NMSU Men Host Arizona in the Pan-Am Tuesday
The New Mexico State men’s basketball team returns to the Pan American Center for its second home game of the year to host Arizona at 7 p.m. tonight.
The game will be shown live on AggieVision and broadcast across New Mexico on Comcast, Fox Sports Arizona Plus, Altitude 2, KVIA 24/7 (Channel 7.3) and ESPN Full Court. The game is available on KGRT 104 FM with the ‘Voice of the Aggies’ Jack Nixon, and the pregame show starts 30 minutes prior to tip. Arizona is the first BCS school the Aggies have hosted in the Pan Am since Texas Tech, Dec. 29, 2005.
New Mexico State Aggies
The Aggies recorded a third-place finish in the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout with a 2-1 showing in the tournament to improve to 5-1 on the season. NM State has four players in double figures with redshirt senior Wendell McKines leading the way with 17.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Christian Kabongo adds 15.5 points per contest, while junior forward Bandja Sy is averaging 11.3 points per game. Senior guard Hernst Laroche provides 10.7 points and 4.8 assists per game.
Scouting Arizona
The Wildcats are making their first appearance in the Pan American Center since Dec. 13, 1971. This year, Arizona is 4-2 after falling to San Diego State, 61-57, Nov. 23, in Tucson. Junior forward Solomon Hill has team-high 12.0 points per game along with 8.2 rebounds. Senior guard Kyle Fogg contributes 11.5 points per contest, while senior forward Jesse Perry averages 10.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
Series Notes
Arizona leads the all-time series 59-40 following last season’s 83-57 win in Tucson, Nov. 18. In the Pan Am, the Aggies have a 28-24 advantage in series.
Previous Meeting
The Aggies suffered its first loss of the 2010-11 season at Arizona, 83-57, Nov. 18, 2010. Forward Troy Gillenwater scored a team-high 25 points, while forward Bandja Sy scored a then career-high 10 points off the bench. UA forward Derrick Williams led all scorers with 27 points.
Aggies Improve to 5-1, Take Third Place
In its second appearance in the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout, the Aggies concluded the tournament with an 81-71 win over San Francisco in the third-place game, Nov. 26. The Aggies had four players in double-digits with sophomore guard Christian Kabongo recording a career-high 23 points. Redshirt senior forward Wendell McKines tallied 17 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
NM State suffered its first loss of the season to Southern Mississippi, 80-72, in the tournament semifinals, Nov. 25. Kabongo led the way with 19 points. He tied the shootout record for individual free-throw percentage (100) with a 15-of-15 showing at the line.
The Aggies opened the shootout with a 78-49 win over Central Michigan, Nov. 24. McKines posted his third double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds for his 30th career double-double. Junior forward Bandja Sy had a team-high 15 points, and Kabongo contributed 12 points.
Crimson and White Shootout
As a team, the Aggies crushed the previous shootout records for free throws made (95; previously 82 by UCLA, 1990) and attempted (131; previously 112 by Weber State, 1993) in a tournament. They also tied the record for charities in a game with 35 against Central Michigan. Individually, sophomore guard Christian Kabongo recorded four tournament records including 30 consecutive free throws and game-record 15-of-15 performance at the line in the win over Central Michigan. He also had tournament marks for free throws made (34) and attempted (35).
McKines and Kabongo Honored
Redshirt senior forward Wendell McKines and sophomore guard Christian Kabongo were named to the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout All-Tournament Team. The duo led the Aggies to a third-place finish in the tournament.
NM State Shootout History
The Aggies have a 5-1 record in the Great Alaska Shootout after their second appearance. In 1992, the Aggies claimed the Great Alaska Shootout title in 1992 with wins over Tennessee-Chattanooga, 75-65, Nov. 26, Oregon, 86-75, Nov. 27, and Illinois, 95-94, Nov. 28.
Strong Second-Half Showings
The Aggies have had strong second-half performances this season. NM State has surged in the second half and outscored opponents by 51 points, 256-205.
Driving to the Basket
The Aggies haven’t been afraid to drive to the basket this season. NM State has taken 249 free throw attempts in six games and has 122 more attempts than its opponents. The Aggies have made more free throws (170) then the opponents have attempted (127). As a team, NM State is shooting 68.3 percent from the line.
