - WGNS 101.9 FM/1450 AM/100.5FM

• LIVE STATS
• LISTEN LIVE
• WATCH LIVE
• FULL SCHEDULE
• ROSTER
• MATCHUP HISTORY
• MT GAME NOTES
• NMSU GAME NOTES

 

[SpaceRaider]

28.2%

 

[SpaceRaider]

2023-24 Conference USA Standings​

TEAM	CONF	GB	OVR
Sam Houston	3-0	-	10-8
Louisiana Tech	2-1	1	12-6
Jacksonville State	2-1	1	10-8
New Mexico State	2-1	1	8-10
Western Kentucky	2-2	1.5	13-5
Florida International	2-2	1.5	7-12
UTEP	1-2	2	10-8
Liberty	1-3	2.5	12-7
Middle Tennessee	0-3	3	6-12

 

[SpaceRaider]

Blue Raiders' western road swing wraps up in Las Cruces - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

Saturday, Jan. 20 | 8 p.m. | Pan American Center | Las Cruces, N.M. MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS 6-12,

goblueraiders.com

 

[SpaceRaider]

excerpt from a preseason preview:

THE SCOOP​

If any program in the country needed a fresh start, it was the New Mexico State Aggies. A disastrous 2022-23 campaign featured legal trouble and a hazing scandal that ultimately led to the cancelation of the program’s season in early February.

NMSU’s off-the-court issues were immense, but the on-court results were poor, as well. Even before the season suspension, NMSU had clinched its first sub-.500 record in conference play since 2005. That was five coaches ago! The Aggies had been a success factory in the WAC.

Unsurprisingly, the administration fired Greg Heiar after less than a year in charge. Every single player departed via the portal or graduation, ripping down the Aggies’ program to the studs. Even the school’s conference affiliation changed; the Aggies are now a member of Conference USA.

NMSU selected Jason Hooten to lead the necessary raze and rebuild. His success at Sam Houston State demonstrates what he is capable of: Under his watch, the Bearkats won 10 or more league games for 10 straight years.

 

[SpaceRaider]

more:

POTENTIAL POTHOLES​

Besides having 13 new scholarship players who have never played together?

That unfamiliarity is exacerbated by NMSU’s limited summer exposure. Due to the whirlwind of recruiting so many new players and several grad transfers finishing classes at their old schools, only six scholarship players were in Las Cruces for the Aggies’ offseason work. One of them (Duarte) missed most of that time with a torn meniscus.

With all of those roadblocks, the Aggies still have to find a way to coalesce. Building chemistry and cohesion will extend into fall practice — even things as simple as setting up drills will take time.

THE OUTLOOK​

NMSU epitomizes the idea of a high-variance team. The Aggies have 13 new scholarship players, none of whom have ever played together, and only one guy is familiar with the team’s new coach. Odukale could be one of C-USA’s best players, or he could be in street clothes until 2024-25.

Hooten’s winning pedigree and the roster’s talent lend credence to NMSU having upside, though. The pieces are there to be a frenetic, badgering defense the way Hooten craves. JJP, Jackson, Suggs and Carpenter could provide consistent offense even if Odukale is forced to sit.

The most important part of this season, though, is erasing any memory of last year’s disaster. To that end, hiring Hooten and bringing in a 100% new roster is a terrific place to start.

 

[SpaceRaider]

ROSTER​

#	Player	Pos.	Listed	Year	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3PT%

	Jaylin Jackson-Posey*	G	6-2	R-Jr.	17.1	6.7	1.9	1.6	1.1	0.2	41.7	44.8
	Femi Odukale*	G	6-6	Sr.	27.6	7.3	4.4	2.3	1.6	0.4	43.5	28.9
	Brandon Suggs*	G	6-6	Sr.	19.3	6.6	3.2	0.9	0.8	0.1	46.8	41.2
	Clarence “Monzy” Jackson*	F	6-7	Sr.	17.4	7.2	4.7	0.8	0.6	0.2	45.9	45.5
	Kaosi Ezeagu*	F	6-10	Gr.	19.3	5.8	3.8	0.4	0.1	0.6	59.3	–
	Jordan Rawls*	G	6-1	Sr.	20.1	7.5	1.3	2.6	0.5	0.0	36.8	22.4
	Jaden Harris	G	6-4	Jr.	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
	Christian Cook*	G	6-2	Jr.	32.9	16.0	1.8	2.2	1.0	0.3	45.4	41.5
	Robert Carpenter*	F	6-7	Jr.	32.6	17.8	4.8	0.6	0.8	1.1	38.7	32.1
	Keylon Dorsey	G	6-5	Fr.	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
	Lewis Duarte	G	6-5	Fr.	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
	Jonathan Kanyanga*	F	6-9	Sr.	26.2	6.8	8.1	0.7	0.6	4.0	58.5	–
	Yaak Yaak	F	6-11	Fr.	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
	Davion Bradford***	F	7-0	Sr.	10	2.5	2.0	0.1	0.0	0.5	0.8