Aggies Own the Glass
NM State has a renewed focus on rebounding this season with a very experience front court. The Aggies have a +8.3 rebounding margin and 237-187 advantage on the boards. On the offensive glass, the Aggies have 32 more rebounds than their opponents (95-63). Redshirt senior forward Wendell McKines is averaging 9.5 rebounds, and senior center Hamidu Rahman is adding 6.8 boards per game.
Kabongo Has Career Night against the Dons
Sophomore guard Christian Kabongo helped the Aggies to the third-place finish with a career-high 23 points in the win over San Francisco, 81-71, Nov. 26. In the semifinal game, Kabongo had a team-high 19 points against Southern Mississippi, Nov. 25, with five assists. In the tournament-opening game versus Central Michigan, Nov. 24, he scored 12 points and tallied three assists and three rebounds.
Aggies off to a Great Start
With the Great Alaska Shootout tournament-opening win over Central Michigan, Nov. 24, the Aggies recorded only their third 4-0 start since the 1992-93 season, when they won the Shootout in 1992.
McKines Leading the Way in His Final Season
Redshirt senior forward Wendell McKines looks to leave a lasting legacy in his fifth season in Las Cruces. He scored a career-high 23 points against UTEP, Nov. 19, in the home opener. McKines has three double-doubles this season. He has scored in double figures in all six games and grabbed double-digit rebounds in three games.
Laroche is a Dual Threat
Senior point guard Hernst Laroche has been a model of consistency in his Aggie career. This season, Laroche has scored in double digits in three of the six games. He has also notched five or more assists in four games with a season-high seven assists against San Francisco.
Kabongo Continues to Attack as a Sophomore
Sophomore guard Christian Kabongo isn’t afraid to drive to the basket in his second season. He scored a career-high 23 points in the win over San Francisco, Nov. 26. He has two 20-point games this year and has posted double figures in five of the six games. Kabongo has recorded three or more assists in four games.
Rahman Controlling the Paint
Senior center Hamidu Rahman is an anchor for the Aggies in the middle. He has two double-figure games and has a minimum of five rebounds in each game. He tied a career high with three assists against San Francisco. Rahman has attempted multiple free throws in every game.
Sy Sparks the Aggie Bench
Junior forward Bandja Sy has found his grove in his third season in the Crimson and White. He scored in double figures in the first four games. Sy has made a 3-point field goal in each of the Aggie wins.
Watson Maintains Supporting Role
Junior forward Tyrone Watson has started in all six games this season. He scored a season-high 10 points against Southern Miss, Nov. 25. Watson also has posted three assists in three games in 2011-12.
de Rouen Makes Aggie Debut
Las Cruces native, freshman guard Terrel de Rouen made his NM State debut against Central Michigan, Nov. 24. He scored four points, seized three rebounds and dished one assist.
Aggies Beat UTEP 89-73 in Home Opener
NM State ended rivalry week with an 89-73 win over I-10 rival UTEP, Nov. 19. Redshirt senior forward Wendell McKines scored a career-high 23 points along with 13 rebounds for his second double-double of the year. Senior guard Hernst Laroche, sophomore guard Christian Kabongo and junior forward Bandja Sy contributed 15 points each, while sophomore center Tshilidzi Nephawe added 12.
New Floor Unveiled Prior to Home Opener
The Aggies are 4-1 in home openers under head coach Marvin Menzies. NM also unveiled a new parquet floor at the Pan American Center. Here are a few of the first records on the new floor.
First Person to Score: Christian Kabongo
First 3-point field goal: Christian Kabongo
First Assist: Tyrone Watson
First Free Throw: D’Von Campbell of UTEP
First Dunk: Tshilidzi Nephawe
McKines Earns WAC Player of the Week Honor
Redshirt senior forward Wendell McKines was named the Verizon WAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Nov. 14-20. The honor marks the first career WAC Player of the Week award for McKines. He averaged 18.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.0 assists per game. He shot 37.0 percent (10-of-27) from the field and 75.0 percent (15-of-20) from the free throw line.