 

[sWiley]

THE OUTLOOK​

The Aggies have 13 new scholarship players, none of whom have ever played together, and only one guy is familiar with the team’s new coach.

Who is ready to watch our squad get boat raced by a new coach + all new players who have never played together, by a team brand new to our league......

It would be excuse central if that were the situation here at MT.....instead we have a 6 year coach with a roster full of players he recruited that are well known to him....and one of the worst teams in the country....

Sounds like we should give him an extension

 

[SpaceRaider]

Who is ready to watch our squad get boat raced by a new coach + all new players who have never played together, by a team brand new to our league......

It would be excuse central if that were the situation here at MT.....instead we have a 6 year coach with a roster full of players he recruited that are well known to him....and one of the worst teams in the country....

Sounds like we should give him an extension

Interesting contrast. This team continues to get worse. The Raiders might surprise and upset the Aggies, as they're coming off a huge emotional comeback win over wku, but I really have a hard time seeing this team get to double digits in the win column by the end of the season. McDevitt in six years doesn't have this program where it should be.

 

[Predarat]

The only good thing is all their goals are still in front of them, and they are playing so hard.

 

[MidTennMtneer]

The only good thing is all their goals are still in front of them, and they are playing so hard.

I want to laugh at that because I hate that mantra (how mamy times did Stock say that after a loss), but in basketball it's true. You of course want to do well in the reg season to get a better seeding and play one less game in the tourney, but technically we still have a shot at the NCAA bid. Do I see it happening, no. But still, sad but true.

 

[MT01]

I mean please by all means correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think lucking into the NCAA Tournament with a losing record and going as a 16 seed is one of the goals. If it is we need better goal setting. That’s worse than perpetual .500 seasons.

 

[ewglenn]

I mean please by all means correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think lucking into the NCAA Tournament with a losing record and going as a 16 seed is one of the goals. If it is we need better goal setting. That’s worse than perpetual .500 seasons.

I’ll never say playing in the NCAA tournament is bad but it would be annoying because Nick would stay if that happened. Playing in the tournament is such valuable exposure for our university so I’d take getting in every year even if it was a 16 seed. I mean UMBC is remembered just for their win over UVA. I wouldn’t mind a chance every year. Would yall sign up if we had a losing record every year but still went to the NCAA tournament every year as a trade off?

 

[SpaceRaider]

Aggies Look to Protect Homecourt Against Middle Tennessee - New Mexico State University Athletics

What: Game Nineteen Who: NM State (8-10, 2-1 CUSA) at Middle Tennessee (6-12, 0-3 CUSA) When: Saturday, Jan. 20, 7:00 p.m. MT Where: Las Cruces, N.M. - Pan American

nmstatesports.com

 

[MT01]

I’ll never say playing in the NCAA tournament is bad but it would be annoying because Nick would stay if that happened. Playing in the tournament is such valuable exposure for our university so I’d take getting in every year even if it was a 16 seed. I mean UMBC is remembered just for their win over UVA. I wouldn’t mind a chance every year. Would yall sign up if we had a losing record every year but still went to the NCAA tournament every year as a trade off?

No

 

[SpaceRaider]

28.2%

Line: NMSU -6.5
Over/Under: 129.5

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

[MTFAN61]

Winning streaks & losing streaks have very similar patterns. But like a battery one has a positive charge, the other a negative. After 7 consecutive division 1 losses a losers anticipation has kicked in at MT. A team that wins 7 straight has the anticipation that somehow someway they will win their next game. Our mindset is the same, but in the polar opposite direction. Somehow someway we know we'll find a way to lose.
If or when this team gets a win it won't be because we play a great game, someone in CUSA will have to play its worst game of the year. To make it into the big dance this team will have to rely on multiple teams playing their worst game of the year back to back to back.
And that I don't really anticipate happening.

 

[MTFAN61]

After CUSA just sent a 35 win team to the Final Four, please Lord don't send MT to the NCAA representing CUSA with something like a 11-22 record.

 

[BlueraiderSC]

McD needs to be fired after this road trip. I was excited about this season and was going to go to a lot of games but I wont go to a game for free now until he is gone. My boycott of football lasted 8 years. Hopefully basketball makes a move much quicker than that.

 

[BlueraiderSC]

We are 297th in the country in KenPom rankings. There are only 5 D1 FBS playing football schools worse than us this year. Unacceptable.

 

[sWiley]

McD needs to be fired after this road trip. I was excited about this season and was going to go to a lot of games but I wont go to a game for free now until he is gone. My boycott of football lasted 8 years. Hopefully basketball makes a move much quicker than that.

Quoted for emphasis

 

[MidTennMtneer]

I mean please by all means correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think lucking into the NCAA Tournament with a losing record and going as a 16 seed is one of the goals. If it is we need better goal setting. That’s worse than perpetual .500 seasons.

I 100% agree. It shouldn't be. But we know what this admin has said before and how Stock was handled for years. I guarantee that is how they are viewing it.

 

[MTLynn]

McD needs to be fired after this road trip.

It depends if 7-wood has chosen another coach.

 

[ewglenn]

If Nick is replaced I’d keep an eye on Bucky McMillan at Samford. He already has 2 of top 5 seasons all time. They are currently 16-2 and on track to have their best season ever. He is 40 and this is his 4th year there.

 

[MTFAN61]

If Nick is replaced I’d keep an eye on Bucky McMillan at Samford. He already has 2 of top 5 seasons all time. They are currently 16-2 and on track to have their best season ever. He is 40 and this is his 4th year there.

Just read he signed a 7 year extension thru 2030. Even if his contract is around $350k annually that's a healthy buyout

 

[SpaceRaider]

halftime

MT 26
NMSU 34

Team Comparison

STATISTIC	MT	NMSU
FG%	29%	44%
FGs	8-28	14-32
3FG%	36%	33%
3FGs	5-14	3-9
FT%	71%	75%
FTs	5-7	3-4
TOs	8	5
PtsOffTO	3	11
TotReb	15	22
DefReb	11	16
Off Reb	4	6
2ndChPts	3	6
BenchPts	11	12
PtsPaint	4	16
FstBkPt	0	5
Blocks	2	2
Steals	4	2
Assts	5	6
Times Tied:	1
Time Tied:	1:51
Lead Chg:	1
LeadTime	3:09	15:00

 

[SpaceRaider]

Tre Green is 3-4 from behind the arc in 12 minutes with only one turnover. Not going to look but that may be the first time he has more made baskets than turnovers

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

[SpaceRaider]

50-50

7:14 left

arison

STATISTIC	MT	NMSU
FG%	37%	38%
FGs	16-43	18-47
3FG%	33%	33%
3FGs	7-21	5-15
FT%	73%	64%
FTs	11-15	9-14
TOs	13	8
PtsOffTO	10	16
TotReb	27	29
DefReb	22	22
Off Reb	5	7
2ndChPts	5	8
BenchPts	11	20
PtsPaint	14	18
FstBkPt	5	10
Blocks	3	2
Steals	7	5
Assts	8	8
Times Tied:	4
Time Tied:	3:11
Lead Chg:	1
LeadTime	3:09	26:26

 

[SpaceRaider]

Tre Green leading all scorers with 6 of 8 threes

73-62

Final

MT loses again

 

[SpaceRaider]

Team Comparison

STATISTIC	MT	NMSU
FG%	34%	42%
FGs	20-58	23-55
3FG%	30%	43%
3FGs	10-33	9-21
FT%	67%	69%
FTs	12-18	18-26
TOs	15	8
PtsOffTO	10	20
TotReb	34	37
DefReb	25	29
Off Reb	9	8
2ndChPts	13	11
BenchPts	20	22
PtsPaint	16	20
FstBkPt	5	14
Blocks	3	3
Steals	7	5
Assts	11	12
Times Tied:	5
Time Tied:	4:46
Lead Chg:	3
LeadTime	4:14	30:54

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

[Hop45]

Buford can't buy a 3 pointer any more. The guys played hard and had the lead briefly late.

 

[SpaceRaider]

 

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[SpaceRaider]