Aggies Down New Mexico 62-53 in The Pit
NM State utilized a strong defensive effort to defeat in-state rival New Mexico, 62-53, Nov. 16. This was the first win for the Aggies in The Pit since Dec. 15, 2002. Redshirt senior forward Wendell McKines led the way with 14 second-half points and a game-high nine rebounds. Junior forward Bandja Sy added 12 points including a late three-point play and critical blocked shot in the final 30 seconds of the game. Senior center Hamidu Rahman provided 10 points and five rebounds. The win also broke a seven-game skid to the Lobos.
Aggie Defense Fuels Wins
In the win at UNM, NM State held the Lobos to 28 percent shooting for the game and a 4-of-21 performance in the second half. The Aggies also forced 21 turnovers, which is the second consecutive game an opponent has committed 20 or more turnovers.
Record Watch
Senior guard Hernst Laroche returned for his final season in Las Cruces and started his 100th consecutive game at Northern Colorado, Nov. 12. Jonathan Gibson has the school record in games played with 131. Laroche has 3,392 career minutes played, and he moved into No. 2 on the school record list at the Great Alaska Shootout. He needs just 391 minutes to tie all-time leader Eric Channing (3,783).
Laroche also ranks second on the all-time list for career assists (445) at NM State. He trails Sam Crawford by 147 assists (592).
Career Leaders in Assists
1. Sam Crawford-592
2. Hernst Laroche-445
3. Keith Hill-379
4. Ernest Patterson-371
5. Steve Colter-347
Aggie Double-Doubles
Redshirt senior forward Wendell McKines recorded the first double-double of the season at Northern Colorado, Nov. 12, with 18 points and 10 rebounds. McKines has 30 career double-doubles. Last year, the Aggies had eight double-doubles. Sophomore center Tshilidzi Nephawe, senior center Hamidu Rahman and junior forward Tyrone Watson all recorded a double-double last season.
Aggies Outlast Northern Colorado in Opener, 89-75
The Aggies had a strong second-half effort to collect an 89-75 win at Northern Colorado in the season opener, Nov. 12 in Greeley, Colo. The Aggies had four players in double-figures. Redshirt senior forward Wendell McKines posted his 28th career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Christian Kabongo scored a game-high 20 points, while senior guard Hernst Laroche added 13. Junior forward Bandja Sy also contributed to the offense with 13 second-half points including a 3-for-4 showing at the 3-point line.
Home Sweet Home
NM State utilized its home court advantage in 2010-11 at the Pan American Center and finished with a 7-1 record in WAC home games in 2010-11. The Aggies had their 12-game WAC home win streak snapped March 2 against Utah State.
Rahman Climbs the Ladder
Senior center Hamidu Rahman currently has 99 career blocked shots. He is now No. 4 on the Aggie all-time list.
Career Leaders in Blocked Shots
1. James Moore-200
2. Slab Jones-124
3. Charles Goza-116
4. Hamidu Rahman-99
5. Johnny Roberson-98
6. Sam Lacey-92
7. Martin Iti-82
Menzies Is the Sixth Winningest Coach at NM State
Head coach Marvin Menzies recorded his 70th victory at NM State in 2010-11. He now ranks sixth on the all-time winningest coaches list in program history. Menzies is the second fastest to reach 70 behind Lou Henson.
All-Time Winningest Coaches (by victories)
1. Lou Henson-289
2. Neil McCarthy-229
3. Jerry Hines-157
4. Presley Askew-135
5. Weldon Drew-82
6. Marvin Menzies-81
McKines Returns to the Hardwood
Redshirt senior forward Wendell McKines returned in 2011-12 after being sidelined last year due to a broken foot he sustained in mid-October. An All-WAC honorable mention selection in 2009-10, he ranks No.5 on the all-time rebounding list at NM State with 818 boards. McKines has posted three double-doubles in 2011-12 and has 30 in his career.
Career Leaders in Rebounds
1. Sam Lacey 1,265
2. Slab Jones 951
3. George Knighton 866
4. Billy Joe Price 824
5. Wendell McKines 818
6. Charles Gosa 788
Mullings Makes Aggie Debut
In his first game in the Crimson and White, freshman guard Daniel Mullings scored nine points off the bench, including a three-point play on a fast break dunk that spurred the Aggies second-half effort at Northern Colorado. Mullings also had three assists and three steals in 25 minutes.
Looking Ahead
NM State returns to the road to meet Southern Mississippi for the second time this season, Sunday, Dec. 4 at noon in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Source: NMSU Athletics
